Re: Administration 3 - now in technicolour : Thu Dec 15, 2016 4:20 pm  

Rfl statement Following the statement made yesterday by the administrators of Bradford Bulls, that a significant announcement is expected in the next 48 hours, the RFL would like to reiterate and clarify its position on the current situation at the club to avoid any confusion going forward. It is the role of the RFL to protect the interests of the game of Rugby League. We understand that a number of interested parties have made it clear that any interest in buying the Club is contingent on the RFL transferring its leasehold interest in Odsal to that party at an unspecified value. Clearly this is not an asset of the Club, and therefore not available to be sold by the administrator. However at every point in the process we have been clear that the RFL Board would consider entering into separate discussions with any party to purchase the RFL’s interest, provided that the offer was reflective of the inherent value of the asset and safeguarded rugby league in Bradford. Whilst to date we have not received any substantive approach regarding our leasehold interest from any interested party, we remain open to such discussions. The RFL would also like to reiterate that when a club enters administration due to poor local management, it is only right and proper that it protects the integrity of the league to ensure other properly managed member clubs do not suffer a disadvantage, by applying a sporting sanction. The exact sanction depends upon whether an arrangement is made with the existing clubs creditors and if so the scale of such an arrangement. These are set out within the guidelines of the RFL's Insolvency Policy and the maximum sanction is a 12 point deduction. Finally we would like to say to all supporters, players and staff of Bradford Bulls that we are pushing for, and hopeful of, a positive conclusion in the coming days and we will continue to work closely with the administrator to try to ensure that this is the case. - See more at: http://www.rugby-league.com/article/390 ... mjKwr.dpuf

Rfl statement Following the statement made yesterday by the administrators of Bradford Bulls, that a significant announcement is expected in the next 48 hours, the RFL would like to reiterate and clarify its position on the current situation at the club to avoid any confusion going forward. It is the role of the RFL to protect the interests of the game of Rugby League. We understand that a number of interested parties have made it clear that any interest in buying the Club is contingent on the RFL transferring its leasehold interest in Odsal to that party at an unspecified value. Clearly this is not an asset of the Club, and therefore not available to be sold by the administrator. However at every point in the process we have been clear that the RFL Board would consider entering into separate discussions with any party to purchase the RFL’s interest, provided that the offer was reflective of the inherent value of the asset and safeguarded rugby league in Bradford. Whilst to date we have not received any substantive approach regarding our leasehold interest from any interested party, we remain open to such discussions. The RFL would also like to reiterate that when a club enters administration due to poor local management, it is only right and proper that it protects the integrity of the league to ensure other properly managed member clubs do not suffer a disadvantage, by applying a sporting sanction. The exact sanction depends upon whether an arrangement is made with the existing clubs creditors and if so the scale of such an arrangement. These are set out within the guidelines of the RFL's Insolvency Policy and the maximum sanction is a 12 point deduction. Finally we would like to say to all supporters, players and staff of Bradford Bulls that we are pushing for, and hopeful of, a positive conclusion in the coming days and we will continue to work closely with the administrator to try to ensure that this is the case. - See more at: http://www.rugby-league.com/article/390 ... mjKwr.dpuf

Re: Administration 3 - now in technicolour : Thu Dec 15, 2016 4:31 pm  

Fair and true statement, if someone wants the club, why not approach the RFL.

I honestly think this means we are done because no one wants to bulls without owning the lease & they won't get that before tomorrow.

Re: Administration 3 - now in technicolour : Thu Dec 15, 2016 4:33 pm  

We understand that a number of interested parties have made it clear that any interest in buying the Club is contingent on the RFL transferring its leasehold interest in Odsal to that party at an unspecified value

Just what kind of numpties have we had trying to buy our club

Re: Administration 3 - now in technicolour : Thu Dec 15, 2016 4:38 pm  

I'm just going to put my thoughts here, about that confused statement.

1) Protecting the interests of RL. How are they balancing that with the interests of RL in Bradford, considering the massive conflict of interest they have? Have they considered getting a non-conflicted 3rd party involved?

2) Why is it just the administrator they are working closely with? Why not work with their landlord, Bradford council?

