Resurgent Bulls are placed back on an equal footing

The Bulls were given only a 12-month provisional licence last September after being taken out of administration by local businessman Omar Khan and Bradford MP Gerry Sutcliffe.

Now they have been put on the same footing as the other 13 Super League clubs, whose current three-year licences expire at the end of next season.

Under the new regime, Bradford are debt-free and have proved competitive on the field under new head coach Francis Cummins, despite being unable to claim their full allocation of central funding which was a condition of them retaining their Super League status.

The RFL’s director of licensing and standards Blake Solly said: “Bradford have delivered good crowds with people paying full rate for their season tickets and the team are obviously performing very well on the pitch.

“They’re working very hard to make sure the club is a sustainable business and they’ve certainly engaged and energised the local community.

“Like all clubs, cash-flow is tight but they have made great progress, given the situation they inherited.”

Solly confirmed that Bradford would again receive only half of the £1.2m of central distribution next year but Sutcliffe said: “In recent weeks we have provided the RFL with historical financial accounts and cash-flow forecasts for next year.

“The RFL was happy with those and with the way we’ve operated as a club. The certainty of Super League reinforces that this wasn’t just about saving the club – it was about the regeneration of Bradford and kills off all the doubt.”

The announcement comes as Super League club representatives prepare to meet in Huddersfield to discuss the future of the competition, including the licence system and the possibility of bringing back promotion and relegation after 2014.

Salford have been charged with a breach of regulations after they fielded 14 players for a period during their 34-30 win over Castleford in coach Brian Noble’s first Super League match.

The Tigers lodged a formal complaint with the Rugby Football League, who said the matter will be dealt with by an RFL operational rules tribunal next Wednesday. If Salford are found guilty, they could be fined or even docked points if there is a case of “misconduct which impinges on the integrity of the competition”.

Noble has raided rugby union for his first recruit by signing centre Jordan Davies from Sale Sharks. He has also completed the permanent signing of Leeds Rhinos’ England prop Darrell Griffin.

England forward Gareth Ellis will make his long-awaited debut for Hull in tomorrow’s Super League match against London Broncos at the KC Stadium, coach Peter Gentle has confirmed.