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  • "
    Prisoner Cell Block A wrote:
    eebygum wrote:
    Prisoner Cell Block A wrote:
    theviking62 wrote: Murphys'law, you are one bloody doom monger. Are we skint, do you know that for certain, have you got inside info that you are holding from the rest of the supporters, you know we are not getting any investment. No, you, like the rest of us, have no idea what's going to happen, so stop with the negative posts. We will all find out together, your posts and those of others are the reason rumours start. But if you do know more, why not share it with us. To all city posters one question, would you move to odsal. If the answer is no, state reasons why. I bet there very similar, to those of bulls supporters not wanting to go to vp. So let's put it to bed, once and for all. Don't feed the trolls.
    After the time spent there playing in the aftermath of the fire I would say a resounding no. It is a desolate, open area, odd cambers on the pitch, lacking in atmosphere even back then and we were doing fairly well. Leeds Road and Elland Road were both more suited to our needs and obviously were already set up for football, both on and off the pitch. We were thankful for the use in our time of need but the fact we chose to play out of the city more than we did at Odsal was due to the footballing side of things and not finances.
    I think you will find that we played most of our games at Odsal in the season away from VP we only played a few games at Hudders & Luuds. I for one would not want to move to Odsal in it's present state. It would need millions throwing at the problem to solve the stadium criteria that the football league require. Plus I believe that this is more to do with local elections rather than actually caring where the Bulls play or City for that matter. Where was Mr Ward when the rent tenure was a problem at VP?
    Is that a David Guetto? Or is it Guetta, either way voting these out to vote RESPECT in would see a bigger, approved ghetto, so although the choices are poor I still won't be putting my X anywhere near a party that campaigns on one policy only but makes the wonderful soundbite noises like all the others. Labour and RESPECT can shoot it out themselves, literally. Why would anyone on a charity mission need to hold a gun and even more importantly have a picture taken of such if it wasn't to 'show off' or promote their ideology?
    Well said old pal"
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Groundshare makes economic sense for Bradford Bulls and Bantams, says MP

7:00am Friday 27th April 2012 in Bulls Photograph of the Author By Ross Heppenstall , Bradford Bulls Reporter

MP David Ward has stirred up the long-running debate over the Bulls moving to Valley Parade, pictured MP David Ward has stirred up the long-running debate over the Bulls moving to Valley Parade, pictured

A Bradford MP today led calls for the Bulls to leave Odsal and make Valley Parade their new permanent home.

Bradford East MP David Ward insisted Odsal will be never be anything other than a “big black hole” in the Bulls’ finances and claimed a groundshare with City held the key to a sustainable future for both clubs.

Ward said the Bulls’ financial crisis was partly due to the cost of being at Odsal and that City were paying an “absolute fortune” in rent to Valley Parade landlord Gordon Gibb. His solution would see both the city’s professional sports clubs play at Valley Parade, with a potential long-term possibility of buying the stadium from Gibb.

Ward told the T&A: “This needs to be raised as a matter of priority in any discussions about the future of the Bulls and City.

“When you are on the terraces at Odsal it’s awesome in terms of a venue, but the cost is bringing the club to its knees.

“Odsal will never be anything other than a big black hole, sucking the resources out of the playing side and detrimental to the development of the club.

When you are on the terraces at Odsal it’s awesome in terms of a venue, but the cost is bringing the club to its knees

David Ward MP

“You have a 25,000-seater, state-of-the-art stadium at Valley Parade and there’s room to develop it further.

“It’s used little more than 23 times a year as things stand and that just does not add up.

“If you look at the success of groundsharing at other clubs then it’s the only way forward. It makes economic sense and it simply has to happen.”

Two years ago, ambitious plans for a £75.5 million Odsal Sports Village were kicked firmly into touch due to a funding crisis.

Earlier this year the Bulls sold the lease on Odsal to the RFL, making them tenants rather than owners of their historic home.

Ward added: “As long as the Bulls stay at Odsal they will always be just sticking plasters over things until the next crisis – it would be throwing good money after bad to stay there.

“If the Odsal Sporting Village had got underway they would have had to move to Valley Parade for at least a couple of seasons anyway.

“Why not just bite the bullet on this one and recognise the economic realities? Whatever happens to Odsal will happen.

“It’s a highly developable part of the city with great links to the motorway, as we know.

“But that’s really a secondary issue. This is not about how the Bulls are going to raise the next £500,000; it’s about the development of both clubs for the next 15 to 20 to 25 years.

“All the economic reality is pointing in one direction. Let’s just get the debate going.

“I actually think many people are put off investing in the Bulls because they regard the stadium as being a lost cause.

“Once you’ve backed that with joint funding, you’ve got a fantastic stadium in Valley Parade as it stands.

“But then you can start talking about the development of that stadium and the surrounding area.

“We need to get some economic regeneration in the city centre and in Manningham – this could kick-start that.”

The Bulls played two seasons at Valley Parade in 2001 and 2002 during the redevelopment of Odsal, the club’s home since 1934.

Ward added: “Maybe it wasn’t particularly friendly when the Bulls were previously there but I know City would be very, very welcoming this time.

“City are paying an absolute fortune every single year in rent to Gordon Gibb.

“Ideally, if both clubs came together then the prospects of buying out Gibb at Valley Parade could be more of a possibility. Then you start to become masters of your own destiny.”

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