“It is our home” – Bradford chairman Nigel Wood on Bulls’ return to Odsal
Bradford chairman Nigel Wood is delighted to see the Bulls return to their Odsal home.
The Bulls will return to Odsal this weekend after an absence of almost two years when they take on York in a Championship fixture on Sunday afternoon.
Bradford have been ground-sharing with fellow Championship side Dewsbury since the beginning of the 2020 campaign. The Bulls have agreed an 18-month deal with the Rugby Football League, the owners of the venue’s lease, to make a return to Odsal.
Wood said: “The club are delighted to confirm that its fixture against York will be staged at Odsal Stadium.
“While the stadium it is not yet exactly as we want it to be, and there is still work to do yet, nevertheless it provides the best opportunity to allow most supporters the chance to view the action in person. The match will have a limited capacity in line with COVID protocols and we ask for everyone’s understanding in that regard.”
Back Where We Belong.#HeavenOnEarth pic.twitter.com/eeMBiAkor4
— Bradford Bulls (@OfficialBullsRL) May 24, 2021
Due to Covid-19 restrictions, capacity at Odsal for Sunday’s game against York will be limited to 4,000.
Odsal, which first opened its doors in 1933, has undergone refurbishment in recent times and work will continue to improve its facilities.
“Odsal Stadium is the venue that came back from the dead,” Wood said. “We are not blind to its shortcomings. It may be old and it may be basic, but it is our home.
“There is considerable uncertainty, still around the sport, matters that we cannot control or even influence like central distributions and league structures, so we can only commit to an initial 18-month occupancy while these issues get resolved.
“Getting the Bulls back to Bradford is not the end of the journey and we continue to work positively and collaboratively, with all organisations who can help, to give the supporters the facilities they deserve in 21st century.”
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