Local backing key for Bulls to emerge from recent problems

OMAR Khan admits for the best part of the last fortnight it has been a nervous time.

“Hard work, sleepless nights, money going out but nothing coming in,” is his brief assessment of that interim period after purchasing the trembling Bradford Bulls but before receiving confirmation both his deal was okay with the RFL and their Super League membership was sealed.

The curry restaurant owner had, in effect, stumped up money to be on standby, powerless to enact his bold plans given he knew the once all-mighty club could still yet be condemned to the Championship. However, now each has been signed off and the Bulls will run with the elite again, at least in 2013, the real business of empowering them once more can begin.

Admittedly, Khan takes over a shell of a club after the decimation caused by administration and the mis-management at Odsal in recent years. But he told the Yorkshire Post: “When we were over in Perpignan last weekend, I met Leon Pryce. He was really chuffed to see me. I’ve had phone calls from Robbie Paul too. Those guys were in the Bradford Bulls team when they were right at the top and good friends who used to come down to my place.

“I would love the club to climb up to that level again. I used to be proud to be watching them at Old Trafford in Grand Finals. It is a feeling I can’t describe. I’d like to bring that back to the club and bring the fans too. It’s a massive challenge but with the former Sports Minister and myself, and those on board in my team, I think we will achieve it.”

That luminary he speaks of is, of course, Gerry Sutcliffe MP, whose presence alongside him as honorary chairman of the OK Bulls Ltd company which emerged from the ashes of the last business, clearly added some kudos to their bid.

Like Khan, he has been eagerly awaiting to get things moving and, so, now he is ready to start implementing their ideas, the first of which is today’s expected anointment of assistant Francis Cummins as new head coach.

“It’s a case of consolidating the business, getting the structure in place with the chief executive and management we want, resolving the coaching situation and then the playing staff,” said Sutcliffe, before adding the caveat that reported figures of £6m Odsal redevelopments can only be achieved with the help of others.

“Omar came in at the 11th hour. He can’t do it alone. We can’t do it alone. It’s time now for the Bradford people who want to see the city regenerated to come forward. We don’t just see it as a revival of the club – it’s a regeneration of the city.

“We want Odsal to be open seven days a week, for people to be able to come around here each and every day. Lots of people have had lots to say in Bradford but now is the time to put up and shut up. We’re talking about the large companies, medium sized companies and the local people.”

One thing is for certain. The pair are adamant that none of the former board – directors, chairman or chief executive – will be involved in the plans ahead so there will be no return of Chris Caisley, as has long been the fear of many supporters.

Gary Tasker, the interim CEO who has been working on a voluntary basis, is likely to be the only link with the Bulls of old but his last involvement stretches right back to the halcyon days of Bullmania which Khan believes is the key to reviving them from their recent malaise.

Previous regimes slashed budgets in marketing, match-day entertainment and the community operation, which will now be addressed.

Bulls were once famed for the carnival atmosphere generated at Odsal and Khan said: “What they need is family entertainment.

“What they should have is ground entertainment before the match starts. You need to have that fun aspect and bring that back to the club. What they did was lose that fun. It wasn’t a peoples’ club anymore.”

Sutcliffe, who will be targeting the headteachers of all the city’s schools over the next fortnight, concurs: “Fans may have got cheap season tickets but it wasn’t an experience coming here.

“That’s what we need to get back to. Obviously you want to see a winning team but you also want people to say they enjoy it.”