Bradford Bulls Enter Administration

Rugby league club Bradford Bulls have entered administration and, if a buyer is not found within ten days, face the possibility of extinction altogether – according to media reports.

The Bulls revealed in March that the side would need to raise £1m in order to stay afloat.

Joint-administrator Brendan Guilfoyle told BBC Sport: ‘We have just 10 working days to save the club from liquidation because there are no funds to carry on longer.’

‘If anyone is interested in buying the Bulls we need to hear from them, this club is on the brink of extinction.’

‘The directors made every effort to try to save the club within the 14-day timescale issued by the courts, but the moratorium ended on Monday without any potential buyer coming forward.’

The Bulls become the third Super League side in as many seasons to enter administration, following in the unfortunate footsteps of Yorkshire rivals Wakefield in 2011, and Welsh side Crusaders in 2010.

Crusaders were liquidated in 2011, with Widnes Vikings taking their place in Super League, however current Super League licences are not up for renewal again until 2014 so – provided the Bulls’ can find a buyer – their place in the elite of the sport should be safe.

The four time Super League champions are one of the most decorated sides in English rugby league, having also won the Challenge Cup on five occasions.

Administration also means the Rugby Football League are now likely to hand the Bulls, who are currently ninth in the Super League table, a points deduction.

Media reports indicate that the Bradford Bulls owe nearly £200,000 in PAYE tax for May and June, plus an outstanding VAT bill of £250,000 from the sale of the lease of Odsal to the RFL, as well as a monthly wage bill of over £200,000.

Earlier this month, it was reported that the club could be forced to go into administration after being served with a winding-up petition by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs over unpaid tax.