Quote: stouffer "You'd better get used to it. Also some vague nonsense about 'doing it the right way'.'"
I’d love for someone to tell me the last time a club won an honour off the back of its own community’s income alone.
Quote: stouffer "Do we all stop beating around the bush and accept this Bulls's proposal for what it seems to be, and that is Mr Koukash simply strengthening up for more future battles with those at the top of the RFL?'"
Quote: stouffer "It does give him a better strategic position. He now gets 2 votes on all matters SL.'"
Quote: stouffer "If it's to just win another vote on the marquee signing rule it seems an expensive manoeuvre.'"
I think, if Koukash is going to buy two more clubs for proxy votes to sway the marquee rule in his favour, some clubs that voted for the motion previously could very well change their mind. Thus making this manoeuvre pointless.
Quote: stouffer "If it transpires that Marwan is funding this takeover and his wife is just a front (and let's be honest this is the most plausible explanation) then the RFL should block the move.'"
Quote: stouffer "Let's be honest if the Doc did increase his influence within RL circles would that be a bad thing for the game? The RFL aren't exactly covering themselves in glory with the way they are running things so maybe someone shaking things up at HQ is what is needed for the betterment of the sport in the UK.
You'd also think that on some level the Doc's increased (OK the Koukash family) interest/involvement in RL would draw in other investors, pretty sure when he bought the club he said he knew of others (possibly in the horse racing fraternity) who would be interested in investing.'"
There is that, but there are other ways and means of influencing change. Brian Snape decided to do this by being active on RFL committees and sub-commitees and bringing people round to his way of thinking. The only issue with this way is that it took him and other Chairmen with the same views around 3–4 years to push through a shake up at the top. However, when in the meat of this process, Snape threatened to resign from all of his RFL appointments, a lot of the media was on his side. You get the impression Koukash wants its done yesterday and I’m not sure this Veruca Salt attitude will win him many allies.
Quote: stouffer "My worry is that they have realised than the crowds at Salford will never be 20k, and Bradford would become the star project.'"
Quote: stouffer "If this takeover happens then I would get ready for the good doctor to jump ship with Mr Noble. Bradford has a bigger fan base and more potential in the good doctors eyes. Unless Salford can start attracting 10000 crowds regularly, then Bradford will be his new home in the not too distant future.
For Salford's sake. let's hope they are unsuccessful in their bid.'"
Well there is a comparison to be made with the Glazer families holdings with Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Manchester United. Buccaneers fans and commentators have criticised the Glazers for concentrating on United while allowing their team to dwell in the doldrums of the NFL. However, I think this is different in that it would be far more brazen to do when both clubs are playing the same sport, in the same league.
Quote: stouffer "Can he 'advise' more 'family members' to save more cash strapped clubs and possibly even set up his own breakaway league?? - I'm sure the likes of Simon Moran and Ian Lenegan would be interested in jumping ship if the chance arose.'"
Possibly. Breakaways of this sort have reared their head before. Taking 1895 and 1995 as read, in 1986, for example, ten ‘leading’ clubs — Bradford, Halifax, Hull, Hull KR, Leeds, St Helens, Salford, Warrington, Widnes and Wigan — threatened a breakaway to form their own ‘Super League’ in an attempt to change the RFL position on voting power. In 1998, Wigan’s chairman Mike Nolan believed Super League was on the verge on going it alone, in the best commercial interests of those clubs.
If Koukash has the amount of money and clout that has been suggested by a couple of press outlets, then perhaps it could happen. I think he needs more allies though.
