Re: Phoenix from the flames? : Wed Jan 04, 2017 9:51 am  

Highlander wrote:

There's only 23 games.

After losing 3 to HKR & probably 2 to London (the two strongest FT teams) that leaves us with 18 other matches to try and overturn a -12 starting position.

It won't happen.

This is the RFL offering us a poisoned chalice. They would prefer we take on some players (so they're not responsible for them) and be whipping boys for the season. Rather than there be collateral damage to the other 11 clubs and a 12th club is promoted to be the whipping boys.

I would much prefer a champ1 start, clean slate. As has been pointed out many times, we are now a new club. The RFL don't need to punish us anymore.

30 games including shield fixtures, based oon 2016 we need to win 15 games to stay uup. In theory any new owner could boost tthe squad at the end of regular season/start of shield fixtures.

Re: Phoenix from the flames? : Wed Jan 04, 2017 9:56 am  

The lowest level of funding and a 12 point deduction is too much for anyone other than an idiot to contemplate taking on IMO. Relegation under those terms is pretty much guaranteed and where does that leave a new club in twelve months time?

I'm increasingly of the mind that the dog needs to die and not be recreated again with wonky legs. Without a sugar daddy it's over I'm afraid.

Re: Phoenix from the flames? : Wed Jan 04, 2017 9:56 am  

ridlerbull wrote:

I was young and stupid, as ten year olds are wont to be. I have no regrets about jumping ship. Anyway, aren't you from Donny?

I just pretend to be to impress the girls. Anyway, if i'd taken you to Donny as a 10 year old it would have put you off RL for life.

Re: Phoenix from the flames? : Wed Jan 04, 2017 10:02 am  

Last payment of 4 monthly instalments for 7 Season Tickets taken at 13.44 yesterday; was this before or after formal liquidation? If after, how can they do it? Who did the money go to?

Here's hoping that we rise again and that my family and myself can resume our support for Bradford Rugby League.

[Bullseye]

Re: Phoenix from the flames? : Wed Jan 04, 2017 10:05 am  

bullsonfire wrote:

The lowest level of funding and a 12 point deduction is too much for anyone other than an idiot to contemplate taking on IMO. Relegation under those terms is pretty much guaranteed and where does that leave a new club in twelve months time?

I'm increasingly of the mind that the dog needs to die and not be recreated again with wonky legs. Without a sugar daddy it's over I'm afraid.

My thoughts too. Much as I'd like to get behind some of the remaining U19s who don't get picked up by other clubs I think it's unfair to put young lads up as cannon fodder. Any club has a duty of care, as does the RFL.

A lot depends on whether some sort of club and squad can be assembled in the next fortnight. If so then I may be on board. If it's a team of kids then that's unethical and it's better not to bother and instead aim for 2018 in League 1.

Re: Phoenix from the flames? : Wed Jan 04, 2017 10:18 am  

There really are some numpties on the previous pages.

There IS no Bradford team, at all, of any description, and we are in January already.

Our squad is rapidly making other arrangements and it seems very much like our crown jewel - John Bastian's youth set-up - is to all intents and purposes dead in the water.

The RFL have decreed that IF anyone wants to start a new club in Bradford for 2017 then they MUST play in the Championship, for the reasons they gave, which are a million miles the opposite of "favouritism" to the former Bulls, but is all to do with keeping their fixture list intact. It is about as much of a favour to the ramshackle penny-farthing outfit we look like being if by some miracle someone ever does start soemthing up - which remains uncertain - as it would have been had the re-formed Park Avenue been made to play in the Second Division, apart from fulfilling the listed fixtures (well, after a fashion) that is actually (to anybody who isn't a rabid Bradford hater, and thinks about it for even a second) a recipe for a complete disaster and meltdown. The fixtures or many of them may take place, but they will be a farce, and hindsight will prove the ludicrousness of the plan.

Yesterday I was asking what on earth the RFL are doing with this, I assumed they already had some Plan B in place, as surely nobody would be that stupid as to pitch in a new club that doesn't even exist, at that level. But I equally have to admit given their antics in recent years that yes, they could actually be that crassly stupid.

