Bradford Bulls went into administration and faced 'extinction'

[BODISGOD]

Dreadful mismanagement of what was the premier club of the noughties for a long time.

Feel sorry for the fans who were asked to fork out cash to try and save them just recently. They've gone from needing 1 million to 600k

Difficult to see them getting out of this. No assets really left is there? Odsal was acquired by the RFL and after that it's just a line of player contracts...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-league/18554519

 

[deluded pom?]

What will happen is they'll go into administration and the creditors will get zip. They'll then reform and enter the lower leagues.

 

[IowaRL]

What then happens to Super League? Do they play 1 team down, promote someone who isn't ready or make them stay up and lose every week?

 

[Steve Davy]

What then happens to Super League? Do they play 1 team down, promote someone who isn't ready or make them stay up and lose every week?

If the old club disappear, then candidates for replacing them would include Toulouse of Halifax (rumours of the latter were doing the rounds for the last week or two).

London went belly up and reformed in a new guise (Harlequins) and stayed in Super League. North Wales went belly up and a new club was formed in the lower league. I suspect Bradford are more likely to follow in the London footsteps.

 

[expansionist]

I would be very interested in some peoples thoughts on just how this situation came about. I dont follow the super league as much as I used to, but Bradford were arguably the top team both on and off the field for so long..

What went wrong?

 

[BODISGOD]

I would be very interested in some peoples thoughts on just how this situation came about. I dont follow the super league as much as I used to, but Bradford were arguably the top team both on and off the field for so long..

What went wrong?

Stadium is in bits
Didn't replace Brian Noble's team

Their average home attendance has fallen off big time and I imagine they were still spending most of the cap. 14k in 2006 to 8k in 2010.

 

[DC_fan]

Is the problem more then just the Bradford Bulls?

 

[docbrown]

Is the problem more then just the Bradford Bulls?

I'd suspect part of it is purely the current economic conditions.
But yes, most likely combined with poor management.

I think this a bellweather for Super League. Whatever happens to Bradford will be an indication of the type of future (next 10 years) league fans can expect from management.

 

[gutterfax]

If the old club disappear, then candidates for replacing them would include Toulouse of Halifax (rumours of the latter were doing the rounds for the last week or two).

London went belly up and reformed in a new guise (Harlequins) and stayed in Super League. North Wales went belly up and a new club was formed in the lower league. I suspect Bradford are more likely to follow in the London footsteps.

London Broncos entered administration in March/April 2005, formed a new holding company and after a vote by the then SL Chairmen, were permitted to keep their points and finish the season.

The Bradford Chairman voted for London to be kicked out of Superleague.....

The announcement of the name change and move to Twickenham didn't happen until near the end of the season, (august IIRC).....

The rules regarding administration were put in place AFTER the London incident. Administration attracts a 4 point deduction and that's all that will happen to Bradford is they find an investor in the next 10 fays.

If, on the other hand, they go to the wall totally, then I believe that once a "new" club is created, it will again be put to a vote as to if they can remain in SL or if they need to drop down and start again.

I believe something similar is happening in scottish soccer at the moment.

....ain't Karma a bitch

 

[BODISGOD]

London Broncos entered administration in March/April 2005, formed a new holding company and after a vote by the then SL Chairmen, were permitted to keep their points and finish the season.

The Bradford Chairman voted for London to be kicked out of Superleague.....

The announcement of the name change and move to Twickenham didn't happen until near the end of the season, (august IIRC).....

The rules regarding administration were put in place AFTER the London incident. Administration attracts a 4 point deduction and that's all that will happen to Bradford is they find an investor in the next 10 fays.

If, on the other hand, they go to the wall totally, then I believe that once a "new" club is created, it will again be put to a vote as to if they can remain in SL or if they need to drop down and start again.

I believe something similar is happening in scottish soccer at the moment.

....ain't Karma a bitch

A "new"club getting in would be a joke but at the same time badly needed for a heartland city to get back eventually. It's a fine balance between that and actually punishing this and discouraging these things happening again.

 

[deluded pom?]

I would be very interested in some peoples thoughts on just how this situation came about. I dont follow the super league as much as I used to, but Bradford were arguably the top team both on and off the field for so long..

What went wrong?

