Relax you are in super league till at least the end of the 3 year franchise.

Reason. The announcement has all ready been made that Super league will continue as 14 teams.

Reason 2. Do you really think that teams like Wakey, Cas, Salford, London would have voted to take part in any Super League Europe take over of Bradford if it would put their futures in doubt.

Good luck to the Bull's and the new owners apart from when they Play the Rhino's.

One suspects someone - maybe everyone - is going to need deep pockets this next two years?

The did know it ( when the SL clubs voted for a 14 team SL and probably expessed a desire for it to be the Bulls ) and no doubt they privatley told the bidders

What is has done is complicate the next round of licencing, as long as all the other SL clubs remain solvent, when it comes to decide who if anbody drops out all the other at risk clubs will just point at Bradford

You are out of the frying pan, but still in the fire

Newco => Championship 1.

The newco hasn't bought the business as a going concern, otherwise they would be taking on all of the liabilities. Basically this is an asset transfer to a newco, enabling the old company to be wound up and its debts to die with it. Exactly the same scenario as Rangers FC.

I would disagree that our immediate survival in SL is critical and suggest that the medium and long term is more important. Please don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that I don't want us to be in SL next season, I just think the deal should be looked at very carefully.

If the deal means that we are effectively (see Adey's post or today's T&A) going to be fined over the next couple of years, then it may well mean that we will be put into a position where we are uncompetitive. Obviously, I've no idea as to what sort of finance there is behind the new club, but if it means we are a bottom four side over the next couple of years there are two problems. Firstly, we may find that we will possibly lose our licence as 'offering little to the competition' so get dropped into the championship anyway, and secondly, two years of very poor results is likely impact on support (another reason to refuse a licence) so we would then enter the lower division in a poor state.

IMO there is a very solid argument for considering the possibility of dropping ourselves into the championship. Firstly we would enter the competition in a much stronger position than we would if we were forced into it two years down the line and, presumably we wouldn't be facing the sort of financial penalties to be imposed for entering SL. Secondly, and equally importantly, we would be far morel likely to be successful and retain support in the lower division and could then compete effectively for a licence in two years time and have a much better chance of making a solid start.

Again, I stress I'm definitely not saying I don't want to be in SL next year, because I do, and at the end of the day there is nothing to say the RFL/SLE would impose conditions too onerous for us to play under, after all it would make no sense to save the club and then effectively kill it, but I do think the new owners should take careful stock of the position before just accepting anything to remain in SL.

Well we apparently have a fresh start: The old problem of competing camps of shareholders gone, historic baggage discarded, a successful businessman with a good profile in the community on board - and irrespective of what you think about Mr Sutcliffe's politics - he is at least inside the system which should be to our advantage.

Just a relief someone has thrown us a lifebelt

Pretty close there I'd say

Nobody is being ' fined ' , that would be pretty pointless either way , but you are spending next years money right now , so to drop down now would effectively finish you off , how would you expect to pay off the money ' advanced ' out of £ 90 K per year in the Championships ?

No , SL is what you and the ' bidders ' wanted , that is what you will get , making it work will be the hard part , and you have 18 months to prove it was the right decision , or then you might not have a choice

You will privatley be hoping another ' lesser ' SL club goes pop in the next 12 months , that is your ' get out of jail free ' card

Sad isn't it ?

Wrong as ever, no decision as to transferring the existing SL status has been made yet.


As insulting as it is bizarre. What a ridiculous thing to say. I wouldn't wish ill to any other club, I don't know of anyone who does, and you should be ashamed of that comment.

No. No No No. That is obscene. I'm actually hoping that RL can now get it's (financial) act together and we were the wake-up call needed for everyone else.

I'm also hoping that if another club gets into trouble, that the same level of support can be offered.

That a bit of oversight can be applied to an administrator if needed.

That funds can be advanced if needed.

With hindsight the only odd thing was purchasing the ground lease (imo) as that does link (excessively) the club & the RFL

Of course it hasn't

I said privatley , and I'm sure you dont , but dont tell me it wouldn't have crossed peoples minds including yours , you are now the current favourites to be replaced in 2015 , pull in the infamous 10,000 loyal Bulls fans per game and you will be safe , only hit 6/7,000 and you're in trouble