Interview with green on bulls tv : Fri Oct 09, 2015 5:57 pm  

Interview with green answering members questions up on Bulls TV now.

Few things clarified in there.

Players not announced as leaving already are contracted for next year ( he was careful to say contracted as opposed to definitely staying so he's got wriggle room if a big offer comes in).

Lowes is coach next year unless he resigns.

Deal to buy ground back ongoing, no chance of roof on pop side in near future

No reason to leave odsal, rent being paid is reasonable.

Club didn't make lowes apologise

Issue with card payments is due to provider trying to jack up service charges, club refused and arranged to change to a new provider. New provider cocked up and werent ready at changeover date and have now been dropped and a third provider is now on board and in process of taking over. Should be resolved by end of week.

Other thing I noticed is obrien ( and Gaskell too) are very prominent in advertising for season ticket launch so seems unlikely club would sell them now. Also addy posting about improving next year on social media so seems likely he's staying too.

Questions to the Chairman : Fri Oct 09, 2015 6:06 pm  

Well, as the original thread got hijacked I thought I'd give a quick run down on the Q&A session (I'm just paraphrasing his answers)

Q1: Would you support a move to allow Championship clubs the same salary cap as Super League

A: That's a good question, it would make it easier at the end of the season to compete but would damage the 23 rounds before that as other clubs would not be able to spend that amount. So I'm on the fence

Q2: With Leigh strengthening, how will we be able to keep up, giving us the best chance of getting up next year

A: Every club needs to strengthen on the previous season. Not necessarily planning on bringing in new players, much rather focus on developing the young players we've already got in the team. Not basing Bradford's model for going forward on anyone else, we have a plan and will be sticking to it.

Q3. Fans are concerned about losing key players and not having the financial power to compete with other clubs to secure quality new signings. What is our position on this?

A: If we haven't already announced a player as leaving then they are contracted for next year. We went into the MPG with a plan A and plan B. Plan A being if we went up, plan B if we didn't which is where we're at.

Q4: Will there be a reserve team next year, to ensure fringe players are game ready when needed?

A: There is talk about reinduction of reserve competition and we are considering it

Q5: Can we have a roof over the Northern Terrace?

A: No. The cost is prohibitive.

Q6: Will Lowes be head coach next year

A: Unless he resigns, he's here next year. We are sticking with him because of his passion and love for the club and his quality as a coach

Q7: With regards to the Provident Stadium, how far are you from reclaiming the lease of the ground from the RFL?

A: Negotiations are taking longer than expected and that's all I'll say on that for now

Q8: Can the club afford to keep renting the stadium from the RFL. Have you looked at alternative venue?

A: We have no choice be to keep renting. The rent is not unreasonable compared to what other clubs pay for renting their grounds across the country.

Q9: What size squad do you expect to have next season and can you please provide the names of the players who have decided to remain here

A: I've already answered part of that question, if they haven't been announced as leaving then they are signed for next year

Q10: Was Lowes forced to apologise by the club for comments made following the MPG?

A: No. I was as upset as the fans after the game. Lowes had contact the club before the club contacted him over the comments made wanting to apologise.

Q11: Assuming next years Super 8's will be harder and assuming lessons have been learned from this year, what, if any, charges will be made to deal iwth the added pressure?

A: That's a difficult question to answer. You learn from every experience and sometimes defeat can be a good thing moving forward. The players in the dressing room were very hurt and upset about the loss of the MPG. Lessons have been learnt. I think the result will make the team better next year.

Q12: Are you going to put any pressure on the RFL to change the way teams are promoted into SL?

A: Some would argue the system doesn't work as the 4 SL clubs are still in SL. I think there are things that need to change and I've lobbied for them. I think that the final weekend all the teams must play at the same time to remove the advantage of one club knowing what result they'd need as it was this year. Also the MPG should be at a neutral venue and there's no reason that shouldn't be the case. This system is here for the next 4 or 5 years.

Q13: With 1863 memberships going on sale tomorrow will supporters be able to pay by card and what are the issues the club has had with this?

