Groundshare (again) - City to Odsal? : Wed Feb 11, 2009 11:12 am  

Can't find any link but the Bantams chairman was quoted on radio Leeds this morning as considering groundshare at OSV.

Usual range of responses from Bantams message board.

Going from: makes financial sense - to ploy to force Gibbs family to sell VP back - to destroy the soul of the club. And all options in between.

Shame no - one thought that the big patch of ex golfclub at the top of the 606 currently being turned into a M&S warehouse would be a good site for a stadium.

Both clubs have strong history at their grounds. It might have been easier to swallow a groundshare if it was new ground for both rather than one party feeling like a lodger.

If football was included in OSV then I don't think there would need to be a running track, closer to ground, better atmosphere. Terracing would be a problem though

: Wed Feb 11, 2009 11:16 am  

Can't see it happening personally.

I am sure the Bulls will look to get as much use out of Odsal as possible, however I can't see City supporters wanting this for their club.

: Wed Feb 11, 2009 11:17 am  

Just been on Radio Leeds that City are in talks to ground share at a redeveloped Odsal. The costs of playing at VP are getting unnafordable (reportedly 1 million a year in rent to land lord), Peter Hood said he'd welcome a ground share at Odsal. Could just be a ploy to force the landlord into selling back Valley Parade, but if the idea for a ground share is genuine then it might give the council renewed determination to make the project happen, they've always wanted both teams in one stadium. Would have to be an all seater though. If the project gets the go ahead it looks like it could be Bulls at VP for a couple of years whilst Odsal is redeveloped and then City moving into Odsal permanently.

: Wed Feb 11, 2009 11:44 am  

Surprisingly sanguine. Less so.

Surprisingly sanguine. Less so.

: Wed Feb 11, 2009 11:57 am  

It's amazing that the two sets of supporters (Bulls & Bantams) don't get on. We sound so much alike. 'We've got to think of our heritage'.'But if the grounds dragging us down we have to move'.
However to get to report that the Bulls will be groundsharing with the Bantams in three years is a bit of a cock and bull story. (geddit).

: Wed Feb 11, 2009 12:04 pm  

Its all just a knee jerk reaction to the idea at the moment, wait until people calm down and have the implications explained to them and more will be for the idea. Its been said for a while now that the Odsal redevelopment plans have changed significantly, if the plan is for a 20,000+ all seater stadium with no running track and City get new club offices and a new club shop at Odsal people will warm to the idea, especially when they realise we will save at least 1 million a year by moving into a redeveloped Odsal, money that could easily finance investment in the playing squad that could get the team back into the Championship and offer more cheap ticket deals. Circumstances permitting everyone would like to stay at VP, but its looking touch and go whether we'll get promoted this year and an extra million in the bank every season would come in handy if we end up stuck in the bottom two leagues for another few years.

: Wed Feb 11, 2009 12:08 pm  

rugbyreddog wrote:

It's amazing that the two sets of supporters (Bulls & Bantams) don't get on. We sound so much alike. 'We've got to think of our heritage'.'But if the grounds dragging us down we have to move'.
However to get to report that the Bulls will be groundsharing with the Bantams in three years is a bit of a cock and bull story. (geddit).

..Fowl..??

: Wed Feb 11, 2009 12:40 pm  

I don't know who owns VP, but I wouldn't have thought the land would have much value. I doubt it would be akin to selling out to a supermarket giant for a king's ransome. The running costs of VP are obviously the issue.

[Bullseye]

: Wed Feb 11, 2009 1:07 pm  

VP land is estimated to be worth £650k at the last (pre recession) estimate AFAIK.

I'd be amazed enough to see a re-developed Odsal let alone City sharing with us.

I'd have no objections to that scenario at all, I just can't see any of it happening.

: Wed Feb 11, 2009 1:08 pm  

in reading some of the comments on the city boards, it might well be a tactic to scare the owner in to dropping the rent, not good news for us, if city start making noises about ground shareing then the councel will sit up and listen, this could slow things down and if it is only a ruse then it will of been slowed for no good reason