Bradford Bulls Saved After Takeover Agreed

Bradford Bulls has been saved from liquidation after a consortium, headed by Bradford restaurant owner Omar Khan, agreed a deal with administrators.

However, former UK Sports Minister Gerry Sutcliffe – who is part of the consortium – has warned that it will take up to two years to revive the fortunes of the rugby league club. 

The Bulls entered administration on 26^th June, with the Rugby Football League having since attempted to secure new owners for the club. 

A total of four bids were placed for the Bulls, including one from the parent company of the Super League, which was considered a last resort to save the club.

Sutcliffe said the pair were forced to move quickly after administrator Brendan Guilfoyle, faced with having to pay the Bulls’ next wage bill from 1^st September, threatened to liquidate the club unless he pushed through the sale. 

Sutcliffe, who now serves as an MP for Bradford South, told Press Association Sport: ‘We believe that, if we are able to put our business plan in place with Super League membership, it will take two years to turn it around and that’s with goodwill and the support of all the partners we need to have on board.’

The new regime did not kick off with the best start on Saturday. The Bulls were on the wrong end of a record 70-6 defeat to Hull FC.