Super League boost for Bradford Bulls’ owners (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)
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Super League boost for Bradford Bulls’ owners
7:00am Saturday 15th September 2012 in Bulls
New owners Gerry Sutcliffe and Omar Khan celebrate the news of Bradford Bulls’ Super League licence
Bradford Bulls’ new owners have revealed season tickets will go on sale on Monday as the crisis-hit club was handed a one-year probationary Super League licence for 2013.
Bradford restaurant boss Omar Khan and former Sports Minister Gerry Sutcliffe, who hope to announce ticket prices over the weekend, said they were “over the moon” after the Rugby Football League confirmed it had given the struggling side a reprieve in the top-flight yesterday afternoon.
The governing body said the decision to award the Bulls a probationary licence would mean it could keep a close watch on its progress and eradicate the possible need to undergo a mini-licensing round.
Speaking to the Telegraph & Argus at Odsal Stadium last night, Mr Khan and Bradford South MP Mr Sutcliffe told of their relief at finally being able to make decisions after two weeks of uncertainty.
Mr Sutcliffe, honorary chairman of OK Bulls Limited, said: “It’s been a torturous process. It left a lot of uncertainty around, but now we can be very positive about the future. We can set about the task of selling season tickets, getting a club structure in place, looking to appoint a new coach over the next week. This gives us an opportunity and we need the people of Bradford behind us, the business community, the Council and everybody else, to make sure that they help us achieve greatness for this club.”
Mr Khan, who runs restaurants in Bradford and Skipton , confirmed meetings had taken place with potential sponsors and the pair were now able to contact people with ideas to help them achieve their dream of building the “Wembley of the North”.
Mr Sutcliffe said: “We will not interfere on the playing side, other than to appoint the coach. It will be up to the coach to improve the squad to the best of his abilities and make sure that we get a team that the fans can be proud of.
“They have to recognise that our priorities are getting things moving on the pitch, certainly, with a good squad of players, but make sure that the long-term financial base of the club is secure as well. We have been heartened by the response of fans to some of the difficult decisions that we are having to take, will have to take, in relation to the future.”
Asked about the club’s aspirations for next season, Mr Sutcliffe said he hoped it would be able to secure a top eight place, but he added: “Obviously we are not going to commit ourselves to that because that would be foolish. But what the fans can be rest assured of is that whoever goes out there will be committed to Bradford Bulls.”
Comments(23)
barbarian mike
says...
4:44pm Sat 15 Sep 12
barbarian mike
says...
4:44pm Sat 15 Sep 12
Adeybull
says...
5:19pm Sat 15 Sep 12
I found Mr Khan very easy to quickly warm to - and be uplifted by - and Mr Sutcliffe talked a shed load of common sense. So as it stands I feel more positive than for a while.
None of them are exaggerating though when they say it will be a long hard road back. A lot of damage has been done, by various parties, and I feel sure the RFL will be determined to ensure no other club will lightly consider the route that our major shareholders between them inflicted upon us. So it is indeed encouraging to hear a load of realism.
I am sure most fans appreciate the mountain we have to climb, and will therefore appreciate the honesty for seemingly the first time in ages. These guys are going to need a hell of a lot of support though in the coming weeks and months, and ongoing. They have shown the commitment, and made a massive leap of faith in the face of that administrator threatening to send the club into almost immediate oblivion. Hopefully the fans will recognise that, and go on to play their part in the recovery.
Mumby was the best
says...
6:27pm Sat 15 Sep 12
theviking62
says...
6:59pm Sat 15 Sep 12
billybobbull
says...
7:15pm Sat 15 Sep 12
er 2005/2006 thngs seemed to drift and we got worse.nowt changed...Mick Potter revitilised the Bulls this year and set us on a new course (thank you Mick)......now we are in a completely new era of the club...
Onwards and upwards into the unknown....New Era Bulls OK..
Excellent.
murphyslaw
says...
10:17am Sun 16 Sep 12
bradfordbronco
says...
11:47am Sun 16 Sep 12
BTW.New Hall Nev. If you're reading this. How did you enjoy the play offs. We taught Sykes all he knows about missing tackles!. As you would have put it LOL, HAHAHAHA. Look forward to seeing you at old Belle Vue again next year.
Mike Strutter
says...
12:03pm Sun 16 Sep 12
Adeybull wrote:Sutcliffe talks common sense ?
Very impressed with both these guys when you talk to them. Mr. Khan seems a genuinely positive and committed guy, very easy to talk to and fully recognising that this is a community club in which the fans play a key and vital part. A greater contrast between him and Caisley or Hood would be hard to find. They have loads of ideas, but right now maybe most importantly they have the enthusiasm and commitment and the RIGHT ideas.
I found Mr Khan very easy to quickly warm to - and be uplifted by - and Mr Sutcliffe talked a shed load of common sense. So as it stands I feel more positive than for a while.
None of them are exaggerating though when they say it will be a long hard road back. A lot of damage has been done, by various parties, and I feel sure the RFL will be determined to ensure no other club will lightly consider the route that our major shareholders between them inflicted upon us. So it is indeed encouraging to hear a load of realism.
I am sure most fans appreciate the mountain we have to climb, and will therefore appreciate the honesty for seemingly the first time in ages. These guys are going to need a hell of a lot of support though in the coming weeks and months, and ongoing. They have shown the commitment, and made a massive leap of faith in the face of that administrator threatening to send the club into almost immediate oblivion. Hopefully the fans will recognise that, and go on to play their part in the recovery.
