Bradford Bulls welcome investment to help with push for Super League return
The destiny of Bradford Bulls is in the best hands, according to new director Deborah Sorra.
Life-long Bulls fan Sorra, 54, has enjoyed a successful career in Financial Services and will work for the club in a voluntary capacity having joined the board of directors.
Her company, TIME Mortgage Experts, was sold earlier this year for £3.67m.
Sorra said: “I needed to trust that the Board members genuinely had the Bulls best interests at heart and had the right combination of skills and experience before I invest my money and time into the venture.
“I have absolutely no doubt that the destiny of the Bulls couldn’t be in better hands.
“We will transform the fortunes of the Bulls but I am also conscious this has been said numerous times before.
“So I look forward to our fans judging us on our results and the positivity and energy we will continue to bring to the club.”
The quest for Super League return
Bradford fans have endured a decade of financial strife and empty promises, as well as being forced to move away from their Odsal home before returning in 2021.
There is still some unease over the involvement of current club chairman Nigel Wood in the issues they have faced over the years, during his tenure as chief executive of the RFL.
That included when the RFL purchased the lease of Odsal back in 2011 and recommending the doomed takeover by Andrew Chalmers. The club had entered administration on three separate occasions in that time.
Chalmers took over the new Bradford club that was created when the previous club went into liquidation in 2017, before relinquishing ownership to Wood, Mark Sawyer and Eric Perez in November 2019.
Although that led to a return to Odsal, the stadium is in dire need of upgrading – but the club say they are heading in the right direction.
Bulls chief executive Jason Hirst said: “I’m delighted to welcome Debb on board. This signing is every bit as big as any of our on-field signings for 2023, in that it undeniably demonstrates the trust and belief that Debb, as a successful businesswoman, has in the club’s management team.
“She will, undoubtedly, bring further professionalism to the club and I eagerly look forward to working with her and our existing team, to bring about sustainable year on year improvement in our quest for a return to Super League.
“Her addition to the Board of Directors gives us a stronger, more diverse leadership team. That said, we both remain keenly interested in talking to any other individuals and/or groups, with the right experience and skillset, who could be interested in joining our management and/or ownership team, to strengthen us even further.”
Sorra will become the third director of Bradford Bulls, alongside Nigel and Steven Wood. Hirst acts in a voluntary capacity as chief executive.