Bradford Bulls have become the latest club to release a statement reacting to the release of IMG’s preliminary gradings, however the Bulls have used it as a plea for their stadium to finally be renovated in a statement that sees them hammer the RFL for hampering any development at Odsal.
The Bulls received the 14th highest score on IMG’s grading, securing 12.02 points from a possible 20, putting them within a point of possible Super League contenders Toulouse Olympique, Wakefield Trinity, Leigh Leopards and Castleford Tigers.
It also saw the Bulls clear of 2023 Championship League Leaders Featherstone leading to some suggestions of making Super League a 14 team division, given what seemed to be an evident cut off point in the standings.
IMG have made it clear that their intention is for every Super League side to be a Grade A club, something only seven teams are at the moment, and something Bradford are 3 points shy of becoming.
In their statement the Bulls confirmed where they had scored their IMG points, revealing that whilst they picked up 90% of the maximum points on offer in the ‘Community’ pillar, they registered just 30% for their ‘Stadium’.
Odsal has long been a stadium that rival fans have joked about but the Bulls have accepted that it’s a key stumbling block in them reaching Super League and have once again called on the RFL to assist them, as seen with the following statement surrounding IMG.
“Yesterday’s illustrative IMG Grading score ranks the club as 14th on the grading ladder, behind all the 2023 season Super League clubs, as well as Toulouse.
“That grading should leave no one in any doubt that the single biggest impediment to getting our club back to the Super League is the absence of an appropriate 21st century facility.
“Our relatively strong and strengthening scores in the other 4 Grading Pillars clearly demonstrate the progress the club has and continues to make in recent times.
“The club was brought back to Odsal, from Dewsbury, because Bradford needs the Bulls as much as the Bulls needs Bradford.
“We have been in discussions with the Council for three years now about how best to deliver the standard of facility needed to play in Super League. Much hope was placed on the Levelling Up bid, but that was unsuccessful.
“Over the past 30 years, virtually all major Rugby League clubs, from the Mersey to the Humber, have had significant stadium improvements. Some cities and even towns, for instance, Wigan, have two fit for purpose, 21st century venues. None of these developments would have been possible without the active collaboration of the various local councils. It’s that simple.
“The RFL, as leaseholders of Odsal Stadium, by putting the lease up for sale, have signalled very clearly that they aren’t prepared to make the investment required to bring Odsal up to the required standard. They have, however, helpfully and steadfastly insisted that professional Rugby League in Bradford must be protected, as part of any sale.
“The club’s clear preference is for the council, who are in fact the actual owners of the land, to reacquire the lease from the RFL and deliver a community stadium for the sport in Bradford, of the required quality to meet the Super League criteria and serve the recreational needs and wants of the local community.
“Failing that, we would ask that the council collaborates with the club and allows us to approach sponsors to develop around Odsal, such that the stadium can become financially sustainable, which it most certainly isn’t at present.
“This day has been coming for three years now. The club and the city council now know clearly what is required. The club’s board, staff, volunteers and players all believe we have controlled the controllables as best we can across the other criteria on the grading system. Now is the time for all who believe that a city of Bradford’s stature deserves a Super League club to come together, to develop the right facility.
“To do so, would give the club the opportunity to secure a realistic, exciting and long coveted return to Super League, as early as 2025. That is said on the back of our much improved 2023 on field performance and yesterday’s gradings, that show we’re currently in touching distance of the top 12 graded clubs, which allows entry into Super League.
“If we all truly want a top flight professional Rugby League team in the City of Bradford, we can’t afford to miss this opportunity again!
“Finally, to our loyal, appreciated band of supporters, both near and far, please continue to back us. Not only by purchasing season tickets and merchandise and attending matches, but also by championing our outstanding community work and interacting on our numerous social media platforms, which cover all of the club’s 9 teams. Rest assured that the club will continue to strive to deliver you, the modern, 21st century stadium you undoubtedly deserve, while keeping you updated appropriately, as and when there are any further developments on these topics.
“Thank you.”
Alongside this scarthing statement the Bulls revealed how they scored on the IMG grading, breaking it down through each of the pillars.
IMG’s grading is made up of five pillars, each weighted by a percentage, those being Performance for 25%, Fandom for 25%, Finances for 22.5%, Stadium for 15% and Community for 12.5%.
Bradford scored a total of 12.02 points, ranking them as a high Grade B and they’ve now confirmed their scores in each respective pillar.
Performance – 2.17 points from 5 – 43%
Fandom – 3.95 points from 5 – 79%
Finances – 2.75 from 4.5 – 61%
Stadium – 0.89 from 3 – 30%
Community – 2.25 from 2.5 – 90%
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