Have you followed his political career ?
moomooland
says...
12:37pm Sun 16 Sep 12
Capabull
says...
12:43pm Sun 16 Sep 12
Mike Strutter wrote:Bet you wish you were a few bob behind him!
Adeybull wrote:Sutcliffe talks common sense ?
Very impressed with both these guys when you talk to them. Mr. Khan seems a genuinely positive and committed guy, very easy to talk to and fully recognising that this is a community club in which the fans play a key and vital part. A greater contrast between him and Caisley or Hood would be hard to find. They have loads of ideas, but right now maybe most importantly they have the enthusiasm and commitment and the RIGHT ideas.
I found Mr Khan very easy to quickly warm to - and be uplifted by - and Mr Sutcliffe talked a shed load of common sense. So as it stands I feel more positive than for a while.
None of them are exaggerating though when they say it will be a long hard road back. A lot of damage has been done, by various parties, and I feel sure the RFL will be determined to ensure no other club will lightly consider the route that our major shareholders between them inflicted upon us. So it is indeed encouraging to hear a load of realism.
I am sure most fans appreciate the mountain we have to climb, and will therefore appreciate the honesty for seemingly the first time in ages. These guys are going to need a hell of a lot of support though in the coming weeks and months, and ongoing. They have shown the commitment, and made a massive leap of faith in the face of that administrator threatening to send the club into almost immediate oblivion. Hopefully the fans will recognise that, and go on to play their part in the recovery.
Have you followed his political career ?
Adeybull
says...
12:46pm Sun 16 Sep 12
Capabull
says...
12:47pm Sun 16 Sep 12
Mumby was the best wrote:Can someone explain to me was has happened to the above poster? I have followed this site for a while now, and he used to talk sense, but lately he behaves like a child, has he had some kind of stroke or something?
Greaser
theviking62
says...
12:47pm Sun 16 Sep 12
theviking62
says...
12:50pm Sun 16 Sep 12
New Hall Nev
says...
8:48pm Sun 16 Sep 12
moomooland wrote:no i didnt enjoy us getting beat but at least we had a game too watch not like youre lot i wonder what well spend our money on maybe lullila lol
I would like to file a missing persons report, New Hall Nev where are you, did you enjoy watching your team get bummed last night, were you crying in your cornflakes this morning.
thaks for talking bout me on hear and rlfans i now you all love realy wonder who youre new cheap coach is he will work for peenuts not like potter hahaha
moomooland
says...
9:41pm Sun 16 Sep 12
New Hall Nev wrote:Ah there you are, i was getting really worried that you had disappeared just like your defence last night. But on a more serious note, it would cost you a lot of money to sign Lulia, just concentrate on taking Sykes off of our hands permantley
moomooland wrote:no i didnt enjoy us getting beat but at least we had a game too watch not like youre lot i wonder what well spend our money on maybe lullila lol
I would like to file a missing persons report, New Hall Nev where are you, did you enjoy watching your team get bummed last night, were you crying in your cornflakes this morning.
thaks for talking bout me on hear and rlfans i now you all love realy wonder who youre new cheap coach is he will work for peenuts not like potter hahaha
Mumby was the best
says...
10:48pm Sun 16 Sep 12
raisemeup
says...
11:56pm Sun 16 Sep 12
Mike Strutter wrote:Yes he still outsmarts the Strutters in our midst!
Adeybull wrote:Sutcliffe talks common sense ?
Very impressed with both these guys when you talk to them. Mr. Khan seems a genuinely positive and committed guy, very easy to talk to and fully recognising that this is a community club in which the fans play a key and vital part. A greater contrast between him and Caisley or Hood would be hard to find. They have loads of ideas, but right now maybe most importantly they have the enthusiasm and commitment and the RIGHT ideas.
I found Mr Khan very easy to quickly warm to - and be uplifted by - and Mr Sutcliffe talked a shed load of common sense. So as it stands I feel more positive than for a while.
None of them are exaggerating though when they say it will be a long hard road back. A lot of damage has been done, by various parties, and I feel sure the RFL will be determined to ensure no other club will lightly consider the route that our major shareholders between them inflicted upon us. So it is indeed encouraging to hear a load of realism.
I am sure most fans appreciate the mountain we have to climb, and will therefore appreciate the honesty for seemingly the first time in ages. These guys are going to need a hell of a lot of support though in the coming weeks and months, and ongoing. They have shown the commitment, and made a massive leap of faith in the face of that administrator threatening to send the club into almost immediate oblivion. Hopefully the fans will recognise that, and go on to play their part in the recovery.
Have you followed his political career ?
raisemeup
says...
12:05am Mon 17 Sep 12
New Hall Nev wrote:I had to have a thesaurus to read your drivel this time.
moomooland wrote:no i didnt enjoy us getting beat but at least we had a game too watch not like youre lot i wonder what well spend our money on maybe lullila lol
I would like to file a missing persons report, New Hall Nev where are you, did you enjoy watching your team get bummed last night, were you crying in your cornflakes this morning.
thaks for talking bout me on hear and rlfans i now you all love realy wonder who youre new cheap coach is he will work for peenuts not like potter hahaha
Your team didn't do too bad, and it would be unfair to castigate them for what some of the moronic fans who supposedly support them attempt to write!
Kellington Bull
says...
8:11pm Mon 17 Sep 12
Kellington Bull
says...
8:11pm Mon 17 Sep 12

bullboy1997 says...
4:18pm Sat 15 Sep 12