It’s just the ticket for beleaguered Bulls as Leeds step in to help

The beleaguered Bulls are in administration and have until Friday, July 27, to find a buyer or face liquidation.

Bradford would normally be entitled to a small percentage from the sale of tickets sold by them for away games but the Rhinos are to donate all the proceeds in the hope of raising at least £50,000 for their rivals.

Leeds chief executive Gary Hetherington said: “The game has a collective responsibility towards those who have been hit by the Bulls’ current financial difficulties and we at Leeds Rhinos are keen to assist at this difficult time.

“We also want to attract a 20,000 crowd, create a good news story for rugby league and make this Friday a memorable occasion. Together we can achieve all that.”

Widnes made a similar gesture during Bradford’s attempts to raise £500,000 in a bid to avoid going into administration.

Leeds are aiming to sell out the Western Terrace which houses away fans and Bradford interim chief executive Gary Tasker, who says the offer applies only to tickets sold by his club beforehand, said: “This is a fantastic gesture from our neighbours and we appreciate it at this difficult time.

“In adversity you learn a lot about people and since my return I have been surprised by some of the calls I have received.

“However, I am not surprised that Leeds Rhinos have made this offer. The Rhinos have always seen the bigger picture for the game of rugby league and now we can look forward to a bumper crowd for the derby clash.”

Bradford’s joint administrator, Brendan Guilfoyle, recently made 16 full-time staff redundant in an effort to slash the club’s wage bill and reduce running costs.

Head coach Mick Potter and assistants Francis Cummins and Lee St Hilaire have returned in a voluntary capacity and the players only received their July wages on Friday after the Rugby Football League advanced the club their share of television income.

That was a condition of Guilfoyle’s willingness to extend his deadline to conclude a deal with a group of local Asian businessmen.