I went to the volunteers meeting last night and found Simon and Vipin to be really positive characters. Vipin in particular was keen to talk about the business opportunities rather than the sporting side of things and spoke at length about what they were doing to bring money into the club (I felt rather sorry for the people who were sat patiently waiting further down the queue!) Here's a quick brain dump of what we talked about:

*The bulls have signed "the most valuable sponsorship deal of any super league club, with a major national brand." He said that they'd be looking to announce it in the next 2 weeks.
*They've sold naming rights for the Coral stand (to Coral again), Tetleys stand to someone else (he wouldn't name them) and are looking for someone to sponsor the popular side
* I can't remember if he said that they'd sold the stadium naming rights or were in the process of doing so
* He said the JCT600 deal "massively under valued the brand" and that he'd "rather not have a sponsor than to repeat that deal". I must admit, this one surprised me as I always felt that Tordoff always had the best interests of the club at heart, but thinking about it, they only added another year to their deal at the last minute so maybe it was a case of JCT600 sponsoring us because no one else would??
* He repeated that the full salary cap was available a few times. He seemed keen to hammer that point home
* The club have just signed a contract to refresh their IT systems (I'm an IT consultant so we talked at length about this.) As well as harmonising their back office and EPOS systems (so that they know you're a size L and can target their marketing accordingly [for example]) they're in discussions to buy a system that Saracens RU are currently trialing, which will let you buy tickets online (via the shop or Facebook) and print your tickets at home to be scanned at the gate.
* They had 3'000 people in the Coral stand last week, most of which had never been to Odsal before (some had to ask for directions!) They expect 1'500 through the door this week.
* It was the speedway guys who leaked the story about bringing it back, not Bradford
* I don't mean this negatively (quite the opposite) but while Vipin talked purely about business, Simon talked about the community and philanthropy - getting kids into the stadium and teaching them in a new, positive environment - nothing to do with rugby. I have to say that with the potentially positive news about the (former) Westfield site and these guys who would appear to have the city's best interest at heart, I really think that sport could be the vehicle to help drive Bradford forward again.

Work is busy today so I've not had chance to proof read the above. Apologies for the inevitable typos.

All sounds good to me.

Thanks for the summary Bullboy, it all sounds very encouraging and positive

All good, happy to help I spent hours shifting snow and ice from the pitch
Last season. Did my back in too!

Just to add to Bullboy post,
Vipin said that the Bulls commercial opportunities had been previously very undervalued and thus underpriced.
Coral Stand seen as an all year round money maker. Functions, weddings for up to 3,000 people Etc
All Bulls functions from now will take place in the Coral Stand. Cedar Court has asked for confirmation of the
previous regular bookings @ £6,000 for a room + catering if required and staff. Were told to take a hike!
Tetley's has asked for the same bar deal & stand naming rights at the same price as last year: also been told to take the same hike.
Beer prices now reduced to £2.50 a pint.
In talks with CAMRA about new beers.! Yeahh !!!!!!!!!
Shop will have a more diverse range of Bulls products
Coral Stand to open to all supporters 1/2 hour after game ends. Meet & greet with players & administrators.
New shop and front office to be built facing Rooley Lane
Hotel to be built eventually but no specific site decided yet.

Thanks for those posts. Very informative and positive.

With regards to Tordoff, he's been a long term supporter/sponsor of sport in Bradford (unlike some).

Sounds to me like Simon, Vipin should be a little more front of house regarding the media as well.

""they're in discussions to buy a system that Saracens RU are currently trialing, which will let you buy tickets online (via the shop or Facebook) and print your tickets at home to be scanned at the gate.""

We have had this Print at Home available for 2 years now and its great,just pay,print, walk up, scan and bingo your in !!!

We seem to be getting more good news in 5 minutes from the Ok crew than in 5 years from the previous owners. All sounds like good common sense to me, but just a bit worried that if you can actually get a decent pint in the ground for £2.50 I might have to start using a taxi to get to the games!

Good to see business decisions. As more and more comes out it makes you wonder what the hell was going on?

This thread has given me a nice warm glow. Admittedly I'm reading it whilst drinking Buckfast but lets agree its the thread thats done it.

Ahhh buckfast, my Jock friend introduced me to it years ago, got me hammered but I didnt enjoy the taste so much.

All good, positive stuff.

. . . . Starting to think about thedrive up for the first home game of the new season