Bradford Bulls verdict: All told, it is a surprise club lasted this long

However, at the same time, such has been Bradford Bulls’ fall from grace since their last Grand Final win of 2005, to many, yesterday’s announcement they had been put into liquidation simply makes common sense.

Certainly, given the manner in which the famous club have been mis-managed by various regimes in recent years, it is a surprise they have even survived this long.

Three administrations in five years tells its own story.

The break-up of that glorious ‘05 side set things in motion, some of those stars never truly replaced as cost-cutting began, the financial implications of the Iestyn Harris saga leaving their mark.

But bad decisions have been made too often since, previous owner Marc Green coming in for particular criticism.

Clearly, a debt-free club could now start from scratch.

Of course, that is horribly unfair on all those creditors who may not receive a penny and it is understandable why some people are questioning how the RFL can agree to let it start in the Championship.

However, Bradford rugby league needed a new dawn. Hopefully now it will arrive.