It'd could cost us millions to leave Odsal before 2019. Obviously this minor issue slipped Ward's mind. Unless he's proposing the Council try to persuade the RFL to give up their leasehold so Odsal can be sold then the Bulls can be forced into VP, great deal for us I don't think!

Its unusual for an MP to wade into an issue without understanding the detail.

Attention-seeking otherwise-invisible politician in "jumping on bandwagon if can sense any political advantage" shocker.

I believe City pay Gibbs flamingo land pension pot (aka Valley Parade) an astonishing £700k per annum..... Does anyone know what the Bulls pay the RFL?

I wish Mr Ward would look after his consituent town, its a freaking dump full of unemployed/unemployable chavs walking the streets.....

Bullfighting !!! I'd pay a quid to watch that.

Poor deal that. The RFL give us 700k.

Just go to the EGM...

What stops Gibbs putting the rent up if there are two teams at vally pararde. he will think its Christimas come early

AFAIK city only rent ground on matchdays. If they stage extra events that involve opening the stadium they have to pay extra rent.

Other problem for me with a move to VP is lack of terracing. My personal preference is to stand at rugby matches. we have 5k seats at odsal which are never even close to full. Vast majority also choose to stand and given cheaper prices last year it doesnt seem to be cost related. While they might be able to accomodate a small terraced section at VP (if footbal league relax regulations, which is unlikely), they certainly wouldnt be able to accomodate the 7k+ who choose to stand at odsal.

IF the RFL are now paying the maintenance costs at Odsal, and this has never been clarified but seems likely, then I dont see the advantage of paying a commercial rent at VP as opposed to a commercial rent at Odsal. fFans voted with their feet last time we went down there and they'd do the same again.

Bit of kite flying to garner votes in lead up to local elections by Mr Ward IMO.

Given that the pitch is too short at Valley Parade and last time we were there it was given a dispensation on the ground of being a temporary situation some of the front row seats at each end would have to be removed to create the required space. If they're having to modify the ends of the stadium they could put terracing in if it wasn't in direct contradiction to City's requirement if they have any ambition of playing in the top 2 flights. So no terracing and the stadium would need modifying anyway and can you guess who'd bear the cost of that?

Fans voted with their feet whilst we had possibly the most talented and successful team in a generation playing at VP. What would it have been like had we had the performances of the last few seasons?

And I agree with the kite flying, I suspect we won't have any more input from politicians once the local elections are out of the way.

Ward is getting invloved in trying to make the people of Bradford realise the lib dems still exist. FWIW I admire ward. He's a local bloke whose not afraid to stand up against the party line and do what he thinks is right for his constituents. remember, He was voted in to the constituency where he was a local councillor. The electorate knew what they were getting and they still wanted him. NOt like Galloway who promised the earth to a largely igonored and disillusioned electorate.

I am sick of seeing City and BUlls fans slagging each others stadium off. Simply put, there are advantages and disadvantages to both, and some genuine points in and amongst some absolute garbage, some of which has already crept into this thread! I am a season ticket holder at both, and I value the heritage and attachments that each club has. But at the moment the stadia the clubs play in are crippling them both financially!

To get both playing at one stadium as equal tennants would be the best course of action for both! Long term, I see no other alternative!

The case for both at VP:

A more modern stadium with better facilities in the ground. for everyday fans and corporates.
All under cover
All seater so never have to worry about license ever again.
modern, so much cheaper to maintain.
closer to the action
Good public transport (inc rail) links
Ample on and off street parking.

Case against VP:

Pitch too small so would need work doing.
In wrong part of City as most Bulls fans are from South Bradford. Perceived high crime rate ( although I work in the area, and go into manningham 3/4 times a week for city/socialising and my car hasnt been stolen or vandalised when Ive parked sensibly)
Not our own ground with our own history
Further from my house

Case for Odsal:

Our home
Unique bowl venue
Good bus links
Good on and off street parking
Terracing
Straight off motorway
nearer to my house


Case against odsal (from a rl and soccer POV)

too far from action
terracing
Expensive to run
lack of rail links without buses
Not enough seats for football
no roof


you could add more to each list.