Guilfoyle says ‘sorry’ as Noble rethinks job offer

Brendan Guilfoyle, partner at P&A Partnership and Bulls administrator, made 15 backroom and coaching staff redundant on Monday – including coach Mick Potter – and has held emergency talks with the Rugby Football League for an advance of Bradford’s Sky television money to help cover players’ wages.

That has allowed Guilfoyle to extend the deadline for the administration to next Tuesday, but in a statement last night said “there can be no further extension unless a purchaser is found”.

Guilfoyle has also apologised to the Bulls squad after a meeting with the players yesterday morning was cancelled at the last minute, increasing the turmoil that already exists around Odsal.

Former Bulls coach Brian Noble had been approached by Guilfoyle to take charge in the short-term, but is reconsidering his willingness to help out after being shocked by the negative reaction it has provoked.

“The administrator phoned me up, told me the situation and asked if I could help out for a while, maybe until the end of the season,” Noble said.

“As a Bradfordian through and through who’s been made a freeman of the city, and having spent 35 years at the club, I said ‘yes’. That’s been my only motive whatsoever, to try and help out.”

Fans made clear their opposition to the move when Guilfoyle addressed a meeting in Bradford on Monday and Noble says he is now having second thoughts.

“I really don’t need all this vitriolic stuff being thrown at me,” added Noble, whose change of heart is thought to be the reason behind the late postponement of yesterday’s meeting.