[Bullseye]

Re: new chairman : Tue Apr 13, 2021 2:27 pm  

Bulliac wrote:

I guess there is some analogy there but I wonder if Hudds will ever get back to where they were? By that I clearly don't mean in the top division but at the top of it, winning lots of trophies consistently, that sort of thing

. It was strange to hear commentators, I think it was on Sky, wondering out loud about who was going to challenge the clubs who have won the championship and, as still one of the only 4 to do so, we got a mention.

I think Watson might be onto something at Hudders if he's given time. He seems to have that rare ability to get good performances out of average players. If he can get great performances out of good players with the help of Ken's money then they might just win something. Who knows?

The fact that only 4 clubs have won the league since 1989 and only 3 since 2005 is a bit of an indictment of the game over here.

Re: new chairman : Wed Apr 14, 2021 6:38 am  

Nothus wrote:

I'd say Wood's tenure has absolutely no bearing on whether we 'come back' or not. This club's chances of being back at the top of the game died a long time ago.
The money is gone, the crowds are gone, the quality players are gone. This is what we are now, a mediocre championship side.

To be fair when I said 'come back' I mean to where we are now, a mumbling shadow of Bradford scratching around for a place to play and grabbing any player that brings their own boots.

I know the games being streamed this weekend, I know I've bought a Season Ticket but I have absolutely interest in watching it. I am disgusted with myself but... I think I'll be turning into a glory support after this season.

Better get a Euro millions ticket for Friday...

Re: new chairman : Wed Apr 14, 2021 8:53 am  

Scarey71 wrote:

To be fair when I said 'come back' I mean to where we are now, a mumbling shadow of Bradford scratching around for a place to play and grabbing any player that brings their own boots.

I know the games being streamed this weekend, I know I've bought a Season Ticket but I have absolutely interest in watching it. I am disgusted with myself but... I think I'll be turning into a glory support after this season.

Better get a Euro millions ticket for Friday...

Not at all. Our most recent glory period was 10 years long and as Bullseye pointed out, finished 15 years ago. Anyone still watching cannot be described as a glory supporter.

My main issue seems to be there are obviously Stadium negotiations going on in the background, as well as some superficial (paint) and structural (fences and the Touchdown) improvements that Startrax are shouting about. But Bulls don’t do that. There’s no interaction, no info. Dropping to the championship we went from 8k fans to about 5.5k fans, then we’ve lost about 10% a year since then.
It’s as if the directors are expecting to finish the negotiations then go “ta-daa, we’re back at Odsal, we’ll build slowly and sustainably every year, you can all come back now”. But people won’t. They’re doing other stuff now. They’re lost the the Bulls specifically and RL in general.

[Bullseye]

Re: new chairman : Wed Apr 14, 2021 9:37 am  

Highlander wrote:

Not at all. Our most recent glory period was 10 years long and as Bullseye pointed out, finished 15 years ago. Anyone still watching cannot be described as a glory supporter.

My main issue seems to be there are obviously Stadium negotiations going on in the background, as well as some superficial (paint) and structural (fences and the Touchdown) improvements that Startrax are shouting about. But Bulls don’t do that. There’s no interaction, no info. Dropping to the championship we went from 8k fans to about 5.5k fans, then we’ve lost about 10% a year since then.
It’s as if the directors are expecting to finish the negotiations then go “ta-daa, we’re back at Odsal, we’ll build slowly and sustainably every year, you can all come back now”. But people won’t. They’re doing other stuff now. They’re lost the the Bulls specifically and RL in general.

Spot on. It perfectly sums up where I am. I've stuck with the club through thick and thin but the latest mob seem to take us for granted. That's very dangerous considering many of us have had time to get into other things during the pandemic. I've not necessarily been lost to RL, just lost to RL in this country. I've got an NRL season pass and am really happy with it. The game over here is so poorly marketed I had no idea it was cup weekend last week. As for the Bulls the club off the field aren't making me feel welcome and the on the field the players don't seem bothered either. So why bother with them myself? The club can't expect people to support them out of obligation.

