Bulls’ plight has left them open to offers as new season beckons

BRADFORD Bulls are bracing themselves for the loss of two leading players to Super League rivals Hull FC just days before their new season starts.
Bradford Bulls' Luke Gale.Bradford Bulls' Luke Gale.
Bradford Bulls' Luke Gale.

Although Hull insist they have not yet signed Garreth Carvell, the England prop was spotted at the club’s training ground yesterday undergoing fitness tests and a deal is expected to be concluded imminently.

However, England Knights scrum-half Luke Gale is also reported to be mulling over an offer to switch to the KC Stadium as Bradford’s financial problems begin to bite.

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On the plus side, London-based businessman Richard Lamb has made public his desire to make an offer to buy the beleaguered West Yorkshire club and it is understood other parties are showing interest in taking them over.

Lamb is chairman and co-owner of Lucid Direct, a business which involves marketing consultancy among other things, and he was heavily involved with the hospitality for last year’s World Cup.

Any deal will probably come too late to prevent the likely departure of Carvell and Gale but it does offer hope to head coach Francis Cummins that other players could be safeguarded.

Bradford’s former holding company OK Bulls Ltd – owned by Omar Khan – was placed into administration a little over a week ago and immediately sold to Bradford Bulls 2014 Ltd, whose directors Robbie Hunter-Paul, Mark Moore, Ian Watt and Andrew Calvert have been running the club since September.

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However, the new company only has a temporary Super League licence for 28 days and indications have been given that if a superior bid is delivered during that time, those directors will be willing to step aside.

They had maintained that their squad had been “ring-fenced” and there would be no sales despite their plight so were infuriated when Hull made it known last week that they were monitoring Carvell’s situation after being made aware of the player’s “availability.”.He only joined from Warrington Wolves on a two-year deal at the end of last season but, following Bradford entering administration, there is a loophole which could potentially see the front-row move straight on to his former club Hull for free. Vice-captain Gale, too, might follow him there but it seems only if Hull can make space on their salary cap.

They made a bid before Christmas for 32-year-old Carvell – who won the 2005 Challenge Cup with Hull – which was turned down. But the further uncertainty at Odsal since could easily persuade him to move east.

Bradford should find out later this week how many points they will be deducted for entering administration with the likelihood being four.

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Asked about the Gale reports yesterday, Hull coach Lee Radford said: “When Bradford’s issues surfaced we made a play for Luke (Gale) and were told categorically he was not for sale.

“I don’t know if anything has changed, but we have a salary cap.

“I don’t know his salary but he’s a quality player so I imagine it’s a hefty one. There’s rules and regulations in place; once the RFL decide what they are doing and the Bulls decide what they are doing, we won’t be the only club interested in one or two of their players if they become available.”

The coach, who takes charge for the first time against Catalan Dragons on Friday night, added: “Garreth is a fantastic player and there are a lot of issues going on at Bradford.

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“He is a player I’ve played with and have a great relationship with.

“He’s a winner and would be a fantastic addition to any squad. There is a lot of issues with the RFL and the Bulls and we’ll have to see how that one stands, but at the minute he is a registered Bradford player. If things change then my opinion will change on that.”

There have been further reports Hull will sever their deal with full-back Shannon McDonnell – one of their biggest earners with a year still left at the KC deal – to make room on the cap.

The Australian is currently injured and has not played since last July when he hobbled out of their Challenge Cup semi-final win over Warrington with a hamstring injury. Homegrown youngster Jamie Shaul made a big impact in the ex-Hull KR player’s absence and is seen as the club’s long-term No 1.

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Radford said: “Shannon has seen a specialist and he is three weeks away from playing.

“Until he is fit for selection there is no Shannon McDonnell issue.

“Jamie Shaul will start at full-back on Friday evening and until he gets competition for his place, that can be the only decision. I’ve read the papers, I’ve seen the speculation, but we have a salary cap like everyone else.

“When Shannon is fit we will know where we are with it.

“At the minute he’s not fit and available.

“Until then it is a lot of press over not a lot happening.”

n England international Carl Ablett is the latest player to sign a long-term deal at Leeds Rhinos.

The centre/second-row, 28, has extended his stay until 2018.