Axed Potter returns to help out troubled Bulls as buyers look to rescue Odsal club

Head coach Potter and the rest of his coaching staff were made redundant on Monday after administrator Brendan Guilfoyle cut 15 jobs at Odsal.

Guilfoyle asked Potter and his team to work for free as Bradford continued to seek a new buyer.

The Australian refused but last night he got in touch with the club’s newly-appointed chief executive Gary Tasker to offer his services.

It is understood the Bulls players who have been left rudderless during the interim, had urged their highly-regarded former coach to take charge again ahead of Sunday’s game versus London Broncos.

Ex-Bradford and Great Britain coach Brian Noble had been approached by Guilfoyle to take temporary charge but was dissuaded after disgusted fans showed their dissent at Potter’s treatment during a fans’ meeting earlier this week.

Tasker, who will work for expenses only, said: “I had a phone call today from Mick Potter and his coaching staff and they will be coaching the team this week and certainly for the game on Sunday.

“It’s a great gesture from Mick and the team but exactly what you’d expect from the spirit of the club and spirit of the game.”

Assistants Francis Cummins and Lee St Hilaire and the rest of the Bulls backroom staff will operate on a voluntary basis as the drama at the four-times Super League champions continues.

Yesterday it emerged there were potentially four consortiums interested in purchasing the club and saving it from liquidation, two of which were directly approached by the Rugby Football League.

The RFL have expressed their optimism over the future of the Bulls after fielding interest from the business community.

RFL director of standards and licensing Blake Solly said: “We have been contacted by a number of groups who have expressed a desire to take Bradford Bulls forward and will forward on full details to the administrator.

“We are also aware that the administrator has received other bids and, whilst there remains a great deal of uncertainty, we are optimistic about the future.

“It is clear that Bradford Bulls is seen as a viable proposition by many would-be new owners and we continue to be hopeful that Bradford Bulls will emerge from this insolvency event.”

Solly said the other Super League clubs would receive an update on the situation at a meeting tomorrow.

“Friday’s meeting is an opportunity for the RFL to outline the many options available based on the current situation at Bradford and for the governing body to consult with the clubs,” he said.

“It is certainly not a meeting to determine Bradford Bulls’ future membership of the RFL or participation in Super League.

“Those decisions will be taken by the RFL board in due course once the issues surrounding the ownership of Bradford Bulls become clearer.”

Bradford are certain to be docked points after breaking the RFL’s insolvency regulations. That penalty will be determined by the board.

Bradford have turned to Tasker, who was general manager at Odsal during the club’s glory years during the first decade of Super League, to take on the role of chief executive.

“I’m fortunate to have acquired the services of an interim CEO in Gary Tasker, who used to work here,” said Guilfoyle.

“He’s doing it free of charge, for expenses only, and, if any purchaser doesn’t require his services in the future, he will move on.”

Tasker spent 20 years at Bradford, where he worked his way through the ranks to become general manager before being appointed as general manager of Super League in 2000.

He later joined the RFL as director of club support and European development, and had a brief spell in rugby union at Sale as commercial director last year.

Guilfoyle, who says he has no money to pay the players’ wages which are due later this month, remains optimistic about saving the club from liquidation.

“I’m hopeful but I’ve got a very tight deadline of next Tuesday,” he said.