Club must be built on trust and transparency, Khan tells Bradford Bulls fans (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)
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Omar Khan holds court at packed forum and Bradford Bulls fans like what they hear
9:30am Thursday 27th September 2012 in Sport
By Ross Heppenstall, Bradford Bulls Reporter
No stone was left unturned as the new Bulls triumvirate of owner Omar Khan, coach Francis Cummins and honorary chairman Gerry Sutcliffe took part in an intensive discussion with hundreds of fans, detailing their game-plan for next season and beyond
During the first fans forum since the Bulls’ change of ownership on Tuesday night, Gerry Sutcliffe paused for a moment of reflection at the top table.
“You could write a book about what’s happened here,” mused the Bradford South MP about the goings on at Odsal during 2012.
“There have been more twists and turns than an Agatha Christie novel.”
That cannot be denied, but there were more than enough signs to suggest the club has not only stabilised but is ready to start moving forward.
There was no bold rhetoric about what the Bulls will achieve in 2013 as they gradually recover from their most turbulent period since the club’s reformation under the legendary Trevor Foster in 1964.
Instead, there was an impassioned address from Sutcliffe and Omar Khan to a packed Coral Stand and plenty of light-hearted moments along the way as questions flew forth.
During the forum, which lasted almost two hours, the feelgood factor was palpable.
Khan, quite literally, took centre stage, charming supporters with his sense of humour and passion for the club.
With Sutcliffe to his right and Francis Cummins to his left, the restaurant and hotel owner was in his element.
“I’m delighted to be here and to have made the brave decision to save the Bulls,” said Khan, revealed as the club’s sole shareholder.
“What’s important is the here and now. We need to get season tickets sold and get the sponsorship in to ensure that the club grows.
“That will help Francis to build the squad he wants but we need support from you guys.
“We will have regular meetings like this and make sure that we explain what’s going on.
“The majority of people here know me quite well and my values are based on transparency, accountability and trust. This club needs to build trust.”
Cue a thunderous round of applause from the floor.
The new structure of the club was explained to supporters as Khan’s lieutenants, Simon Kenny and Ryan Whitcut, took their place on the top table.
“Can I just ask who these guys are and what they actually do?” queried one supporter rather bluntly, much to the amusement of many.
Khan spoke how the pair will head up the administration department at Odsal, with Stuart Duffy taking a wide-ranging role as head of the football department.
All manner of topics were discussed, with Duffy talking up the Bulls’ Academy and explaining that Dewsbury Rams were being considered as a feeder club, while Sutcliffe revealed his frustration at his dealings with the RFL over buying the club, haggling over next year’s television money and the uncertainty that a one-year probationary licence has created.
On Odsal itself, he was unequivocal.
“We want to buy the lease back from the RFL and, while we can’t do that immediately, it’s a long-term aim,” said Sutcliffe.
“We want to use the Odsal site 365 days a year and that’s what we’re working towards.”
Eyebrows were raised when Sutcliffe insisted the club would be spending up to the salary cap next season.
He spoke of general discussions with Bradford City but said there had been no talks with Bradford Park Avenue as yet.
The possibility of bringing speedway back to Odsal is under consideration and supporters made clear their feelings about keeping home games on a Sunday.
Khan, who hailed the inspirational contribution of Trevor Foster to Bradford Northern, stated his desire to improve the gameday experience at Odsal.
Sutcliffe spoke of strengthening links with BullBuilder and other supporters, putting a roof on the Popular Side terrace, while Cummins spoke optimistically about the prospect of John Bateman signing a new deal.
Khan paid a rich tribute to Megan Potter for her work in the administration department and Sutcliffe did likewise about Gary Tasker following his spell as interim chief executive.
At the back of the room stood joint-captains Heath L’Estrange and Matt Diskin selling season tickets.
Khan then delivered the coup de grace.
“Anyone who buys a season ticket will get a discount in my restaurants!” he declared.
Few announcements at forums of this sort have ever been more rapturously received.
After the formalities ended, Khan, Sutcliffe, Cummins and his two skippers mingled with supporters and spoke to them at length.
The scenes told a story.
Of unity, passion, trust; the description of a rugby league institution ready to start believing in itself again.
Comments(34)
Adeybull
says...
10:30am Thu 27 Sep 12
Blotto
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10:35am Thu 27 Sep 12
Adeybull
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10:43am Thu 27 Sep 12
Adeybull
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10:44am Thu 27 Sep 12
Sheffieldbull
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10:56am Thu 27 Sep 12
Adeybull wrote:Lol! you've been infected already. Are you getting the urge to post on the Bantams site yet?
