This has been on the cards since his mate left for France only think that stopped it happening earlier was his injury. John is like any sportsman tells any fan what he knows what they want to hear.

Everyone is aware of the issues. Ask yourself this, if Bateman was not a prized asset would the Bulls have held onto him? It is a two way street in Professional sport. If he was just another young fringe squad player then he would not have lasted as long because of his behaviour. He was a top prospect so the Bulls made exceptions. That's how it works.

Very Infrequent poster - tends to be when i get really down, but this week is one of them. Less than 3,000 season tickets sold, bringing in a player Widnes didn't want, now a potentially great player leaving because he does not see a future. I lived through the crap of the late 80's, with Seabourne and Hobbs coaching, with a team of cast offs from others, overhyped own talent and promising talent looking to put themselves in the shop window for more ambitious clubs, seems to me we are there again. Does the new regime have the vision to do a Caisley in 95 and revolutionise the club, I'm not sure, but they'd better start soon!

Not too sure I'm too down hearted about this. He didn't have a positive influence on any game I saw last year. He appears to be very immature with a poor attitude and a lot of injuries. I am however very worried about season ticket sales.

i'm becoming a little disillusioned with this, the club would have known this was coming and decided to hold a fans forum before they announced it.

The club wants the fans to buy into the future, I'm afraid we won't do that whilst this type of thing continues. I appreciate not announcing it before the season ticket deadline, however thats viewed, but at least give the fans the chance to ask questions in the appropriate forum.

I thought this was a joke when i saw people saying it'd happened.

He's been a bit part player for the last year through injury but even so we're stronger with him than not.

The offer only arrived late yesterday afternoon.

Im sorry but this must have been in the works for sometime, perhaps the agreeable offer came in yesterday afternoon but he was on his way out before the fans forum.

When was his latest transfer request, that's the interesting question.

I don't believe that for a second!

Timing of the forum and season ticket deadline is a little too convenient for me.

For every negative there is a positive. Even though Bateman has gone it means more oppertunity for the likes of Addy, Donaldson, Roberts, Mellor and Olbison to play consistantly. Who knows one of them might surprise us this year.

I agree with eddievan. We have lost three young players in the last few months. Whitehead, Naughton and now Bateman. I must be out of touch here as I can't really remember him being world class or winning games by himself. All I remember is an injury prone lad who does behave poorly off the field. Same with Whitehead. Yes they all may become stars but at this moment they are all just potential - but with serious attitude problems. Bateman is the best of the three but he will have a shock when Shaun Wane lays down the rules over at Wigan. I don't see this being just a Bulls problem but a general problem with too many youngsters and their awfull attitudes. Other teams also lose players. Wigan have lost so many youngsters to Union and NRL. Leeds have just signed Hulls winger. Its disappointing as many fans will now not buy a ticket. I am disappointed because of the time and money we have invested in him but if he wants away then fair enough.

So we've lost another of our young players.

But the thing is, this was always on the cards. Not just Bateman or other academy lads, but any player at the Bulls is on the radar of the clubs above us.

We've failed to make the play-offs for 5 years. We've sailed dangerously close to going out of business altogether. Of course players' heads are going to be turned if the champions come knocking. Who's wouldn't?

Player loyalty is, quite frankly, a myth. A player's career is a short one. Granted, some players break the mold like Beaver did, but for most 10 years is pretty much the sell by date on their playing time. Player HAVE to do what is best for them and their families. Players like Bateman especially, given his injury record. He's yet to make a full season at senior level without picking up a serious injury. Who's to say he'll even complete his 3 years at Wigan?

Players are going to want to achieve things. They want trophies, international call ups etc. And as it stands, they're not likely to get those at Bradford. A few years down the line, that may have changed, but right now, we've not as attractive an option as a Wigan or a Warrington and I really think so fans need to get some perspective. We were champs, but that was a long time ago. We've fallen from grace, hard, and there's a lot of work that needs to be done to arrest that fall and take us back up.

What by staying the whole season?

I wonder who else made enquiries, during the mess of 2012 he had around 10 NRL clubs after him.

Well I've just parted company with £450 for my ST's, if next season goes like last Season it'll be the last time for me! It's becoming a shambles run by well meaning people. Bateman isn't the be all and end all but it is very disappointing non the less. Just out of interest what did we actually get out of these last three transfers?

Oh and if a particular member of his family stops going to Odsal (and I imagine they will) there goes my reliable source on game day!!