Bradford show their resilience in rising to challenge

ACTING Bradford Bulls chief executive Gary Tasker admits he has felt like Anneka Rice in the race to get tomorrow’s crucial game with London Broncos up and running.

With the crisis-torn Super League club desperately seeking new investment to avoid being liquidated, just staging this weekend’s fixture alone has been a major task for all concerned.

Fifteen staff were made redundant on Monday, including chief executive Ryan Duckett and head coach Mick Potter, leaving just a handful of office staff to perform all the usual duties.

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However, the brilliant spirit which has underpinned the West Yorkshire club since their inception as one of the sport’s original clubs soon came to the fore.

Tasker, who spent 20 years at Odsal where he worked his way through the ranks to eventually become general manager, offered his services free of charge on Wednesday and began the job of rallying the troops.

“It has reminded me of Challenge Anneka,” he told the Yorkshire Post, referring to the eponymous presenter of the early 1990s television programme who had just a couple of days to race around and complete an unlikely task in aid of charity.

“It’s been a case of pulling favours in, ringing around everywhere and just getting stuff done.

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“There’s been a lot to do but we’ve had a fantastic response and everyone wants to contribute to make Sunday happen.

“I’ve strong feelings for this club having worked here many years and I’m just here now to try and get it going again.

“I don’t care if I’m here only for a few days or weeks as long as I can do my bit to get this great club sorted.

“I’ve got a lot of contacts and I’ve just been trying my utmost to help get the London game sorted out and find the club some help.”

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Tasker, who was at Odsal during its halcyon days at the start of Super League before being appointed as general manager of the competition itself in 2000, has been staggered by the response.

Many of those people made redundant have since returned on a voluntary basis to ensure the game goes ahead including Potter and his coaching staff.

Tasker now hopes the fans – who saw Bradford produce a stunning 30-22 win at leaders Wigan Warriors last Friday – will turn out too to show their support.

“The players are playing out of their skins and we need the fans to do the same,” he said.

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“It would be devastating if Sunday was our last home game at Odsal in Super League and the gates have to be locked up for good.

“We’ve all got to go out and do what we can and we appeal to anyone.

“We’ve had staff who have been made redundant back up in the stadium this week getting it ready for the weekend.

“Mick Potter and the coaching staff have obviously all been doing their bit too with what is a tremendous gesture in desperate times.

“We’ve got to really get people to this ground.

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“We’re offering a ‘Quid a Kid’ to make it affordable and encourage families to get up here but don’t just bring yourself, bring a friend too.

“It’s a great opportunity to showcase this great club and show potential investors what it is all about.

“If we can get a big crowd in, hopefully get another win and show those people there’s a big club here worth taking on.”

There are four consortiums looking to purchase the four-time Super League champions and Tasker believes the club can be restored to its former glory.

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There will be a strong entertainment programme lined up which will be reminiscent of Bullmania in its pomp and a reminder of Bradford’s trophy-laden golden era.

Tasker is hopeful tomorrow will act as a positive catalyst for revival.

“It’s a dreadful scenario with people losing their livelihoods and I never thought it would come to this,” he admitted.

“It’s gone from being an iconic brand to a shambles but there is so much goodwill. We are determined to do the best we can.

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“It’s all hands on deck. The staggering amount of support and the way people have reacted with offers of help has been tremendous.”

Bradford’s squad have showed remarkable resilience during these troubled times, actually producing some of their best football of the season.

They are seeking a third successive win for the first time this year and have proved victories in three of their last four games.

Bradford have been hit with a blow on the field as Australian Jarrod Sammut has had to pull out.

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A knee ligament injury sustained in the game at Wigan has forced his withdrawal meaning fellow countryman Ben Jeffries is set for a recall.

Danny Addy is added to the 19-man squad in the only change to the one that travelled to Wigan.

Prop Bryn Hargreaves – along with Jeffries in the squad but not playing last week – is hoping to force his way into the matchday 17.

London head coach Rob Powell sees ex-Wigan full-back Chris Melling return from a neck injury in place of Michael Channing.

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With just three wins all season, the Broncos’ problems do not compare to Bradford’s but they are desperate to start improving performances.

“From everything I have seen and heard from them, I think the boys will come out pretty determined this week,” said coach Powell.

“We actually played well for over 60 minutes against Leeds last week but at this level scores can blow out.

“We will be looking to do what we did well for longer.”