7500 at 2013 prices would have been equivalent to something close to 15000 this year. Seems a bit unlikely...

This point is one of the most significant aspects of last night IMO

The 'top table' came across as not only competent, but also fully focussed on working together as a team, trusting that each would work to their strengths etc.

When they say 7500 are they talking full price tickets or are they lumping the free under 12 tickets in with that figure? If the latter case then 7.5k figure sounds more realistic.

Full price.

The future prosperity and success of the club depends on the generality of the Bulls supporters, not just the most dedicated, showing they will do their bit. As a supporter, I can only add my plea to all fans who care about our future to do their bit, since the new owners' plans are relying on that. And bollox to what the RFL and others have tried to do to hamstring us; if everyone sticks together and plays their part, I believe we can show them all - and surprise them all.

Dont want to rain on anyone's parade, but if OK and Gerry think we are going to sell 7500 full price season tickets then they are no better than the last lot! No pussy footing around here. the future of our club is still at stake!

It does not take a genius to work out that if we scrapping the cheap deal will mean adult numbers will go down, not up!

I would expect season ticket sales to be no more than 5000, and thats on a good day. Thats one third less than theyre expecting! Thats 33% less revenue.

Opening the coarl stand bar everyday isnt going to bridge that gap and I sincerely hope that theyve got a better plan than this because even with my red amber and black tinted glasses on, this looks like an accident waiting to happen!

Why don't you go and talk to them first, about their plans, before rattling out all the reasons why it won't work? They are all pretty approachable, OK especially so.

I am sure that they have plenty of ideas and hopefully some will work. But I'm really commenting on those things that are public so far, ie season ticket prices and projections, and bar opening. Like I said in my post, I hope theyve got more better plans, because building trust isnt easy, and there will be significant numbers who need persuading to part with money for season tickets. Hearing that Gerry is budgeting for 7500 season ticket buying adults wont do that for a lot of people who need that trust re establishing. I'd love to be wrong, and like you Adey, I'll admit if/when I am, but so far there is a lot of "we'd like people to support the club" and not so much concrete evidence of what is in place if local businesses and fans dont come through.

Because this is Bradford and the 'can't do' attitude which pervades this city has held it back for years, which is why it is now looked on from the outside as the poor relations next to Leeds etc.

It could be the cost of the initial outlay is the problem. If thats the case then you would think the number of pay on the day supporters would increase. The downside of that is the club don't get the guaranteed income early and team needs to be successful to encourage the walk ups to attend. Lets keep positive, everythings good so far from what we have heard from the new owners. They too need encouragement, not negativity.

At end of the day season ticket numbers aren't the be all and end all. There useful to the club because it's money in the bank, even if season goes badly, and make controlling spending easier. On other hand suspect a lot who don't renew will go back to paying on gate, which is more variable depending on team performances,weather etc. But club is actually better off if they have a good season attendance wise and majority are paying on gate. Important thing is keeping paying attendance, through both season ticket and walkup, as opposed to just having a lot of season ticket holders.

I know that Gerry/OK are looking into some kind of deal surrounding the solar panels - I seem to remember Peter Hood bringing this up in one of his many interviews earlier in the year. Whether it's the same deal or not I'm not sure, but it shows they are looking into every opportunity available to them.

Understood. But, seriously, since you are a serious poster who is not easily fooled and is quite happy to play the (necessary) devil's advocate where necessary, please DO go have a chat? I really would urge that you do. They will hardly want to put everything in the public domain, but seem very willing to share their ideas and aspirations with responsible fans who have the club's interest at heart. And same to others who maybe have yet to be reassured that its a whole new ball game at the top now. They have LOADS of ideas and plans. But they all have one thing in common - everyone has to be on this journey together.

Speaking personally, I cannot begin to tell you how different it is talking to these guys compared to the previous regimes. These guys look to be in a different league - as those of us who have talked with them who are in business or have their own businesses I feel sure will attest. And in terms of opening up and communicating...well you saw the reality last night?

They three -instalments option will surely be a big help? And the pricing is, I suggest, rather better than many of us feared and expected?

I think for a lot of people the initial outlay isn't the problem, its how many games they think they will actually be able to attend. You would have to go to at least 10 of the 13 home games to make a season ticket worth while this year. Last year it was only 5. I think all those who cant guarantee how many games they will make it to will just pay on the door.

