Dave Craven: Humour endures as hopes remain for permanent solution

Some players had mused how they are considering giving Sir Steve Redgrave a call to take up one of those open offers to become an Olympian.

Five years ago, as part of the UK Sport’s Sporting Giants programme, he had appealed for women over the height of five feet nine inches to try their hand for London 2012.

As we are all now aware, Helen Glover responded to the advert and – having never previously rowed before in her life – is suddenly an Olympic champion recognised by millions.

It is a true modern-day fairy tale which has captured the public’s imagination. And, also, that of some Bradford Bulls players.

Still unsure about their futures, despite the RFL’s bid to buy their stricken club, some joked yesterday they are now setting their sights on Rio 2016 and getting on the blower to Sir Steve.

Some fancy their chances in a boat too, but more are hoping for a shot at beach volleyball.

Perhaps they envisage recreating a Top Gun scene with medals around their necks instead of dog-tags.

It is good that the Bulls lads can maintain high spirits in light of what has happened to their ailing club and the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the place.

Many of them do feel the club will be discarded into the Championship next season despite everyone’s best efforts to the contrary.

The latest bid, which came as much as a surprise as that 16-year-old Chinese swimmer’s lightning-fast world record, is a noble effort from their Super League rivals and the RFL.

If successful, Super League Europe will effectively take ownership of Bradford with the hope of quickly facilitating a sale on to a new owner. Of course, the administrator has already tried to do that unsuccessfully and so the situation – from the outside – looks bleak.

But, while no obvious moneyman is currently present, officials in the governing body and some around the Super League clubs do feel something could yet quickly materialise.

The reasoning behind the move is understandable even if some may question the ethics.

All 13 Super League clubs may be out of pocket if the worst happens and Bradford still have no new owners in the foreseeable future. But that figure will be marginal compared to the damaging effects liquidation could have on the competition and the ripple effect which will surge out of the crippled club.

A Bradford side unable to fulfil its fixtures would be a disaster for Super League’s profile, especially when it is just setting out to find itself a new sponsor following the Stobart debacle.

The remaining 13 Super League clubs clearly have Bradford’s best interests at heart but also their own as they throw this safety net out. By the same token, it could have been so easy for those favouring a 12-club competition to try and hang them out to dry.

For them all to reach such a unanimous conclusion must have taken some real contemplation. Of course, SLE’s involvement in Bradford raises serious questions about the licence system as well. How can a governing body that owns Bradford not have a conflict of interest when the next round of licences are awarded?

The hope is that question won’t ever need to be answered.

Licences are not up for renewal until 2014 by which point everyone concerned is praying Bradford are not only in safe hands, but thriving again under the stewardship of a financially astute, competent and vibrant new leader.

All of which gives further weight to the recently-published Watkins Review which hinted at a return to promotion and relegation.

However, unfortunately, the game’s wider financial problems are here to stay and neither the RFL, SLE or even Sir Steve himself may have the answers to that.