Moore clarifies deduction confusion and says Bulls squad is ring-fenced

Bradford chairman Mark Moore says the club will make no further player sales as attention now turns to the new Super League season.

It has been a turbulent off season at Odsal, with a lengthy ownership saga only apparently ended by the news that the club’s former operating company, OK Bulls Ltd, had been placed into administration, and a new company, Bradford Bulls 2014 Ltd, then purchasing the club.

Moore and fellow directors Andrew Calvert and Ian Watt almost pulled out altogether following the dispute with Omar Khan over Christmas but the club is now looking forward.

Moore said: “Friday provided a brand-new beginning for this famous club.

“And I am delighted to announce that there is no longer an appetite to make player sales.

“We have in the past held talks with other clubs about a few of our players, but prospective deals never came to fruition for one reason or another.

“However, none of that matters now. As of today, our first-team squad is ring-fenced and no-one is for sale.”

The Bulls have lost a sprinkling of players over the past six months, including young prodigy John Bateman and new signing Frank Winterstein, who left without playing a game for the club.

Moore also apologised about a misunderstanding relating to the deduction of points, which resulted in him issuing a statement on the club’s official website saying the Bulls would start the new season on zero points.

He added: “I made my first mistake, by having a misunderstanding of the due process needed to guarantee starting the Super League equally with all other clubs. 

“As we have publicly stated, we would be working with creditors of OK Bulls Ltd and I wrongly perceived that this would guarantee us starting the season without a points deduction.

“It was quickly pointed out to me that first the governing body has the responsibility to follow a due process and undertake a thorough investigation, for which we will be completely compliant and will assist in every way possible. 

“I apologise, as my newness to the sport means I still have some structural conditions to become familiar with.

“We are very confident, however, that we will fulfil the requirements needed and will work tirelessly to make sure the Rugby Football League receive exactly what information is required.”