: Wed Feb 11, 2009 7:03 pm  

AndreaB wrote:

14 or so matches in a stadium every year is not really enough to justify an expensive re-development.
The new developments at Odsal are rumoured to be extensive - far far more than the original roof over the pop side.
Rugby in the summer and footy in the winter and a little crossover with flexibility shown by both clubs and by the two sport governing bodies could work very well indeed.
The increased marketing opportunities would be good for both clubs - joint season tickets for example, could benefit everyone.
Carparking facilities are so much better and the corporate facilities would be top notch. Bradford city could really benefit from the move and the sharing of ground costs could only benefit the Bulls too.
Who knows, some services such as ticketing, retail etc could be run as joint ventures, offering top notch services more cheaply.

One question I would have would concern terracing at the new ground. I was assured that terracing is part of the plan for the new development but I don't suppose Bradford City would be keen - especially if they do go up.

One really good thing from our point of view is that if it is being taken seriously then it surely makes our new ground that little bit more likley to happen.

that would be my concern as well. Thing I really hated about going to VP was being forced to sit. Much prefer to watch rugby standing. That said if the price of staying at odsal was it becoming all-seater I could live with it.

: Wed Feb 11, 2009 7:04 pm  

seems like this option is the way forward, it is catching on in most towns now ie hudds, wigan, hull even sharing with a prem footy side, also sharing maitenance costs etc etc, if it is fact and not hear say i think its a great idea,

: Wed Feb 11, 2009 7:16 pm  

smytho wrote:

seems like this option is the way forward, it is catching on in most towns now ie hudds, wigan, hull even sharing with a prem footy side, also sharing maitenance costs etc etc, if it is fact and not hear say i think its a great idea,

suspect it will all end in city buying VP back from current owner at a favourable price. Todays comments could easily be designed to stir up support for this scenario.

: Wed Feb 11, 2009 7:19 pm  

Don't get carried away folks.

The one and only reason this has come up today is that City's rent is due to be re-negotiated at the end of the season, and the club are trying to force Gordon Gibb's hand a little.

Just like with the Bulls and Odsal City's lease agreement for VP includes harsh penalty clauses if they break it, and as it is with a private landlord, and not a council, there is very little chance that such a cost would be waived - and who is going to buy it out?

Let's fast forward a few years down the line, City will still be playing at VP and Odsal will still be awaiting redevelopment, and the same debate will be raging over and going round in the same circles.

: Wed Feb 11, 2009 7:19 pm  

A lot of footy grounds in Germany have standing areas for Bundesliga games, which can be readily converted to seating for European matches where All Seater Stadiums are a requirement. If it works for them, it could work for us.

In developing new stadiums I think that it is essential that they have a constant 'revenue stream' away from the matches. The development of the Coral Stand at Odsal is a step forward in this Context, likewise the facilities that are offered in the Sunwin stand at Valley Parade. But, could more be gained from having a shared facility?

I can't think of any new RL stadium that doesn't have another sports team playing there, although Leigh Sports Village does only have a non-league team with low crowds sharing it with the Centurions.

: Wed Feb 11, 2009 7:23 pm  

Asim wrote:

Don't get carried away folks.

Let's fast forward a few years down the line, City will still be playing at VP and Odsal will still be awaiting redevelopment, and the same debate will be raging over and going round in the same circles.

And the city centre will still have a big hole in it.

: Wed Feb 11, 2009 7:42 pm  

Leaf wrote:

I can't think of any new RL stadium that doesn't have another sports team playing there, although Leigh Sports Village does only have a non-league team with low crowds sharing it with the Centurions.

who shares at wire? cant say I've heard of it being a ground share before.

think asims hit nail on head with reasons for today comments re: groundshare. city trying to get a better deal on rent.

: Wed Feb 11, 2009 8:55 pm  

mat wrote:

who shares at wire? cant say I've heard of it being a ground share before.

think asims hit nail on head with reasons for today comments re: groundshare. city trying to get a better deal on rent.

Liverpools reserves play their.

: Wed Feb 11, 2009 9:17 pm  

redeverready wrote:

Liverpools reserves play their.

cheers that rings a bell. Didnt think it was an actual league team.

: Wed Feb 11, 2009 9:27 pm  

Asim wrote:

Don't get carried away folks.

The one and only reason this has come up today is that City's rent is due to be re-negotiated at the end of the season, and the club are trying to force Gordon Gibb's hand a little.

Just like with the Bulls and Odsal City's lease agreement for VP includes harsh penalty clauses if they break it, and as it is with a private landlord, and not a council, there is very little chance that such a cost would be waived - and who is going to buy it out?

Let's fast forward a few years down the line, City will still be playing at VP and Odsal will still be awaiting redevelopment, and the same debate will be raging over and going round in the same circles.

And it's that attitude and outlook that will ensure a self-fulfilling prophecy, an appalling attitude that seems endemic in this city.

Why shouldn't the two teams co-exist under one roof? If only because no agreement has been reached previously then we're just defeatist.

I can accept that City fans would not want to play at Odsal if it means exposed stands and a cut-up pitch. I can accept that Bulls fans would not want to play at VP if it means a pitch 10 metres too short and aggressive stewards. But the parochialism from both sets of supporters where people would not move elsewhere in Bradford just because it would mean change is no good for anyone.

For my part I go to watch both teams and I am currently more concerned with the possibility of one or both folding within the next 5 years. A joint venture seems absolutely logical, particularly one that is heavily supported by Bradford Council and the academic establishments. Whether this is in Odsal, Manningham or Forster Square and whether the seats are claret and amber or red, black and amber is really irrelevant.