Bradford Bulls went into administration and faced 'extinction'

[IowaRL]

The way I see it for Odsal, they merely wanted to remove the asset from the Bradford books so the administrator couldn't sell it to cover creditors. Imagine if it was bought and torn down for other uses.

 

[Evil Homer]

You cannot compare football to rugby. Two different systems.

If Sunderland went into administration they would get docked 10 points and lose most of there players. They would find themselves relegated. If Stevenage win the championship then they would be replace them.

Its not nonsense. Its unlikely, but not nonsense.




Bradford would NOT be getting relegated from the Super League. In Super League now there is NO SUCH THING AS RELEGATION.

What they got was a license to run a franchise. To be awarded this franchise certain criteria needs to be met. Bradford have failed to meet this criteria. It doesn't matter what failed, be it on the pitch, of the pitch, the ground, anything.

At the end of each year the RFL have the right to review every license awarded and can take licenses away from teams that have not fulfilled there obligations. Be that Wakey not having a ground, Warrington going bust, Wigan breaking the Salary cap (again) or Bradford going bump due to being run badly.

Now once the license is removed then there is a spot for teams to apply for it. Be it a new Bradford, Halifax, Leigh or anyone with a team.

Widnes were denied a new license because they had been bust, Halifax were denied one last year on the grounds the business plan was a load of baloney.

That is how newco Bradford have to be judged. If they can supply a business plan that involves staying solvent, improves the ground, gets bigger crowds etc. then by all means give them a license.
I feel the RFL would have to be open about this plan as a lot of people will be watching.

What are you talking about? I'm fully aware of the situation, I made the Stevenage example in response to DP's comment about 'the same also-rans', it was supposed to be ridiculous to illustrate how stupid it would be to relegate Bradford if they weren't weaker than the teams replacing them. I agree that if they don't have a viable business plan, they shouldn't be in the league. But I assume the deal was concluded on the basis that the new owners have a suitable business plan, otherwise there wouldn't have been any point.

 

[Evil Homer]

Is the licensing format here to stay? There were rumours that when Richard Lewis stood down, it might be binned (it having been his brainchild).

Not sure it has entirely been a success has it? Anyone have any stats or info that might inform?

What sort of quantitative measure are you expecting? It's been a success in so much that it has allowed for the removal of an absolutely bizarre, ridiculous and totally unacceptable system. There isn't any alternative to the licensing process at present. Automatic P&R is not a viable alternative and for people to pretend otherwise, again would just be shooting ourselves in the foot.

 

[LeedsStorm]

What sort of quantitative measure are you expecting? It's been a success in so much that it has allowed for the removal of an absolutely bizarre, ridiculous and totally unacceptable system. There isn't any alternative to the licensing process at present. Automatic P&R is not a viable alternative and for people to pretend otherwise, again would just be shooting ourselves in the foot.

Mr Lewis? Is that you?

I wasn't "expecting" anything mr aggressive, merely raising the point that licencing might have not been a great success. Andy Wilson expressed this sentiment in Fourty20 magazine I believe, on the basis that this season hasn't produced many memorable games of note. All down to opinion, of course, but even so I imagine someone close to the game's governing body would have information on gate receipts, tv ratings, financial woes, sponsorship monies, merchandise sales, number of games won by <6 points (as an indication of level of entertainment), number of players promoted from academies, number of clubs spending salary cap etc before and after the licencing system came in.

I'm sure it is being discussed as an option, simply to make it clearer on how to deal with clubs that are mismanaged (since points deduction makes relegation a clear possibility)

 

[Evil Homer]

Mr Lewis? Is that you?

I wasn't "expecting" anything mr aggressive, merely raising the point that licencing might have not been a great success. Andy Wilson expressed this sentiment in Fourty20 magazine I believe, on the basis that this season hasn't produced many memorable games of note. All down to opinion, of course, but even so I imagine someone close to the game's governing body would have information on gate receipts, tv ratings, financial woes, sponsorship monies, merchandise sales, number of games won by <6 points (as an indication of level of entertainment), number of players promoted from academies, number of clubs spending salary cap etc before and after the licencing system came in.

I'm sure it is being discussed as an option, simply to make it clearer on how to deal with clubs that are mismanaged (since points deduction makes relegation a clear possibility)

None of those measures are valid, they are all subjective and dependent on other factors. There is no clear quantitative 'measure of success', and no reason to even attempt to find one. The fact is that the old system was totally unsuitable and in urgent need of replacement, and it has now been replaced with a suitable system. That's all there is to it. Unless we're talking about how the current system can be improved then trying to find 'measures of success' or whatever is just irrelevant. As for Andy Wilson, he is an utter moron and I value his opinions less than those of the average poster on an internet forum.

 

[deluded pom?]

The fact remains that if Bradford now have the financial backing to be able to compete at SL level (which presumably they do)

Have they got the financial clout to compete in the SLE though? What do we know of Mr Khan's wealth? He only paid £150,000 for the Bulls so that's not a great indication of his finances one way or the other. He's been quoted as saying it will take two years to get the Bulls competitve again. Why will it take two years if he's cashed up? My question is, did Mr Khan pay off the Bulls' debts? If so then you might have an argument as to the Bulls' SLE status being maintained. If not then they are a new club who have not proven anything to anybody and as such should go to the back of the queue for a SLE place just as Rangers newco did.

