Quote ="Mr Dog"I'd suggest you go and read the Operational Rules around budgets, salary caps, sustainable caps and special measures and you will see that there are numerous issues that could apply to the Bulls. The fact that AC isn't really challenging (or doesn't appear to be) suggests he knows he's up a creek.... Paranoid really doesn't come into ">it.'" So we were in special measures in the summer, but seemed to have got through to end of the season without any major dramas in terms of people being paid, no WUP, no flurry of CCJ's. Of course it may all turn to crap later, but the RFL's reasons for special measures in 2019 should have reduced. For 2020 the costs budgets should be pretty easy to analyze, what were the costs in 2019, where is it being reduced and where is it increasing, shouldn't take more than a couple of days maximum. The revenue projections may be more challenging, given the move to Dewsbury and impact on ticket sales, but again an open frank discussion should resolve that quickly. The RFL could be well within their rights to suggest, say, that we reduced revenue by say 10% year on year in our budget, but that is too optimistic we suggest you reduce by another x%. If these issues aren't resolved quickly you can only surmise that the RFL are doing it to 'punish' Chalmers for the decision to vacate Odsal, can't see any other reasonable logic explanation

Quote ="Mr Dog"I'd suggest you go and read the Operational Rules around budgets, salary caps, sustainable caps and special measures and you will see that there are numerous issues that could apply to the Bulls. The fact that AC isn't really challenging (or doesn't appear to be) suggests he knows he's up a creek.... Paranoid really doesn't come into ">it.'" So we were in special measures in the summer, but seemed to have got through to end of the season without any major dramas in terms of people being paid, no WUP, no flurry of CCJ's. Of course it may all turn to crap later, but the RFL's reasons for special measures in 2019 should have reduced. For 2020 the costs budgets should be pretty easy to analyze, what were the costs in 2019, where is it being reduced and where is it increasing, shouldn't take more than a couple of days maximum. The revenue projections may be more challenging, given the move to Dewsbury and impact on ticket sales, but again an open frank discussion should resolve that quickly. The RFL could be well within their rights to suggest, say, that we reduced revenue by say 10% year on year in our budget, but that is too optimistic we suggest you reduce by another x%. If these issues aren't resolved quickly you can only surmise that the RFL are doing it to 'punish' Chalmers for the decision to vacate Odsal, can't see any other reasonable logic explanation

A state of affairs where the RFL own a speedway and stock car venue where no Rugby is played is ridiculous. Seems nailed on then doesn't it.

Quote ="Pumpetypump"Their suggestion is to dig up some of the terracing behind the posts (i.e. opposite the coral) to create room for track and pits. Still sounds to me that you'd need to take up part of the pitch again. And as much as I loved Derek Fox making use of our stupid corners, I'd vote no to that happening ">again.'" I'd second that, even though I have very fond memories of going to Odsal on Sunday mornings with my Dad and helping lay down the corners (not sure it would be allowed now to let a 10yr old help carrying heavy pallets loaded with turf). Roger Simpson was the groundsman at the time and rubbing shoulders with him like that used to blow my mind (I was a child afterall). Plus its not exactly like Stock Cars and Speedway are going to be packing in the crowds or bring a huge financial backer with them either. Take a look at the venues they use and you can see ther is even less money in their sports than there is in RL. Speedway have a national stadium built in Manchester but if you take a look at it, I doubt it would have ever come off had it not been for the adjoinging leisure facilities and 3G pitch (in the middle). I just cannot see a viable solution to the existing stadium and for me the solution lays with the land over the road (Richard Dunnes).

Quote ="Pumpetypump"Their suggestion is to dig up some of the terracing behind the posts (i.e. opposite the coral) to create room for track and pits. Still sounds to me that you'd need to take up part of the pitch again. And as much as I loved Derek Fox making use of our stupid corners, I'd vote no to that happening ">again.'" I'd second that, even though I have very fond memories of going to Odsal on Sunday mornings with my Dad and helping lay down the corners (not sure it would be allowed now to let a 10yr old help carrying heavy pallets loaded with turf). Roger Simpson was the groundsman at the time and rubbing shoulders with him like that used to blow my mind (I was a child afterall). Plus its not exactly like Stock Cars and Speedway are going to be packing in the crowds or bring a huge financial backer with them either. Take a look at the venues they use and you can see ther is even less money in their sports than there is in RL. Speedway have a national stadium built in Manchester but if you take a look at it, I doubt it would have ever come off had it not been for the adjoinging leisure facilities and 3G pitch (in the middle). I just cannot see a viable solution to the existing stadium and for me the solution lays with the land over the road (Richard Dunnes).

The key is always going to be "multi-use" stadium. Bulls as anchor tenants, as much football in there as can be arranged. Surrounding area with 4G pitches - again multi use. Is there scope for covered cricket - nets, for off season?



My own personal desire would be for Horsfall to be developed further purely for athletics and BPA to be equal shareholders in a community stadium, but as they've just invested more into Horsfall, It may not be an option.

Quote ="Highlander"The key is always going to be "multi-use" stadium. Bulls as anchor tenants, as much football in there as can be arranged. Surrounding area with 4G pitches - again multi use. Is there scope for covered cricket - nets, for off season? My own personal desire would be for Horsfall to be developed further purely for athletics and BPA to be equal shareholders in a community stadium, but as they've just invested more into Horsfall, It may not be an ">option.'" Problem with Horsfall is that its unlikely you would ever get a safety certificate to sign off on a decent capacity due to its loaction and objection from neighbours. This was one of the reasons the Bulls chose Dewsbury as a short term option (the other being to try and force the RFL/Councils hand). There is no reason why Horsfall couldn't be developed as a local sports hub that would be home to BPA and Bulls development academies (along with other benefitial public bookings) and a community stadium with a modest opening capacity (with room to expand if required) for the Bulls and BPA to share for their first teams. Take a look at the last council sports pitch audit and findings (2013) and you will find a bleak picture back then. If anything its got worse and the council have a duty to provide for their communities... I'd be surprised if much of the action points have actually been carried out.

Quote ="Highlander"The key is always going to be "multi-use" stadium. Bulls as anchor tenants, as much football in there as can be arranged. Surrounding area with 4G pitches - again multi use. Is there scope for covered cricket - nets, for off season? My own personal desire would be for Horsfall to be developed further purely for athletics and BPA to be equal shareholders in a community stadium, but as they've just invested more into Horsfall, It may not be an ">option.'" Problem with Horsfall is that its unlikely you would ever get a safety certificate to sign off on a decent capacity due to its loaction and objection from neighbours. This was one of the reasons the Bulls chose Dewsbury as a short term option (the other being to try and force the RFL/Councils hand). There is no reason why Horsfall couldn't be developed as a local sports hub that would be home to BPA and Bulls development academies (along with other benefitial public bookings) and a community stadium with a modest opening capacity (with room to expand if required) for the Bulls and BPA to share for their first teams. Take a look at the last council sports pitch audit and findings (2013) and you will find a bleak picture back then. If anything its got worse and the council have a duty to provide for their communities... I'd be surprised if much of the action points have actually been carried out.

Quote ="Pumpetypump"A state of affairs where the RFL own a speedway and stock car venue where no Rugby is played is ridiculous. Seems nailed on then doesn't ">it.'" When it's put like that.... icon_lol.gif" alt="icon_lol.gif" title="Laughing" />

Quote ="Pumpetypump"A state of affairs where the RFL own a speedway and stock car venue where no Rugby is played is ridiculous. Seems nailed on then doesn't ">it.'" When it's put like that.... icon_lol.gif" alt="icon_lol.gif" title="Laughing" />