Gale’s commitment is timely boost for struggling Bulls

BRADFORD Bulls received a significant boost last night when England Knights scrum-half Luke Gale pledged his future to the club.
Bradford Bulls' Luke Gale.Bradford Bulls' Luke Gale.
Bradford Bulls' Luke Gale.

Their vice-captain had been courted by Hull FC and seemed set to move on following all the uncertainty at the financially-troubled Super League outfit.

But he has, instead, signed a new two-year extension which now sees him contracted until the end of 2016.

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Gale, who joined from Harlequins at the end of 2011, will now line up to face Castleford Tigers in Bulls’ first game of the new season at Odsal on Sunday.

“The club have been very supportive and I wanted to return the faith they have had in me,” he said. “They’ve been loyal to me and now I want to show my loyalty to them.

“I’m delighted and excited to have extended my contract.

“The board of directors that are now in place and Francis (Cummins) are great and will take this club forward.

“We can put the uncertainty aside and be excited for the first game of the season.”

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Gale, 25, was restricted to just 14 Super League games last season due to a succession of injuries but, at his best, he is undoubtedly one of the competition’s most effective half-backs.

“I have ambitions to play for England and playing here will help me to achieve those ambitions,” insisted the former Leeds Rhinos junior.

“I want to make Steve McNamara sit up and take notice of me and I’ve got to do that through my performances. I can’t wait to get started.

“We’ve got to take every game as it comes, but we have a good squad here and we are looking forward to getting the season started.”

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Coach Cummins is clearly delighted to see the club retain such a pivotal player.

“The rumours have been unsettling for us,” he admitted, with prop Garreth Carvell seemingly set to move to Hull.

“It’s been a roller-coaster but with Adam Sidlow extending his contract and now Luke doing the same, that’s a massive vote of confidence for everyone at the club and what we are trying to do.

“This deal means a lot for the team.

“The main thing being that our main playmaker has extended his contract which is tremendous to see considering what we’ve been through and also the commitment he is showing to the club and his team-mates is, as a result, huge.

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“Luke had an up-and-down season last year and had a lot of injuries early on, but just seeing the change in him in the last 12 months, both physically and mentally, is incredible; he is ready for this season to start.

“He has being playing for England Knights which shows to me that he is held in high regard in this sport and he has a bright future ahead of him.”

At the age of 27, former Featherstone Rovers prop Anthony England is finally set for his Super League debut tomorrow night.

The ex-Dewsbury front-row left Post Office Road for Warrington Wolves over the winter and is in their 19-man squad for the home game against St Helens.

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He is joined by fellow prop Ben Evans, who spent last season on loan to Bradford, while Saints give a debut to former Wakefield Trinity Wildcats prop Kyle Amor and NRL recruit Luke Walsh.