Raynor plans Bradford comeback after prison

FORMER Great Britain winger Gareth Raynor will resume his rugby league career with Bradford when he is released from prison later this year.

The 32-year-old made only nine Super League appearances for Crusaders this season before being sentenced to nine months in jail in May after admitting a counterfeiting scam and another six months for breaching a suspended sentence for racially-aggravated assault in 2008.

Crusaders terminated his season-long contract but said they would be prepared to re-sign him after he serves his sentence.

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Now Bradford have stepped in to make the former Leeds and Hull three-quarter their seventh signing for 2011 under new coach Mick Potter.

Raynor, who scored 92 tries in 158 appearances for Hull and scored Great Britain's match-winning try against Australia in Sydney in 2006, will be a direct replacement for Rikki Sheriffe.

He has spent almost all his sentence at an open prison in South Yorkshire, where he works in the prison gym and has helped referee football and rugby matches.

Raynor, who is due to be released on licence on December 31 but could be out on a temporary licence as early as October 4 for pre-season training, said: "I'm very grateful to Bradford Bulls for the opportunity to get back playing Super League.

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"I can't wait to pull on the shirt and start repaying the club's faith in me in the best way I can, by scoring tries."

Bradford chairman Peter Hood said: "Gareth is an international wing who will add significant extra fire-power to the Bulls outside backs division next season.

"The regime that Gareth's been living during his sentence has enabled him to maintain his core strength and fitness and his appetite for the game remains undiminished.

"We will be working to ensure that Gareth's rehabilitation is swift and complete and that, as a Bradford Bull, he will soon put himself in contention to reclaim his England jersey."