Fans Forum

That was the bit that seemed staged to me.

Sparks dropped the Gibb bomb. No follow up.
No questions about a director of football.
No questions when Sparks said budget for the training ground pitch.
No questions about Rupp.
No questions about any investment.
No questions about any takeover.

Sparks was just saying the right things to act all positive, dropping bombs and nothing quizzed. It was poor.

 

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

 

Everything that needed to be said was said season tickets and the way ahead. Plans to revamp the stadium and the playing area of the pitch and the training pitch.
Transfer matters and we were told players already lined up
We don’t need a director of football we have joint managers and a director of recruitment
If and when there us something to say about Rupp I am sure it will be said at the moment he is in charge and there is nothing to say that’s going to change
So therefore there is nothing to say about investment or takeovers

 

Don't be silly!

 

Gotta say, felt a bit flat from the ff. It felt, just, convenient and nice.

 

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.

 

the legal issue could be that he doesn’t own the ground, his pension fund does that has to be run by very strict legal rules. Would one company be able to fund renovations etc of the property that they do not own

 

Flamingo land mark 2

 

There was a follow up. Jamie Raynor then asked has buying back the ground been discussed,to which Ryan just said Yes.

 

Think we have 7 years of the lease left and pay around £500,000 per year rent on the lease, This means we will pay £3.5 million over the lease term, If we could buy the ground back for around £6 million we would be foolish no to, Am sure Rupp has worked the figures out and it is rumored has approached Gibb regards the ground purchase

 

Oh Gibbs could buy the club instead.

 

There was talk, not that long ago that Gordon Gibb and Jack Tordoff had discussed getting together to buy the club back. I don't know how much Gordon Gibb is worth and as for Jack he is getting on a bit to suddenly rekindle his interest regarding ownership.
It is not just the funds to buy the club back from Rupp but the funding to take the club forward both on and off the field.

 

Or not

 

https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/16342878.bradford-city-gibb-takeover-talk-dismissed/

I can’t see Rupp having the appetite to build a new ground so in my opinion I think they’ll negotiate a new lease extension or he might sell to Gibb if he’s still interested.

 

Rupp might not have a choice but to have the appetite.

A new lease will be at least 20 years + then add in maintenance plus factor in that it won't be an asset for him or the club then soon the appetite will be building.

Gibb could well be interested in buying the club. Wouldn't shock me if Rupp is looking to sell the club now though and make this not his problem.

 

If Gibb did buy the club surely the liklihood is he will leave the ground in his pension fund and the club still won't own VP.

 

And apologies for banging on about this again, but...whether Rupp stays or we get new owners, our ambition for Bradford City Football Club should not just be about promotion but owning our own ground and the footprint around it again.