That is how I feel atm

It may look biased and unfair as this action has not been taken previously for other clubs - but I don't believe this is the reasoning behind the decision. These are fairly unique circumstances - what would be biased is if the same happened to another club next year, that the RFL didn't offer the same support.

The sport would be weaker without the Bulls as it would ultimately lose some of the Bradford supporters from the game.

One thing the RFL still haven't said is that the Bulls will be in Superleague next year. Infact as I type, Woods has just stated that exact fact that he can't guarantee they will be a Super League club next year.

The RFL in my opinion are simply taking action to protect both the Bulls and subsequently the sport from the negative impact of the Bulls being liquidated. And for the record, I'm a Leeds fan, and usually a critic of the RFL, but I think this decision has been taken for the right reasons. (Not foreseeing these issues coming at the last round of license applications is another ball game for instance)

Sorry, but what a disgrace.

Does this mean that 13 SL clubs will own a share of a Championship 1 club if they are 'relegated'? OR have SL [E] been given assurances that BB will stay in SL?

Was such an offer made back in the 80s and 90s when THE most famous club in RL it biased I know!] was in danger of going under?

Shout me down if you like, but this stinks!

"I'm going to make them an offer they can't refuse."

I'm suprised he can fit on my screen.

To all those saying that this would never have been done to save other clubs – how do you know?

None of the other clubs ever got to the point Bradford did (i.e. no money left to be “forwarded”from the RFL, no money left to pay players, no backroom staff, no bidders on the table, days away from liquidation unless the RFL agree to pay the players wages). We have no way of knowing what would have happened if any other team would have reached this situation as none of them did (those that were close always had a bidder in place at least) – it is possible that a vote on weather to “buy” them would have been held, the truth is we do not know because it never reached this point.

My personal view, this is a good move but Bulls should not be allowed in SL whilst held by the SL(E) – it could become a “coming back from injury”/youngster club in the CC until a suitable buyer is found.

And to all those saying all clubs will call in the receivers and go into admin now, you are aware that going into admin means the current owners lose their state in the business? Look at what happened to Bradford because their management were not prepared to lose what they had lost, they even dupped their own fans out of £500k. I know if given a choice between losing my investment and my job or having my company stay £100k (or whatever) in debt I’d be taking option 2, and to presume clubs will now do otherwise is just silly and doesn't take into account how a business actually works.

Well, I suppose it would stop the creditors asking for the sale of the Odsal lease to be investigated and revoked I suppose. After all, it is an offence for a company to transfer assets to a 3rd party to put them out of reach of creditors when administration is pending. Administrators have powers granted by the courts to recover such assets on behalf of the creditors if they suspect foul play. I'm sure Big Nige wouldn't have colluded in such a nefarious action though, so that's ok then.......

This thread is now definatly interesting and highly amusing , cannot wait for smokeys take on this

This decision stinks.

We're in uncharted waters. This was done to get BG out of the way as he was in a position to close everything down.

This is an offer to BG to form a newco. Decision Tue/Wed next week
The contracts will be TUPE'd across.
Old debts will be left behind. But this is the clever bit.
SLE/RFL are only guaranteeing until Nov30th.

The thinking is with BG out of the way that offers will come in which can be considered. The only way to retain the SL licence is to make good a substantial amount of the old debts (like Glover did).

The Sugar Daddies of clubs which make annual losses were set against Bulls walking away from debts and staying in SL. So against it were they that they pointed out it would be easy for them to do the same thing with their clubs - leaving the RFL with the possibility of "scorched earth" up & down the M62.

No offer made, then on 1st Dec the (debt -free) Bulls start life in the Championship.

The SLE/RFL still have to think about Coaching staff, academies, scholars, administration. No decision made on any of these yet. Not actually had time to think about it yet.

Uncharted waters, Interesting times.

It seems to me as to only be a temporary solution. I can't see the Bulls going into 2013 owned by SLE. Instead a new owner will need to be found. This only removes the threat of [iimminent[/i liquidation.

A new owner would have to satisfy SLE (and its members) that they're up to the job. Can't see anything wrong with that.

It's a temporary stay of execution. The Bulls are not out of the mire yet and those wanting to see us dead may yet get their wish. A buyer still needs to be found.

So , lets have some , ' what happens next ? '

I see the bulls dropping out of SL at the end of the season , being replaced by Toulouse with a 5 year licence

The Bulls drop down to the Championship [ not C1 ] remain at Odsal on a reduced rental agreement and end up winning next years NRC putting them in a position to re apply for SL in 2014 , when they are granted their new licence SLE sell to a new owner

Ta dah , as if by magic

This super league lark gets funnier and funnier