Statement From Simon Foster : Tue Jul 03, 2012 2:03 pm  

“Like everyone who has an interest in the Bradford Bulls, I am quite shocked, numbed really that things should come to this. I am dismayed to see this famous club with such a proud history and heritage fall from grace in such a discreditable way.

I have supported the club since my first visit to Odsal in 1955 to see my father the late Trevor Foster MBE play in a match during his final testimonial season.

I am not in any position to make comment about the financial ruin that has brought our once great club to the abyss, since I do not have the full facts. Suffice to say I am sure everything will be revealed in due course, so that supporters and the wider public can fully understand what has happened.

It is 48 years on from when my father famously led a remarkable revival with the support of colleagues and supporters to return the club to the RFL in 1964. I have vivid memories of those “dark days” as a schoolboy in Bradford when he attended so many meetings around the city encouraging businesses to come on board. The financial challenge facing the Bulls today is in stark contrast to the situation faced by Bradford Northern in the early 60’s.

I know my father would have been deeply saddened by this tragedy and his first thoughts would be with the staff and the players at Odsal, and above all the supporters who recently rallied so generously with their amazing pledges.
All the “Foster family” including all Trevor`s relatives in South Wales have been watching closely as events have unfolded in recent weeks and we hope and pray that even at this very late stage of administration a ‘good samaritan’ (or a consortium) will come forward to rescue the club at the death.

There is a certain irony just now for our family, in that recently I have been involved with a small group of supporters, ex players and Bulls Foundation Heritage staff, working together on a project to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Northern`s resurrection in 1964. We were at the early stages in planning the production and funding of the Trevor Foster Memorial Gates which were to have been unveiled at Odsal in 2014.

Trevor always used to call Odsal his ‘small piece of heaven on earth’ partly because he “adopted” the place as his second home after arriving in 1938 from Newport and received such a fantastic welcome from everyone. It was his life. What a great shame it would be if the club folded when it has been such a successful focal point for the local community particularly young people in and around Bradford and an important employer to so many for over 100 years.

If the club is saved then my wish would be to see a “fresh start”, with a sustainable vision, strong leadership and above all integrity and a willingness to engage properly and openly with the supporters and all “shareholders” for the benefit of everyone. If the worst case scenario becomes a reality then the club will be reborn again because the people of Bradford will not allow professional rugby league in the city to die”.

Simon Foster

Re: Statement From Simon Foster : Tue Jul 03, 2012 2:12 pm  

Well that's broken the seal! Sat here blubbing like a baby.

RIP Trevor. You left a legacy that it being trodden into the ground in the name of ego - little else, just ego.

Re: Statement From Simon Foster : Tue Jul 03, 2012 2:15 pm  

MicktheGled wrote:

“Like everyone who has an interest in the Bradford Bulls, I am quite shocked, numbed really that things should come to this. I am dismayed to see this famous club with such a proud history and heritage fall from grace in such a discreditable way.

I have supported the club since my first visit to Odsal in 1955 to see my father the late Trevor Foster MBE play in a match during his final testimonial season.

I am not in any position to make comment about the financial ruin that has brought our once great club to the abyss, since I do not have the full facts. Suffice to say I am sure everything will be revealed in due course, so that supporters and the wider public can fully understand what has happened.

It is 48 years on from when my father famously led a remarkable revival with the support of colleagues and supporters to return the club to the RFL in 1964. I have vivid memories of those “dark days” as a schoolboy in Bradford when he attended so many meetings around the city encouraging businesses to come on board. The financial challenge facing the Bulls today is in stark contrast to the situation faced by Bradford Northern in the early 60’s.

I know my father would have been deeply saddened by this tragedy and his first thoughts would be with the staff and the players at Odsal, and above all the supporters who recently rallied so generously with their amazing pledges.
All the “Foster family” including all Trevor`s relatives in South Wales have been watching closely as events have unfolded in recent weeks and we hope and pray that even at this very late stage of administration a ‘good samaritan’ (or a consortium) will come forward to rescue the club at the death.

There is a certain irony just now for our family, in that recently I have been involved with a small group of supporters, ex players and Bulls Foundation Heritage staff, working together on a project to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Northern`s resurrection in 1964. We were at the early stages in planning the production and funding of the Trevor Foster Memorial Gates which were to have been unveiled at Odsal in 2014.

