Most liked posts in thread: Bulls to leave Odsal

We're getting near the end of our lease at VP, relatively speaking. Odsal is a dump and has been for decades. If ever there was a time to properly invest in a sporting complex it's now.

State of the art, all weather training complex and gym that can be used by the public for money. Hotel, conference facilities, banqueting. 25000 seater stadium, adequate for both teams.

 

Never been a fan of the oval shaped ball game but it's always sad to see things like this happen in any sport and in any town or city. Think the couldn't care less attitude is a bit sad really.

 

The big mistake was kicking out two succesful and popular motorsports in the late 90's. At the time the Sky dollars were pouring in via the Super League so the Bulls didn't want the hassle of a ground share.
A few years on and after asset stripping the safety fence and building dug outs on the track, the costs to get motorsport back is too prohibitive for most promoters.
Which means that potential revenue streams that could support the Bulls have gone.
Thats what really grinds my gears because I know that both Speedway and Stock Cars would be well supported in Bradford as there's a large dormant fan base.
In the 70's and 80's the stock cars pulled in tens of thousands and the track staged multiple world championships.

 

The pettiness between City and Bulls fans is quite sad in a way. I've had the privilege of watching both throughout my years in Bradford and and fear for the long term future of professional sport in the City without a clear and concise long term strategy that benefits all parties concerned. The stark difference between our City and one ten miles to the east is painful to see.

 

You say it's not insurmountable. But it's not long since we had to have remedial work done on our pitch and we know that there are major structural problems with the drainage. Two years ago the pitch was a disgrace just from football, without the heavy hammer that regular rugby league would give it.
If we were going to have games two or three times every week for half the season, and games through the summer when it would normally be rejuvenating, we would surely need the whole thing digging out deeply and replacing with completely new drainage. That would cost millions. Who would pay for that? The Bulls clearly can't afford to and it's highly unlikely that Mr Rupp will do so.

Any spare money we have must surely go to improving the first team to get us out of the khazi, not bailing out an ailing club (in a declining minority sport) that has only survived for years on public sector subsidy.
I can see why older Bradfordians with a sentimental attachment to the Bulls would want to help them out. But so few people want to watch them live these days that I can't see a viable reason for pumping much-needed City finances into the Bulls, who are always likely to be more of a financial drain than an asset.

 

Waits for the council to give them a massive loan at the taxpayers expense, That is what usually happens

 

Makes sense for it to be fairly central. Without demolishing a few bits and relocating some business's I can't think of a site big enough. If they were to go on a demolition hit then I'd be looking at John St Market, the old Morrison's, The Star and all those old crappy shops on that side. All the way down to Sundridge Road really. Bradford would lose nothing that's cherished there.

 

The way RFL are going at the moment the move will be to Baltimore

 

I am trying to picture 4000 Bulls fans getting to Apperley Bridge, and then cycling on the canal tow path to Bingley!!

 

Couldn’t care less

 

The couldn't care less attitude is pathetic not sad. It also reflects selfish societal views in general in this day and age.

 

This is ridiculous now. Someone needs to start banging some heads together. We've got us coming towards the end of our lease and the Bulls in absolute dire straights. The time is NOW to get a plan in motion for a site fit for all. In the mean time let them play at VP for peppercorn rent.

Is Rupp here for the duration or is he still wanting to sell if someone matches his asking price? This could actually be a long term investment for him if he were to look into it seriously.

 

Yes, rugby was played February to October when they shared with us.

I'm not particularly fond of RL myself but lots of people in Bradford are or they certainly were. I remember the days when the Bulls were riding high. The marketing they had at the time was brilliant. Every other car you saw driving around Bradford was like a shrine to the Bulls with stickers in the rear window. At that time both clubs were 15000+ crowds with us in the Premiership then Championship and them in the Super League. I don't think it's unreasonable to aspire to that level for both clubs again. Maybe not Premiership for us but certainly a competitive Championship side. The public have shown that they will come and support if the product is good.

It seems they've gone with Dewsbury for now and who knows if one of the reasons for this is to force some serious thinking about the future. I think we need to be involved in that thinking with our lease now running down at VP. Let's not be slaves to the Gibb family pension fund. Let's take control of our own destiny. Hull, Huddersfield, Wigan seem to get by ok sharing a pitch. Why not us too?

Imagine for a second or two (and I know this is hard for downtrodden Bradford people to do) that we had an amazing, state of the art 25000 capacity all seater stadium alongside superb training facilities, a gym, artificial pitches, hotel, banqueting facilities, casino, restaurants etc. All this providing a great ground to play in, great training facilities, community facilities AND profit generating retail. It's a no brainer for me.

 

I am pretty sure City are not involved, but if you have a credible link we shall pay attention.

By the way avenue get approx 300 and the bulls get nowhere near 15,000 so why build an empty stadium?

 

Are you still on the Bank Holiday lash mate?

 

No. No it’s not.

 

As a bit of a petrol head I'd love to see stock car racing return to Odsal.
The stadium needs to multi sport. Not just egg chasing.

 

I think most people would like both codes to thrive in Bradford. If a way could be found to accommodate the Bulls with no detriment to the club with long term benefits to both they should go for it

 

Rented to RFL I believe

 

Wagon Lane as a capacity of 4000 with quit a good club house this is hell of a step down for the cattle. Unfortunately for the fans promotion is slipping by and with no help from the RFL and Bradford Council it looks like your being put out to graze. Oh and by the way Wagon Lane is suspect to flooding.

Cougarmania #our town our team