CEO JASON HIRST ISSUES CLUB UPDATE

Bradford Bulls CEO, Jason Hirst has issued the following update to supporters...

I’d like to take to take this opportunity to provide our loyal and appreciated fans with the following updates.

Firstly, thank you, for your ongoing vocal support. It’s always noted, appreciated and never taken for granted. The support in Toulouse, in these difficult financial times, was tremendous and never wavered throughout the weekend despite the disappointing result.

To further recognise and thank you for this, we’d like to invite anyone who travelled to Toulouse, into the Trevor Foster Lounge, immediately after the final whistle at this weekend’s fixture versus Keighley Cougars, for a complimentary pint or glass of wine. We’d encourage you to also stay on to watch and support our Women’s Team in their match against Castleford Tigers (5:15pm kick-off).

It’s also our annual Inclusivity Day, as well as West Craven Warriors Community Club Takeover Day, so why not get down early for refreshments and watch their U/9’s take on Queensbury (1:15pm kick-off, with gates open from 1pm)?

On the field of play we are well on track to reach the end of season play-offs, with 8 out of our remaining 11 fixtures being against teams below us in the league. That gives us a great chance of reaching the Top 4 and securing a home play-off tie. 5 of those fixtures are at fortress Odsal and we encourage as many people as possible to purchase their Fab 5 season ticket from just £85 for an Adult, with details on the club website.

There’s obviously been quite a few coming and goings lately, which isn’t unusual at this time of year.  I personally assure you that we’re still actively in the market for new players, this season and beyond, as well as reviewing contracts with existing players.

As recently announced, Lee Greenwood, supported by Brian Noble, remains in interim charge of our 1^st Team, as we actively pursue filling our Head Coach vacancy for the 2024 season. I personally promise to provide updates as and when appropriate, whilst obviously respecting the confidentiality of perspective applicants.

I’d also like to pay tribute to the Bradford Bulls Foundation for all they do in the community and in helping us to run 9 teams, which is a massive and unparalleled achievement for a part-time Championship club.

One of those teams is the Academy and following the recent reinstatement of our Elite Academy Licence, we’re holding a celebratory evening to recognise that achievement and raise much needed funds for our Academy and Scholarship sides. Details of the 7^th  of July event can again, be found on our website, so if you can attend, please do, because contrary to popular belief the reinstatement of our licence doesn’t mean we receive any RFL funding. We don’t, we have to raise the considerable annual 6 figure sum ourselves, so any support anyone can give is and always will be, greatly appreciated and wisely invested.

Moving onto off-field matters, the club is managed and led, at various levels, by proud Bradfordians, who only and always have the club’s best interest at heart. Every decision taken is for the betterment of our club. Under the current leadership team, our club is being managed in an ambitious, yet sustainable manner, which is a tricky balance in these extremely challenging economic times.

That makes your support even more valuable and again, we recognise and appreciate the money you continually contribute to our club, be it by purchasing tickets, buying merchandise and refreshments or supporting Squad Booster or Bull Builder. The recent acquisition of Lee Gaskell being the latest great example of fans having a positive direct impact on our playing roster.

Thank you, I look forward to seeing you turn out in numbers for the remainder of the season, starting this Sunday’s derby. Bring a friend, it’s a great time to introduce or reintroduce new or lapsed fans. Wear your club shirts with pride and let’s make it a colourful, partisan and vociferous occasion. Your support can and does make a significant difference, as we target a Top 4 finish.