I think they will have to go some to get everything finalised by Sunday. Remember that at this stage it is still only a formal submission of an unconditional bid, nothing more.

The SLE bid will be, to pay running costs to the end of the season , to pay a % of debts ( much of which will be to the RFL ) , then if no buyer is found to operate as a Championship ( NOT C 1 ) till the next round of licencing, whereupon if qualified ( win 2013 NRC ) they will be in a position to return to SL, and then put up for sale

They will play at Odsal on a reduced rent until then

The question being, who will relpace them till then?

The Bulls are now effectively a Championship club

But if its a newco then there won't be any debts to repay will there? Why would they have to pay off expunged old debts to play in SL but not in the championship?

Geniune question, goes over my head much of this. Could, in theory, Guilfoyle reject the bid as not a good enough deal for creditors? Isn't, along with trying to the best deal for the club as a going concern, getting the best deal for the clubs creditors part of his remit? If the plan is for a newco and thus wiping the debts then is there a chance this could happen? Could he as the adminisrator give preferred bidder status to someone else?

Just on this marginally interesting front, SLE used to own a batch of shares in Hull FC - redeemable, convertable Ordinary shares which had no voting or dividend rights.

The 2003 Leeds accounts tell us that, "the investment relates to the purchase of £250,000 worth of shares in Hull RLFC by Super League Europe Limited (SLE). SLE holds these shares as the authorised agent on behalf of the twelve clubs who participated in the 1999 Super League season. "

i.e. SLE put some initial capital into Gateshead to get the club up and running. Somewhat different to the case of the Bullies, but a precedent of sorts for the other clubs having a stake in another member club. (The 2002 Hull Annual Return also shows a tasty batch of Hull FC shares owned by a Mr G Hetherington but that's another matter entirely).

Not from me.

I hope you survive as a SL club and not just a SL owned club! The fans and staff are a credit to Rugby League.

I suspect what is going on here is that the RFL through its proxy SL Europe is looking to protect its investment; Odsal and the integrity of the league structure. They are hoping that someone will come along witha an offer in the close season that will allow Bradford to continue, hopefull in Super League.

Anyway, good luck guys and gals.

Er, Leeds. Obviously.

In terms of our owners, I can't envisage a scenario where SLE would want to own a club playing in another competition.

I realise we can't be supported indefinitely, but I am more confident of our SL future today than at any time previously.

Id suggest exactly the opposite , to own a club in the same competition would be a huge conflict of interest, you will be visiting the LSV next year

16 ways. One share goes to the Championship clubs !

Unbelieveable Geoff!

They might not bother with a replacement. 13 club SL next year? It wouldn't require a new sky contract iirc.

Pot calling kettle black, FA. why didnt you do the text in white, it is far more appropriate for a blue background than blue text which has disappeared into the great blue yonder. otherwise, love it. In fact I am so inspired by it I am going to put my new avatar on, foul language included, so you can see how to do text.

I still don't understand this. There is too many confusing thing happening. None of it really makes sense.
Question 1: Why are we still getting 6 pts deducted if we are getting thrown out next season anyway? Is that not getting punished twice?

Question 2: Has anyone actually stated for a FACT that the club will be out of SL next year unless any potential buyer clears the debts? Is that not imposing conditions on the sale? I thought the RFL didn't like conditions?