Whilst the focus is obviously the financial crisis at Odsal its fair to say that the finances of most RL clubs are not particularly rosy and the issue that the Northern Union/Rugby League has had to contend with is the 'soccer juggernaut' that dominates the press. In relation to RL the column inches for soccer have grown bigger with each passing year.

For anyone contemplating putting money on the table to rescue the Bulls it will not have gone unnoticed that Bradford City are currently on the rise and actively getting bums on seats with cheap tickets. Twenty years ago you would see plenty of kids wearing Bulls shirts/scarves but you don't see many now. Anyone looking at turning round the Bulls literally has to start at the bottom but ironically, it's been done twice before in 1907 and 1964.

Whilst I speak as a City fan I want Bulls/Northern to survive. I doubt very much that the Super League can be sustained and that before too long there will be an almighty crash. In the meantime, I think that you'd have a stronger club starting afresh and meet some of the other 'giants' - Leigh / HKR included - on the way down.

Anyone who wants to rediscover what happened in 1907 can find the full detail in LIFE AT THE TOP, currently on sale in Waterstones. The companion volume, ROOM AT THE TOP tells the story of the origins of rugby in Bradford. The two books also narrate what happened in the 1880s//1890s when there was a mushrooming of local clubs in the Bradford district and a dramatic financial collapse.

Talks of only a 12pt deduction for the reformed club. Surely that is the ideal outcome for a liquidated club to hope for?

Now, look at it this way, this might be the only way to get Marc Green out of the way, we have offers, RFL approved, players available out of contract. Could be a plan there somewhere?

Needs to be a club to exist to take that penalty!

New thread. Half the problem with site speed will be the size of this one. Get it locked and I'll do a final tally on the post counts.

See new thread...phoenix from the flames.