If the sole aim is to fulfil the fixture list then frankly I have serious doubts whether a penniless scratch outfit would even last that long, and certainly it will be 70 - nil each and every week. May be H&S issues for the players, even, playing way out of their level.

If, the aim is for pro RL to continue with a strong future Bradford side then nothing we have heard so far does one single thing whatsoever towards any such target.

All the talk about us doing this, or that, is about as pointless as speculating what you'll do when you win the lottery. Might be a slight diversion but when reality returns, you know it won't happen. And even if there is actually some "bidder" out there with even half a plan to salvage something, then each hour that passes and each player that departs is rapidly choking the yet-to-be-born infant club. As here we are on a new day yet nothing has been announced, I fear the RFL is just winging it, and there is no firm bidder interested, and no Plan B.

At this point I think talk of Championship rugby in 2017 for a Bradford team is actually delusional. It is putting enough carts to fill Odsal stadium ahead of the sick horse that you haven't yet bought.

Re: Phoenix from the flames? : Wed Jan 04, 2017 10:22 am  

What a scandalous shambles.Those in charge of this great club should hang their heads in shame. One guy though has shone through all this and that's Rohan Smith.He's the kind of guy supporters will back IMO.He has really handled himself well and I hope we do survive in some reasonable form and he stays put. http://www.totalrl.com/rohan-smith-want ... lls-coach/

What a scandalous shambles.Those in charge of this great club should hang their heads in shame. One guy though has shone through all this and that's Rohan Smith.He's the kind of guy supporters will back IMO.He has really handled himself well and I hope we do survive in some reasonable form and he stays put. http://www.totalrl.com/rohan-smith-want ... lls-coach/

Re: Phoenix from the flames? : Wed Jan 04, 2017 10:25 am  

madasmcmadammcmad2 wrote: What a scandalous shambles.Those in charge of this great club should hang their heads in shame. One guy though has shone through all this and that's Rohan Smith.He's the kind of guy supporters will back IMO.He has really handled himself well and I hope we do survive in some reasonable form and he stays put. http://www.totalrl.com/rohan-smith-want ... lls-coach/ If we go get an owner (and it is a big big IF) I wonder if Rohan could convince some players to continue on this journey with him.

madasmcmadammcmad2 wrote: What a scandalous shambles.Those in charge of this great club should hang their heads in shame. One guy though has shone through all this and that's Rohan Smith.He's the kind of guy supporters will back IMO.He has really handled himself well and I hope we do survive in some reasonable form and he stays put. http://www.totalrl.com/rohan-smith-want ... lls-coach/ If we go get an owner (and it is a big big IF) I wonder if Rohan could convince some players to continue on this journey with him.

Re: Phoenix from the flames? : Wed Jan 04, 2017 10:28 am  

Bull Mania wrote:

If we go get an owner (and it is a big big IF) I wonder if Rohan could convince some players to continue on this journey with him.

I'm sure he could. But realistically, all the decent ones will have already signed up with other sides, because they have bills to pay and don't want to go through this crap again, and other clubs are getting special dispensation on the salary cap and overseas quota to take them on.

What's left for Rohan to convince are those who other clubs don't really want or those who were already financially set so they didn't need to find something else that badly. Which aren't the players who are likely to be helping the club avoid relegation.

Re: Phoenix from the flames? : Wed Jan 04, 2017 10:38 am  

Really feel for you it's rubbish and wish you well. Does anyone know what kind on money Rohan Smith is on? He might be one of the higher earners and maybe Karl Harrison is more likely. Also with a low player budget I think the youth set up will go so funds can be focussed on first team.

Regarding over seas players does anyone know what the position is with visas? Can a new business get them? Build a team with a British coach and journeymen plus youngsters and loans will probably be the best bet. If you can keep Rohan maybe some good youngster from Warrington on load (Family ties and all that). Spend you focus on short term survival and then consider the longer term future e.g. youth set up.