Surely an average of 4300 in the second division is a plus point not a minus.And Bradford do have the potential of home gates of 10 000 compared to our 6000.There’s no way they will be returning to Odsal though, they would need to spend the majority of the £1m on the up keep of the place.
That's exactly why I think they would be a shoo-in
Elstone asked what are the short term financial benefits to SL in having TWP back in
Out of all the clubs Bradford have the most potential for 5 figure crowds and a large travelling support , especially to the likes of Leeds , hudds, cas etc
Obviously contingent on Odsal and crowds being allowed back but it's a short time financial gain SL are looking for , only one season at the moment and Bradford can fulfil that better than any of the other clubs providing the aforementioned criteria are met
If Bradford get back to Odsal they are a shoe in IMO especially when you consider Elstones statement after the TWP refusal
If Bradford get back to Odsal, they will need to spend a not insignificant fortune just to make it safe enough (and I mean Health & Safety certificate wise) to allow standing spectators in. Bradford left Odsal as the costs involved in just making it barely safe enough each year was just too much, let alone refurbishing it.
Irrespective of their SL application they are looking at returning there for Easter, at the moment the stadium is a white elephant for the RL and Bradford council so both parties are keen to get them back as well, they seem pretty far down the road in making this happen from what ive read
So do the Rugby league let them play at Odsal for nothing or buttons, so that they have a good chance of getting into SL? I don’t think the RFL have got that sort of spare cash to waste.
So do the Rugby league let them play at Odsal for nothing or buttons, so that they have a good chance of getting into SL? I don’t think the RFL have got that sort of spare cash to waste.
How does it cost the RL money ?
At the moment the stadium is sitting there empty and falling apart
Bradford are currently costing repairs and sourcing sponsers to redevelop
On a wider point I suppose this has outlined the negatives of licensing.
We are talking off field matters, crowds, stadia et al rather than players and teams......
On a wider point I suppose this has outlined the negatives of licensing. We are talking off field matters, crowds, stadia et al rather than players and teams……
I dont think players/teams matter to the SL clubs for next season, its a stopgap solution , they will be looking for the club that can most benefit themselves financially and IMO thats Bradford followed by us for the support that will be taken to away grounds etc
SL is obviously not a happy camp at the moment with the vote of no confidence raised against Elstone and it seems pretty obvious that most clubs are only concerned in where they can get the most cash from
There seems to be some doubt about the tv deal after 2021, with Elstone trying to bring in investment in SL from private equity firms, similar to the deal made by Premiership Rugby in 2018 when they sold a share of the competition for £218m. Maybe those talks are not going well and McManus and Hetherington see themselves having to put more of their own money into their clubs.
I agree SL is a failing venture and Hetherington and McManus saw the trans Atlantic dream as a way of raising the profile of the game and attracting more investment. SL should stop trying to emulate NRL and desperately trying to hang on to players and attract NRL players on massive salaries that they cannot afford. Any investment should be used to promote and expand the game in the UK, but sadly it is likely to be used to mainly to put money into the pockets of SL clubs.
Perhaps people are right in suggesting that SL are looking for a team that most benefit themselves financially. If it is based on potential crowds, that would include Bradford and Widnes. If it is based on a European expansion of the game, then it is Toulouse. If it is based on potential UK expansion, it will be London or possibly Newcastle. Only time will tell what happens, but I have no confidence in those running SL to doing anything that will benefit anyone but themselves.
I still see investment in UK/European expansion as the only option to save the game, with a Premiership and Championship. Investment should be distributed more fairly and used to promote the game at all levels and not simply to fund higher and higher wages to players to compete with the NRL. Will it happen? I doubt it.
Leigh are signalling their intentions with now with signing Mellor. Probably past his best but still a decent signing. Have they been given the nod they are in as they are signing a good few players, but if they don't get in and Toulouse do, and there's no promotion for two years, are they going to be able to pay the wages for that squad?
Leigh are signalling their intentions with now with signing Mellor. Probably past his best but still a decent signing. Have they been given the nod they are in as they are signing a good few players, but if they don’t get in and Toulouse do, and there’s no promotion for two years, are they going to be able to pay the wages for that squad?
I agree and would not have liked him back at the club. Having said that; I said that Inu was probably past his best a few months back and he has not stopped scoring for Salford since!!!
He certainly seemed to lose the edge off his pace, but may have been playing to rules. Wilkin was the Stand Off in the TWP side.
Joey was best as a runner off KB, as was Hanbury.
Can't find much info as to applications, dates, deadlines, how it will be decided and by whom and when.
8 teams eligible including Widnes, I think the other 7 have applied. Have to finish in the top 6 in the last 2 years, we are eligible due to relegation but I'm guessing we haven't applied? Others are Tolouse, Leigh, Halifax, Featherstone. Bradford, London and York.
But I read that both Rochdale and Newcastle have applied too.Clear as mud.
Taken from BBC...
The seven-strong panel will also consist of three members from each of Super League and the Rugby Football League.
Eight vie for single spot
The initial criteria set down by Super League and the RFL effectively means eight clubs are eligible to apply for a place in the top flight next season.
The sides in question - Bradford Bulls, Featherstone Rovers, Halifax, Leigh Centurions, London Broncos, Toulouse Olympique, Widnes Vikings and York City Knights - have all expressed an interest in replacing Toronto Wolfpack.
The governing bodies will announce the full application process and the criteria against which applications will be assessed on Thursday.
"The RFL and Super League are conscious of the limited period of time for the preparation of applications, but equally aware that the successful club will need time to prepare for the 2021 season," a statement on the RFL website said.
"The application criteria will be aligned, where possible, with information and documentation already held by the RFL, or which applicant clubs should already have in existence."
The RFL will also speak to League One clubs about the implications of the vacancy created in the Championship, while the third tier also has one club fewer than expected for 2021 after Ottawa Aces deferred their entry into the division until 2022.
I can see both sides of this to be honest.
The reality is though, if we were to go up, we might be on the telly but we'd get a hiding every week and finish bottom of the league. And if there is relegation next season, we would be down again, probably having over-reached ourselves to be there in the first place and therefore worse off than we are now.