It's not Mick making this up. Yes as things stand right now the Bulls are down, but the RFL are coming under a bit of pressure from other championship clubs to keep them up. If nothing gets changed then yes the Bulls are down. As already been stated, does anybody believe the RFL are not capable of changing things within the next couple of month

Which is not surprising in the slightest given the level of away support that will possibly not come, with likes of Toronto, Tolouse, possibly Catalans, and If any of the cumbrian teams come up which is likely. As much as its pressure from other chairmen too we will still be seen as being helped by the RFL by other fans when its those running their clubs wanting it

I struggle to see how the RFL would spin keeping us up. If they did a decision needs to be made asap because the longer they leave it the harder it is to recruit and we would go into next season ill equipped because we'd missed the recruitment boat. I'm not signing up for another season as cannon fodder so as to save the blushes of other clubs.

You really shouldn't reply to the troll Chris. What I said on the radio on Sunday was correct in that the Championship clubs are wanting to hand a reprieve to the Bradford Bulls.

Restructuring is definitely happening.

The RFL met with all the League One clubs yesterday.

It's like a very bad soap opera.

Agree with that really, The RFL haven't done us any favours, apart from the rent deal maybe, but they've done all their shenanigans for their own benefit.

That said, I'm not totally certain that we couldn't have a reasonable season if we were saved from relegation. The biggest negative would be that, being led to believe we're relegated, we've downsized (maybe downqualitied would be a better word, if it really is a word...) our squad AND lost a whole terraceful of fans. Getting over those setbacks would be the biggest difficulty. All be it a little late in the day, being in div 2 as against div 3 does have a tad more allure to it when it comes to recruitment and it's not impossible that [isome[/i of the lost sheep might also return. I confess the recruitment side would definitely be my biggest worry. Given the fact that with all our travails this season, bar for the -12 start, we'd be lower mid table, then I don't think its too much to believe that, from a zero start, we'd have a chance of putting in a decent season, playing wise - assuming we get a squad of our own and aren't depending on loans and DRs, that is. I don't think there is any reason to just assume we'd be relegated next time round.

As to the returning fans, much would depend on how we start the season, just as it does when we go down, imo. Given a fair start they'll rise; if we're rubbish they won't. Simple as.

If there is a restructuring of all three leagues ,for the good of the game as a whole clearly spelt out, and as a by product we end up in the second tier amoungst some other moves then fine.

If however we are artificially kept up because it will help the rfl and other clubs coffers (again!) and because "we're the Bulls" then I'll be done. I'm not turning up next year if it's clear I've just wasted a whole seasons time/effort/money/disappointment on a preordained stich up. We're bottom, we should be relegated, but either way it needs a definitive statement from the rfl now, (should have been sooner) not in the offseason.

But on what legitimate basis? What sort of sporting body lets the clubs in a division decide whether a relegated club should be relegated, based purely on their own financial needs? It's like the clubs in Football League 1 deciding that Bradford City shouldn't get relegated to League 2 if they happen to finish bottom this season. It just wouldn't happen.

Or, to give a RL example, it would be like the Championship clubs refusing to admit Toronto to the Championship because they don't bring any way fans, or because they don't fancy a 6 hour plane trip to an away game.

It feels like the lunatics are taking over the asylum here.

This is 'me too'

If the league is restructured just to keep us up so that the lazy sods that run the likes of Swinton or Rochdale can rely on our away support to bolster their failing clubs, then I'm finished with Rugby League.

Hi Paul,

Why will we get steamrolled? No minus 12 this time (if we are granted a reprieve) longer time to assemble a squad, increased central funding (150k for bottom placed champs club vs 75k for relegated), larger away gates (just....) at Odsal

The fans will come, the hardcore is there, 3000 is realisitic if we are given a reprieve, if we go to the third tier then I fear 1500 would be the number

We have 18 competition points at present, so with a scratch team of kids and cast offs/loans/DR we would have survived without a points deductions.

Bold statement - if we stay on the champs next season, then I would be surprised if we don't make the middle 8's (if that comp still exists) certainly a top 4 team with some stability.

I've adjusted your comment for my take on it, but you're spot on.

It would all depend on how much time we had to assemble a squad and whether our esteemed owners had the where with all to recruit a decent head coach and a competitive team. The longer we wait in limbo the less chance there is of that happening. I even worry that the longer it's uncertain (if indeed it is and this isn't all just bollox) the harder it will be to get a promotion winning side together in C1.

However as has been pointed out this whole scenario seems ludicrous. To be kept up because other club owners are would be skint! I just can't see it happening. If it did fans of other clubs could go coco. I'd refer them to their own club chairman.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h03YryvSIXQ Some nice tries scored there. Caro's third was helped by possibly the worst tackling I've ever seen. Vila Halafifi? Did I hear that right? Think Brandan Wilkinson would do well to grow up and stop rubbing the hair of opponents to wind them up.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h03YryvSIXQ Some nice tries scored there. Caro's third was helped by possibly the worst tackling I've ever seen. Vila Halafifi? Did I hear that right? Think Brandan Wilkinson would do well to grow up and stop rubbing the hair of opponents to wind them up.

The thing is, we have no choice. We will be wherever we are put, same as this year. I have no firm information but was told by what I conside a pretty reliable source that there is a plan for a restructure, but it won't be announced in the middle of the season. It was basically to increase Championship by 2 teams but unlikely to be annonced till after the season ends so as not to render much of it pointless. But it was a plan of various chairmen - not the RFL.

How I'd feel about it is probably there's more chance of me buying a season ticket than there would be for C1 given we are seemingly in disarray with players mostly leaving not signing, and given the likelihood Toovey will get a better offer, and iven the severe lack of funds that to me doesn't augur well. But even if it did happen, the delay in any announcement will mean it will be pretty much too late for player purposes, like it was before the start of this season.

And either way we have the huge shadow of the Tribunal elephant in the room, which it is not too dramatic to say might sink us altogether, if it goes wrong, and if we literally do not have any money, and aren't looking for any 'investors'. Our "income" from C1 looks by all reports as being 75K. If we were ordered to pay 45 people 2 grand each then that's already gone. And thats even before we've paid our lawyers. But the point is, HOW can we even begin to budget and sign any players (if we have a budget) with the uncertainty of the Tribunal hanging over us? As given we've no dosh, every pennt woud be out of enxt year's budget? Happy days.