: Wed Dec 26, 2007 8:16 pm  

what the love has all this got to do with OSV? or infact whats it got to do with the Bulls? where's this going?

: Wed Dec 26, 2007 9:08 pm  

born-idle wrote:

what the love has all this got to do with OSV? or infact whats it got to do with the Bulls? where's this going?

Well said.
If disstasteful points are made OT then they should simply be ignored here rather than given credence with a response.
Our group liked the facilities, stands and viewing at VP but campaigned for a return to Odsal like so many. We found no problems with access and safe parking by being prudent. Early problems with officious stewards who were used to moronic football supporters later gave way to much latitude and a happier atmosphere. The away supporters we met were happy to have a covered stand that was within easy sight of the action.
Frankly, it is a good stadium albeit without the traditional standing area that we are used to.
God forbid that we need to move from Odsal, and we'll do everything to keep us their - BUT Odsal is a money pit that grows deeper each year.

: Wed Dec 26, 2007 10:06 pm  

I know, I'm sorry but if you don't respond to statements about the bnp being ok you may as well agree with them. It's like not voting and then complaining when they get seats on the council. The OSV might happen and might not. I have mixed feelings about the club becoming involved. Previously they distanced themselves from the project. The council were supposed to be behind it and be pushing for a modern sports facility for the whole area which would include a stadium for the Bulls. It was a local government project and they should have made sure it progressed. Sadly it got delayed and delayed and delayed so much so that the club were quoted in the press as saying they thought it'd never happen. Now they're actively pushing for it they maybe think that this is the last desperate push before giving up altogether. Becuase of the huge costs invlolved with Odsal and the fact that they're only ever going to get bigger and bigger, we have no choice but to push for the OSV. If we stay we'll have to go into debt to replace the concrete because of H&S regulations. If we leave and go to VP we will gradually die off because the fans do not like VP. The only thing we can do as supporters is write to our councillors and tell them we will not vote for them again unless they see we get our stadium. Sod the niceties and the pros and cons. This is vital to the future of our club. If you want the Bulls to die then don't write to your councillor. If you want us to continue then find your councillor here and write and tell them. You can email them, no stamp needed and no trip to the post box. They will ignore your email and send you back a crap standard reply, but if we send enough they will realise they can't go on ignoring them.

I know, I'm sorry but if you don't respond to statements about the bnp being ok you may as well agree with them. It's like not voting and then complaining when they get seats on the council. The OSV might happen and might not. I have mixed feelings about the club becoming involved. Previously they distanced themselves from the project. The council were supposed to be behind it and be pushing for a modern sports facility for the whole area which would include a stadium for the Bulls. It was a local government project and they should have made sure it progressed. Sadly it got delayed and delayed and delayed so much so that the club were quoted in the press as saying they thought it'd never happen. Now they're actively pushing for it they maybe think that this is the last desperate push before giving up altogether. Becuase of the huge costs invlolved with Odsal and the fact that they're only ever going to get bigger and bigger, we have no choice but to push for the OSV. If we stay we'll have to go into debt to replace the concrete because of H&S regulations. If we leave and go to VP we will gradually die off because the fans do not like VP. The only thing we can do as supporters is write to our councillors and tell them we will not vote for them again unless they see we get our stadium. Sod the niceties and the pros and cons. This is vital to the future of our club. If you want the Bulls to die then don't write to your councillor. If you want us to continue then find your councillor here and write and tell them. You can email them, no stamp needed and no trip to the post box. They will ignore your email and send you back a crap standard reply, but if we send enough they will realise they can't go on ignoring them.

[Pumpetypump]

: Wed Dec 26, 2007 10:14 pm  

BM wrote:

To be honest relations between the two clubs were fine until the vitriol over moving to VP happened. Everything from having to sit, no place for bouncy castles, cars being damaged, heavy handed stewarding and the "local residents" were crucified by Bulls fans and City fans took umbrage.

Perhaps countering the points rather than 'taking umbrage' would be a tad more productive for the poor lambs.