Gerry is wearing a blue tie. Since he is Labour, that shows he is not to be trusted, and therefore we are all doomed.
monobrow man
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11:33am Thu 27 Sep 12
Adeybull wrote:its more purple than blue, good article, just wish he owned a fish and chip resturant as i dont eat curries
Gerry is wearing a blue tie. Since he is Labour, that shows he is not to be trusted, and therefore we are all doomed.
Mumby was the best
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11:37am Thu 27 Sep 12
Steampig
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11:41am Thu 27 Sep 12
It will be interesting to see now, how many fans actually get behind them and buy season tickets, , because they need all of our support to get them back to where they ought to be.
Looking forward to seeing how the new regiem manage the club, and the fans expectations. but making all the right noises so far.
Adeybull
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12:06pm Thu 27 Sep 12
monobrow man wrote:Ohmigod he's a closet UKIP then!!! Well we are totally and utterly doomed now then. Nailed on.
Adeybull wrote:its more purple than blue, good article, just wish he owned a fish and chip resturant as i dont eat curries
Gerry is wearing a blue tie. Since he is Labour, that shows he is not to be trusted, and therefore we are all doomed.
theviking62
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12:08pm Thu 27 Sep 12
Bacon Bantam
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12:26pm Thu 27 Sep 12
Seems the fans don't want the past mistakes to be repeated, and I'm guessing it's not Sutcliffes money that is going to be used to bridge the difference between income and salary expenditure.
Capabull
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12:33pm Thu 27 Sep 12
Bacon Bantam wrote:Thats rich coming from a supporter of a club who have gone bust twice in recent memory.
Eyebrows were raised when Sutcliffe insisted the club would be spending up to the salary cap next season.
Seems the fans don't want the past mistakes to be repeated, and I'm guessing it's not Sutcliffes money that is going to be used to bridge the difference between income and salary expenditure.
theviking62
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12:43pm Thu 27 Sep 12
Bacon Bantam wrote:Smokey, back on here. Not wanted on City site either. Talking crap as per usual. It's because the fans hadn't a clue as to how much money WAS available. Like you said your guessing. It might be his money, that's me guessing. As to difference in income to salaries, we have to wait and see what season tickets are sold, plus how many pay on the day, before we can surmise anything. No be a good piggy and go back to City site.
Eyebrows were raised when Sutcliffe insisted the club would be spending up to the salary cap next season.
Seems the fans don't want the past mistakes to be repeated, and I'm guessing it's not Sutcliffes money that is going to be used to bridge the difference between income and salary expenditure.
Bacon Bantam
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12:44pm Thu 27 Sep 12
Capabull wrote:And thats why I'm critical of the club I support if they overstretch themselves.
Bacon Bantam wrote: Eyebrows were raised when Sutcliffe insisted the club would be spending up to the salary cap next season. Seems the fans don't want the past mistakes to be repeated, and I'm guessing it's not Sutcliffes money that is going to be used to bridge the difference between income and salary expenditure.Thats rich coming from a supporter of a club who have gone bust twice in recent memory.
.
I don't want BCFC run in a all or nothing mentality and after what has happened at Odsal I would think many would feel the same.
Steam Pigs
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12:59pm Thu 27 Sep 12
"With Sutcliffe to his right and Francis Cummins to his left, the restaurant and hotel owner was in his element"
Maybe owning a hotel will allow OK to spend the cap
theviking62
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1:01pm Thu 27 Sep 12
Mumby was the best
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1:02pm Thu 27 Sep 12
Mumby was the best
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1:58pm Thu 27 Sep 12
raisemeup
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3:42pm Thu 27 Sep 12
Bacon Bantam wrote:Have you a clue what you are talking about???
Eyebrows were raised when Sutcliffe insisted the club would be spending up to the salary cap next season.
Seems the fans don't want the past mistakes to be repeated, and I'm guessing it's not Sutcliffes money that is going to be used to bridge the difference between income and salary expenditure.
Do you actually know what the salary cap is, and the criteria for spending it.
What did you expect him to say, something like " Next year to balance the books we are spending 25% of the salary cap, and hope to have a squad of 17 to compete in the top flight???" That would have persuaded at least 150 folks to buy season tickets.
Can I ask does your brain begin working 20 minutes after you have written a post?
Anyway why the H..l should you care?
nosher
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6:09pm Thu 27 Sep 12
Shelfrhino
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7:38pm Thu 27 Sep 12
nosher wrote:Were you in much of a queue, did they say how many tickets had been sold up to now, how much did you pay?
