Light at the end of the tunnel for Bradford Bulls - Guilfoyle

Guilfoyle is anxiously waiting for a consortium of Bradford businessmen to put together an offer and, in the meantime, is turning his attention to finding the players’ wages which are due at the end of this week.

The administrator, who made savings of around £45,000 at the start of last week by making 16 full-time members of staff redundant, insists he is still working towards tonight’s deadline to avoid putting the Bulls into liquidation but is encouraged by two days of talks with a group of local businessmen.

“They’re getting accountants and lawyers involved,” said Guilfoyle. “They’re trying to get a handle on the short-term losses and, if they can get that, I’m confident they will come back with an offer.

“That’s the good news. The bad news is that the staff are asking for clarity on wages, which are due on Friday.

“Although I got 10,000 to come through the gate on Sunday, the cash take was disappointing.

“That indicates to me that the season-ticket holders used their tickets rather than cash to get in, contrary to what I was led to believe would happen at last week’s fans meeting.

“After two weeks of administration I become legally liable for the wages and my challenge is to generate money to pay them.

“That’s my immediate problem and I’m going to talk to the RFL and fans groups.”

Guilfoyle is hoping for further developments later today so that he can persuade his partners to extend the deadline he imposed to find a buyer.

“I’m meeting my risk panel later today,” he added. “There is no offer but I’m seriously engaged.

“I can see light at the end of the tunnel but that light can be turned out. The closer it gets, the harder it gets.”