[Pumpetypump]

Re: Not playing at Odsal next year? : Fri Jul 26, 2019 9:53 am  

Forgive me but as I'm not from, nor live, in your fair city could someone tell me how deep the links between BPA and us are? Surely our shared future would be best served together in a stadium? We appear to share some back-office functions these days, so are our common aspirations and mutual regard strong enough to consider an actual merger. A sporting club for South Bradford with different sports under one common organisation?

If I'm talking a load of naive nonsense I apologise.

[Bullseye]

Re: Not playing at Odsal next year? : Fri Jul 26, 2019 9:55 am  

AFAIK Damian Irvine now does a lot of work at BPA. I think his only role with the Bulls is as Mick’s co commentator.

If we did cosy up with BPA they apparently have a wealthy owner in Gareth Roberts. Could be a way to piggy back into a nicer new home in the long term perhaps. Or perhaps they could join us at Odsal?

[Pumpetypump]

Re: Not playing at Odsal next year? : Fri Jul 26, 2019 10:00 am  

You would also think that a link with BPA opens up increased funding opportunities from the FA etc. Added to that, when discussing things with the council we'd be an organisation with greater breadth and more clout.

Re: Not playing at Odsal next year? : Fri Jul 26, 2019 11:13 am  

Wouldn't it be ironic that after 'the great betrayal' and a hundred and odd years the clubs became one after all this time?

[Bullseye]

Re: Not playing at Odsal next year? : Fri Jul 26, 2019 11:38 am  

Scarey71 wrote:

Wouldn't it be ironic that after 'the great betrayal' and a hundred and odd years the clubs became one after all this time?

It has a certain symmetry.

Re: Not playing at Odsal next year? : Fri Jul 26, 2019 12:47 pm  

As I have mentioned before - there was a very wealthy Bradfordian who had a close look at how we ran the "business" side of our club and decided to invest elsewhere. Well it seems all is not lost - if you read carefully the article in the link below - a certain rugby league club is mentioned. Either way it is an inspiring read. https://widthofapost.com/2019/07/26/how-bradford-park-avenues-community-focus-could-make-a-lasting-difference-to-bradford-sport/

As I have mentioned before - there was a very wealthy Bradfordian who had a close look at how we ran the "business" side of our club and decided to invest elsewhere. Well it seems all is not lost - if you read carefully the article in the link below - a certain rugby league club is mentioned. Either way it is an inspiring read. https://widthofapost.com/2019/07/26/how-bradford-park-avenues-community-focus-could-make-a-lasting-difference-to-bradford-sport/

Re: Not playing at Odsal next year? : Fri Jul 26, 2019 12:56 pm  

Every time we've gone into Admin, there has been this recurring idea that Park Avenue would make a bid to take over the Bulls. It's obviously never happened, although they have made bids.

Not sure why it's never happened, because the sums needed would be pocket change for the Avenue owner.

Could we join forces and build something at Horsfall? Well, there seems to be enough land. The current stadium is nowhere close to being suitable, but I guess a 'flatpack' could be fairly quickly built on that site. Not sure about parking and access, it seems a mainly residential area from what I've seen as I've driven along Halifax Road.

I don't see us going forces at Odsal. Why would that work? I don't think Gareth Roberts is a property speculator, so why would he want the site? And the ground is obviously miles too big for Avenue's 300-ish crowds.

Re: Not playing at Odsal next year? : Fri Jul 26, 2019 1:12 pm  

Gareth Roberts has been involved with BPA for several years and as they are clearly not ripping up the league it would seem that he is happy to own them without dumping loads of money into them. I wouldn't expect him to suddenly buy/develop a stadium for joint use any time soon. It is clear from our past history that there is no sugar daddy on our horizon just grooming his white charger.

[Bulliac]

Re: Not playing at Odsal next year? : Fri Jul 26, 2019 1:24 pm  

Given his record at Avenue, I'm somewhat sceptical about Gareth Roberts supposed riches. Or, if they exist, his willingness to spend them.

Don't get me wrong - I'm sure he means well, but when a man with his supposed mega billions (or whatever) can't get a new, presumably small new ground started, suitable for a non-league soccer team, why would anyone assume he can get a, presumably, bigger one for two clubs? Remember, he didn't rock up sometime last week he's been at Avenue since well before we left SL

[Bullseye]

Re: Not playing at Odsal next year? : Fri Jul 26, 2019 2:08 pm  

That's my concerns too Bulliac. Would a move to Horsfall with BPA consign us to being in a ground that was of L1 size with the same lack of facilities as Odsal? The overheads might be lower but if we can't raise the income and have no way of expanding it's like we're settling for being in the lower leagues for good.

If there was some genuine guarantee that we would see the ground developed over time e.g. to something like what Warrington have then that's a different matter.