RFL reveal criteria for potential Bradford buyers

By PA Sport

Image: Bradford's Odsal Stadium

Any new owners of a revived Bradford would have to provide personal guarantees the team will fulfil all their fixtures over the next three years.

The Rugby Football League (RFL), which has set a deadline of noon on Monday to receive offers to set up a new club, took the unusual step of making public its demands and the process potential new owners will have to go through to meet them.

After witnessing the Bulls go into administration three times in five years, the most recent one with dire consequences, the governing body appears keen to ensure that any new owners have sufficient funds to guarantee the club's future, at least in the medium term.

The document, which the RFL has sent to around 10 interested parties, calls for bidders to submit a three-year budget forecast along with proof of supporting funds by their deadline.

The RFL also wants to know if prospective buyers are willing to show goodwill by recognising the 1,000 season tickets purchased by Bulls fans before the club went bust and pay off around £50,000 in debts to local creditors.

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Former Super League and World Club champions Bradford Bulls have been liquidated after a bid to save the club was rejected

The RFL has said it would be willing to restore Bradford's membership if suitable owners are found and allow a new team to continue in the Championship in 2017 with a 12-point deduction and a reduced funding of £150,000, compared to the £275,000 the club were due.

It is thought the league will use remaining £125,000 to help relieve any hardship suffered by the players, who were still owed their December wages when the administrators put the club into liquidation.

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Former New Zealand RL chairman Andrew Chalmers and London businessman Richard Lamb, who both fronted bids for the old club which were rejected by the administrators, are among those interested in forming a new club.

Image: Rohan Smith is keen to stay at Bradford

Australian coach Rohan Smith has indicated his willingness to stay on but the break-up of the team continued on Thursday with back-row forward Alex Mellor joining Huddersfield and former Hull KR centre Kris Welham signing for Salford.

They take the number of confirmed departures from Bradford to four in the 48 hours since the club went into liquidation, rendering all the players free agents.

Clubs have been given special dispensation on their salary cap to sign players from Bradford, who may well have to look to the loan market to build a team for their opening Championship match at Hull KR on February 5 if the club is re-formed.

Image: Leon Pryce in action during his first spell with Bradford

One player keen to stay on is former Great Britain stand-off Leon Pryce, who rejoined his home-town club in the close season after spells at St Helens, Catalans Dragons and Hull.

Pryce told former Bulls team-mate Robbie Hunter-Paul on his Pulse 1 radio show: "Absolutely I'd still like to be involved. I'm a Bradford lad and I still live locally. We need to redevelop this club. We need a Bradford Bulls."

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