Are we not linked with Rochdale or has that now finished and we are with Dewsbury instead?

We were linked tenuously with Rochdale at one time. I'm pretty sure it's Dewsbury only now.

As per ever, the Bulls' run of almost never ever getting a home draw in the Cup rounds gloriously continues. Statistically, a snowball would stand more chance on the surface of the sun than we have of a home draw.

OTOH it would be almost impossible to make any money on any home tie, certainly in the rounds and even a QF would likely be a lossmaker unless it was Leeds. So I agree that away at a small club is as good as it was likely to get.

What we could really do with is a run of draws against minnows, and at the same time for the leading SL clubs to keep being drawn against each other, and get to the Final without hardly having had to play a game.

But you know we'll be drawn against Leeds sooner or later. It's tradition.

I reckon the last time we played at Rochdale was:
1998 CC Round 4 Sun 15 Feb 1998 Rochdale 10 - 48 Bradford

I remember back in the day when they weren't a bad team playing them at Headingley in the 1990-1 Regal Trophy Semi Final
Sat 22 Dec 1990 Rochdale 13 - 2 Bradford

I did the maths and I think we have about a 1 in 50 chance of reaching the semis without a game in which we aren't clear favourites, and 1 in 200 without facing SL opposition at all.

The Rochdale tie-in question was asked at a Hood-era fans forum (one I sent in) and we were told it had not come to anything. Like so many other tie-ups (Wakefield RU, anyone?) that we were sold and then came to nothing.

We played Rochdale at Spotland in 1998, yes. Nice stadium. We made up most of the crowd. Rochdale gave us a good run for our money first half, and we were pretty lacklustre tbh. In the end, we ground them down with superior fitness and bench and skill, but IIRC few Bulls fans left feeling we had taken them to the cleaners.

Only later did it become clear that the Edwards effect was already eating the heart out of the team, and that was probably adversely affecting performances.

We took such a big following, that traffic approaching the ground from the M62 was stupid. The stadium is at the far side of the town to the M62, So clever sod here decided not to follow the herd but "cut across" to Halifax instead to avoid the traffic. Unfortunately, I did not have my map book in the car, and on this occasion my usually-reliable direction sense failed me miserably. what I assumed was north was actually west. On what my missus described as "yet another Adey Route", we DID get to enjoy seeing the evening sights of delightful Rawtenstall and picturesque Bacup though...

Good draw - providing we don't disrespect the opposition a route to the next round, a good payday for Rochdale as I hope we take a reasonable following over the Pennines and we don't get the expense of opening up Odsal for a small gate.
Maybe Fax at home in the next round - that would be interesting?

Book your hotels now...

The next round seems entirely predictable, there will be 12 SL teams and 4 non-SL teams, contesting 8 ties.

The odds of the Bulls then drawing a non-SL team in the next round, PLUS also one all non-SL tie are 16.5/1

The outcome is a QF lineup of 8 teams of which only one is a non-SL side. Our chances of being drawn against them are thus 7/1

I make that 139/1.

As we can't even beat odds of even money on being drawn at home, though, it isn't looking a good bet

Rochdale in the cup was the first time I ever heard someone exclaim "sh.it the bed". And the chap in question said it every 10 seconds for the whole game. He probably paused between sips of his bovril at halftime to say it as well.

I see tickets going on sale tomorrow for this, but does anyone actually know when the game is being played? Is it 3pm on the Sunday.

Depends on whether it is televised on the Saturday or the Sunday

Confirmed as Sunday 21st April at 3pm. www.bradfordbulls.co.uk/latest_n ... icle/8256/

Confirmed as Sunday 21st April at 3pm. www.bradfordbulls.co.uk/latest_n ... icle/8256/

In what respect?

Spotland is a neat ground with cover on all four sides, and seats on three and disabled access to the ground. Capacity is just under 10,000 and we're easily found just off the M62. The only negative is that we only have a small car park but we have schools fairly near who usually let us take advantage of their premises for parking.

Hornets will see this as an opportunity to get a bit of cash in the bank and not a realistic chance of progressing into the next round.

As editor of the matchday programme I'd hope you will buy one and also buy some Golden Gambles, our half time draw. These are all things we use to try and raise much needed cash to help run our club.

Hornets is a Co-Op wholly owned by the fans

I expect your fans will be housed in the Willbutts Lane stand which holds around 3,750 and has a concession stand.

So please come along with an open mind and enjoy your day out and give us the respect we deserve, we can't all be Super League clubs you know.

Pugwash.

I've never been before either, but I'm looking forward to my first visit and hopefully we'll bring a few over so you get a decent wedge out of it

TBF I'm sure the OP was referring to Rochdale the town, not your esteemed club. I always enjoyed trips to your place and it would be nice to be back except I'll be in Spain. But I think you won the Cup back in the 1920s, and don't you hold the record CC high score record? Also there are many links between Bradford and Rochdale, notably Deryck Fox, Matt Calland, Eddie Tees and of course the late Roy Powell.