A: The company we used for the card payments were very expensive so we put them on noticed and found an alternative supplier who are half the price. The incoming company have dropped the ball and were not ready. This has now been sorted and everyone who wants to pay by card tomorrow will be able to but the website shop will take about 10 working days to fix.

The chairman isn't quitting, the players aren't quitting and the club is asking that the fans don't quit.

Re: Questions to the Chairman : Sat Oct 10, 2015 7:28 am  

The MPG absolutely should be on a neutral ground, I really can't see a valid argument for it not being. Talk of it being a reward for finishing 4th is just nonsensical to my mind.

Doesn't sound like there will be huge changes unless players are approached from other clubs, bit worrying if we are unable to fix up the weak areas of our squad. Half expecting a late decision from the rfl to increase the Champ cap due to pressure from Leigh.

[Pumpetypump]

Re: Questions to the Chairman : Sat Oct 10, 2015 9:05 am  

Thanks for summarising lads. Appreciated.

Re: Questions to the Chairman : Sat Oct 10, 2015 9:50 am  

Not necessarily planning on bringing in new players, much rather focus on developing the young players we've already got in the team. Not basing Bradford's model for going forward on anyone else, we have a plan and will be sticking to it.

That's the most important bit for me. The added salary cap incentives aside, it's vital to the long term sustainability of the club. Good to know the chairman is taking that approach.

Re: Questions to the Chairman : Sat Oct 10, 2015 10:09 am  

Nothus wrote:

That's the most important bit for me. The added salary cap incentives aside, it's vital to the long term sustainability of the club. Good to know the chairman is taking that approach.

Yes it is, but I can't help feel we have a limited time to get it right before the whole business is scaled back. I'd be surprised if the current setup of on field and off field staff can be sustained in the longer term. The longer we stay in this division I expect to see a decline in supporters walking through the gates paying SL prices. So yes we have to develop the young guys but we need a team on the pitch that gets us into a position where we might actually get to hold onto a few of our better ones for a change!

Re: Questions to the Chairman : Sat Oct 10, 2015 10:38 am  

Not sacking Lowes is a massive mistake. Very hard to convince people who've watched us this year that we can go up next year. I found that quite depressing.

Re: Questions to the Chairman : Sat Oct 10, 2015 1:00 pm  

M@islebugs wrote:

Not sacking Lowes is a massive mistake. Very hard to convince people who've watched us this year that we can go up next year. I found that quite depressing.

I suppose it depends on what the targets were for the season. If it was "get us promotion" he's failed. If it was "get us into the MPG" then he's worthy of a second year despite the fact that for the majority of the season we appeared to be running on one cylinder.

I maintain that whilst Lowes is in charge promotion will elude us and if this season was drinking in the last chance saloon then next year it will be supping dregs outside. It really doesn't enthuse you to part with the hard earned for a new membership.

Re: Questions to the Chairman : Sat Oct 10, 2015 1:12 pm  

If I'm honest, I am pretty much convinced that something major has to happen, like Wakey's near meltdown, for a Championship club to win the MPG. This year's circumstances are unlikely to be repeated and the gap is too great, unless the RFL change something then it seems to me promotion in this setup is just a pipe dream.

I am sure the target for the club, not for Lowes, was promotion, it would not be envisaged that the impossibility of promotion was his fault, he had the same chances, slim and none, as any coach had. But ironically in hindsight it didn't turn out that way, in the event circumstances conspired to give us a real shot, and in my opinion there are better coaches than Lowes who would have found a way to win that game. A bit harsh on Lowes, as he came desperately close, but close is no use whatsoever.

Re: Questions to the Chairman : Mon Oct 12, 2015 6:12 am  

Promotion was entirely possible. Wakefield were utterly awful and Leigh had never been full time before and peaked too soon after beating SL teams in the cup. Halifax and Sheffield with spends under 300k beat both teams in the MPG in the fortnight prior.

Some seem desperate (promotion was impossible until ironically it was possible) to present this season as something other than the complete failure it clearly is. What purpose does this serve only to lower expectations (and revenue) even further?