Halifax on verge of Noble coup ahead of Bulls challenge

They were in discussions with the 50-year-old yesterday as they seek to remedy problems which have seen the Championship Grand Final winners deliver just one league win in seven outings this season.

Noble, who led Bradford to three Super League titles and is deemed the most successful coach of the summer era, is already due at The Shay as part of the BBC’s commentary team tomorrow.

However, club officials hope he could, instead, be on hand in time to help head coach Matt Calland ahead of the long-awaited West Yorkshire derby.

“We can confirm we are in talks with Brian,” said Halifax director Ian Croad. “But Matt remains our head coach, there is no question about that.

“He’s taken us to back-to-back Grand Finals which shouldn’t be forgotten. We always planned to help rather than replace Matt.

“He is comfortable with the proposal and we’re confident should a deal be concluded it will create a top-rate management team.”

Croad said an agreement is near where Bradfordian Noble – who also served Wigan for three years but has been out of work since leading Crusaders to last season’s play-offs – will join on an open-ended part-time basis that may last the rest of the campaign.

His arrival will be one of Halifax’s biggest coups since attracting the then Great Britain chief Malcolm Reilly to Thrum Hall to replace Roger Millward in 1993.

The West Yorkshire club hope his experience and knowledge will aid their bid to return to Super League, having lost out to Widnes in March’s first round of licences but gaining a second chance in July.

Meanwhile, Halifax forward Jim Gannon looks to end a 13-year winless streak tomorrow.

“Of all the teams I’ve come up against in England, Bradford are the only side I’ve never won against,” said the veteran Australian prop.

“I was involved in a draw with them at The Shay a few years ago but I never managed to beat them so that’s a huge motivational factor for me personally and fingers crossed I can break that duck.”

Their opponents are without former GB hooker Matt Diskin (shoulder) meaning Halifax-born Adam O’Brien, 17, is set to play.

Bradford are also missing England back Paul Sykes for six weeks with a hamstring problem and winger Shaun Ainscough for a similar spell due to ankle ligament damage.