Most liked posts in thread: Fans Forum

Any chance of a sub m8?

 

The pension fund has a legal duty to obtain the best price it can for any asset it sells, If we were to buy the price would be set after 2 independent valuations had determined its value

 

My eldest is in his final year at Manchester Uni studying Physics so had quite a few lectures by Brian Cox (pre pandemic!!). He always said they were really popular...didn't ever mention anything about seeing midgets though....

 

This is only my opinion but there are no workable alternatives in Bradford. The time to leave Valley Parade has long gone what with the development that big Geoff did to it. With that and the emotional attachment we have to the place we will never leave. Couple that with the fact there will never be another stadium built in Bradford, definitely not in my life time, there isn't the will for one from the major parties that need to be involved in such a large scale project and the only other sporting tenant in such a development, the bulls, are finished as i can't ever see them getting back into super league.

That then leaves us around the poker table with Gibb who's sole aim is to raise as much cash for the pension fund the stadium is tied to. We might in the short term have some call to reduce the rate of rent due to covid, i'm no expert in stadium tenancy so my view is just a personal thought. But lets not kid ourselves, Gibb holds all the cards in his hands by owning VP. He knows we have nowhere else to play and that VP is our only option. We can't go to the table with other alternative venues because they're aren't any. We can try and negotiate a better deal but i guess that comes down to what Gibb wants. Buying the stadium is the only real alternative to paying a never ending rent and my guess is that could be a proposal that is put in front of Gibbs advisers when negotiations take place for the next lease agreement.

 

The only thing in the club's favour is that there is no legal obligation to renew the current lease when it expires.
My main fear is we could have a Coventry type situation where both parties a are playing hardball, waiting to see who blinks first.

But in all honesty, £300k p/a rental isn't an unreasonable amount for a 25k stadium.
And if we made it back to the championship, it would be a drop in the ocean.

As you say, a new ground isn't necessarily the golden ticket as some like to think.
In any case, i think the trend for 'out of town' stadia is coming to an end.
Habits change and centrally located grounds seem to be coming back into favour, particularly in the US.

 

Take all of these arguments on board and always one for progressivism, change and new ideas. But my heartfelt bottom line with the ground is that we are always at Valley Parade. Whatever funding, changes and redevelopments should always be about VP. Not only is this our spiritual home, it is where fans died supporting our club. I'm realistic. I know money and future finance is at the core of everything in football. But there are some things that most certainly are not. Humanity, love, loss, passion. A desire to give something back to those who went before us in this, our ground.

 

The mill tower one would be great. Anything but a bloody drawstring collar! Maybe it's going to be Claret and Ginger....

 

The door was opened by Ryan to walk straight in but Jamie didn't.

The key question was really or is Gribb talking to Stefan about buying the club?

 

Surely it's the other way round? Gibb is completely relient on Valley Parade continuing to operate as a football stadium - the land it's on will be worth virtually nothing to other potential investors

 

No harm in making a few noises about looking at possible sites for a new ground to keep minds focused

 

One of the most tantalising moments in the City Fans Forum was when Ryan Sparks was asked had he been talking with Gordon Gibb? He said 'yes'. Of course, he will have been, because he's the guy we rent our ground from. But then...there was no follow up question from the journalist concerned. As an ex-journo, I would have immediately asked...'might he be interested in coming back as owner? Have you discussed that in any way as a possibility? If so, what are his thoughts on the matter?

 

If Rupp were to sell within the next few years, I would say Gibb is the likeliest candidate in my opinion. I just have a hunch that this will happen within next 5 years as the rental agreement approaches the term end

 

Good hunch Idle. Gibb will want to get as much out of the rental for the pension fund...but, but may want to get back into it sooner. Would be great for VP - an owner who actually owns the ground so has every incentive to improve and develop the ground and its environs.

 

This I fully agree with. Just need Bradford City fans to start waking up to this.

 

Yes I want an owner who sees buying back the ground as a priority, not least as a statement of intent.

 

Owning the lease on the ground is highly profitable earning the pension fund millions, Perhaps Rupp may be attracted to negotiate its purchase for his own pension fund, Just a thought as he likes an investment that brings a profit