Felt inspired by recent events so went and bought my season ticket. Good to see the players doing their bit. Whitehead, Platt and Gale were manning the ticket desk. COYB
Capabull
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7:47pm Thu 27 Sep 12
Shelfrhino wrote:Whats it to do with you?
nosher wrote:Were you in much of a queue, did they say how many tickets had been sold up to now, how much did you pay?
Felt inspired by recent events so went and bought my season ticket. Good to see the players doing their bit. Whitehead, Platt and Gale were manning the ticket desk. COYB
theviking62
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8:27pm Thu 27 Sep 12
How's the family?
nosher
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9:14pm Thu 27 Sep 12
Shelfrhino wrote:Queued for 3 hours. They have sold 150 thousand tickets and are having to expand the ground. I paid sixpence, do you need to know owt else feck off lol
nosher wrote:Were you in much of a queue, did they say how many tickets had been sold up to now, how much did you pay?
Felt inspired by recent events so went and bought my season ticket. Good to see the players doing their bit. Whitehead, Platt and Gale were manning the ticket desk. COYB
Shelfrhino
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9:20pm Thu 27 Sep 12
I come on here to talk about rugby and rugby related matters only, would all other posters please refrain from thread drift.
The reason I asked about ticket numbers is to see if all the okb fans were correct in saying the club are too big to fail.
Hope this answers your question capa.
Viking, please just stick to the subject and keep your childish comments to yourself please.
theoutsider
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9:31pm Thu 27 Sep 12
No a fan of his politics but praise the lord at long last someone who realises as I always have that Odsal needs to be used for more than 14 Rugby League matches a year !.
I can say this much Gerry that there are people in Speedway who like me want a return of the sport to its spirtitual home in the City. Its nigh on two decades since the Superdoom plans ( yet another failed Bradford pipedream ) closed Odsal to speedway.
Any plans to for mulit-use of Odsal have to include speedway. Its nigh on two decades now since we had speedway in West Yorkshire. There is no shortage of speedway people in the district ready and willing to back a revival. Lets grasp this opportunity and get Odsal roaring again !
theviking62
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10:21pm Thu 27 Sep 12
Shelfrhino
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10:54pm Thu 27 Sep 12
theviking62 wrote:No matter what happens tomorrow, we will still have a lot more fans at the "car park" than you will have at "the hole".
Shelf so did I, have you got yours for the whinos. It is the car park for cricket, nothing wrong there. So answer the question. Or your saying you don't actually support them. Wonder how many will not be bought, compared to last year. Should Wigan give a towelling tomorrow. We all know rhinos carry more fair weather supporters than most, as do Leeds Utd, who seem to be doing well, so they may pick up your leavers, from tomorrow. This is a rugby related series of opinions.
The same comparison you have made with Leeds could apply to Bradford. City seem to be doing OK this season, and if, as expected the okb's struggle with a smaller squad due to funding issue's, then city could well benefit from your famously fickle support.
the scorpion
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10:58pm Thu 27 Sep 12
However, I am now really encouraged that the new ownership appear genuinely open to all considerations as regards future usage of the stadium facilities and I echo the Outsider.
At long there is an opportunity to ensure that Odsal is re-launched as a multi-events arena and to the greater benefit of the Bradford and it's community.
I like many others would relish the return of speedway racing to Odsal and I am certain there would great interest from prospective promoters and the wider speedway fraternity at the prospects of a revival after a 15 years in the wilderness.
I would very much look forward to a wider forum with the new owners to hear further proposals and gauge the levels of support.
theviking62
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2:52pm Fri 28 Sep 12
theviking62
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5:51pm Fri 28 Sep 12
Capabull
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8:52pm Fri 28 Sep 12
Shelfrhino
says...
10:00pm Fri 28 Sep 12
theviking62 wrote:Ahem, you were saying.... :)
Shelf so did I, have you got yours for the whinos. It is the car park for cricket, nothing wrong there. So answer the question. Or your saying you don't actually support them. Wonder how many will not be bought, compared to last year. Should Wigan give a towelling tomorrow. We all know rhinos carry more fair weather supporters than most, as do Leeds Utd, who seem to be doing well, so they may pick up your leavers, from tomorrow. This is a rugby related series of opinions.
raisemeup says...
9:55am Thu 27 Sep 12
Good report with a good summary for what we hope to be in the future.
Let's re invigorate the spirit and the unity we have shown through the good and the bad times.
"Come On You Bulls!" (deserves it's full title, not just the acronym)