Bulls bid could be from Bradford City

Bradford Bulls are set to be rescued by neighbouring Bradford City FC according to reports in a local newspaper.

The Bradford Telegraph & Argus have reported that the npower League Two football club have made an unconditional offer for the Bulls.

The offer is apparently the first received by the Rugby Football League without conditions attached.  

Bulls administrator Brendan Gulfoyle yesterday announced that a new bid had been submitted to the RFL for approval.

That bid, from an undisclosed party, is larger than the one submitted by Super League (Europe) Ltd last Thursday.

Bradford City joint-chairman Julian Rhodes refused to confirm whether or not his club were behind the new bid.

However, he did say that City had been in talks with Gulfoyle and the RFL about any assistance the football club could offer to the Bulls.

“We just wanted to see how we could help to keep the club alive, whether that’s in the Super League or in the Championship,” he said. “We don’t want to see the club die.” 

The RFL have reportedly been discussing the new deal, with talks including chief executive Nigel Wood who is currently in Australia.

Guilfoyle yesterday said that an RFL decision would be made before the end of the day, but it now seems discussions will continue for at least another two days.

Rhodes has previously discussed the possibility of the two clubs sharing either Odsal or City’s Valley Parade ground, while in 2011 business Steve Parkin published a scheme to set up a joint club at a new stadium.

Bradford Bulls played two seasons at Valley Parade in 2001 and 2002.