Bradford Bulls

Report from the Forum

Quote: bullinenemyland "Right... this is what I can remember (and there was a lot so I might have forgotten some of it)

RHP started off by giving an outline of what has been happening last 6weeks and where we are now...
- We are not going into administration
- The new board have found a lot of financial issues which if no action were taken would lead to administration
- Last owners borrowed significantly against the club and many of these have only come to light since Ryan Whitcut left club.
- The club has some significant holes in the budget (I genuinely didn't hear this figure due to the mic going and the gasps but I believe it was a massive amount.
- The budgets set for 2014 are not realistic. Departments within club were given unrealistic expenditure which did not match the info given to RFL.
- Clear that previous owners did not know how to run the club in best way. They eventually realised this and tried to get the right people in to run it but it was too late in season and GM did things behind OK and clubs back
- Staff will be/have been cut from every department including the football department.
- Players were told today of the findings. All players have been told that if they don't wish to stay at the club they are free to leave. The owners say that they understand that many have been through this before and understand that it is not a case of being disloyal.
- Any players who chose to leave will be replaced, although this may not be like for like (i.e. position)
- 2014 is about survival... that is objective number 1.
- The owners are treating the club as a business and will not spend any more than what is coming in via income.
- The constant rumours have unsettled sponsors and players so its even more difficult to attract them.
- RHP refered to a game behind the game in the fact that agents, clubs and fans are spreading rumours and that mixed with lies from previous administration mean that the new owners have to be as transparent as possible without risking the business. Stuart Duffy explained that he put a rumour out years ago about Danny McGuire joining Bulls and other clubs are now doing the same to rock the boat... RHP "part of the game and we all know it"
- The RFL have been very helpful (contrary to the previous owners comments). This shows in the fixture lists.
- The RFL, club sponsors and now the fans are fully aware and have been supportive
- Omar Khan invested some of his own money but the rest was via loans... stated Omar Khan will not get a penny back!!!
- John Bateman sold without RHP, other directors or coaching staffs knowledge... authorised by Ryan Whitcut!!!
- Coaching staff told that John Bateman would only go to Wigan and only when transfer fee offered did it get accepted.
- Heath L'Estrange left for the good of his family (wife wanted to stay in Oz). One of biggest earners so tough decision for him to make.
- Both departures were not hidden until after ST deadline... RHP swore down that this was the honest truth and that he didnt even know about JB until 5.30pm on day of transfer.
- OK left Bulls in worse state than bought it.
- Bars have been tendered out to another company (run Man Utd bars did I hear one person say?)
- Franny said players response today was fantastic and whilst some may choose to go the senior players felt positive about the actions of the new owners. He said the spirit was still there and the players are more frustrated that what they are trying to do on the field has been risked off of it.
- New owners said that the reason that ST holders were only invited tonight was that they were a stakeholder in the club having invested and they felt that along with sponsors deserved to know that they were doing everything in their power to turn club around.

I'm sure there was more but I can't remember it right now....'"