 

[joedynamo]

Have they got the financial clout to compete in the SLE though? What do we know of Mr Khan's wealth? He only paid £150,000 for the Bulls so that's not a great indication of his finances one way or the other. He's been quoted as saying it will take two years to get the Bulls competitve again. Why will it take two years if he's cashed up? My question is, did Mr Khan pay off the Bulls' debts?

Andrew Glover paid less for Wakey and didnt clear all of the previous regimes debt...
Why do you think Bradford should be treated differently?

If so then you might have an argument as to the Bulls' SLE status being maintained. If not then they are a new club who have not proven anything to anybody and as such should go to the back of the queue for a SLE place just as Rangers newco did.

Just like your failed Widnes comparison, the situation at the weegies was completely different and involved a suspected £80million tax *evasion scheme...the two situations aren't really comparable nor is it logical or fair to do so.

 

[WireMan]

Andrew Glover paid less for Wakey and didnt clear all of the previous regimes debt...
Why do you think Bradford should be treated differently?

Just like your failed Widnes comparison, the situation at the weegies was completely different and involved a suspected £80million tax *evasion scheme...the two situations aren't really comparable nor is it logical or fair to do so.

I don't think Bradford should be treated any different. Glover re-applied for a license and had competition from rival bids. He was granted one at Wakey knowing if he didn't live upto the promises he would have it revoked.

I think Bradford should be the same.

Give them a License by default?
No other club has been given a license, they all had to bid. Now Bradford want to go against that and just expect to be given one?

 

[deluded pom?]

Just like your failed Widnes comparison, the situation at the weegies was completely different and involved a suspected £80million tax *evasion scheme...the two situations aren't really comparable nor is it logical or fair to do so.

Careful joe you're teetering on the edge of libel. That's the first I've ever heard of that claim. Care to post a link?

 

[deluded pom?]

Andrew Glover paid less for Wakey and didnt clear all of the previous regimes debt...
Why do you think Bradford should be treated differently?

Bradford already have been treated differently. They had their lease on Odsal bought by the RFL ( a huge mistake as it meant the banks realised the Bulls had no collateral so then decided to call their loans in) then they had the offer to buy them out by the rest of the SLE clubs. Did Wakey get those two offers?



PS do you have any idea of Mr Khan's worth as there's a strong rumour going around that he only owns two restaurants? Not exactly the source of the kind of finances required to get the Bulls back to the top if it's true.

 

[Patorick]

Oh ho.

http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/rugby-league/26339196

 

[CC_Roosters]

Oh ho.

http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/rugby-league/26339196

looks like the blame game is in full swing. Dont see how the bulls prospective owners could expect to get away without a points deductions and its typical of the behaviour of people of that ilk have towards the game that they hold it and clubs too ransom.

On the other hand the decision to deprive them of half the central funding seems farcical and dooming the club to failure. Haven't followed it that closely so not sure how they ended up at that decision last season.

I suspect wakefield and cas will be over the moon at the deduction though, takes a lot of pressure of them and they should stay up now

 

[parraparraparra]

super league is a shambles.

 

[roughyedspud]

looks like the blame game is in full swing. Dont see how the bulls prospective owners could expect to get away without a points deductions and its typical of the behaviour of people of that ilk have towards the game that they hold it and clubs too ransom.

On the other hand the decision to deprive them of half the central funding seems farcical and dooming the club to failure. Haven't followed it that closely so not sure how they ended up at that decision last season.

I suspect wakefield and cas will be over the moon at the deduction though, takes a lot of pressure of them and they should stay up now

they haven't been deprived of central funding..they got a advance on this years money last year to bail them out..and the RFL gave them £1.5m for odsal..

how much help do they frigging need??

 

[CC_Roosters]

super league is a shambles.

No certain clubs drag it through the mud continually through historical and current mismanagement

 

[The Great Dane]

How many times are Bradford going to go in administration before the RFL realises that it's not working and tries something different?

I haven't really been following whats going on at Bradford closely enough to know the ins and outs of whats going on, but this is the second time that they've gone into administration in almost as many years and they've been having constant money troubles for many years now, maybe it's time to drop them down to Championship/1 (which might happen anyway, if my understanding of the new format is correct?) and start to rebuild them from scratch.

 

[deal.with.it]

Lamb said he still wants to buy the club and understands and accepts that the club may play in championship in 2015

 

[georgesnmith]

All the moaning by bradford fans on english forums ....they deserve to be booted from super league

its a joke they keep having these problems and being allowed to stay in there

bradford and london to be relegated this year

they are a big enough club that a short stint in championship

 

[georgesnmith]

any legs to the story koukash's brother will be making a bid for the bulls

even if its really for the good doctor he certainly can save them and bring back the crowds

 

[roughyedspud]

you need to take everything that comes out of koukash's mouth (or his familys) with a pinch of salt..

so far he's wanted to buy oldham roughyeds,oldham athletic fc,swinton lions RLFC and now bradford bulls


for every half decent idea he's had theres 5 which are daft