Troubled Bradford buy time to attract new investment

The news will further alarm supporters after a business turnaround and insolvency firm – The P&A Partnership – also confirmed its independent financial review revealed the “loss-making business” still requires more than £1m to complete the season.

But Coulby hopes the decision will give them breathing space, amounting to another fortnight, to find additional partners to invest in the Super League outfit.

He said: “Unfortunately, developments last Friday and pressure from HMRC has meant that we’ve had to seek protection whilst positive talks with investors continue now that we have ascertained the full extent of the club’s debts.

“Had the actual position been as we were initially led to believe it to be, that is to say a requirement for a £1m investment into the business, half of which having already been raised through the sterling efforts of supporters, the present uncertainty would have been resolved by now.

“Regrettably, other matters have recently been brought to our attention which have widened the funding gap, but we are still intent on avoiding administration and its consequences if at all possible.”

Brendan Guilfoyle, of The P&A Partnership, said the HMRC had threatened to wind up the club leaving their directors with no option but to file a notice of intention. He saidd: “It doesn’t mean the club will necessarily enter administration but it now has two weeks to find additional funds – this may mean a number of investors coming together to save the club.”

Man of Steel Rangi Chase admits he would have to contemplate leaving Castleford Tigers if one of Super League’s big clubs made a concrete offer.

Speculation has mounted that Wigan Warriors, Warrington Wolves and perhaps Hull FC are ready to test the West Yorkshire club’s resolve with a bid for their star asset.

Gifted stand-off Chase – who hopes to retain his England place when Steve McNamara today names his squad to face the Exiles – is contracted until 2015.

Struggling Castleford insist they have received no bids despite Warriors reportedly offering £300,000 for the maverick former New Zealand Maori. But, while stressing he is happy at the club, the player conceded he would have to consider his options if the club did ever accept any bid.

“Nothing lasts forever so if something comes up, I’m not going to lie and say I’m not going to think about it because I’d be silly to,” said Chase, who agreed a new four-year deal at Tigers only last autumn. “Wigan are an awesome team and one I admire. But I don’t know anything about it.

“People can say what they want; I can’t control that and just go with the flow. If something else comes up, I’ve got to look at it because I’ve got a family to feed and you’ve got to do what’s best. But as far as I know I’m going to be at Cas (next year).”

Keighley Cougars winger Semi Tadulala (finger) is out of tonight’s Northern Rail Cup quarter-final home tie against Featherstone Rovers (7.30).