I don't think the signing of Mr Harris was the wisest move they've ever made.

 

[miguel de cervantes]

Come on Toulouse!

 

[WireMan]

Come on Toulouse!

They would be my prefered choice. Halifax are not ready, and would be worse than Widnes. Toulouse would be a silver lining to this whole affair.

Is the problem more then just the Bradford Bulls?

Probably, as clubs always sail close to the wind. This is not a new problem, most teams were part time as they couldn't sustain a full time team.

I would be very interested in some peoples thoughts on just how this situation came about. I dont follow the super league as much as I used to, but Bradford were arguably the top team both on and off the field for so long..

What went wrong?

Simple answer is they spent to much money. They reduced the season tickets to get fans in (you need to try to hit 10k) and did not have the cash to pay the players and fund the black hole for cash that is Odsal.

Oh and someone did the biggest blunder in Bradford Bulls history when they sold the lease to the RFL. Who pushed that we don't know, but at the time it was sold as way to fight of predators for the land, a cash injection to the bulls, and the potential to make the ground the Wembley of the North.

What actually happened was the money was used to pay of a debt to the RFL, the overdraft secured on this lease was called in (creating the first rush for cash) and a VAT liability was generated. All very silly.
For example on the sale of the lease, why not just add VAT on to it. They get the extra money from the RFL which the RFL can claim back from the VAT man.

This VAT and other taxes owed is what is causing the problems now as the HMRC (taxman) is very quick to go after sports clubs (of all demoninations) who owe money as they have had there fingers burnt badly in the past.

Just because this has happened to Bradford it does not mean its the end of the world as we know it. They are/were a badly run company which by the looks of it were lead by massive egos (see Harris case for example) who didn't seem to have a handle on the financial side of running a business. Not good at any time, especially bad in our current economic climate.

 

[WireMan]

London Broncos entered administration in March/April 2005, formed a new holding company and after a vote by the then SL Chairmen, were permitted to keep their points and finish the season.

The Bradford Chairman voted for London to be kicked out of Superleague.....

The announcement of the name change and move to Twickenham didn't happen until near the end of the season, (august IIRC).....

The rules regarding administration were put in place AFTER the London incident. Administration attracts a 4 point deduction and that's all that will happen to Bradford is they find an investor in the next 10 fays.

If, on the other hand, they go to the wall totally, then I believe that once a "new" club is created, it will again be put to a vote as to if they can remain in SL or if they need to drop down and start again.

I believe something similar is happening in scottish soccer at the moment.

....ain't Karma a bitch

Now, now. Don't be petty about this...

One day there may have to be another vote about London. ;-)

 

[gutterfax]

Now, now. Don't be petty about this...

One day there may have to be another vote about London. ;-)

I am only being "petty" on TFC :lol:

I feel for the fans of Bradford, although not for anyone who chipped in for the insane 500k appeal.

Are tolouse ready? I can't see the gang of SL chairmen who are winging about the league being too big allowing another team with "0" fans into the comp.....not without compo anyway.
Think about it.....if you are say, St Helens, not only will you lose about 15k-20k in gate receipts....now you've also got to ship about 25-30 people to the south of France for a second trip.

London are wobbling......Hughes has said he's there until 2014, but after that....???????? I reckon IF Bradford do have to drop down.....a bye round will be introduced for 2013/2014 then Bradford will be re-admitted and if London go tits up, THEN Tolouse may well get in.

 

[ParraEelsNRL]

I am only being "petty" on TFC :lol:

I feel for the fans of Bradford, although not for anyone who chipped in for the insane 500k appeal.

Are tolouse ready? I can't see the gang of SL chairmen who are winging about the league being too big allowing another team with "0" fans into the comp.....not without compo anyway.
Think about it.....if you are say, St Helens, not only will you lose about 15k-20k in gate receipts....now you've also got to ship about 25-30 people to the south of France for a second trip.

London are wobbling......Hughes has said he's there until 2014, but after that....???????? I reckon IF Bradford do have to drop down.....a bye round will be introduced for 2013/2014 then Bradford will be re-admitted and if London go tits up, THEN Tolouse may well get in.

