Re: Players meeting with new owner today : Fri Jan 06, 2017 3:58 pm  

Bull Mania wrote:

Interview with Thorne

David Thorne, the former CEO and owner of the rugby union side Wasps, is one of the parties interested in re-forming Bradford Bulls following the club’s liquidation this week.

Thorne officially registered a company called Bradford Bulls Capital Limited with Companies House on Wednesday, before meeting the remaining members of playing staff at the club’s Odsal stadium.

That meeting was not sanctioned or attended by anyone involved with the Rugby Football League, and while the New Zealand-born businessman told the Guardian that the meeting was not held to undermine the RFL’s bidding process for the club – the deadline for expressions of interest in forming a new club is Monday – he believes the former Super League champions and World Club Challenge winners are an “iconic brand” worth rescuing.

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“In no way do we want to be seen to be trying to usurp the RFL’s process, this was an innocent and perhaps naive meeting and maybe we should have waited,” he said. “But as an interested party I thought it was important to speak to the players and staff from a humanitarian perspective in person, because they’re all in limbo not knowing what is going on.

“I’ve been through this process with Wasps before so I know what it’s all about, and I see Bradford Bulls as an iconic brand within sport. If there’s something we can bring to the table and help remedy the situation then we feel we can contribute: but of course, it’s down to the RFL to decide.”

Thorne previously worked with the current Wasps owner Derek Richardson during his time with the rugby union side, but the Guardian understands that neither Richardson nor anyone currently involved with Wasps is part of Thorne’s bid to assume control at Bradford.


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Despite registering his interest with the RFL in the last 48 hours, Thorne admitted he is yet to finalise the details of his bid to the governing body. “We have a clear plan which we will submit to the RFL in due course,” he said. “They will make their own determination based on what everyone brings to the table but having registered the company with Companies House, it’s clear we’re putting things in place in case we’re given the go-ahead.”

The RFL is understood to be keen on receiving long-term financial plans for the new club from any prospective bidder following the Bulls’ third administration in four years, which culminated in liquidation on Tuesday. So far, five of the club’s former players have agreed deals with other clubs before a possible reformation of the club in time for the start of the new Championship season next month.

That certainly reads as liquidation/newco rather a last minute admin deal prior to liquidation.

Re: Players meeting with new owner today : Fri Jan 06, 2017 3:59 pm  

So from the Guardian article it looks like Thorne is going through the RFL process of bidding to start a new club in Bradford. CHinese whispers has nothing on this saga

Re: Players meeting with new owner today : Fri Jan 06, 2017 4:00 pm  

Does seem that way now.

Re: Players meeting with new owner today : Fri Jan 06, 2017 4:01 pm  

vbfg wrote: So last night I posted a blog that said Thorne invited Richardson to Wasps. Here's the same story told differently. http://www.sportsmanagement.co.uk/Sport ... wood/29740 According to that Thorne brought in an experienced manager who then brought in Richardson who then bought out Thorne. And the moment when they were within seconds of going bust happened a few months into Richardson's reign. My critical faculties are failing me. Can you start putting in large, bold letter at the top of every post whether what is being said is good or bad news?

vbfg wrote: So last night I posted a blog that said Thorne invited Richardson to Wasps. Here's the same story told differently. http://www.sportsmanagement.co.uk/Sport ... wood/29740 According to that Thorne brought in an experienced manager who then brought in Richardson who then bought out Thorne. And the moment when they were within seconds of going bust happened a few months into Richardson's reign. My critical faculties are failing me. Can you start putting in large, bold letter at the top of every post whether what is being said is good or bad news?

Re: Players meeting with new owner today : Fri Jan 06, 2017 4:03 pm  

GOOD NEWS

I am very happy to tell people what and how to think

Re: Players meeting with new owner today : Fri Jan 06, 2017 4:03 pm  

Bullseye wrote:

Right. So he wasn't there. I think we can be sure of that now.

Whoever was there it sounds like it was Thorne.

He doesn't sound wealthy. It was Richardson's money that saved Wasps. He may not be on board with this.

The interesting thing for me is Thornes constant use of the word "we" during that article. All though the Guardian 'understands' (where have we heard that term before?!) that nobody connected with Wasps is involved, clearly somebody else is teamed up with him, he isn't doing it alone. Just who exactly the other people involved are, who knows.

Re: Phoenix from the flames? : Fri Jan 06, 2017 4:05 pm  

Only been registered....just in case......as per an article in the Guardian where Thorne confirms the reason for registering it. There is also a quote in from King of morals Paul Rowley stating Toronto would jump at the chance to replace Bradford

Re: Players meeting with new owner today : Fri Jan 06, 2017 4:06 pm  

Bull Mania wrote: Wheres the money coming from to fund the squad and a new domain which may or may not be relevant if he doesnt win the bid. If he wasnt particularly wealthy surely he wouldn't waste money on purchasing a domain when hes no club. Sorry if this has been mentioned earlier in forum, is Thorne still involved with Wasps. Domain won't be very expensive, Thorne is not involved with Wasps, look on link below what he is involved in. https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/offi ... ointmentsv

Bull Mania wrote: Wheres the money coming from to fund the squad and a new domain which may or may not be relevant if he doesnt win the bid. If he wasnt particularly wealthy surely he wouldn't waste money on purchasing a domain when hes no club. Sorry if this has been mentioned earlier in forum, is Thorne still involved with Wasps. Domain won't be very expensive, Thorne is not involved with Wasps, look on link below what he is involved in. https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/offi ... ointmentsv

Re: Players meeting with new owner today : Fri Jan 06, 2017 4:09 pm  

woolly07 wrote:

We should all have realised by now that nothing written on here can be treated as the truth.
There are far too many people pretending to know the truth.
A week ago I wondered if this site could work against the process of selling the Bulls because of all the miss-information being possibly read by people and especially players wondering what to do. Might a player have jumped too soon because of what he or his family have read and believed as fact.
It is now clear to me that although this site is an entertainment to some and point of information to most there is a real danger that it is doing harm not only to peoples heads but may be helping to add fuel to a fire that needs to be dampened down and allow people to get on with the deal without unfounded speculation.
Not everyone has the sense and intelligence to filter out the nonsense from snippets of truth.
I have a very low regard to social media as I work in IT and see the trouble it can cause due to its faceless and nameless nature. People need to read everything and take it with a large pinch of salt. S.Media. causes waves of emotional ups and down and we get that here. So, Enjoy reading but if you imagine everyone is trying to fool you into believing their story you should be OK.

Beware people who say I do know or I was there.

Unfortunately many are not listening Woolly! Especially your caution that
"may be helping to add fuel to a fire that needs to be dampened down and allow people to get on with the deal without unfounded speculation"

Re: Phoenix from the flames? : Fri Jan 06, 2017 4:15 pm  

HamsterChops wrote: Ah so I see. But has anyone seen this? https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/company/10548988 Ah, I understand now. No, I imagine many haven't. Best make sure: https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/company/10548988 I'm starting to come round to the idea that, actually, we are f*cked.

HamsterChops wrote: Ah so I see. But has anyone seen this? https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/company/10548988 Ah, I understand now. No, I imagine many haven't. Best make sure: https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/company/10548988 I'm starting to come round to the idea that, actually, we are f*cked.