Future of Odsal secured after RFL step in to buy world-famous ground

The governing body announced last night that they have agreed a deal to buy the famous ground from Bradford Council, easing tension at the West Yorkshire outfit that their spiritual home could be sold from under their feet.

A number of “predatory” approaches had been made surrounding Odsal – Bradford’s base since 1934 – which might have left them without a venue and threatened the very future of the club.

However, following the RFL’s intervention, financially-struggling Bradford will now remain as tenants and pay a market value rental, assuaging any such fears.

Questions are sure to be raised regarding whether there is a conflict of interest for the RFL though, taking such drastic action on behalf of one of their member clubs.

In light of the licencing process, whereby clubs have to earn their Super League status in three-year cycles by reaching set standards in certain criteria including, crucially, stadia, it may be deemed problematic.

Numerous plans to turn Odsal – which famously held the world’s biggest RL attendance when 102,569 people attended the 1954 Challenge Cup final replay between Halifax and Warrington – into the ‘Wembley of the North’ have been prominent since the 1940s and people may see this latest bold development as a catalyst for that to finally happen.

The RFL maintain, though, that they still have no immediate plans to develop the ground and will, consequently, offer Bradford no added aid in securing a licence when they are next renewed in 2014.

Evidence of this may come in their recent announcement – made when they already knew the Odsal deal was secured – of 2013 World Cup venues; Bradford was not on the list.

The Bulls’ latest plans for an Odsal Sporting Village – hopes for redevelopment in 2002 were ruined when partners Tesco failed to gain planning permission for an adjacent supermarket – were controversially scuppered last year when Bradford Council pulled out their £15m investment due to spending cuts amid the economic downturn.

On yesterday’s announcement, RFL chairman Richard Lewis maintained: “This arrangement is absolutely the right thing to do because it safeguards the future of one of the sport’s most famous stadia.

“Odsal is famous throughout the world and it would be a tragedy were the venue to be lost to the sport in the way that other evocative rugby league venues have already been lost.

“We have paid market value for the stadium and the Bulls will pay market value rental to the RFL to play their home fixtures at Odsal.”

Bulls chairman Peter Hood last night told the Yorkshire Post how he had initially approached RFL chief executive Nigel Wood with the idea.

“This deal protects the club from the kind of attack which could see someone with little affinity (for the Bulls) acquiring it and the land for profit,” he said.

“That pressure has now been removed, the ground Is now owned by the RFL and the future of Bradford Bulls is at Odsal where the majority of fans want us.

“It is excellent news and the sale to the RFL safeguards our immediate future and keeps all the options open once the economy recovers from recession.

“On behalf of everyone in Bradford I would like to thank the RFL Board of Directors for their vision and support by investing in Odsal in the way they have.”

Hood added: “I don’t think there is any conflict of interest for the RFL.

“Its focus is on helping the entire game and I’m sure it’s acted with prudence and care at all times.

“As for the licence process, that is done independently. We have a B licence currently and know what we have to achieve to get up to an A, including what we’d have to do to the ground.”

Bradford, who since their last Grand Final win in 2005, have been struggling to compete financially with Super League’s bigger clubs, prompting the sale of star players such as Stuart Fielden, Lesley Vainikolo and, more latterly, England forward Sam Burgess, had signed up to a 150 year lease in 2002.

The RFL now take up the remainder of that term after acquiring the ground, the latest addition to their property portfolio.

The governing body already own Keighley Cougars’ stadium and Rochdale Hornets’ Spotland as well as Buslingthorpe Vale, an amateur venue in Leeds.

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