Re: Latest state of play posts only : Wed Jul 11, 2012 7:54 am  

Bullboy wrote:

We're very much in a "any port in a storm" scenario and I'm delighted that local business men are looking to get involved and save the club (I took the girlfriend to Akbars in Leeds last night for a pre-celebratory meal,) but I have 2 concerns.

1- They want Odsal more than they want the club. While I didn't like Valley Parade, I'd rather go there than lose the club.
2- Aren't be just back at square 1 with multiple people owning the club and a fractured share holding? Who knows what could happen in 6 months time - we could end up with another warring board

If property developers are involved they are likely only interested in Odsal for development, not as philanthropists, which would mean VP for Bulls, not that that particularly concerns me. But if they are getting Odsal for development the RFL/Council should realise a large part of the value of the land, which is essentailly planning permission for alternative use/s. Once the profit from possible development has been realised by the developer/consortium what attraction is there from continuing their interestin RL, unless they are indeed long time Bulls fans? Hopefully by this time the Bulls might have developed a sustainable business, but this will be mid/lower table without the continuing investment of a sugar daddy.

Re: Latest state of play posts only : Wed Jul 11, 2012 7:54 am  

Interesting they keep refering to Odsal as an iconic RL ground, don't get me wrong I am one of the fans with a soft spot for the hole - but wasn't the state of the ground our "weakest" area in the last licencing round. So not sure how you square the iconic=dump equation - so you can see what the RFL will be saying if we move - nice history but need to have proper facilities etc.

Re: Latest state of play posts only : Wed Jul 11, 2012 7:57 am  

Tigertot ... you got in there just as i was writing!

Why on earth would property developers want land?

still feel we should have a campaign to raise funds to buy our club and make sure we remain a rugby club!

Sorry ... all i can see is Birmingham(joe Bloggs era!)/Blackburn plus future problem .. BUT SO HOPE IM PROVED TOTALLY WRONG!

Re: Latest state of play posts only : Wed Jul 11, 2012 8:02 am  

tigertot wrote:

If property developers are involved they are likely only interested in Odsal for development, not as philanthropists, which would mean VP for Bulls, not that that particularly concerns me. But if they are getting Odsal for development the RFL/Council should realise a large part of the value of the land, which is essentailly planning permission for alternative use/s. Once the profit from possible development has been realised by the developer/consortium what attraction is there from continuing their interestin RL, unless they are indeed long time Bulls fans? Hopefully by this time the Bulls might have developed a sustainable business, but this will be mid/lower table without the continuing investment of a sugar daddy.

Possibly the consortium then hands control of the rugby side of the business back to a member of the consortium who hasn't yet been mentioned by name?. Remember it was mentioned yesterday that Akbars weren't the main players in the consortium. Wouldn't be at all surprised if CC turns out to be part of the consortium.

Re: Latest state of play posts only : Wed Jul 11, 2012 8:10 am  

Quote from T&A "Dill Butt, the corporate affairs director at Akbar’s, said that ABC had met with club management, former Bulls boss Brian Noble, former director Stephen Coulby, interim chief executive Gary Tasker and Mr Guilfoyle on Monday night to thrash out details. "

All this still seems a bit fishy to me. I mean, Coulby coming back to the fold (after being made redundant) Noble coming back into the fold. There's certainly more to this than what we are seeing. Property developers being a major part of this consortium also shows what plans they have for Odsal.

Another part of the T&A made reference to BG selecting and preferring the right deal for the club going forward. Is this an indication that there were multiple bids, but this is the one he has chosen to run with?.....

Can't believe i haven't won the euros again.... Maybe Friday!

Re: Latest state of play posts only : Wed Jul 11, 2012 8:41 am  

daveyz999 wrote:

Todays t&a makes reference to Noble helping with the consortium to determine player selection for this/next year. Doesn't seem like were going to see Potter back....

If you do survive and Noble returns as fulltime coach could this have a detrimental effect on team spirit(which is probably what has kept the club going the last few months) as the players appear to have a great affinity with Potter.
Just hope for your your sakes any new owners are aware of this.
Smells more and more like Caisley is still involved in the background.

Re: Latest state of play posts only : Wed Jul 11, 2012 8:44 am  

For the first time in weeks I'm optimistic about our future. First and foremost two of the "conditions" are less about money and more about the playing side. Someone with a rugby brain has accurately insisted that our CURRENT (not future) license remains . That suggests to me that they want a competitive team in SL.
Secondly I'm especially pleased that they say there cannot be any firesale of the younger players so those same rugby brains are looking to the future.
Some are concerned about the presence of a property developer in the consortium. The thread has moved away from all the talk about the Coral Stand and some are now implying that some property speculator wants to come in and change the use of Odsal from league to something else. What exactly? The site is well sited (road links etc.) but the bowl (or as some call it the big hole in the ground) is not exactly well suited to anything else. And remember we're in a recession so a massive re-development involving millions seems to me to be unlikely.
I'd prefer to think that the new owners are looking to firstly develop the Coral Stand (remember some of the threads which commented on it's lack of use and drawbacks) and then perhaps use the basic layout of the ground to increase it's use for other events.

Re: Latest state of play posts only : Wed Jul 11, 2012 8:52 am  

Bullnorthern wrote:

I'd prefer to think that the new owners are looking to firstly develop the Coral Stand (remember some of the threads which commented on it's lack of use and drawbacks) and then perhaps use the basic layout of the ground to increase it's use for other events.

One can only hope

Re: Latest state of play posts only : Wed Jul 11, 2012 8:56 am  

The HMRC would be better off making their own bid, they could bid £1m knowing they would then get all they were owed and have all the players left to sell off and make a profit

Re: Latest state of play posts only : Wed Jul 11, 2012 9:06 am  

Bullnorthern wrote:

Some are concerned about the presence of a property developer in the consortium. The thread has moved away from all the talk about the Coral Stand and some are now implying that some property speculator wants to come in and change the use of Odsal from league to something else. What exactly? The site is well sited (road links etc.) but the bowl (or as some call it the big hole in the ground) is not exactly well suited to anything else. And remember we're in a recession so a massive re-development involving millions seems to me to be unlikely.
I'd prefer to think that the new owners are looking to firstly develop the Coral Stand (remember some of the threads which commented on it's lack of use and drawbacks) and then perhaps use the basic layout of the ground to increase it's use for other events.

I agree with that. I would hope that what is in mind is firstly the development of the Coral Stand as a banqueting and conference facility, wedding venue etc. In time that may involve extending it to provide greater capacity - not sire how possible that would be if they don't own the ground.

Then maybe looking at using the ground for other events. Who knows what? Concerts? Other sports such as Stock Cars, Speedway etc. Kabbadi has been mentioned (think it was tried once before if memory serves).

I'd be amazed if they would be looking to go to the incredible expense of filling in the bowl and building houses on the land in the current economic climate