i think if they re concreted the place, put up a roof like at don valley on the 3 sides, had better toilets and food facilities, flatten the pitch it would be quite a decent stadium

And what about Blackpool?

I think deep down you know the parallel you are drawing really isnt there.

So the RFL do a deal that helps a member club, and will almost certainly ultimately profit the RFL, and people complain?
It's true that the biggest detriment to our sport is the fans.

#boycottodsal

That's not the point, really, though is it? The point is why do this for Bradford when there are numerous other clubs struggling with ageing premises that have not had the same assistance.

They could have made up the difference to Saints who lost over a million quid on Knowsley Road thanks to the economic downturn.

They could have bought Castleford's stadium off them so they could move into their new place.

They could provide Oldham with a decent place to play so that they wouldn't keep having to endure thefts and vandalism.

In fact, there are a host of other stadia that the RFL could have bought or invested in which would result in the team playing there being able to continue. But the RFL hasn't stepped in.

They shouldn't have stepped in at Odsal either. It compromises the RFL.

This.

The RFL invested in a stadium in North Wales recently, that doesn't fill me with confidence about the future of at least one of the parties involved in this deal

If they have paid a bargain price and are serious about developing a ' national home ' in a similar vien to twickenham? , then fine, if this is just to save a member club? , oh dear

What land would they have owned in return for the million quid?



That's not a parallel - they would have nobody to rent the stadium too like they do in this instance.



They're not a charity - they must see something in this long term. I'm not sure many people with much sense would buy a stadium for Oldham and wait for the cash to flow in from rent . . . . .



It's difficult to see what is going on here until we get the full facts, but it's likely to be a commercial proposition for the RFL whereby they can buy some land and get Bradford to finance it through rent. I'd be surprised if they were investing in the Bulls for charity's sake. There will be a reason and I'm sure that reason is in the game's best interests and makes commercial sense for the governing body.



I don't think so, it shows they are willing to think outside the box if a commercial opportunity arises that may benefit the game.

To the upset Wakey fans - I see your point (although it's far from a direct parallel) but the brutal truth is that losing the Bulls would impact the game and its value to broadcasters far more than losing Wakey. All IMO of course.

So next years MM weekend will be in












Bradford