The club’s change of position was announced first by Mark Lawn in the Telegraph and Argus, and followed up by a more detailed proposal from his co-chairman Julian Rhodes in the Yorkshire Post .

The plan put forward by Julian Rhodes involves the Council selling land at Odsal to finance ground-sharing at Valley Parade. The Bulls’ Peter Hood has responded by saying for the first time in public that the Bulls might have to consider such an option. It is not entirely clear, however, whether this would involve a bilateral business deal between BCFC and the Bradford Bulls, facilitated by Council money, or whether it would involve a genuine collaboration of all stakeholders, dedicated to the public good.

This was the call that came from leading local politicians at a pre-election hustings meeting organised by BCST. David Ward (now Lib-Dem MP for Bradford East), Bradford South MP Gerry Sutcliffe and Cllr. Martin Love (Green Party leader on Bradford Council) were agreed that the Odsal Sports Village could not go ahead in its current guise, given the economic situation .

They called for leadership in developing a sports strategy for Bradford, and there was discussion of the formation of a Bradford Sporting Club as a not-for-profit entity to coordinate plans with the Council for both the Bantams and the Bulls. This is the only framework that is likely to attract public funds to support a ground-sharing initiative.

Jane Glaister, Bradford Council’s Strategic Director for culture, tourism and sport, has reaffirmed the Council’s priority objectives in leisure, education and health. She has also pointed out once again that the land footprint around Valley Parade does not allow for the kind of sports facilities envisaged by the Council for the Odsal Sports Village project. This point is undeniably true, and needs to be borne in mind when considering a sports strategy for Bradford. At the same time, Valley Parade could become a focus for all kinds of community developments in leisure, education and health that do not require extensive land for sports pitches. The resources available at both Odsal and Valley Parade can easily be considered together within an overall strategy for linking sport with the community in Bradford.

‘I am optimistic that a practical solution for ground-sharing at Valley Parade is now possible, which meets the varied agendas of all the interested parties’ said Trust Chair Alan Carling ‘The commercial and economic logic always pointed towards this solution, but the tide of opinion is now moving in the same direction. It is important that everyone connected with Bradford City recognises the significance of this opportunity, and respects the positions of all the other partners involved.’