I was encouraged by the positivity last night but also by the fact that the top table looked to have some new faces on it that appeared to know what they were doing.

I think one major area that hopefuly will be addressed is that marketing of the club in the city and across the region. The forum was well attended but it was always going to be and it attracted the hardcore fans. It's the floating fans that come to the odd game that need to be attracted back along with people who've never gone before. Only by getting an injection of new faces on the terraces will we be able to move forward.

I've had a few ideas about how the club could do this, anybody got Simon's email address?

See pm.

Bulls always have the begging bowl our don't they
Haven't they fleeced the fans out of enough cash already, why would businesses in Bradford give money to bulls? Even in the glory days no one parted with money so why would they now?
Firstly bulls should make sure they get private healthcare set up for their players as I remember an old bulls captain a pure legend discussing how disgraceful it was that bulls players were not covered by a private health care scheme. 2010-2012

You obviously weren't there or didn't listen.

There's always going to be people trying to turn things into negatives.

ATEOTD I believe firstly us the fans need to buy into OK's vision for the club.

He wants it to be our club, he's a very likeable and honest man. From what I could grasp him and Mr Sutcliffe are certainly no fools and the people who they have appointed will also help to make this a success. After the forum I'm very optimistic, and confident that OK can take this club forward. But he does need our help and the help of the Bradford community. It's our job as the hardcore fans to convince others to buy into this.

Sam your not thinking of gettig OK to be a fully paid up member of CAMRA?



I see that figure of 7500 as part of the overall budget may just be the optimistic top end, they will have looked at a low end cut off of say 4500, but the top end figure is out there to encourage Sponsors and Stadium Franchisees, so the negative poo pooing of it is not helpful, It seems as usual some things don't change.

TBH Dennis a guest beer on draught in the Trevor Foster Bar would be a superb idea. There's plenty of good independent breweries in the Bradford district who I'm sure would jump at the chance to feature in such a place. I'd hope that the contract would allow such an addition as Carlsberg/Tetley is frankly just pi55.

The question from a few pages ago is : are they budgetting for 7500 or hoping for. There is a world of difference.
Neither OK nor Gerry Sutcliffe are men of massive wealth compared to owners of some of our rivals, or even our previous owners. Thats unimportant. The key is that they have chosen to take this on for the right reasons. Gerry and Omar are very proud Bradfordians who see the value of sport in our city and the part that top level sports teams can play in inspiring others.

Omar is, as far as I am aware, still an associate director at Bradford City and he and others have worked very hard to make the kids in Bradfordf aspire to play for City. Hopefully this will be replicated at the Bulls.

I, like most on here are desperate for this to work, and in time, the BUlls be re-established as a top club. I just feel that I am now blighted by a total suspicion of every word that comes out of ODsal. That wound will take time and action from the club, to heal.

I am very intersetd to see the possibility of speedway returning and have chatted via twitter with Gary Havelock about it. As far as i am aware, he's been in touch with OK! I hope this is a goer. Bradford was the best track in the world until Caisley effectively booted them out (at the same time they were champions!) and i am sure that done properly there is moeny to be made, as there could be from stockcars and other events.

I wonder what the uptake of corporate places is like at the bulls? and how much spare capacity there is on gamedays. the Coral stand facility was seen as the gooe to lay the golden egg, and we put all ours in that one basket under Caisley.

I am a City season ticket holder, and for an extra £10 a match, I get a pub type meal (curry and chips/ lasagne and salad/ pie and chips) and a pint. as well as a good seat in the posh seats. perhaps this type of taster would be good?

Isaac... as I said earlier, please go talk to them! Rather than keep giving reasons for why you have reservations on here? With the greatest respect, the latter is much the easier option, for sure, but does not make any progress - something I came to realise a good few years ago, hence my getting more involved. They don't bite (although OK might inspire you enough to volunteer for something, so be warned!) and have LOADS of ideas, not least for dramatically increasing the utilisation of and income from the Coral Stand. And some of those ideas are pretty innovative - sure made ME sit up and take notice! We were talking to guys who have marketing in their blood here, from what came across. And they made it clear they will very much welcome any suggestions and ideas that improve the income position.

Sort of precisely the opposite of the previous administrations, in fact. So give them a chance first? I have.

Particularly Ilkley Brewery, except that's LS29....