That's because the NFL have made it impossible now through a rule change brought about by wealthy owners. It's nothing to do with the ownership model of the Packers. Whilst you're right that people bring up these examples without necessarily knowing more about them, equally it would also be wrong to dismiss them without knowing very much about their history and how they function in practice.



Precisely



I don't see how any of this is a problem given we'd still be a limited company have a CEO and a Board and pretty much the same working capital we have now, if not more were we to have a further share issue. Our collateral etc wouldn't change, nor would our capacity to gain credit facilities, nor would the ability of the management of the club to negotiate contracts. In fact we would be in a far stronger position on all those fronts if the current ownership structure was clarified in the way suggested on the VAT thread.



I don't think you've demonstrated why this is the case, and given an alternative ownership model is viable within RL as you've agreed, then it would be a shame to undermine such a discussion from the outset. I also think that given the supporters are the only people who have seriously invested in the club (as yet) during its moment of need, we should at least consider the possibilities of greater supporter involvement in how the club is run.

Under administration is that strictly true ?

I was under the impression that the administrator would invite offers for the club ( including the debt ). Any proposed owner would have to enter into a CVA that has to be accepted by 75% of the creditors ( % of total value of monies owed ).

So if 75% of the monies owed is to HMRC and Mr X's offer of 20p in the pound was accepted by HMRC then all creditors by default would get 20p in the pound for their debt.

In that case if HMRC didn't accept and no better offers were on the table they would then apply to liquidate the company ensuring creditors received nothing.

I wonder if the club have any of the current or former Directors listed as creditors ?

OK - while I still think for a town and team like Bradford more general fan ownership would give the team a stronger base going forward, and give the fans a real voice in the club - guess these things aren't easy to organise - and like other potential "investments" get mired in the current disfunctional shareholding.

Another idea. Bullbuilder - which has been a voice of reason through the current crisis - said in its responses that: a) it supported the pledge as the best way to avoid administration- which like it or not unless there was a very wealthy person in the wings would leave a very different and much reduced club, b) there was not enough time to organise anything else. So though there are "discussions" going on behind closed doors, which the fans despite just stumping up £0.5k cannot be trusted to know about, we do know that another £0.5m is need to put the club back on an even keel and get it into next season.

So what if Bullbuilder launched a "pledge scheme" - which it could then put on table to the club, but this time as it would be a single point of contact - which we know has the best interests of the club as it's objective - and it could have the financial clot to be taken seriously by the BoD and be able to get either representation, or more openess on the facts. I know from the group I attend matches with that from a group of 5 - 2 of us backed the pledge, but 3 took the view that they did not wish to back the current management with a blank cheque - so I would guess there is still a significant % of season ticket holders who would like to contribute, but would like to see what was going to happen to their hard earned cash.

Clearly this would need to be supported by Bullbuilder - but is this a way to both get more needed cash into the club, but at the same time to get something tangible in return for the fans? I would put my hand in the pocket again for the team but not I think directly to the current BoD and by extentsion the shareholders. I guess it would also be a way to say publicly to the shareholders - do you really value the club - or are you only interested in your own agenda?

A small minority of us, Bulls' fans express their opinions through this forum. The question is "can we galvanise the fans in big enough numbers?" IMO it is an exceptionally worthy goal, but look at the result of Wakefield - £30,000. Also, its not the BoD that have to be convinced - its the shareholders. BTW Coulby has less then 1%

Thanks for the comment Incredibullman - have a bit of time on my hands this morning thanks to wonders of air-travel. I assume some of the forum members are also involved with Bulbuilder but I will contact them directly to see if they would be interested in acting as a conduit for fans to "invest" in the club.

Guess one of the positives about pledge schemes is that you don't actually have to take the cash if nothing comes of the scheme - but it can give you a powerful bargining chip.

I cannot say I have any expertise of orgainsing a mass movement but would suggest ways of trying to reach out to the wider fan base could be:

1) Via Bullbuilders membership - web site
2) Via the press - given some of the other threads on the forum i say that slightly tounge in check - but it is a story afterall
3) My son says twitter but i thought that was something to so with the birds in the morning
4) Leaflet fans at the match
5) Call a mass meeting
6) Maybe the club would publisize it - you would have thought is was in their interest even if they would have to surrender a bit of control
Though I do remember the 1963 events too young to have taken part - but out of interest how many fans (some of whom I assume have minority shareholdings still in the club) actually stood up to be counted at the St Georges meeting?

Lets get a big campaign going. We need to use all social media. Press, local MPs, Galloway for gods sake. its the ultimate socialist ideal, ownership by the people for the people! Persuade big hotel or Georges to give up the space for free, for the cause. We would need a pasionate front man; an hour to hour, day to day media contact.
Must be a friendly printer amongst us to produce leaflets. We need to door drop Bradford, possibly on the back of someone elses ad campaign. If not our fans can step in. Posters in all the derelict buildings in Bradford and all other supporting shops, post offices, pubs caffs, labour and con clubs etc. We could even hold a mass meeting in Manningham park if we have the right PA system. Use the Bulls' website and social media contacts. Get Dynamo involved, he could magic up some interest!!!!!!!!!11
Loads to be done.