So it wasn't Ferres that said we needed a SH.
And why is everyone so hung up on being FT. We've been FT for two years and the performances have got worse. Are Batley FT? Are Fev FT? Perhaps if we went part time we could then dangle a FT contract to the players to get the lazy bar stewards to put in a decent performance.

Green for starters confirms what I have been saying, namely much as he said he wasn't the man to be bankrolling the club, nevertheless we have needed bankrolling as and when, and he has stepped in to do just that. Nobody is giving him credit for this, just like nobody gave Omar credit for doing his bollox in to try to keep the ship afloat. We can be an ungrateful lot.

I don't read it as having a go at the fans, just stating the position which should be obvious. Namely, his plan of yet another Championship season with a decent full time squad REQUIRES a goodly expenditure by the fans, and if as my poll suggests, 50% may not renew, then the remainder will not be enough to fund that plan.

I left the poll open precisely so if major announcements were made, people can re-vote, and it'll be very interesting to see how many of us decide to preserve the status quo, given his unequivocal and clear statement of intent, despite the crushing disappointments of this season.

Where Green is in error (and let's be honest, communication is not his strong point) is not realising that after the Fev debacle, they needed to move quickly to do damage limitation. He must have been as gutted as anyone, perhaps in the circumstances more than most, at what happened, and the manner of our downfall. But fall we did, and it is his business which he needs to keep going, in the first instance, to avoid immediate meltdown, and to gain promotion in 12 months time, which year HE has to subsidise - not Ferres, or anyone else. He does have a choice. In many ways the easy choice would be to cut his losses and bail. I am not a little relieved to hear that he isn't doing that, despite the rumours and character assassinations, and while he may not get much credit again for that, he bloody well should.

But I can't imagine how he would stand yet another year were we to fail again, and I can't imagine how we can have any sort of a crack at it unless we keep pretty much all of our support.

His statement skirts round some major problems - such as the undoubtedly disastrous signings record - but the essentials are correct, and I can't argue with them.

As things stand, I am convinced enough to be back next year. It isn't just Green's commitment. It is the fact we also have the germ of a great set of youngsters rapidly maturing, we have the most promising young new coach in the game, and at last we have a fsck in scrum half to start to build a team and systems around. It is idle to pick over the bones of why this only happened too late, as 2016 has gone now and won't be coming back. We are looking at the future for this conversation. Inquests are maybe inevitable, and necessary, but those of us who cling to a hope of return of some better days had better hope that our numbers hold fairly firm as cash will be King.

For the most part, I say well said Marc Green, he has invested a lot in our club and been let down, but he wants to go around again. He will have learned lessons. I'm in.

just finished work and after reading the statement I'm left with the opinion that no one is going to take blame for the poor season, instead the fans now have to pay for full time championship rugby again. Will everyone back the statement and go again with a season ticket? I guess if I lived in bradford still I'd pick and choose the games I attended. maybe go to the Halifax game in the shield at odsal.

was that every player?

I believe so.

After reading Mr Greens statement i must agree with the reference to the abuse of players, if you want to boo them off the pitch or walk out early fair enough but physical abuse should not be tolerated and i hope they find the sad idiots and deal with them.

SF may be a good friend but that does not mean he is good at his job, and i'm sorry but this years recruitment has not fitted with what was needed and if you are telling us that players were signed with the full knowledge of the training staff, then there is, or was a deeper problem in the club.

I understand Mr green wants the fans to keep supporting the club but a few beers in a bar won't in my opinion bring in that much extra revenue maybe i'm wrong, we must remember Bulls fans have had a number of years watching underperforming teams take to the pitch and continued to support the club, but i feel this maybe one season to far for a fan to take.

I have largely mixed feelings regarding the statement.

Firstly, abuse of players and staff is never on. Sure we'll all shout "you useless beggar" at people from the terrace (or stronger), but actually throwing things at them, or giving them crap off the pitch, isn't on. I was as dejected and upset as anyone at PO Road on Sunday, but I chose to simply walk away without any applause at the shambles I'd seen on the pitch. Actually that's a lie, I applauded some Featherstone players and congratulated some Fev fans before walking out.

As far as the statement itself goes though, it's great to hear that the plan is for full time. And I hope that plan happens. It's also great to hear no talk of the club going into administration, as I really don't want to go through that again.

