In 1995, the Bradford Bulls average attendance at home was 6,731 so SL certainly gave that a shot in the arm, with just over 10,000 in 1996. That was a 54% rise! Then up until the year 2000, things were going really well, peaking at 14,500 that year. Then numbers started to fall, despite strong on field success.
In 2003 the Bulls won the treble and in 2005 the Grand Final, but that was the last time they won anything. Each year thereafter, there was a slight decline (in terms of performance) in evidence. The club went into administration in 2012 despite much generosity from the public to avoid that scenario.
It happened again in 2014 and 6 points were deducted, the club going into the division two Championship for the 2015 season. In that season they got agonisingly close to getting back into Super League through the middle 8's format but just missed out.
In 2016, it missed out on the qualifying tournament by one place, ensuring they were not being promoted. Late that year they went into administration again, leading to their then going into liquidation in early 2017. 12 points were deducted for 2017 as a result, which sent the club into the third division League 1.
Summary: The club spent heavily when it was at the top and as attendances started to fall, debts rose. Then as the club tried to return to the top, it didn't eventuate, sending the Bull into repeated financial trouble. It looks like the club will return to the Championship for 2019, but entry back into SL will be tighter from that year.
Hopefully the club has learned that heavy spending to get to the top is fraught with danger, because if it fails the likelihood of going bust is almost inevitable. Another hope is that the fans will return in greater numbers as the club improves its status. The fans have been fantastic and support their team well when they travel. The club couldn't ask for better supporters, so it's time to pay them back with success on the field. Success that is financially sustainable mind.
| Yr | Attendance | +/- % | |
| 96 | 10,346 | 53.7 | |
| 97 | 15,122 | 46.2 | |
| 98 | 12,512 | -17.3 | |
| 99 | 13,216 | 5.6 | |
| 00 | 14,519 | 9.9 | |
| 01 | 11,992 | -17.4 | |
| 02 | 11,343 | -5.4 | |
| 03 | 14,936 | 31.7 | |
| 04 | 13,495 | -9.6 | |
| 05 | 13,367 | -0.9 | |
| 06 | 11,263 | -15.7 | |
| 07 | 12,161 | 8.0 | |
| 08 | 10,287 | -15.4 | |
| 09 | 9,677 | -5.9 | |
| 10 | 8,261 | -14.6 | |
| 11 | 13,352 | 61.6 | |
| 12 | 11,761 | -11.9 | |
| 13 | 8,563 | -27.2 | |
| 14 | 6,891 | -19.5 | |
| 15 | 5,462 | -20.7 | |
| 16 | 4,621 | -15.4 | |
| 17 | 4,119 | -10.9 | |
| 18 | 3,574 | -13.2 | |
| 10,471 | Avg | ||
| D1 | Super League | ||
| D2 | Championship | ||
| D3 | League 1 | ||
2 comments:
Good article which two years did the bulls play at valley parade was it 2002 & 2002?
Thank you.
2001 & 2002 according to Wiki.
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