Re: Fans Forum 16th August : Thu Aug 17, 2017 5:14 am  

When does the Sky deal end?

Re: Fans Forum 16th August : Thu Aug 17, 2017 7:27 am  

Promising, nothing other than structures is very promising. Sounds like a real attempt to get wider community base eg U19 womens team. Cutting cloth, that's very promising too. Nothing there that surprises me. Having no interest in the redevelopment of Odsal is probably a good thing, as it enables Chalo to focus on a sustainable club not jam in (think of a number between one and two million) years time.

Was there reference to a reserves for next year or was the commitment to it by 2021?

Any indication of how long the players claim against the club has been brewing?

[Bullseye]

Re: Fans Forum 16th August : Thu Aug 17, 2017 7:28 am  

Some other points from last night: They are assessing the dual reg options. They hate the system but it was necessary in 2017. Nothing decided for 2018 at the moment. They are looking to recruit players from the world cup. Players must play two games then they’re eligible for visas. They are “going to be all over it”. Hopefully this will mean no c0ckups like when they signed Phoenix Hunapo. Chalmers thought the legal case was a major reason behind the slump in form this season since 14 players currently with the club were part of it. I’m not sure I agree with that analysis. Some of those 14 players may be part of the 2018 squad but he said they don’t hold anything against them. They’re not sure why they’re part of the case. Case to be heard in January apparently. I asked about possibility of further forums since this was the only proper communication we’d had since they took over. Was promised we wouldn’t have to wait a year before the next. I didn’t get chance to ask about the spelling mistakes in the press releases – I spoke to Stuart Duffy who said he was aware of the problem and had raised it. He suggested people write to Andrew.Chalmers@bradfordbulls.co.uk and make the point. So over to you lot. If he’s aiming to sell 2-3k season tickets and re-engage with business and other institutions this aspect of communication needs to improve or people will think the Bulls are a bunch of amateurs. My feelings were mixed at the end of it. On the positive side he has a plan. It’s going to mean building from the bottom up over the next 3-4 years. Whether we will achieve it is another matter. I think he under estimates the disconnect some people feel and he’ll struggle to achieve his season ticket sales target unless there’s a steady stream of positive news to make people feel enthusiastic. At these kind of events you get the true hard core and there were plenty of people in the room ready to believe in anything they were told. It’s the ones that weren’t there that he needs to reach out to. We’ve heard it all before about “living within our means” so I just hope he’s right about that. We can only hope these plans are followed through it’s up to us as individuals whether we buy into it. I want to believe but still have my doubts, I’ll wait to see what progress we make in the off season before deciding on a season ticket or not.

Some other points from last night: They are assessing the dual reg options. They hate the system but it was necessary in 2017. Nothing decided for 2018 at the moment. They are looking to recruit players from the world cup. Players must play two games then they’re eligible for visas. They are “going to be all over it”. Hopefully this will mean no c0ckups like when they signed Phoenix Hunapo. Chalmers thought the legal case was a major reason behind the slump in form this season since 14 players currently with the club were part of it. I’m not sure I agree with that analysis. Some of those 14 players may be part of the 2018 squad but he said they don’t hold anything against them. They’re not sure why they’re part of the case. Case to be heard in January apparently. I asked about possibility of further forums since this was the only proper communication we’d had since they took over. Was promised we wouldn’t have to wait a year before the next. I didn’t get chance to ask about the spelling mistakes in the press releases – I spoke to Stuart Duffy who said he was aware of the problem and had raised it. He suggested people write to Andrew.Chalmers@bradfordbulls.co.uk and make the point. So over to you lot. If he’s aiming to sell 2-3k season tickets and re-engage with business and other institutions this aspect of communication needs to improve or people will think the Bulls are a bunch of amateurs. My feelings were mixed at the end of it. On the positive side he has a plan. It’s going to mean building from the bottom up over the next 3-4 years. Whether we will achieve it is another matter. I think he under estimates the disconnect some people feel and he’ll struggle to achieve his season ticket sales target unless there’s a steady stream of positive news to make people feel enthusiastic. At these kind of events you get the true hard core and there were plenty of people in the room ready to believe in anything they were told. It’s the ones that weren’t there that he needs to reach out to. We’ve heard it all before about “living within our means” so I just hope he’s right about that. We can only hope these plans are followed through it’s up to us as individuals whether we buy into it. I want to believe but still have my doubts, I’ll wait to see what progress we make in the off season before deciding on a season ticket or not.