Even when you state you aren't trolling, you actually still are :lol:

http://www.serveurstood.fr/Videos_TOXIII/

Two years worth of Toulouse games, most Toulouse home games have the crowd in the match report, and if it doesn't, just watch the matches being played beside the match report.

Some of the crowds the Broncquins have got in the last 2 years would embarrass Toulouse Olympique.

 

[ParraEelsNRL]

If the bulls are to be out, I say bring in Toulouse or Halifax.

 

[gutterfax]

Even when you state you aren't trolling, you actually still are :lol:

http://www.serveurstood.fr/Videos_TOXIII/

Two years worth of Toulouse games, most Toulouse home games have the crowd in the match report, and if it doesn't, just watch the matches being played beside the match report.

Some of the crowds the Broncquins have got in the last 2 years would embarrass Toulouse Olympique.

As I say, I freely admit to rattling your cage on TFC....but this is a serious debate about a serious matter....so grow up.


Unlike the NRL, Superleague Clubs do rely on a decent away following...Bradford Bulls would have brought about 1,000 fans to most away games in the heartlands.....that's between 15 and 20 grand in lost ticket revenue......if your Leeds, that figure is nearer 60 grand, Huddersfield, 30k.

Toulouse home gates are neither here not there.......as I have clearly stated, for Tolouse to be added to SL, the other SL clubs would need to accept a loss in ticket revenue and an increase in travelling and accommodation costs....

As it stands, you have chairmen like McManus at Saints and the idiot in east Hull whinging about finances.....Catalan and London bring a handful of fans, if you add toulouse to that, then there's only really 10 home games left......that's 23% of the opportunity to earn residual revenue gone!

The RFL have a vested interest in Bradford......they have purchased oddslum.....making a new bradford start from the bottom would cost them in lost rent....because you can be sure, Bradford v London Slolars is going to struggle to get 2,000 through the gate....I suspect Bradford will still be in SL next year...

 

[BODISGOD]

As I say, I freely admit to rattling your cage on TFC....but this is a serious debate about a serious matter....so grow up.


Unlike the NRL, Superleague Clubs do rely on a decent away following...Bradford Bulls would have brought about 1,000 fans to most away games in the heartlands.....that's between 15 and 20 grand in lost ticket revenue......if your Leeds, that figure is nearer 60 grand, Huddersfield, 30k.

Toulouse home gates are neither here not there.......as I have clearly stated, for Tolouse to be added to SL, the other SL clubs would need to accept a loss in ticket revenue and an increase in travelling and accommodation costs....

As it stands, you have chairmen like McManus at Saints and the idiot in east Hull whinging about finances.....Catalan and London bring a handful of fans, if you add toulouse to that, then there's only really 10 home games left......that's 23% of the opportunity to earn residual revenue gone!

The RFL have a vested interest in Bradford......they have purchased oddslum.....making a new bradford start from the bottom would cost them in lost rent....because you can be sure, Bradford v London Slolars is going to struggle to get 2,000 through the gate....I suspect Bradford will still be in SL next year...

Very good post. They need to be punished though, I suspect a one year exclusion like you predict could be on the cards.

 

[ParraEelsNRL]

As I say, I freely admit to rattling your cage on TFC....but this is a serious debate about a serious matter....so grow up.


Unlike the NRL, Superleague Clubs do rely on a decent away following...Bradford Bulls would have brought about 1,000 fans to most away games in the heartlands.....that's between 15 and 20 grand in lost ticket revenue......if your Leeds, that figure is nearer 60 grand, Huddersfield, 30k.

Toulouse home gates are neither here not there.......as I have clearly stated, for Tolouse to be added to SL, the other SL clubs would need to accept a loss in ticket revenue and an increase in travelling and accommodation costs....

As it stands, you have chairmen like McManus at Saints and the idiot in east Hull whinging about finances.....Catalan and London bring a handful of fans, if you add toulouse to that, then there's only really 10 home games left......that's 23% of the opportunity to earn residual revenue gone!

The RFL have a vested interest in Bradford......they have purchased oddslum.....making a new bradford start from the bottom would cost them in lost rent....because you can be sure, Bradford v London Slolars is going to struggle to get 2,000 through the gate....I suspect Bradford will still be in SL next year...

That has nothing to do with what I posted.

You said they had zero fans, that was a lie.