Bradford director looks to the future
Bradford’s financial director Andrew Calvert has today stated his and the board’s intent for the future of the club.
After joint-chairman Ryan Whitcut stepped down from his role and left the club on Tuesday, Calvert had this to say:
“I felt as financial director it was important, due to the recent changes happening here at the Bulls, that we proactively let all supporters know where we stand at this point in time.
“Change is never easy and the club has experienced a lot of it over the past two years, but the board of directors we now have in place are not only smart business men they are also very passionate about the club with both myself and Ian Watt growing up on the terraces.
“As a board we feel comfortable about where we are at and the recent changes have had no real impact on what we are trying to achieve.
“Since arriving I have personally implemented a number of new controls, which will improve the overall flow of cash to the club as well as introducing new software packages that will be integral to helping manage the business as we move forward.”
After Whitcut’s departure, Calvert, Watt and Mark Moore – the Bulls’ shareholders – remain in place on the board alongside CEO Robbie Hunter-Paul.
“Robbie Hunter-Paul has a very enthusiastic and experienced commercial team working beneath him that have some fantastic and enterprising plans for the future of the club,” said Calvert.
“This includes the continuation of the ‘BELONG’ days as well as a number of exciting concepts which they are looking to implement. The focus is centred around creating a feel good factor about the club, while ensuring commercial value is maintained.
“We have given head coach Francis Cummins our full backing, allowing him to make valuable additions to his backroom staff in the shape of a new physic in Dan Ramsden, a top psychiatrist in Dr Allan Johnston and a leading sports nutritionist in Ed Tooley.
“The club has also made a host of off-season signings which Francis believes will help the team go from strength to strength. He is keeping a close eye on the promising talent which is being displayed during the 2013 Rugby League World Cup.”
Chairman Moore is in charge of the Bulls’ new-look retail sector and, with the launch of the club’s 2014 home strip right around the corner, Calvert spoke of his excitement:
“Mark is heading up our retail department and has created an extremely close working relationship with our suppliers ISC, who are one of the biggest brands in the rugby world.
“The club has now developed an exciting approach to its retail sector and supporters will be able to see the visual changes, not just within the stadium store but also online.
“Our staff have worked hard to get the 2014 stock into the country this week, with the launch of the club’s new retail range, which includes the new home shirt, imminent.”
