I'm increasingly thinking the same. We could have been privately told to accept half money and a season of being bent over, because at the end of the year relegation ends. It's the only scenario where Bradford applying suddenly makes sense to me.

And yet Robert Elstone has stated during the past week that 'It's safe to assume there will be relegation in 2021'.

Taken from love RL site



With Elstone confirming the intention is to restore promotion and relegation at the end of 2021, he accepts the replacement for Toronto will face a battle to survive.



“On the basis we’re all vaccinated and safe, then in a 12-team Super League, we’re committed to a promotion and relegation,” the executive chairman said.



“The clubs felt that with a good coach and good existing squad and with that level of funding, a club could come into Super League and be competitive.



“Clearly it will be a challenge and they’ll need to have a good coach and recruit well but clubs felt it was the right amount of money.”

Following Matt Shaws report that he felt things that were being said about a 12th club seemed to fit Bradford Bulls like a glove, could it be the case that a "good coach" is another indication Bradford have it sown up as John Kear is a good coach?



All I can see missing is a rich backer? At this stage whilst nobody appears to be in the frame, who is to say that Name may not be announced if and when Bradford are announced as the twelfth club?. If such a backer is being lined up the person may well be happy to bankroll Bulls in SL and if they go down continue to back the club. Going down doesn't mean clubs with rich owners stay down, HKR bounced straight back......

Nah. I genuinely think that the only way Bradford would apply is if we'd had the nod that we wouldn't be relegated. We've proven over and over again that there is no one willing to bankroll Bradford, so no yo-yo back up if we get bummed into next week during 2021.

I get it that some Bradford fans would like to actually earn/win promotion, a noble (no pun intended) position to take.



But firstly this position/principle surely also applies to the clubs you name - Toulouse Fev and Leigh??



Secondly do you think it's an all or nothing thing? Bulls could go down and return even stronger. I remember Huddersfield being kept in Superleague year on year and being useless, eventually they went down, then came straight back a much stronger club??



Thirdly your analysis of a poor season and possible relegation has to be respected and acknowledged, but if Wood, Sawyer & co. are happy to take the chance because they have the funding and desire to keep on investing in the Bulls for the next few years then why not go for it now, especially if the Superleague clubs have actually decided they want Bradford.



Saying NO to an open invitation from Lenegan & co doesn't sound like a good thing to do/turn down?

Could it be that the private investment company looking to invest in SL have a say in who they want in the League? They may see Bradford as a crucial part due to fan base potential?

We all know that their application has gone in.

It's all about where the Bulls would play and, more importantly, the million dollar question, where is the money coming from to sustain them.

There is a HUGE risk for any club that gets the nod as income for EVERY club is still a massive unknown - unless the successful club has some backers with very deep pockets.

Stop this crap about it been bradford as the 12th team, it’s obviously Leigh just look at the money there spending, it’s so obvious, there spending it quicker than Toronto did lol, my money is on Leigh. Any takers give me a shout

Quote Molsk111="Molsk111"Stop this crap about it been bradford as the 12th team, it’s obviously Leigh just look at the money there spending, it’s so obvious, there spending it quicker than Toronto did lol, my money is on Leigh. Any takers give me a shout'" Don't Leigh always do this every couple of years, it's nothing new, if they don't succeed in Championship next year. Beaumont will asking them all to leave as can't afford salaries. https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.hullda ... 823793.amp

Quote Molsk111="Molsk111"Stop this crap about it been bradford as the 12th team, it’s obviously Leigh just look at the money there spending, it’s so obvious, there spending it quicker than Toronto did lol, my money is on Leigh. Any takers give me a shout'" Don't Leigh always do this every couple of years, it's nothing new, if they don't succeed in Championship next year. Beaumont will asking them all to leave as can't afford salaries. https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.hullda ... 823793.amp

Quote bulls2487="bulls2487"Don't Leigh always do this every couple of years, it's nothing new, if they don't succeed in Championship next year. Beaumont will asking them all to leave as can't afford salaries. https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.hullda ... 823793.amp'" No, all players have accepted and signed a on one year contracts. If Leigh don't earn promotion next season, the door might be shut for SL after that. All the players are aware of this when they signed.

Quote bulls2487="bulls2487"Don't Leigh always do this every couple of years, it's nothing new, if they don't succeed in Championship next year. Beaumont will asking them all to leave as can't afford salaries. https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.hullda ... 823793.amp'" No, all players have accepted and signed a on one year contracts. If Leigh don't earn promotion next season, the door might be shut for SL after that. All the players are aware of this when they signed.

A burning question for me is that, if it transpires at a later date that there has been collusion between the RFL/SLE/Braford & Wood/Sawyer =#FF0000we are all aware of Nigel Wood's history & connections to the RFL, the IRLF & Bradford Bulls that the selection process was deliberately reverse designed & that the "weighting" of criteria was deliberately withheld, then where does Rugby League go from there ?



Will there be an investigation ?

Will there be an implosion ?

Will it create a huge split between clubs in the RFL no longer willing to be governed by the RFL & SLE ?



Only time will tell, however I fear that if it transpires so, this could be the beginning of the end !