Bradford Super League future appears safe

Three offers for Bradford Bulls are now under consideration, after Bradford City FC pulled out of the running to buy the stricken Super League club.

The Bulls’ Super League future appears to be safeguarded too, with the other top flight clubs reluctant to vote for a reduction in teams, meaning the Odsal club are likely to stay as part of a 14-team competition, following a meeting yesterday.

Although the RFL had stood firm over conditional offers, believed to want assurances regarding the Bulls’ future, it now appears that the club’s long term future is safe, particularly after the three interested parties submitted unconditional proposals.

An RFL statement read: “The Super League clubs were given an update by the RFL on the due diligence process the governing body is undertaking on the three offers submitted by the consortiums 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.”

St Helens chairman Eamonn McManus and Leeds chief executive Gary Hetherington have been among the vocal supporters of keeping the Bulls in Super League.

The battle for ownership of the club is now believed to be between restauranter Omar Khan, supported by Bradford South MP Gerry Sutcliffe, and Bradford Park Avenue, as well as the offer made by Super League (Europe) Ltd.

Bradford have been in administration since June, and were deducted six points from their playing total.

They currently lie in the 8th and final play-off position in the Super League table, with two games to play.