BBC SPORT | Rugby League | Super League | Where now for the Bulls?



By Dave Woods BBC Sport

Plans to renovate Bradford Bulls' Odsal Stadium have fallen through. So where does that leave the Bulls? Might they have to move out of the city?

Odsal's future in doubt

Here, BBC Sport Online takes a look at the likeliest places where the club might end up playing:

Valley Parade:
The rugby league club has had well-documented differences with the football club.

But Bradford City could be under new management soon, which could pave the way for the Bulls to continue playing at 'The Cage'.

Odsal:
The ambitious plans for an all-seater ground with leisure complex have fallen through.

But Bradford Council says it's still committed to investing in the ground and keeping it up to standard, with a 25,000 capacity.

It would mean the club missing out on lucrative corporate facilities and seating would be limited, but at least the fans would be back in their spiritual home.

The Shay:
When Super League was first discussed, the possibility of a Halifax-Bradford merger was mooted.

It led to passionate campaigns by fans of both clubs to be kept apart, and they got their wishes.

However, Halifax are now cash-strapped and cannot afford to finish off their potentially fantastic ground improvements at the Shay.

Bradford are relatively rich and would fit in well at the Shay. Could another Super League merger be on the cards?

The McAlpine Stadium:
Although the idea has previously been proposed, the problem is that Huddersfield more than fancy their chances of being back in the Super League next year.

Huddersfield Town and Huddersfield Giants already use the McAlpine Stadium
There is likely to be no room at the McAlpine Stadium for the Bulls

Huddersfield Town also play there, and it would be a logistical nightmare to arrange fixtures for three home teams, not to mention overuse of the pitch.

Wakefield Rugby Union:
The Bulls may now own Wakefield RFU, but the ground there is not suitable for staging top level rugby league matches.

Anywhere else?
Could the Bulls become rugby league's first moveable franchise?

With growing interest from outside rugby league's traditional heartland, someone may consider buying the Bulls and moving them lock, stock and barrel to their own doorstep.

What if Bridgend's application for a Super League place fell through? Buying the Bulls would give them automatic entry into the league.

The only drawback to that plan is that the Bulls' success has been inextricably linked with their phenomenal support.

Move the team, and you lose those supporters in one fell swoop. The RFL are hardly likely to agree to that.

It's most likely that the Bulls will stay in Bradford, one way or another.

But if the local council could finally get its act together and give Odsal the proper face-lift it needs and deserves, then that would solve so many problems.