Trevor always used to call Odsal his ‘small piece of heaven on earth’ partly because he “adopted” the place as his second home after arriving in 1938 from Newport and received such a fantastic welcome from everyone. It was his life. What a great shame it would be if the club folded when it has been such a successful focal point for the local community particularly young people in and around Bradford and an important employer to so many for over 100 years.

If the club is saved then my wish would be to see a “fresh start”, with a sustainable vision, strong leadership and above all integrity and a willingness to engage properly and openly with the supporters and all “shareholders” for the benefit of everyone. If the worst case scenario becomes a reality then the club will be reborn again because the people of Bradford will not allow professional rugby league in the city to die”.

Simon Foster

Re: Statement From Simon Foster : Tue Jul 03, 2012 2:54 pm  

I remember 1963/4 with pride that we we able to rise above what appeared certain extinction.
It's absolutely true that without Trevor that would have happened. Everyone else seemed prepared to accept the inevitable.
He became the driving force with a single mindedness that enthused even the most despondent supporters.
Such was his respect in Bradford and the rugby community in general he was able to plant a banner for all to rally round.
The rest, as they say, is history.

Sadly this time around we do not have a banner bearer of his quality, indeed no banner bearer at all.

Do'nt it always seem go that you do'nt know what you've got till its gone.

Re: Statement From Simon Foster : Tue Jul 03, 2012 3:01 pm  

bobsmyuncle wrote:

I remember 1963/4 with pride that we we able to rise above what appeared certain extinction.
It's absolutely true that without Trevor that would have happened. Everyone else seemed prepared to accept the inevitable.
He became the driving force with a single mindedness that enthused even the most despondent supporters.
Such was his respect in Bradford and the rugby community in general he was able to plant a banner for all to rally round.
The rest, as they say, is history.

Sadly this time around we do not have a banner bearer of his quality, indeed no banner bearer at all.

Do'nt it always seem go that you do'nt know what you've got till its gone.

They paved paradise and put up a supermarket.

Re: Statement From Simon Foster : Tue Jul 03, 2012 3:03 pm  

bobsmyuncle wrote:

I remember 1963/4 with pride that we we able to rise above what appeared certain extinction.
It's absolutely true that without Trevor that would have happened. Everyone else seemed prepared to accept the inevitable.
He became the driving force with a single mindedness that enthused even the most despondent supporters.
Such was his respect in Bradford and the rugby community in general he was able to plant a banner for all to rally round.
The rest, as they say, is history.

Sadly this time around we do not have a banner bearer of his quality, indeed no banner bearer at all.

Do'nt it always seem go that you do'nt know what you've got till its gone.

Agree with all of that, except the last sentence. Trevor Foster was a god to any Northern/Bulls fan, and tbf I don't think anyone I ever came across underestimated his unique and totally irreplaceable quality. The eternal shame is that a statue of him never went up looking over Odsal. However just now I'm glad there isn't one, as it would be weeping.

Re: Statement From Simon Foster : Tue Jul 03, 2012 3:05 pm  

Ferocious Aardvark wrote:

Agree with all of that, except the last sentence. Trevor Foster was a god to any Northern/Bulls fan, and tbf I don't think anyone I ever came across underestimated his unique and totally irreplaceable quality. The eternal shame is that a statue of him never went up looking over Odsal. However just now I'm glad there isn't one, as it would be weeping.

This shower would have weighed it in for scrap value.

Re: Statement From Simon Foster : Tue Jul 03, 2012 3:50 pm  

I think over the last few months many fans have said if there is club, any club that they would turn out and support it. I guess I probably still fall in that catagory but even allowing for the fact these foruns tend to attract fans with shall we say "strong" opinions but I think this weeks will have shockefd many people who will be thinking long and hard about their support.

Re: Statement From Simon Foster : Tue Jul 03, 2012 4:14 pm  

Simon - we are as devestated as you are over this debacle, and completely at a loss as to what can be done to save the situation. A lot has been said and nothing said seems to be relevant to our plight. All concerned with the Bulls feel like mushrooms - kept in the dark and fed occasionally, with the foul smelling stuff. Have you any suggestions or ideas, as we are willing to help in anyway we can. We pledged to no avail. We cannot see how games can be played without staff,security, medical and health & safety. Only a fool would suggest such a thing.

Re: Statement From Simon Foster : Tue Jul 03, 2012 5:18 pm  

Pretty heartbreaking to read.