Re: Fans Forum 16th August : Thu Aug 17, 2017 7:55 am  

There has been a lot said about the Cha/Low partnership but I feel confident with Chalmers. He comes across as a professional RL person who I feel I can trust to run the bulls.
I am not to concerned at who may or may not be behind him as long as he does things correctly.

We will be starting this next season in far better shape than for many years even in a lower division.
Success needs a good foundation and it feels like Chalmers is setting that up and he does seem to know of something coming available for the club in about 4 years time.

So, it looks like we have 3 years to put the club on a sound footing ready for that SL application.
Lets hope 3000+ fans see it that way and stick with them.

Re: Fans Forum 16th August : Thu Aug 17, 2017 8:09 am  

I'm cautiously and gently optimistic from reading the reports on last night

The emphasis on how the legal case affected the on-pitch form is really interesting, as it was a point that I don't believe I've heard raised before. Here's the quote

"Up to round nine, the club had won five games out of nine, but following the start of proceedings by the former and present staff and players against the club, the team lost 14 out of 15 games, which is a staggering result on the field," Chalmers said.

"What is clear to us is that this legal claim had a negative and distracting impact and affected the players' commitment on the field and their attitude off the field. Not all players were affected but it had a definite effect. It's been extremely damaging.

When you look at the list of current players, fourteen of them, it's interesting to ponder who exactly he is referring to when he talks about 'commitment on the field and attitude off the field'

Current players on the claimant list are James Bentley, Omari Caro, Dane Chisholm, Vila Halafihi, Joseph Keyes, Liam Kirk, Joe Lumb, Iliess Macani, Jonathan Magrin, James Mendeika, Ross Oakes, Colton Roche, Ethan Ryan, and Oscar Thomas.

I would certainly expect that those who are deemed to have not put in the commitment this season are not offered contracts for next season. I guess the list of who stays and who goes will be very interesting in this regard!

Re: Fans Forum 16th August : Thu Aug 17, 2017 8:17 am  

So what were the questions put to Chalmers? Anything interesting come out of those? Can only see write ups about Chalmers' presentation.

Re: Fans Forum 16th August : Thu Aug 17, 2017 8:29 am  

The main concern I think is about ticket pricing. It can't stay exactly the same as this year as I think we could be having anything from 2-4 fewer home games next year. Paying the same, for less, is a hard sell at the best of times, never mind after the dross we have seen this year.
Unless player recruitment is exciting, and we perform well in the friendlies, I don't think that will be achievable

[Bullseye]

Re: Fans Forum 16th August : Thu Aug 17, 2017 8:31 am  

Is Toovey staying?
Why don't we consider moving out of Odsal?
Why should we believe you?
Can we expect more forums in future within the year?
How many of the 14 players claiming against us are contracted for 2018?
What do you think of UK referees Geoff?

[Bullseye]

Re: Fans Forum 16th August : Thu Aug 17, 2017 8:32 am  

Highlander wrote:

The main concern I think is about ticket pricing. It can't stay exactly the same as this year as I think we could be having anything from 2-4 fewer home games next year. Paying the same, for less, is a hard sell at the best of times, never mind after the dross we have seen this year.
Unless player recruitment is exciting, and we perform well in the friendlies, I don't think that will be achievable

It's a hard sell alright but not impossible - it really depends on the club getting out regular bits of good news that show it's turned the corner.

Re: Fans Forum 16th August : Thu Aug 17, 2017 8:33 am  

Highlander wrote:

The main concern I think is about ticket pricing. It can't stay exactly the same as this year as I think we could be having anything from 2-4 less home games next year. Paying the same, for less, is a hard sell at the best of times, never mind after the dross we have seen this year.
Unless player recruitment is exciting, and we perform well in the friendlies, I don't think that will be achievable

It doesn't help that we simply do not know yet what the format will be for League 1 next season.

There's all sorts of rumours about whether some clubs will fold or merge, and how the fixtures will play out. Everyone was unhappy with the fixture format this season - teams played each other once, EITHER home or away. This meant a very unbalanced fixture list (especially when some teams had to go to Toronto and others did not!).

I think the RFL will aim to have proper home and away fixtures next season (hence dumping the League 1 Cup). But when that would be confirmed is anyones guess.

But I agree - surely nobody in their right mind would buy a ST when we don't know how many games it's going to cover...