: Thu Dec 27, 2007 1:12 am  

Shaggoth wrote:

Perhaps countering the points rather than 'taking umbrage' would be a tad more productive for the poor lambs.

I think the fact that thousands of people have been going to watch sport there for over 100 years without the incessant whining seen when the Bulls fans had to go there for a couple of years is countenance enough.

: Thu Dec 27, 2007 1:26 am  

AndreaB wrote:

If we stay we'll have to go into debt to replace the concrete because of H&S regulations. If we leave and go to VP we will gradually die off because the fans do not like VP.

You know as well as I that the clock is ticking on Odsal Stadium's financial viability and is in the 11th hour. We know that the council will never commit money to the OSV other than a pay off to get rid of their £1m losses per year on the Richard Dunn abortion. You will remember that under our lease/purchase council agreement we must play at Odsal for a fixed number of future years othewise there needs to some serious payback. So all looks Black But:-
I think Hood has performed well over two difficult financial years and will need to perform even better over the next two.He's proving himself a good negotiator
If the Bulls have to go to VP then we will follow them. If they have to go ANYWHERE we will follow them & bo**ocks to the namby pambies who say "Its too far", "Can't park outside the door"

: Thu Dec 27, 2007 12:06 pm  

I'd love to stay at Odsal and even without a roof. On a nice summer day it's fantastic place and one of the best sporting grounds (certainly for character) around.

But we have to face facts. The OSV would be great but is it really that realistic? There have been plans a foot since I started supporting Bradford in 1991. The council don't have any money as they have a mound of earth to support in the City centre. Unless a benefactor comes along with a large lump of cash I can't see the Bulls doing anything other than leave Odsal. Whether it be to Valley Parade or a brand new site.

: Thu Dec 27, 2007 1:13 pm  

BullAdict wrote:

If the Bulls have to go to VP then we will follow them. If they have to go ANYWHERE we will follow them & bo**ocks to the namby pambies who say "Its too far", "Can't park outside the door"

I never missed a game at VP and of course I would go. I spoke to a lot of people about their preferences though and a lot of them made it clear that if it became permanent they would not continue going to home games.

I'd love to be able to say that the Bulls could count on a good sized core support at VP but it won't happen.

: Thu Dec 27, 2007 5:13 pm  

Moving back to the topic, I believe there is some political will for OSV to happen. However, there are a number of very serious obstacles to overcome;

1. Horsfall Playing Fields - Must be sold against strong public will to do so
2. Funding Gaps - Still very real, though closing all the time thanks to the College's input and sporting grants
3. Build Costs - Are rocketing thanks to the current construction boom in the UK which is set to continue with 2012 Olympics etc. so fixing a budget is proving difficlult
4. Bradford City, Keighley Cougars, Bradford Park Avenue - It's tricky politically for the council to support one professional club over others - Hence the comments in my original post, the Council's Executive must at least appear to be looking at options for supporting both or all, even if they aren't seriously considering a groundhare. Mark Lawn is actively trying to buy back VP from the Gibb family who aren't playing ball, and is less interested in a groundshare than either the Bulls or the Council in truth.
5. Bradford Council - Seem to be the only public authority capable of turning silk purses into sows ears - They really haven't got a clue how to pull this thing off, and to his credit our Chairman is the real driving force behind the whole thing, and he's proving himself to be a rather skillfull negotiator behind the scenes - Hat's off the Hood if it does happen he'll be the only reason it does!

: Thu Dec 27, 2007 6:03 pm  

Shaggoth wrote:

Perhaps countering the points rather than 'taking umbrage' would be a tad more productive for the poor lambs.

You miss the point.

City fans didn't have an issue with car parking, bouncy castles, stewarding ( officious - yes ) and the "local residents". You'll notice that I refer to them politely unlike many comments from Bulls fans at the time.

City fans have an affinity to their ground through history and events. The "local residents" opened up their doors to hundreds of City fans and looked after them after the fire as well as driving many fans to hospital but they were universally derided by Bulls fans.

Why would City fans need to counter "the points" - when most of the points were utter cr*p ?