Harrison returns to relegated Bradford

The 50-year-old was released from his role at The Shay last month after failing to secure Halifax, where he had been since the end of 2011, a lucrative top-two finish in the Championship.

However, Lowes knows full well the experience ex-England coach Harrison possesses and how “invaluable” it will be in 2015 as the relegated West Yorkshire club strives for an immediate return to the elite.

They not only played together for Great Britain but Leeds-born Harrison was also Brian Noble’s assistant at success-laden Bradford when Lowes was still playing at Odsal.

Furthermore, upon his retirement, Lowes started his own coaching career on the staff at Salford City Reds when Harrison - who has since won the Northern Rail Cup at Batley Bulldogs (2010) and Halifax (2012) - was in charge there.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for me,” said the former Hull and Halifax prop.

“Everybody within the game expects Bradford to be in the upper echelons of rugby league – and at the top end of the upper echelons of the sport.

“It is also a fantastic opportunity for me to work alongside Jimmy and try to get this great club back to where we think it belongs.

“There is a lot of hard work to be done and Jimmy has recruited a very big roster, which is something I am looking forward to working with.

“With a sizeable squad, you have always got people chomping at your heels and we need to create that competition for places, so everybody is playing to the best of their ability in the first 17.

“The challenge is to mould a team from this 30-man squad and there are a lot of new players, so there is a lot of graft to be put in between now and February.”

Lowes has now completed his new-look coaching staff with ex-Featherstone Rovers chief John Bastian in as head of youth, retiring captain Matt Diskin taking on the Under-19s and England’s Gary Dempsey taking over strength and conditioning.

He said: “I have known Karl for a number of years and am absolutely delighted to have him on board ahead of what is going to be a massive year for us.

“He is very experienced - at both Super League and Championship level - and is an all-round great guy.

“When he became available, we moved very quickly to bring him in. He is the ideal man to assist me next season and I look forward to working with him.

“He has enjoyed success just about everywhere he has been and we intend to taste similar success next year.

“Karl completes something of a new-look coaching team for the club. I felt the need to freshen things up and I believe I have done so.

“Plenty of new faces have arrived, all of which boast impressive levels of experience and will add a great deal to what we are aiming to do here.”