I think even the most optimistic of bulls fans would have to concede the probability of relegation is high.

The question I have is how will the bulls afford to play at odsal outside of SL? Revenue from all avenues will be reduced playing in the championship.

And if not at odsal, where...valley parade? Is that viable? would it not require a very generous rent agreement?

Seems like theres alot of uncertainty ahead.

Possibility is high id say it was damn well certain, if our owner isn't planning on championship next season and making provision he is a moron, depends how many fans we can draw a competitive ch team should and I would hope draw 4-5k, odsal as has been said is an expensive stadium to run so without the fans we are looking for a new home.

As long as we cut our cloth accordingly.

Id like to think that there would be some sort of clause in the lease for odsal, that if we were relegated the rent would be adjusted accordingly.

Doesn't it depend on how much debt we'd be carrying going into the championship?

The Rent is only £72000.
Valley Parade would be tons more.
Its the cost of maintaining Odsal that cuts deep

When it comes to financial matters it's best to consider that you reap what you sow.

Marc Green states that the club is 'commited' to having a full time squad if we do go down this season. He also states that we won't be moving away from Odsal. Coaching candidates include: Glenn Morrison Brian Noble John Kear James Lowes James Lowes has said "It’s obviously a job I’d love to do whether it’s now or in the future. It’s Bradford Bulls – it’s my club.” www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/s ... ord_Bulls/

Marc Green states that the club is 'commited' to having a full time squad if we do go down this season. He also states that we won't be moving away from Odsal. Coaching candidates include: Glenn Morrison Brian Noble John Kear James Lowes James Lowes has said "It’s obviously a job I’d love to do whether it’s now or in the future. It’s Bradford Bulls – it’s my club.” www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/s ... ord_Bulls/

I think it's fair to say that without investment there will be no promotion, though it's also true that without much actual cash going in, the club could still [isurvive[/i, maybe for ever, in the lower divisions.

If there is a serious wish to return to 'former glories' though, the cash input needed rises, indeed all our 'former glories' were achieved at a substantial financial loss -around £500K per annum, according to the published balance sheets at the time, even with our massive crowds and strong shop sales. Though, if you're happy to just be competing, but not necessarily winning anything, y'know, making the play-offs most years, it's then, maybe, possible to run on the 'cost effective' basis without the big spending 'Sugar Daddy'.

It will still cost real money just to achieve this medium level though, and to gain that limited status requires money going in and, at the very least therefore, a short term financial loss.

As has been said already its the cost of maintaining Odsal that's a big expense and one that no other clubs are lumbered with.

I'd hope for a rent reduction and can see us just opening the main stand for games where we don't expect to exceed 5k.

We may survive muddling along but it'll need long term investment to get back to competing in SL. I think we can break even if the business is run properly.

Sorry, but what makes you think bradford are the only club who are responsible for the upkeep of their stadium? Could you clarify the first paragraph for me?

No one is saying they are. However, few clubs have a stadium the like or size of Odsal to maintain

Got no doubt that you guys will be OK.You have some of the most loyal and dedicated fans in SL.
You will receive a parachute payment of just over 700K next season should you be relegated.The salary cap for next year will be 1 million if you have a turnover of 2.5 million then you will be allowed to spend the full cap.
If the money is used wisely then you can assemble a strong squad that will allow you to be dominant.
Once you start winning games then your crowds will grow even bigger.Fans like winning teams and the fact that it will be at Championship level will not deter your large base of loyal fans.

i honestly worry for Bradford. It gives me no pleasure in saying it but i think we could be in the final stages of the long slow death of pro RL in Bradford.

Odsal is a huge millstone for an SL club, it is far too big a weigh to carry in the championship. Bradford will get less TV funding, far less sponsorship, much lower crowds, and lower merchandise sales in the lower leagues, They arent going to have the money to spend on a dominant squad, it will be virtually impossible, without incurring large losses, for them to put on a team better than 12th in SL to get back up.
You also have a squad that needs rebalancing, you will have a players on pretty decent SL level wages, as well as some not so great names who are on far more than championship players. Thats not a criticism, simply a fact of operating at a full time, fully pro level rather than semi-pro.

It will also be virtually impossible for them to run an SL level academy, and even more difficult for them to keep the best prospects from Hudds and Leeds as a lower league club.

Bradford are in a bit of a spiral right now, P+R and the dumbass system which is being implemented is exacerbating it. Marc Green isnt a fan or a white knight who came to rescue Bradford, he is a businessman who is doing the best to cover his investment. He isnt likely to plow money in to rescue the situation.