Oh hoaw we laughed and said Hudds only stayed in SL because they had a fancy ground. It seems as though they were trailblazers. Didn't think we'd ever get to a state where relegation would be abolished in favour of having a fancy ground. That being the case we can kiss goodbye to ever getting back

INOUT

They'll get that as well, although I doubt they'll see anything for a while yet.

Like every other mad gimmick the sport throws it's entire wight behind, this grading rubbish will be dropped within 3-5 years. Once we've worked out why snooker and darts have ditched IMG after paying them exorbitant amounts of money.

You would hope so Keith but self interest rules this sport and SL clubs will fight tooth and nail to protect the status quo. Can't see them voting to expand SL or bring back P&R as it means less money or more jeopardy.

https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/ ... erm-focus/ Great read from the t and a. Certainly made me more relaxed after reading what Jason has to say. They’ve built enough trust with me over the last couple of years to back them. If it’s a case of we close the gap next year and back in the top 14, with all the arrows point towards SL expansion, then we are no worse off.

https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/ ... erm-focus/ Great read from the t and a. Certainly made me more relaxed after reading what Jason has to say. They’ve built enough trust with me over the last couple of years to back them. If it’s a case of we close the gap next year and back in the top 14, with all the arrows point towards SL expansion, then we are no worse off.

But that assumes the other clubs aren;t also improving their score. Do you seriously think the other clubs in that 12-16 bracket are just going to sit there and do nothing whilst the Bulls "overtake" them?

We're already maxed out on a few categories - the big problem is the stadium, which - at best - will meet MINIMUM requirements. Jason says it himself, we are looking to meet minimum stadium requirements. But minimum isn't going to be enough when you've got teams like York with a purpose-built all-seater facility, and even Wakefield are building brand new stands. Where is the new stand at Odsal? Even putting a roof over the popular side seems to have disappeared from the conversation...

It’s not a case of doing nothing, what if they’re maxed out in areas? Proof will be in the pudding but ultimately the stadium stuff will take us above those teams as a MINIMUM. Performance will/should improve, finances and fandom maybe further. I don’t see a cause for concern, club is on a decent financial footing and has a squad to compete. We’ve been in FAR worse positions

It's a decent interview and it's good feedback from Jason Hirst. They're doing all they can but there are certain things outside their control (we're lumbered with Odsal as it's the only place available we can afford). It would be good to have a fans forum where he can perhaps explain it in a bit more detail, judging by comments on Facebook many of the fan base haven't got a clue and they'll need to be brought up to speed if they are to stay on board. We need to be realistic that SL isn't happening for sometime yet (if ever IMO) but we'll continue to try to jump through the hoops.

If Hirst and the co-owners can deliver gradual improvement then I will keep turning up and putting my money into the club. I fully expect the pillars will be tweaked and goal posts moved after this round, whether that will be to our benefit or detriment remains to be seen. In the meantime we have the makings of a great looking squad for 2025 and I have bought a season ticket for the first time in the last ten years. I hope others give the club a chance because there will be no quick fix but I remain optimistic that we will get a shot at SL in the next 5 years if we continue on a similar path.

Set to be the leaseholders from 1st November which is an instant 0.25 points (God I hate this) I agree with Bullseye, I think something similar to what Barrow have done. We scored less than them on finance. https://www.barrowrlfc.com/latest-news/ ... explained/

Set to be the leaseholders from 1st November which is an instant 0.25 points (God I hate this) I agree with Bullseye, I think something similar to what Barrow have done. We scored less than them on finance. https://www.barrowrlfc.com/latest-news/ ... explained/

Under this crack pot system the sport will die a slow and painful death outside of super league. The top 12 are going to get stronger bridging the gap will become the impossible task. As for the notion of a 14 team league not a cat in hells chance happening now would have been the perfect time to do it.

It won’t take much just reduce the capacity and stick some bench seats next to the stand. Hey presto we’re a grade A club.

Quote ="Bully_Boxer"If Hirst and the co-owners can deliver gradual improvement then I will keep turning up and putting my money into the club. I fully expect the pillars will be tweaked and goal posts moved after this round, whether that will be to our benefit or detriment remains to be seen. In the meantime we have the makings of a great looking squad for 2025 and I have bought a season ticket for the first time in the last ten years. I hope others give the club a chance because there will be no quick fix but I remain optimistic that we will get a shot at SL in the next 5 years if we continue on a similar path.'" Can we continue your positivity with a membership to www.bullssquadbooster.co.uk ? Clearly the club are doing all they can and additional support can only help

Quote ="Bully_Boxer"If Hirst and the co-owners can deliver gradual improvement then I will keep turning up and putting my money into the club. I fully expect the pillars will be tweaked and goal posts moved after this round, whether that will be to our benefit or detriment remains to be seen. In the meantime we have the makings of a great looking squad for 2025 and I have bought a season ticket for the first time in the last ten years. I hope others give the club a chance because there will be no quick fix but I remain optimistic that we will get a shot at SL in the next 5 years if we continue on a similar path.'" Can we continue your positivity with a membership to www.bullssquadbooster.co.uk ? Clearly the club are doing all they can and additional support can only help

25 applicants for the role according to Hirsty..