Re: new chairman : Thu Apr 15, 2021 7:35 am  

Huddersfield under Watson might challenge for 4th but it will take 2 seasons to revamp that squad. The issue is that very few people in Huddersfield care.
Wakefield are Dewsbury with TV money. Hull KR, a club I've affection for have never recovered from their fall through the divisions. I'm at a loss to understand what Catalans bring apart from a half empty Wembley and a retirement home for ex-pie eaters. Cas without Powell? Salford without Watson? 4 clubs from 89? And one is us.
It's not just dull, it's depressing.

Re: new chairman : Thu Apr 15, 2021 7:49 am  

Another thing which merits comment is the reference to having paid down debts (incurred by Chalmers). Much was made of the generosity of Bulls fans foregoing repayment of season tickets for last season and this would be reflected in the 2021 squad. To be blunt - it isn't.

Can we now put season ticket-gate alongside Pledge-gate as example whereby Bulls fans bail out the failings of penniless idiots either installed by, or loaned huge sums of money by the RFL under the direction of ..... you guessed it?

Re: new chairman : Thu Apr 15, 2021 9:21 am  

M@islebugs wrote:

Another thing which merits comment is the reference to having paid down debts (incurred by Chalmers). Much was made of the generosity of Bulls fans foregoing repayment of season tickets for last season and this would be reflected in the 2021 squad. To be blunt - it isn't.

Can we now put season ticket-gate alongside Pledge-gate as example whereby Bulls fans bail out the failings of penniless idiots either installed by, or loaned huge sums of money by the RFL under the direction of ..... you guessed it?

I think that's a little harsh. We've kept all of last years squad with additions of Brough, Murphy, Rhys & Ben Evans.

Unfortunately somethings gone badly wrong fitness and attitude wise between us thumping Sheffield 28-0 +pushing Wakey all the way last year , and being humiliated by Sheffield last week.

Re: new chairman : Thu Apr 15, 2021 9:27 am  

York have signed 3 SL players on loan including Keyes.

Would have liked him back on loan.

Re: new chairman : Thu Apr 15, 2021 10:14 am  

Bull Mania wrote:

I think that's a little harsh. We've kept all of last years squad with additions of Brough, Murphy, Rhys & Ben Evans.

Unfortunately somethings gone badly wrong fitness and attitude wise between us thumping Sheffield 28-0 +pushing Wakey all the way last year , and being humiliated by Sheffield last week.

Johnson, Farrell, Milnes, Barlow and now England. It's a marginal improvement but nothing more.

[Bullseye]

Re: new chairman : Thu Apr 15, 2021 10:37 am  

M@islebugs wrote:

Huddersfield under Watson might challenge for 4th but it will take 2 seasons to revamp that squad. The issue is that very few people in Huddersfield care.
Wakefield are Dewsbury with TV money. Hull KR, a club I've affection for have never recovered from their fall through the divisions. I'm at a loss to understand what Catalans bring apart from a half empty Wembley and a retirement home for ex-pie eaters. Cas without Powell? Salford without Watson? 4 clubs from 89? And one is us.
It's not just dull, it's depressing.

Yeah I agree about the time it takes to build a competitive squad and also whether it will make much difference if he does. When Paul Anderson made Hudders successful it didn’t exactly lead to crowds in their droves. Broadly agree on Wakefield who haven’t been big since Neil Fox was a lad and Frank Machin was tearing it up on screen . HKR aren’t the club they were back in the 70s/80s. Cas will return to being also rans and Salford look like yo-yo club contenders again. Disagree on Catalans though. Despite the large numbers of non French players I like setup over there. It’s a great atmosphere at games and is a great away trip. It gives French players an “elite” club to aspire to.

The way British RL is at the moment reminds me of the malaise the game was in during the 70s. Dwindling crowds, lack of money, falling behind the Australian game in every way. We need a Howes and Oxley type double act to turn things around.