Bradford chairman backs Cummins on Whitehead

Bradford chairman Gerry Sutcliffe has backed Francis Cummins’ decision to accept secondrower Elliott Whitehead‘s request to leave the club.

Whitehead, 23, handed in a transfer request yesterday, citing his desire to play for a top-four club.

Bulls coach Cummins moved quickly to accept the Bradford-born player’s request, putting him on indefinite leave so a sale could be agreed as quickly as possible.

Sutcliffe said: “Francis Cummins is our coach, he’s here for the long-term, and we support his decisions.

“We said when we took over the club last year that Franny would be left to look after the rugby side of things and that hasn’t changed.

“Elliott’s obviously a quality player but the club is always bigger than any individual, especially given everything that has happened here.

“We rescued the Bulls last year and want to do what’s in the best interests of the team and the club.

“That’s what we’ll always do and we will obviously back Franny’s judgement on all rugby-related matters.”

Whitehead will not train with his Bradford team-mates again, with Catalans Dragons and Salford City Reds the early favourites for his signature.