The consortium seeking to gain control of the Bradford Bulls want to establish a multi-cultural club, according to Brendan Guilfoyle.
Bradford's potential buyers plan multi-cultural model
The consortium seeking to gain control of the Bradford Bulls want to establish a multi-cultural club, according to administrator Brendan Guilfoyle.
Guilfoyle is waiting for a formal offer from a group of local Asian businessmen known as the ABC consortium which includes the managing director of Indian restaurant Akbar's, Shabir Hussain, and a group of local property developers.
Guilfoyle, partner at the Leeds-based P&A Partnership, says the group have pledged £1million to save the Bulls from liquidation but that any deal is subject to them being able to buy back the lease to the Odsal Stadium from the Rugby Football League.
The RFL, who paid Bradford £1.25m earlier this year to secure the lease, are likely to seek assurances from the consortium over their plans for Odsal before agreeing any re-sale.
Ground-breaking
Guilfoyle is urging the governing body to give their blessing to the deal. He said: "The consortium is a ground-breaking model and the only hope for the Bulls' future.
"No other philanthropist or benefactor has come forward prepared to give £1million to enable the Bulls to survive.
"This consortium has come up with some innovative commercial ideas to make the club viable. They want to create a multi-cultural community space with rugby league at its heart.
"In order to make the necessary and essential improvements to the ground they are in discussions to buy back Odsal stadium from the RFL as part of their bid."
Fantastic chance
Gary Tasker, the club's interim chief executive, says the consortium have plans to break down rugby league's cultural barriers and provide a template for using sport to bring cities together.
Tasker, who has 30 years' experience in the game including a spell at the RFL, said: "I see the ABC consortium's bid as a fantastic chance for Bradford to lead the way in showing other cities how diverse communities can be brought together through sport.
"A challenge for the RFL is how to break down cultural barriers and promote diversity in the game.
"Earlier this year the RFL launched its Tackle IT initiative to promote diversity and, if this bid is successful, it will become a flagship for diversity in rugby league."
Guilfoyle extended his deadline to find a buyer until July 27 after the RFL agreed to advance the club their share of central funding to enable him to settle the players' wage bill which is due on Friday.
