Bradford Bulls break silence on pitch situation after being hit by criticism

Bradford Bulls have been doing it tough recently on and off the field.

From the financial demise of the late 2010s to the departure of John Kear this season, the Bulls are languishing mid-table in the Championship with a stadium that has attracted criticism recently for its pitch.

Whilst other venues simply have a pitch and then a stand for spectators, Bradford’s Odsal is surrounded by a stock car racing track and concrete barriers at the edges of the field.

That has somewhat sparked the ire of travelling fans and players calling for ‘safety’ around the ground.

For current chairman Nigel Wood, he has revealed at a fans’ forum taken last week that the club would not be able to continue without the stock car racing.

“People criticise the size of the pitch but we couldn’t do this without stock cars,” the Telegraph & Argus revealed from the night.

“The RFL and stock cars have the contract together. We’re just tenants and we have first use.

“We know some issues need attention, but things like the concrete barriers are an attempt to make the transition between rugby league and stock cars as easy as possible.

“It took two or three days before to do that, so the stock car people have invested in those barriers.

“It is difficult for it to stay clean, but a lot of people make the effort to keep it that way, and we will try to close areas down to help.

“And the pitch size is compliant with the rules.

“Having idiosyncratic grounds is ordinarily seen as a strength, like Batley’s Mount Pleasant, so we’re disappointed our current home record is so mediocre, but that’s a matter for the coaches.”

Wood has also revealed that it is incredibly tough in Bradford to this day and age to move forward on the stadium front.

“Ultimately, there are no easy solutions to the facilities deficit for rugby league in Bradford.

“We’re trying to deliver a seismic solution and that’s vitally important, because there’ll be no opportunity to play in a 1980s stadium with the future in rugby league that’s coming.”