I heard that in the inter too, England , france and Aus big names too, Cleary may be ready for the step up!

Good to hear that 2 new signings waiting want to play for us are ignoring contract offers to sign when the new coach is in

The good news is the new coach will be in position in three weeks time ready for pre-season.

Just a quick one on the IMG points, the 12.15 is definitely a score that will be boosted because moving forward it will be 13.275 in five weeks.

Then you have a number of crucial things occurring, not least the extra 0.44 points from the 2022 season dropping off.

There’s clearly a long way to go to Bradford being in the Super League under the current 12 team system. If that was to increase to 14 for the 2026 season as people are suggesting then Bradford and Toulouse would be the two teams who are promoted.

I'm a big believer in putting your efforts into the factors in your control.

Yesterday is done and dusted and is now the past, so little point bitching and whining about it now.

Fortunately, the club look to be doing the former. A competitive squad for 2025 with a genuine shot at winning some meaningful silverware. To Jason Hirst's point - that is what us fans want to see ultimately.

The incremental improvements do also make sense, especially as you can see things being done month to month with each visit to the stadium. Think the club should shout about this improvements on socials too (unless I've missed this?) - it will generate more interest and curiosity to see it in the flesh as it were.

Also good news the lease will be held by us in a few weeks, giving us more control of our own destiny. It's still the council that own the land though, right?

Clearly the Bulls are making some investments that will scoop up a few more IMG points but hopefully the new director suite will also generate some income back into the club.

There is little point over stretching because firstly we don't have the rich backer to enable that and secondly the goal posts will undoubtedly move in the future - this is rugby league we will be into the next gimmick idea before long. It will all be wonderful and we will talk of expanding to new markets blah blah blah when what we should be focusing on is strengthening the core interest areas.

Not point trying to launch a new club somewhere exciting for a weekend away when the heartlands clubs are sinking.

Totally agree Boxer. Those who's say "ah well put London, Toulouse in automatically" and come out with the usual hyperbole, soundbites of those you mention. It's arrogance and they just throw "little Englander/northerner" insults back at you. I'd love a strong London and two French teams in a strong 14 team competition. But you expand from a position of strength. Those who think the expansion clubs are the saviours are deluded.

London could be weeks away from not existing (13th strongest club apparently) Catalans have been in SL for twenty years and haven't brought any sponsors from France (which is why SL clubs rightly or wrongly now want them to fund flights) the final last year involving Catalans had 40% less viewers on sky. Then you look at the 50k CC final where the sport made a big loss from it. These are facts those who see themselves as "cosmopolitan forward thinking fans" don't face up to.

Don't confuse the above with me saying Catalans shouldn't be in as they're a strong club. They should be in SL. But they're not the saviours of the sport as the above shows.

I would not be resting on our Laurels when we get up to 13.275 if I was Hirsty and Co I would be aiming to keep going as no doubt all the other clubs involved will also be looking to improve.
One thing I am looking forward to is hopefully a new coach bringing a change of culture and for the first time actually aiming to be the best team in the championship.
I just hope the fans get behind it.

This year we've been the best part-time team in the comp. And we've pushed Toulouse pretty hard.

Next year I don't think London will stay full-time, so it will be the usual suspects, Toulouse, York, ourselves, Fev etc. I think we can improve on this years 3rd place.

I certainly didn’t pick any of that up when spending the afternoon with Jason yesterday.

I see the 2025 Championship season wide open between Bradford, Featherstone, Toulouse, Sheffield and York.

With Bradford having realistic ambitions of winning the 1895 Cup (0.10 IMG points) and the Grand Final (0.25 IMG points).

If you look at the Leigh statement regarding Derek effectively buying IMG points through his generous contributions to the club, the same could be achieved at Bradford.

That is one way of Bradford becoming a Grade A club despite the limitations of Odsal. Easier said than done but Jason genuinely believes there is an opportunity for a genuine push towards the Super League in 2026.

So, who is going to give those "generous contributions" Mick?

Genuine question.

I've been a supporter for close to 50 years, and we've never had a money man able to do what Beaumont has done at Leigh (or Hudgell at Hull KR or Davy at Huddersfield etc etc). Why would one appear now when they never showed up in any of our many financial meltdowns?

I think we’ve 4 directors who can probably chip in £50k each per year. But millions? Not likely

Indeed. Without a Moran/Beaumont/Ellis type person it's about small incremental improvements. The notion that our existing backers can contribute massive amounts to match those at other clubs isn't right.