Haven opponents Bulls in disarray

Following their failure to reach the Super League qualifying group there have been growing concerns over the club’s ability to operate for another year in the Championship.

Bulls’ chairman Marc Green is coming under growing pressure to pay players and staff while respected managing director Steve Ferres has left the club.

Green is currently on holiday in Ibiza but is said to have spent Monday desperately trying to come up with the six-figure sum which is needed to pay the monthly wage bill.

Players and staff had expected to be paid last Friday – the final working day of the month – but no payment was forthcoming.

Emma Rosewarne, the Welfare Director at the RFL, fielded questions from Bulls players amid growing uncertainty over the club’s financial position.

Despite missing out on the chance of a return to super League, Green had insisted the club was going to stay full-time in 2017

As they prepare for Sunday’s trip to Cumbria, the players and coaching staff are said to be an increasingly angry group.

Former Bradford captain and current chief executive Robbie Hunter-Paul is currently holding the fort at Odsal and the uncertainty and unease in the Bradford camp is something Whitehaven will hope to capitalise on at the Recration Ground.

Ferres, a former Carlisle Border Raiders player, earned praise from chairman Green who said: “Steve brings the curtain down on over 45 years’ service to the sport as a player, coach, administrator and he will be, and should be, missed by the game.”

Bradford missed-out on the Super League qualifiers by losing 24-0 at Featherstone in the final Championship game.

A winding-up petition has also been brought against them by HM Revenue and Customs.

Bradford’s statement, after that announcement, said: “The club were subject to a VAT assessment which was appealed three months ago.

“This appeal is ongoing and we believe HMRC have acted unfairly in respect of the assessment and the issuing of the petition.”