News
Super League Club in Plea to Fans to Help Avoid Extinction
March 27, 2012 Nicola  |
Bradford Bulls have issued a warning that they will go out of business if they fail to raise £1 million.
Bradford Bulls are one of the most successful teams in Super League history, having won the competition on three occasions and winning the World Club Challenge on three occasions also. However, they have steadily declined over the past seven years since their last title in 2005 and have not even managed to make the play-offs in the past three seasons.
Now there are huge issues off the pitch, with the financial status of the club said to be at a “critical” level. The recent sale of their ground, Odsal, helped repay debts owed to the RFL, the game’s governing body. However, last week’s announcement that RBS was to cut the club’s overdraft facility has left the club with “no cash”.
The situation is so bad that their derby game against Leeds at Odsal on Good Friday may well be their last competitive match.
Speaking to the Bradford Telegraph & Argus, Peter Hood, the club’s chairman said: “I don’t think the situation could be more critical. We’ve got to generate a significant sum to survive and we’re doing everything we can to achieve that.
“If we haven’t got cash, then we can’t stay alive and if we can’t stay alive then we can’t fulfil our fixtures. It’s that serious.”
The situation has left the club needing to raise £500,000 by Friday, April 6 to avoid the threat of collapse. In a desperate plea to season ticket holders, club members and sponsors, the club has asked if they can pledge £100 each to help raise the funds.
However, they need to raise £1 million to remove any threat of folding as a club and remove any uncertainty hanging over them. If they manage this then they can move forward debt-free and continue on a sustainable business strategy.
By Jonathan Trickey
[Image courtesy of neonbubble]
