2018 Bradford Bulls : Thu Aug 03, 2017 4:48 pm  

T&A Link So, Russ MacFarlane (no, I don't know who this guy is either) who is apparently the Bulls operations manager has come out and said that the club is planning for next season But the main thing to take from the article, IMO, is this part: MacFarlane was also quick to stress that the Bulls remain on a sound financial footing – despite their on-field woes. "We've not gone for a do-or-die attitude," he added. "It's been about trying to build a sustainable club. "So relegation would put us back a year, but from the tough circumstances that we began in at the start of the year it was never going to be easy, and we've just got to continue building the club back to what it used to be. "That's our focus, and it's certainly not all doom and gloom. There are plenty of positives this season – there is still a club here and the incredible fans are still here supporting the club home and away. Yes, there's still a club there. But how long will those incredible fans keep supporting a club that seems to assume that they'll turn up regardless just so long as the club occasionally put out a "please stick with us" plea in the local paper?

T&A Link So, Russ MacFarlane (no, I don't know who this guy is either) who is apparently the Bulls operations manager has come out and said that the club is planning for next season But the main thing to take from the article, IMO, is this part: MacFarlane was also quick to stress that the Bulls remain on a sound financial footing – despite their on-field woes. "We've not gone for a do-or-die attitude," he added. "It's been about trying to build a sustainable club. "So relegation would put us back a year, but from the tough circumstances that we began in at the start of the year it was never going to be easy, and we've just got to continue building the club back to what it used to be. "That's our focus, and it's certainly not all doom and gloom. There are plenty of positives this season – there is still a club here and the incredible fans are still here supporting the club home and away. Yes, there's still a club there. But how long will those incredible fans keep supporting a club that seems to assume that they'll turn up regardless just so long as the club occasionally put out a "please stick with us" plea in the local paper?

Re: 2018 Bradford Bulls : Thu Aug 03, 2017 5:39 pm  

The trouble is there are less and less 'incredible fans'. We were averaging around 4500 at the start of the season, the Swinton game was 3291.

How many will be there on Sunday? No away fans and barely a weeks notice that the game was happening. You'd have to think less than 3K.

I agree - they can't keep talking about the 'incredible fans' - they have to engage with us, give us a reason to keep supporting. It seems obvious - but the owners don't seem to have twigged that yet...

Re: 2018 Bradford Bulls : Thu Aug 03, 2017 7:05 pm  

.....

Re: 2018 Bradford Bulls : Thu Aug 03, 2017 7:22 pm  

RickyF1 wrote:

Well I was talking to a player last week who wants to stay at the Bulls and has been asking about contract for next year, they won't give him an answer. He has been offered a contract from 3 other clubs. If he hasn't heard by tomorrow he will sign for another club.

ffs!

Why cant they give him an answer.

Although God knows why any decent player would want to stay at Odsal (But I really dont want the decent ones to leave)

What is it about our club and poor communication!

Re: 2018 Bradford Bulls : Thu Aug 03, 2017 8:04 pm  

Smack him Jimmy wrote:

ffs!

Why cant they give him an answer.

Although God knows why any decent player would want to stay at Odsal (But I really dont want the decent ones to leave)

What is it about our club and poor communication!

Undo actually think he is a good player too. He was told they are making a list of players they want to keep and then a list they don't. I will try update when I can.

Re: 2018 Bradford Bulls : Thu Aug 03, 2017 8:07 pm  

The season ends in less than two months. I understand that next season is an uncertain one with talk or a restructure still flitting about, but I can't believe that the club doesn't know who it wants to keep already if they're genuinely serious about keeping the club as a going concern in Bradford

Re: 2018 Bradford Bulls : Thu Aug 03, 2017 8:32 pm  

MacFarlane was also quick to stress that the Bulls remain on a sound financial footing – despite their on-field woes.

"We've not gone for a do-or-die attitude," he added. "It's been about trying to build a sustainable club.

"So relegation would put us back a year, but from the tough circumstances that we began in at the start of the year it was never going to be easy, and we've just got to continue building the club back to what it used to be.

"That's our focus, and it's certainly not all doom and gloom. There are plenty of positives this season – there is still a club here and the incredible fans are still here supporting the club home and away.

I dont think we are "incredible fans" anymore.

We used to be "incredible fans" when we were a big SL club.

Now were just "credible" fans.

And next season we'll just be "fans",

And the season after that we'll just be sweet "fa"

Re: 2018 Bradford Bulls : Thu Aug 03, 2017 9:22 pm  

Just been told he isn't been offered a contract.

Bad times, players been told this week if they are been offered anything.

If the above has happened to all players I would guess at no win in the next 7 games.

Re: 2018 Bradford Bulls : Thu Aug 03, 2017 9:28 pm  

RickyF1 wrote:

Well I was talking to a player last week who wants to stay at the Bulls and has been asking about contract for next year, they won't give him an answer. He has been offered a contract from 3 other clubs. If he hasn't heard by tomorrow he will sign for another club.

It's difficult to comment when we don't know who you're talking about - although there can't be many who'd actually be wanted by three other clubs

To be fair to the club, it must be hard to offer contracts when we don't know which division we will be in - the club themselves seem to be holding some hope for a restructure (which I don't agree with). How can they set a budget for next season? The RFL need to make a clear statement about this.

Re: 2018 Bradford Bulls : Thu Aug 03, 2017 9:40 pm  

paulwalker71 wrote:

It's difficult to comment when we don't know who you're talking about - although there can't be many who'd actually be wanted by three other clubs

To be fair to the club, it must be hard to offer contracts when we don't know which division we will be in - the club themselves seem to be holding some hope for a restructure (which I don't agree with). How can they set a budget for next season? The RFL need to make a clear statement about this.

Sorry Paul, I will say as soon as I can. Some people may think he shouldn't be offered a contract anyway.

I agree with your comment regarding the RFL, they just need to decide what's going on.