I think this sums it up on how other clubs see the situation. Give the new consortium the opportunity to live within its means and then be satisfied with whatever happens.

That's obviously true, but very much down to the fans as individuals, particularly with regard to how many turn up to watch. I still feel we could get around 5k as an average, which would allow us to keep a reasonable ut hardly top] side but there are still plenty of folk, even some on here, who still think "we are a 'big' club" and should be "top of the league" and won't "pay good money to watch rubbish", which translates as, not beat all those clubs they feel we "should" beat.

Then again, patience never was the biggest part of being a fan..

I dont think Odsal as iconic, I see it as a millstone around the bulls neck, for two reasons - its not a great spectator experience and secondly yes the accounts show it is relatively expensive, and somewhere in the 10 or so years of accounts I analysed is a statement from Chris Caisley to that effect. Taking a ten years trend does compensate for any massaging of the figures, but I also analysed the cash flow, and whereas the value of an asset can have a wide range, if the bank statement says £12.01 then thats what it is. And the cash flow made grim reading.

so where were you 18 months agohttps://forums.rlfans.com/viewtopic.php?f


Trophy players? yes, we've signed Sonny Boy Williamson, etc etc etc. Remember we played much of last season with three or two props plus makeshift back rowers. ever since the whinging Aussie theres been a reluctance to sign a trophy player, depth of squad has been more important. Hence a mixture of successes and failures eg Herbert in the "value" players we have mostly signed.

Anyway, back to Odsal. I was using it as an example that its not just as easy as handing in notice and nipping down the road to the custom built 20000 seater stadium. And the attempts to redevelop Odsal stretch back time immemorial.

The new board had iirc already said they were going to find savings from overheads and team before you put your nano-pennysworth in. So why simply echo what they have already said? Does that move the debate forward? Sound bites from the nursery school primer in financial management just arent enough.

I think the "iconic" bit comes from the RL bumph when they bought the stadium.

I heard today from a friend that two Bulls players who were due to attend a Junior presentation at the Wyke club yesterday failed to turn up. Rumour had it that they simply refused to carry out their 'community obligations' with the current situation being as it is.

I'm sure someone can confirm or deny this rumour?

Such actions still show how in the main RL players are still Mercenaries. Some things never change.

Gale going nowhere according to both the club and Hull.
Honestly, I'm actually a little disappointed he's staying. Not because I don't like the guy, but looking at the club as a whole and the position we are in, selling a player of his stature would surely have eaten up a significant wedge of the shortfall. Now we're back to square one.

Is that the name of the tribute act?

Sonny Bill Williams son. Very good pedigree, great potential, one for the future, he's only four years old.

Player of his stature how much do you honestly value him at.

Me? Or the club? I'm not sure if you've noticed but there isn't exactly a large selection of young, british scrum halves kicking around at the minute. I know you particularly don't rate the guy, I don't think he's that bad.
It's also not that long ago that he signed a new deal, I would expect him to be on a pretty decent salary.

Didn't club say at forum that they'd told players they would be allowed to leave if they could find another club to get them off salary bill. Don't think it was clear whether we would demand a transfer fee.

Not sure we are in a position to demand a fee unless there starts being a bidding war or interest from several clubs. Even if there is surely the club will offer the fee to the player in an increase to his contract.

Would be v surprised if we can get a fee in our situation

That was how I understood it. Only financial benefit we get is reduction in wage bill.

TBH, the "You can leave if you want" statement by the club seems to be a bit of empty gesture as by this point pretty much every club will have filled their squads so it's only unlikely circumstances that would free up space elsewhere for players to be able to move.

Case in point, Gale to Hull. Hull have said they were interested, at the time Bradford didn't want to sell, Hull got a different player and now don't have salary cap space to take Gale even if they still wanted him.