Local businessman beats Koukash to take ownership of Bradford Bulls

BRADFORD have announced an end to the long-running saga over the ownership of the beleaguered Super League club.
Mandy and Marwen Koukash lost out to local businessman Marc GreenMandy and Marwen Koukash lost out to local businessman Marc Green
Mandy and Marwen Koukash lost out to local businessman Marc Green

The Bulls, who have been in administration for the last eight weeks, unveiled local businessman Marc Green as the club’s new owner.

Green beat off competition from a London-based consortium that included former Bradford player and chief executive Abi Ekoku and Mandy Koukash, wife of Salford chairman Marwan Koukash, and fended off bids from the two local football clubs, Bradford City and Bradford Park Avenue.

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Green, managing director of Leeds-based Safeguard Security Group, has acquired the club having agreed a fee and terms with the administrator, which was later ratified by the sport’s governing body, the Rugby Football League.

Green, who met staff and players in his new role as chairman, said: “I am really pleased to have completed the takeover of this fantastic club.”

Bradford are bottom of Super League on minus two points after having six points deducted for going into administration on the eve of the season.

Green has assured head coach Francis Cummins his job is safe, and is keeping on Robbie Hunter-Paul as chief executive, with Steve Ferres, formerly of Wakefield and Castleford, named as the club’s managing director.

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The club will be formally owned by a holding company, Bradford Bulls Northern Ltd.

Green said it was time to set aside the difficult time the club has experienced and focus all energies on the mission to stay in Super League.

In a statement released by the club, he said: “I have been working with the Bulls for the best part of six months, prior to this, and I think it is important for the supporters, stakeholders and staff to work towards restoring this club to its former glory.

“Now that the takeover is complete, the team and I are in a position to move forward with the business.

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“We are confident, in a short amount of time, we can make a full audit of every business unit and prioritise the aspects that will make the biggest impact.

“We will be working extremely hard over the coming months, with our number one objective and main priority being to ensure Super League survival for this historic club.

“I am fully aware of the club’s past successes and of its proud heritage, and am keen to build on it in the years ahead.

“Myself, Steve and Robbie are fully behind the head coach Francis Cummins and his backroom staff. We believe he is the man to deliver on-field success for Bradford Bulls.”