Super League rivals provide chance for Bradford Bulls to secure future

Super League clubs, many of whom originally thought Bradford should be demoted into the Championship for falling into administration, yesterday came together to give a significant vote of confidence for one of the sport’s most famous names.

Ever since the West Yorkshire club was placed in administration on June 26 they have known that, as well as being deducted six points, their Super League licence could critically be revoked for breaking insolvency rules.

The RFL board of directors, ultimately, still has the power to enforce that action but it is now extremely unlikely to move against the will of such a dominant majority.

Super League clubs, now reassured by the standard of applicant wanting to takeover the financially-crippled Bulls, have opted against reducing the number of clubs to 13, clearing the way for the four-time champions to remain where they are.

At a meeting yesterday, they were briefed on the latest updates by RFL hierarchy, including interim chairman Maurice Watkins, chief executive Nigel Wood and director of licensing and standards Blake Solly.

Super League Europe, of course, have put their own offer in to purchase the Bulls but that was seen predominantly as a way of safeguarding the club on an interim basis with a view to finding a suitable buyer.

Those have since emerged in the shape of Bradford City, restauranter Omar Khan – supported by Bradford South MP Gerry Sutcliffe – and Bradford Park Avenue all having delivered business plans to the RFL although City have now withdrawn their interest.

It seems SLE is now happy for the RFL and administrator to decide on the best bid and it is hoped the Bulls could be under new ownership as early as next week.

Earlier concern that some clubs were planning on forcing Bradford out were allayed when St Helens chairman Eamonn McManus spoke out strongly in their favour earlier this week on the condition they were assured of being under the right ownership.

Leeds Rhinos chief executive Gary Hetherington has always stated he felt the Bulls, such a bastion of the summer era, should be retained if the circumstances were right too.

“Our position remains the same as it was from the outset,” he told the Yorkshire Post last night.

“We’re keen for Bradford Bulls to be restored as a strong organisation both on and off the field with new ownership who can take the club forward.

“Obviously, lessons clearly need to be learned by all concerned.

“The RFL and Super League executive are in charge of this process and dealing with the administrator. But the clubs were quite encouraged by the information they were given with regards the position to date.

“It did become evident that a 13-team competition is extremely problematic not only for the Super League but the Championship too and the competition as a whole. Now, clearly, it (Bradford) is a position which needs to be resolved as soon as possible.”

Certainly, given the damaging effects this on-going saga has had on the sport, and especially those people at the club for almost five months, a conclusion needs to be swiftly reached.

The Super League clubs seem to have taken the emotion out of the dilemma with their new stance, realising a 13-club competition would cause all sorts of chaos in 2013, including the need for both byes and midweek fixtures.

Some have clearly sacrificed their chances of a bigger slice of television money knowing the pull of the Bulls, with their large support base of more than 10,000 and such an iconic name, will add greater value as a whole to the competition.

The proof will be in the pudding but whoever does take over the Bulls – Khan’s proposal seems to be the favoured option, especially given the weighty backing of a former Sports Minister in Sutcliffe – needs time to urgently start preparing for next season given 17 players are out of contract at the end of this campaign.

Crucially, the core of their squad, players such as Luke Gale, Brett Kearney, Heath L’Estrange, John Bateman, Craig Kopczak and Jamie Langley, are signed up for 2013.

These would have been able to join Super League rivals for free if Bradford were demoted and, indeed, many are understandably already thought to be lined up for moves.

But the new owners should be able to see them as the backbone of any side they now hope to build from the ashes of this recent disaster. Bradford, technically, have lost their Super League membership and may yet have to enter a formal bid to re-enter but that is seen as a formality.

They also know if they defeat Hull FC and Catalan in their remaining two games they will also reach the cash-boosting play-offs for the first time in four years.

An RFL statement last night read: “The Super League clubs were today given an update by the RFL on the due diligence process the governing body is undertaking on the three offers submitted by the consortium interested in purchasing Bradford Bulls.

“The Super League clubs were encouraged by the detail presented to them and have mandated the RFL Executive to continue working towards bringing the matter to a satisfactory conclusion. The RFL will now continue discussions and meet with the bidders as soon as possible.”