RFL have clear view on how Bulls bids must shape up

Given Bradford Bulls were liquidated on Tuesday after three administrations in just five years, there is enormous pressure to make sure any club that does rise from the ashes does not end in the same financial dire straits.

The RFL have set a deadline of noon on Monday for bids to be made and they will then spend the rest of the week analysing offers.

However, the governing body have outlined exactly what they expect to see in a document that has not only been circulated to the 10 interested parties, but placed on their own website, too.

Among their demands, the RFL want to see business plans that preferably include a three-year budget forecast and proof of funds plus evidence of the prospective owners operating at previous rugby league clubs or sporting organisations.

Furthermore, they are keen to see if potential buyers will honour the season tickets for 2017 – bought by 1,000 fans from the previous failed regime – and also settle debts of an estimated £50,000 to local creditors.

Of course, the fit and proper person test must be competed for all major individuals involved and, also, there has to be a clear plan in terms of recruiting players in time to start the Championship season at Hull KR on February 5 with the RFL wanting to know whether that squad would continue as full-time or revert to semi-professional.

Clearly, the ability to sign squad members is key given another two stars – player of the year Kris Welham and talented young forward Alex Mellor – both left yesterday, taking the number of departures to four in 48 hours.

Also, the RFL will look to see if any prospective owner plans to provide a financial bond – repayable to the club over the next three years – to offer further reassurance they are financially viable.

Fulfilling all of these criteria would certainly put any hopeful bidder in a good position to take control.

Obviously, as already announced, the side would start on minus 12 points and have the smallest central funding of all 12 teams in the Championship – just £150,000 compared to the £275,000 that Bradford were set to claim for 2017.

It is understood the RFL will utilise the remaining £125,000 to help fund the shortfall for players who were not paid in December before administrators placed them into liquidation.

Of those, former Great Britain stand-off Leon Pryce has stated he would like to stay and play for any new owners, which is certainly a positive.

But Huddersfield Giants coach Rick Stone has warned what happened to their West Yorkshire rivals is a “wake-up call to everyone involved in the administration of our sport”.

He completed the signing of Mellor on a three-year deal yesterday, but admitted he had mixed feelings about securing the 22-year-old back-row/centre, widely regarded as one of the Championship’s most promising youngsters.

He scored nine tries in 26 appearances last season and Stone said: “Like everyone I am extremely disappointed to see the ways that things have unfolded at the Bulls.

“Frankly it’s a pretty shocking development for the game as a whole in this country and a wake-up call to everyone involved in the administration of our sport.

“From Alex’s perspective I guess he simply needed an opportunity and employment, which I’m pleased that we are in a position to be able to offer him.

“He lives near our club, he’s already played quite a lot of senior games for someone of his age and clearly he has a deal of potential to exploit in his game, and physical development.

“ As a coach you normally are quoted as being delighted and over the moon with your new recruits, but for this signing it is tinged with some sadness as to how it’s materialised, of course.

“But we have given a chance to a relatively local and young, up and coming British player, which is something that pleases me and will help our squad in the short and longer term. ”

Welham, meanwhile, also secured a move back to Super League with Salford Red Devils on a two-year deal.

The former England Knights centre, 29, was a revelation for Bradford in his solitary campaign at Odsal last year, scoring 29 tries in just 30 appearances.

Welham joined from Hull KR where he had spent his entire career. Given his rich talent, it was a surprise no Super League clubs offered him a contract last year when Rovers released him.