Bradford Bulls fans today gave club chairman Chris Caisley a resounding thumbs down over his proposals for a local blackout of Sky TV coverage of live games.

As revealed in yesterday's Telegraph & Argus, Mr Caisley said he would like to see a blackout of live Bulls games in the Bradford area to force the fans back on to the terraces in the wake of falling attendances at Valley Parade for Super League fixtures.

But Bulls Independent Supporters Association chairman Michaela Greasley said: "We are surprised to hear Chris Caisley propose a blackout of Sky coverage for our games and are unsure what he hopes to gain by making such comments. This sort of thing hardly provokes a positive response and simply gives his critics more ammunition. A quick solution to the problems would be a move back to Odsal. If Chris puts so much importance on falling attendances he must consider that."

The Association's media officer Sam Grundy said he did not think a total blackout would lead to a rise in crowds.

He said: "His proposals don't make sense. He seems to be accusing stay-away fans of harming the club, yet it's obvious to us that the main factor behind the fall in attendances has been the move to Valley Parade. Many fans just don't like the place. It's my view that coercing fans to go to games by withdrawing TV coverage will only antagonise them further.

"The uncertainty and the farcical situation over the stadium is unsettling fans - especially those new families the Bulls have been so successful in attracting. The stadium issue needs resolving now, and to get the fans back you need to give them the stadium they want." Another issue is Sky Sports' decision to opt for live matches on Friday and Saturday evenings, abandoning traditional kick-off times on Sundays, according to the fans. That, along with the decision the Super League clubs made to stop compensating clubs for TV matches, will not have helped the finances of those who are more successful on the field.

Mr Caisley also said he may opt out of future Sky deals if he can't persuade them to agree to the blackout.

Sky has suggested the technology may not be available to impose local blackouts and believes the current deal is good business for the Bulls.

Concerns have also been raised as to what the effects on the game would be if the next Sky deal were significantly less valuable overall.