Calvert latest to join new era at Bradford

The West Yorkshire club is currently in the middle of a significant overhaul after owner Omar Khan relinquished control last month and left with immediate effect along with Gerry Sutcliffe and Vipin Joshi.

Local businessman Mark Moore and Bradford’s general manager Ryan Whitcut were subsequently installed although the Rugby Football League are still awaiting them to provide the requisite information to ratify the club’s change of ownership.

But the duo insist those details – such as a business plan and proof of funds – will be forthcoming and, having welcomed another director Ian Watt on board last week, have now seen Calvert become a shareholder too.

“This club is a big part of my life and I’ve been coming here since the age of 10,” said Calvert.

“That was in the Keith Mumby era and I remember all the dark times with Northern and glory days with the Bulls.

“Although I’m a lifelong fan, the main reason I’m on board is I can help from a business perspective.

“I believe we will get this business turned around very quickly because we’ve got people with different core skills sets. If you look at the successful clubs nowadays, they get their off-field activities right and that allows them to sign better players.”

Moore is confident the club – rescued from the threat of liquidation by Khan only last year – can now move forward.

“We are not investors in name only – we all have key responsibilities too and it’s now down to us to do the job,” he said.

“There’s four shareholders and no-one has a majority, so we’re all singing from the hymn sheet. That’s why it’s going to work.

“We had a really good meeting with the RFL yesterday and have further meetings on Friday and Tuesday. We’re hoping for some good news very soon.”

The new company holds its first official board meeting today at which Calvert’s position will be ratified, Watt will be appointed managing director and Robbie Hunter-Paul confirmed as its chief executive officer.

Meanwhile, England coach Steve McNamara believes his side is ready to be “unleashed” on Italy after they returned from a two week high-altitude training centre in South Africa yesterday.

“They have pushed themselves extremely hard on the camp,” said the ex-Bradford chief.

“The physical contact on each other has been pretty brutal at times and it’s time to unleash that on an opposition.

“I think the players are ready for that and for some players who have haven’t played for some time it’s an opportunity to get their timing back.”