3) Inherent value of the asset? Is that just a shakedown from the greedy lovers? It was bought from a distressed member club for £1.25m, they've had £70k pa rental since then, morally the value should be £1.25m

4) poor local management - approved initially by the RFL as a "fit & proper person" and , supposedly, ongoing scrutiny of Bulls accounts when they engaged in player transfer activity. I'm quite happy for Mark Green and the RFL to be penalised in the same proportion to the Bulls. Because the blame is shared 3 ways for this debacle.

5) Also need to offset the disadvantage the Championship clubs would face if the Bulls ceased to exist. Fev I think got between £40-£60k gate receipt in the last game?

6) And also with their conflict of interest, allowing the Bulls to fold, would have a detrimental effect on RL in the city. Which, as the RFL point out their interest is RL - that would be an issue

7) I told you it was all about the lease....

Re: Administration 3 - now in technicolour : Thu Dec 15, 2016 4:44 pm  

Nothus wrote:

Just what kind of numpties have we had trying to buy our club

obviously numpties who realise the club ain't worth a lot without the lease which the RFL have.......and they won't relinquish it without cast iron guarantees that secure rugby in Bradford.... so most likely no development of the site until there is investment in stadium and team ...like mentioned before Wakefield developers have circumvented the agreement that was to build them a new ground so the RFL doesn't want to be a party to that happening again

Re: Administration 3 - now in technicolour : Thu Dec 15, 2016 4:48 pm  

Highlander wrote:

I'm just going to put my thoughts here, about that confused statement.

1) Protecting the interests of RL. How are they balancing that with the interests of RL in Bradford, considering the massive conflict of interest they have? Have they considered getting a non-conflicted 3rd party involved?

2) Why is it just the administrator they are working closely with? Why not work with their landlord, Bradford council?

3) Inherent value of the asset? Is that just a shakedown from the greedy lovers? It was bought from a distressed member club for £1.25m, they've had £70k pa rental since then, morally the value should be £1.25m

4) poor local management - approved initially by the RFL as a "fit & proper person" and , supposedly, ongoing scrutiny of Bulls accounts when they engaged in player transfer activity. I'm quite happy for Mark Green and the RFL to be penalised in the same proportion to the Bulls. Because the blame is shared 3 ways for this debacle.

5) Also need to offset the disadvantage the Championship clubs would face if the Bulls ceased to exist. Fev I think got between £40-£60k gate receipt in the last game?

6) And also with their conflict of interest, allowing the Bulls to fold, would have a detrimental effect on RL in the city. Which, as the RFL point out their interest is RL - that would be an issue

7) I told you it was all about the lease....

If we ceased to exist, who would play there?

What use is the lease without a tenant? Build a new RFL head quarters on it?

Re: Administration 3 - now in technicolour : Thu Dec 15, 2016 4:50 pm  

bowlingboy wrote:

If we ceased to exist, who would play there?

What use is the lease without a tenant? Build a new RFL head quarters on it?

Sell it for development.

Re: Administration 3 - now in technicolour : Thu Dec 15, 2016 4:52 pm  

bowlingboy wrote:

If we ceased to exist, who would play there?

What use is the lease without a tenant? Build a new RFL head quarters on it?

how much room would a new headquarters take up......The RFL might be looking at getting it built for free by a developer for giving up the rest of the lease to them if there is no team to play there....Never trust the RFL

Re: Administration 3 - now in technicolour : Thu Dec 15, 2016 4:53 pm  

bowlingboy wrote:

If we ceased to exist, who would play there?

What use is the lease without a tenant? Build a new RFL head quarters on it?

I don't know if RFL get more wriggle room without a sitting tenant. But the lease only allows for rugby to be played there, no other development allowed under terms of the lease. I think the RFL would have to buy out the freehold from the council, but the council are aware of the value of that land, so it wouldn't be cheap.

[Bullseye]

Re: Administration 3 - now in technicolour : Thu Dec 15, 2016 5:00 pm  

Remember the Council own Odsal. The RFL have the lease.

I'm not sure the RFL have the authority to just sell the lease for a change of use for the land.

The Council would veto that.

It's a sorry state of affairs. On the one hand the lease being in the hands of the RFL means it won't be sold off lightly. On the other it could work against the only way the club could be bought.

I think the best we can hope for is a new owner swallowing the 12 point penalty and then playing a long game to get the lease.

Can't see it happening though.