What's going on? : Fri Oct 05, 2018 1:20 pm  

Presentation night cancelled, constant rumblings that players aren't being paid (any comments about this on Facebook swiftly deleted), only a handful of players signed on for next year, no announcements regarding 2019 season tickets.

I was very optimistic when Steve Gill was unveiled as the new chairman but right now it appears very little has changed and 2019 looks set to be even worse than this year. Can anyone here with more knowledge of the behind the scenes workings of the club reassure me that I'm over-reacting or ar things really as bad as they seem right now?

Re: What's going on? : Mon Oct 15, 2018 3:53 pm  

Largely rumour but the following I've heard, some make sense. The issue with Facebook is the club are deleting anything vaguely criticising.

Schofield has left, apparently not been paid and has had differences with the new owners

Players remain unpaid, largely due to new owners awaiting the transfer embargo being lifted and meeting the vetting process. Surely the new owner could just pay everyone as a 'directors loan'.

Fawcett hasn't been paid either yet, doesn't make sense though as surely the 'transaction' has been made.

The bar and hospitality is being completely separated. Worrying, are the new owners going to try and turn a nice profit and not but anything back in? Surely the team completely relies on this extra income?

Large sums of cash were unaccounted for in the last few years basically bar takings. Heard via reliable source however is rumour and is obviously 'alleged'.

Steve Gill also about to leave, this was told to me last week and hasn't happened so could be nonsense.

I expect that the new owners have inherited a terrific steaming mess and it will take some time. I fear though there will be no real team investment and instead we will be reliant on DR and local players. Something which worked for York this year.

Re: What's going on? : Tue Oct 16, 2018 7:37 am  

The club itself are being very slow to quash rumours.
Everything to me seems to be getting done back to front.
Product on the field and the bars and terraces will fill up.
Yes the bars did need a refurb but surely while this is going on the club need to announce some good news on the playing front..
I think there using delaying tactics by announcing refurbishment and new web sites etc to keep fans on there side.
I've supported the club for over 50 years but I've never felt as despondent as I do with the new owners.
Maybe Neil and Simon resigned as they can see what is coming and want no part in it.
These are 2 men from the Keighley area and have the club at heart.
Maybe they didn't have the money to get the club where they would have liked them to be but nobody can fault there commitment.
I hope the new owners come up with the goods but I'm not holding my breath.

Re: What's going on? : Tue Oct 16, 2018 9:58 am  

Interesting paragraph I read regards what the Bradford chairman quoted.

Chairman Andrew Chalmers said: “Recruitment and retention is generally a good reflection of how a club is growing and building, on that basis we are obviously really pleased with our business the past few months.

“To add a player of Jy’s standing to our strong squad for 2019 is really exciting and we’re pleased to deliver recruitment of this quality to our supporter base in return for their loyalty and support week to week and through our season ticket program.

Re: What's going on? : Tue Oct 16, 2018 10:19 am  

Yes indeed. Whilst I accept maybe one more season in this league, we must be in the playoff position to at least have a stab at it. It is early days I suppose, but the players we are looking for will be signing up to other clubs now.

Re: What's going on? : Tue Oct 16, 2018 2:10 pm  

this_cougar_outfit wrote:

Yes indeed. Whilst I accept maybe one more season in this league, we must be in the playoff position to at least have a stab at it. It is early days I suppose, but the players we are looking for will be signing up to other clubs now.

I've been told by a few people we have players lined up but can't announce them yet. I've also been told the rumours Steve Gill is quitting are false. I believe the new owners do have the best interests of the club at heart, I just worry their task will be impossible if next season is as poor as this one.

Re: What's going on? : Mon Nov 12, 2018 5:38 pm  

Well , I suppose we will find out in time but one thing is for sure ..... we need to get out of this league before the RFL cut it adrift , we need to build up to at least Championship level and stay there .

Re: What's going on? : Tue Nov 13, 2018 8:24 am  

burleycougar wrote:

Well , I suppose we will find out in time but one thing is for sure ..... we need to get out of this league before the RFL cut it adrift , we need to build up to at least Championship level and stay there .

No chance of going up. The winners usually build a squad over the close season. We seem to have weekly issues with ex players not been paid no updates.

Signs already point to a bad season next year. Hope I am wrong. I will still buy a season ticket and support the team, will everyone else?