RFL assist Bradford in meeting wages bill as they continue fight against extinction

The Rugby Football League last night stepped in to hand troubled Bradford Bulls a reprieve against the threat of liquidation.

As the clock ticked towards the midnight deadline set by administrator Brendan Guilfoyle to find a buyer for the Bulls, urgent talks to deliver a lifeline took place at the RFL’s Red Hall headquarters in Leeds.

A consortium of Asian Bradford businessmen – understood to include the city-based Akbars restaurant chain – have been in talks with Guilfoyle and the RFL as they put together a rescue package.

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Issues to be negotiated will include whether the Bulls will remain in Stobart Super League – they could discover today the severity of their points deduction for entering administration – and the possibility of buying back Odsal from the RFL.

But to avert last night’s proposed watershed, the League have agreed to forward the Bulls their next chunk of Sky TV money to help pay a £200,000 wage bill on Friday and seconded a finance team to help out at Odsal.

Coupled with ongoing talks with the consortium, Guilfoyle, partner at The P&A Partnership and the Bulls’ administrator, has extended the deadline for administration until Friday, July 27.

Guilfoyle said: “We have approached the RFL to ask if they would advance payments to the club to enable us to pay July’s wages for retained staff and players, on Friday.

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“They have agreed in principle subject to due diligence. We are very grateful for all their support – they have seconded a finance team to help us respond to all the requests for information.”

Guilfoyle hopes the extension will allow the un-named consortium to table an offer for the crisis-hit Super League club.

“This consortium has not yet made a formal offer,” he said.

“They want to see the full extent of losses expected over the next 18 months and ensure they have sufficient funds in place before making a formal offer.

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“They’re getting accountants and lawyers involved,” added 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.

“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.”

It is understood the consortium were at Odsal on Sunday to see the Bulls thrash London Broncos as their recent revival on the pitch continues to belie their financial strife off it. Lengthy talks then continued at the ground on Monday and Bulls interim chief executive Gary Tasker said the club are “cautiously optimistic”.

“Positive talks were held (on Monday) with a group of Bradford-based Asian businessmen and these went on until late into the night,” said Tasker.

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“The group have shown genuine interest in taking the club forward and, whilst we are cautiously optimistic regarding the outcome of these discussions, the consortium will be holding further discussions (yesterday) with the Rugby Football League.

“They will be seeking information from the governing body on the situation regarding the ownership of Odsal Stadium and will be discussing the Bulls’ status in the Super League competition going forward.

“Mr Guilfoyle will seek to extend the deadline for the club going into liquidation whilst ever the positive dialogue continues.”

It means the Bulls’ game against Leeds Rhinos on Friday week is now secure, although who will be in charge is unclear.

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Coach Mick Potter, along with 15 backroom staff, were made redundant last week although they did return unpaid to ensure the match against London went ahead.

The RFL last night confirmed their assistance to the Bulls.

“RFL representatives (yesterday) met the administrator of Bradford Bulls for further discussions about the Stobart Super League club’s financial position,” a statement read.

“The RFL has agreed in principle to an advance of funds to help the club meet its payroll commitments to players on Friday, subject to the administrator providing additional information.

“In light of the delicate nature of the ongoing discussions, the RFL will be making no further comment at this time.”

Lunt facing Wembley heartache: Page 24.