With all the rumours/finances floating around, other corporate interest and the shortness of the new tv deal, I think we live in interesting times. This scenario is a possibility. I don’t know the exact timeframe, but over the next 3 year TV deal I think Bulls will be the 12th club. Private equity will come in and relegation will be stopped/postponed. Private equity will take over marketing, they’ll recommend a 14 club league, 2 out of London, York and Toulouse will be invited, the Tv deal for 2024 will be significantly improved, with a french broadcaster, a streaming broadcaster and still some Free to air games. And we’ll probably move back to franchises.
With all the rumours/finances floating around, other corporate interest and the shortness of the new tv deal, I think we live in interesting times. This scenario is a possibility. I don’t know the exact timeframe, but over the next 3 year TV deal I think Bulls will be the 12th club. Private equity will come in and relegation will be stopped/postponed. Private equity will take over marketing, they’ll recommend a 14 club league, 2 out of London, York and Toulouse will be invited, the Tv deal for 2024 will be significantly improved, with a french broadcaster, a streaming broadcaster and still some Free to air games. And we’ll probably move back to franchises.
I would like to think so too. However, this appears sensible and well thought out, two things not associated with the management of RL as a sport.
The criteria certainly ensures we have a real good chance. Especially the financial aspect of the bid. You have to have a turnover of at least £300,000 in either 2018 or 2019. In 2019 we had financial trouble, hence the selling of Minchella, Keyes, Milnes and Mutodi plus why James Green left. However as we didn’t go into administration, did the sale of those players take us over the £300,000 mark? Can’t see us having that turnover in 2018 when we were in League 1.
The away support will be a big pull. More money for other clubs, bigger crowds on TV make the game look better. it’s a story to sell. “Ex World Champions Rise from the ashes”. Can guarantee before our first televised game there will be a big X Factor esc sob story about our fall and rise.
Ah I’ve only read about the judges today. I was under the impressions that it was SL to decide. Even so, SL have made sure we meet pretty much every single criteria and the one we dont is ground ownership which won’t make a difference I don’t think.
I agree with your assessment on the other clubs. York have an outside chance. New ground, business run well, investment is there, it’s a new area to expand, no competition with football since York City’s fall from grace, good day out, good prospects for the future in terms of results on the field and a young british coach. For me Leigh and Bradford have the strongest bids, regardless of barmpot owner, he invests in the team, it’s already got many SL standard players, great ground, performances deserve it, crowd is good numbers, not bad away following. For me Leigh should be the team to go up.
Agree on London though. Done unreal since Ward and Langley took over! Especially in terms of development.
Yeah mate that Leigh game was mental! Was a bloody great day and great atmosphere. Never forget that! You going next season pal?
Agree with you in terms of the sob story, Im a Leeds Unted fan and that is still being pushed now a 3rd of the way intot he season!
Before all this I was thinking about going next year, always said I wouldnt at Dewsbury just a personal preference and watching a Bradford side outside of Bradford didn't sit well.
Saying that though the way we started the defunct season plus a coupleof signings we have made was definitely making me take to note to go again!
Agree with you in terms of the sob story, Im a Leeds Unted fan and that is still being pushed now a 3rd of the way intot he season!
Before all this I was thinking about going next year, always said I wouldnt at Dewsbury just a personal preference and watching a Bradford side outside of Bradford didn't sit well.
Saying that though the way we started the defunct season plus a coupleof signings we have made was definitely making me take to note to go again!
I don't mind a one-off to show the journey and the return as long as it's not shown as a sob story.
To be fair mate I went to the two home games against London and Featherstone and we played really well. Arguably played with more pride that the previous two seasons and the young lads were brilliant. Especially Gallagher and Doyle. Scurr was great off the bench too. I'll probably never stop going haha. Well if you decide to go next season let me know and we'll meet up for a pint mate.
So how are folks on here feeling about tomorrow? I pretty calm about the whole thing to be honest. If we don't get the nod then we carry on as we are and get to compete in a really good Championship competition. My concerns as stated previously are what the future holds post 2021 for the Championship.
If we get in, then it is clearly a tough challenge ahead but one that I suspect John Kear is well suited to and will get us at a least a fighting chance of.
Must admit I have been taken aback a little by some of the stuff being posted about the club by journos and fans but I honestly do not believe there is a stand out candidate among the 6 and all of the clubs offer something to varying degrees. It will be interesting to see which way the panel goes and I wish any of the other 5 the best of luck if they get the nod!
It does on the face of it look like the criteria has been drawn up to give Bradford an opportunity to apply for SL status in 2021. However, I don't think that it's the done deal that some believe it be, but certainly worth Bradford making the effort even if they fail to be granted the 12th SL slot for next year. It will be a useful learning curve for your management team, as there may well be another round of franchise/licensing on the horizon. This would give you an advantage in that you'd have a much better idea of what is required, and perhaps time to build and meet future franchising requirements.
As it stands, I don't think it would be good for us to go up unless we've got about 6 or 7 decent SL players waiting to come and join us should we get the nod. Without significant strengthening, we would just be the whipping boys every week.
Plus there are the financials of getting players to come to us, and that is on top of the likely return of that money pit known as Odsal Stadium.
Mind you, the screams and tears from fans at other clubs should we get the spot, that would probably be worth it