Whilst he makes a good point regarding the comparison of ST tickets to the likes of Sheffield who play on a field, not a stadium, I feel it's very selective. Without researching it, I'd like to see the comparison compared to Super League clubs. In particular those at the higher end too. I'm sure I've seen people say that we have a more expensive ST and walk up price than most SL teams, and that comparison doesn't sound quite as favourable as the one to Sheffield and Dewsbury if it's true. I may keep an eye on the 2017 prices so I can make my own mind up on that though before I start criticising or backing people up on that particular issue. I don't like forming opinions based on facts I can't see for myself.

I tend to agree too that there's too much in that statement of "it's not our fault, it's not his fault, it's the fans' fault!". I know it's not all saying it's the fans' fault, but sometimes you need the right balance, and I don't feel like that statement quite hits it. If something was added in there of "we know some of these players haven't performed to the correct standard and we will address that by moving some of them on" would probably placate fans more than just "you need to spend more money". As someone who buys a season ticket, both shirts (4 in the last 2 seasons), other merchandise, one pint per game (in the ground, only 1 as I have to drive), 2 golden gamble tickets per game, every single season, that sort of blanket statement does rub me up the wrong way a little. He may be aiming it at those who get drunk in Cue Gardens first instead of in the tent, but it's too general a statement to make that clear. So for me who spends a lot of my money on the Bulls every year, despite the fact I'm not well off by any stretch, it doesn't make nice reading and doesn't give me all warm and fuzzy feelings towards our chairman.

That being said, I understand the basis of the statement and can appreciate it's probably been made in haste while he's on his jollies, to get something out there to appease fans worried about admin and part time. Perhaps with a bit more time to sit down and think about it, it could have been worded better.

I think Green is shrewd enough to see the route back only opens up when the middle 8 format is binned, hence the focus on youth. Yes we can have a decent crack at it but the gulf is widening and without a 'Money no object' Derek type it's not happening.

With Toulouse and Toronto joining the salary cap was immediately change, I fully expect the next proclamation from the Fat Controller to be '2 up, 2 Down' to try accommodate them in SL immediately at the end of 2018. This is our best route back and incidentally when the youth investment should be starting to pay dividends.

We may have to be patient, at times I think we forget we had success before the Bulls and you can't buy it as Salford and ourselves have proved in the last 2 seasons. It may be 2019 before we get our place at the top table back but unless he's a bloody good actor it seems Green is as determined as ever.

I agree.

It's very sad to see a once great club on its uppers. One name on everyone's lips - Ferres - who is the alleged problem and has been the problem at Wakefield and Castleford. Sadly, from what I see on Bulls TV and hear on bcb radio isn't good enough as the current squad is not good enough by a long way. Perhaps, and I say perhaps, as a Bradford fan for many, many years, it is time to move people on up at Odsal who have survived past failed administrations - and give the coach full control of who to bring in player recruitment wise? Marc Green can back Ferres it is his club and money but this message doesn't sit well with a high percentage of the support base and you have to fear - can they go around again?

Excellent post. last paragraph is true - before the bulls as Northern we had success with less money than what green has put it and likely if Ferres is kept away from recruitment will do again.

Seems we’re not if you read Green’s latest statement. Business as usual. Keep up!



Alleged. A lot of mud has been thrown but I’d estimate very few know what’s really being going on behind the scenes – us both included.



This isn’t exactly news is it?



Who are you referring to specifically? How do you know the coach hasn’t been given full control? What do you mean by “full control” anyway?



See FA’s poll. Some will some won’t. I’ve had enough of fear. I think it’s waste of time worrying about this kind of thing – suggest you try to think positive.

Northern weren't all fulltime professional.

Wages were lower before 1995.

How do you know how much influence Ferres has/had on recruitment.

I do believe we will improve - if we think long term and bring through the academy players and spend more wisely.

Sounded from Green's statement that the coach *does* have that control. What evidence do you have to the contrary?

As I've said previously, Ferres has managed to stretch the salary cap exceptionally well in terms of the number of players on the books. But it's the quality of those players that's in question as I'm sure many of us would have preferred less quantity more quality over the last two years.

That being said, it does seem that Smith's reach in terms of quality players does seem greater than Ferres' so if be happy with Smith identifying the players he wants and Ferres getting them for the best price for the club