City to Odsal? YP story

Quote: BantamBull "What a pathetic statement that lacks both accuracy and thought.

No wonder we Bradfordians reluctantly look up at the likes of Hull and Wigan nowadays.

Personally, I don't like Leeds United or Leeds Rhinos but I would certainly care if they went under. I would care if any club in any sport went under.

Back to intellectual discussion. I believe City are indeed using the Bulls as a bargaining chip but only because they have to. The plan on the pitch has gone horribly wrong and the club is suffering for it. Having to pay an approximate £1.2m figure before the season starts is not a sustainable plan for a club in the fourth tier. Mark Lawn tried his hand at getting the Bulls down at Valley Parade, a move I would have backed had money been spent to make it a home for both clubs, and when that failed he approached Gibb regarding a renegotiation of the rent. Now I believe this is his final option, a bluff almost, because the money has run out. Whether this is a bluff or not, I do believe that Bradford City FC will cease to exist if the club continues like this, however whether Lawn's estimate of within the next 24 months is correct I do not know. Either a renegotiation of the rent is made on a progressive basis (i.e. the rent varies depending on what league City are in) or City move to Odsal which would require an administration period, although admittedly I'm not certain of that. Either way, some sort of deal whether that be renegotiating the rent, moving to Odsal or a change of ownership at Bradford City is needed to secure its future. The most likely of which will probably be a renegotiation of the rent so that Gibb still has his pension fund secure and City can hopefully have less of a ball and chain and move forward because of it.

Regarding the move to Odsal. Some wouldn't back it in the same way many Bulls fans wouldn't back a move to VP. But either way, in my opinion, the future for both clubs has to lie in a ground share. Who knows, City moving to Odsal could bring about significant improvements such as a roof at Odsal.'"

Isn't the 'administration period' necessary due to the current owners of City being tied in to VP for another ten or fifteen years? This would be a convenient way out of that particular deal. Not that I'd suggest that deliberately reneging on debts was anything to be proud about (in fact the dead opposite) but would it not also have a downside, like a points deduction for the following season?

Incidentally, it's a similar reason why the Bulls couldn't easily move to VP. When the Bulls signed for the latest lease they took over responsibility for maintenance and received a considerable sum (we're talking £millions) as a donation from the council towards these costs. However there is a clause which commits the club to returning this money if they play fewer than the vast majority of games at Odsal, and as the previous regime actually spent the money some time ago (during their money is going out of fashion period) it isn't still laying in the coffers ready to pay back.

I think, that as the ground, without its tenant, is worth only scrap value to the pension fund administrators, some deal will be struck. Unless both sides really are in kamikaze mode, that is. Let's hope not.