Was it Worth It? : Thu Nov 17, 2016 10:03 am  

Chances are that we will not be around much longer without a big moneybacker. And as we know there isn't one waiting in the wings. My question is this: Would you have swapped all the success we have had for survival?
From a personal point of view I loved living the dream of the Cup finals, Grand Finals, WCC and travelling around the country in large numbers, the razzmatazz of game days. If the price we have to pay is that we no longer exist as a club then so be it. I go to the Championship matches and there is no atmosphere, nothing. I watch SL on telly and get bored. I'm glad I experienced it but after following them for 50 years I've had enough.

[Bullseye]

Re: Was it Worth It? : Thu Nov 17, 2016 10:27 am  

I can understand your feelings. I saw a you tube video the other day of the 1999 game vs Leeds at Odsal in front of over 24k. It seemed like another universe.

I’d feel the same disillusionment and ready to pack in if it wasn’t for my involvement with BullBuilder and seeing the talent we have about to come through. I really want to see that happen. I think a lot of younger fans and players should have the chance to see their own glory years and God willing that will happen.

Re: Was it Worth It? : Thu Nov 17, 2016 12:29 pm  

As a supporter of a club who have won nothing of any significance in the last forty odd years I would swap in a heartbeat.

Whereas I forlornly hope for a major success, many of you have lived the dream & whilst things look pretty bleak right now, it should never taint the memories of yesteryear.

Re: Was it Worth It? : Thu Nov 17, 2016 12:48 pm  

Yes, absolutely it was worth it. You cannot take the winners name off the trophies or record books. That will last forever!!!

Re: Was it Worth It? : Thu Nov 17, 2016 1:11 pm  

bullinenemyland wrote:

Yes, absolutely it was worth it. You cannot take the winners name off the trophies or record books. That will last forever!!!

Not if you're Melbourne!

Re: Was it Worth It? : Thu Nov 17, 2016 1:14 pm  

Course it was worth it, you can't replace the memories, but we didn't go bust because of those years, we instead managed to get ourselves to the top, and then pissssed it all away. The glory days can't last forever, but they should have left a lasting legacy that kept the club on a solid and steady footing, and it is to the eternal shame of the guilty parties who have failed so miserably as custodians of a once great club, which as I write, doesn't actually even exist any more.

Re: Was it Worth It? : Thu Nov 17, 2016 1:26 pm  

What FA said.

One phone call changed everything...the moment Iestyn's agent picked up the phone to Caisley and said "he's available".

Re: Was it Worth It? : Thu Nov 17, 2016 1:33 pm  

rugbyreddog wrote:

Chances are that we will not be around much longer without a big moneybacker. And as we know there isn't one waiting in the wings. My question is this: Would you have swapped all the success we have had for survival?
From a personal point of view I loved living the dream of the Cup finals, Grand Finals, WCC and travelling around the country in large numbers, the razzmatazz of game days. If the price we have to pay is that we no longer exist as a club then so be it. I go to the Championship matches and there is no atmosphere, nothing. I watch SL on telly and get bored. I'm glad I experienced it but after following them for 50 years I've had enough.

Pretty much my feelings. I moved out of Bradford about 6 years ago and have found it increasingly hard to justify the additional travel time and costs to go watch live games, which more often than not have been poor quality.

I'm sure fans of other clubs will tell me I'm wrong, but I think the decline of the bulls has shadowed the decline of super league. The sport is dying. The quality of super league is poor. There's no money, no direction and no plan. Rugby league in this country missed its opportunity to become the second mainstream professional sport in the U.K. Any vision and planning was sacrificed for short term gains, often to benefit those who add very little value to the overall appeal of the sport outside is main heartland.

I have two young boys who have both just started playing rugby union for our local club. Although my heart isn't in the game, the difference in approach to rugby league is breath taking. The club has money, facilities, great participation and really feels part of a sport that is growing and moving forwards.

Re: Was it Worth It? : Thu Nov 17, 2016 2:33 pm  

bullsonfire wrote:

What FA said.

One phone call changed everything...the moment Iestyn's agent picked up the phone to Caisley and said "he's available".

It was going wrong long before that.
I'd say it went wrong the minute we agreed the deal with the council - a big lump of cash up front, but we'd be looking after the ground ourselves from that point onwards.
It might have seemed like a decent wedge at the time but in reality was probably nowhere near enough considering how badly the running costs are crippling us now.

Of course, this problem is only exacerbated when you remember that Caisley & Co. chose to spend all that money on the team/bullmania instead of ring-fencing it for its intended purpose.

Re: Was it Worth It? : Thu Nov 17, 2016 2:57 pm  

We haven't gone down the tube cos of "running costs of the ground", we've gone down through a combination of financial imprudence and failing to make the proper playoffs.