Bradford Bulls to remain in Super League

BRADFORD Bulls have been awarded a one-year licence to allow the rugby league club to remain competing in Super League for 2013.

The decision was announced by the Rugby Football League’s board of directors this afternoon.

However, the RFL said the one-year licence was being awarded on a probationary basis.

The decision follows the club’s takeover by restaurateur Omar Khan and gives the Bradford Bulls a degree of security for the future.

Bradford Bulls were reinstated as full members of the RFL earlier this week after Mr Khan provided the financial information required for the governing body to complete its due diligence process.

Nigel Wood, chief executive of the RFL, said: “This is a very positive development which provides stability for all the clubs in Super League and the Championship and allows the sport to approach next season with even greater confidence.

“The board deliberated long and hard and took into consideration the many views of the sport’s various constituents before reaching a decision which we believe is in the best interests of the whole game.

“The new owners of Bradford Bulls are to be congratulated on their foresight in purchasing a club which we always knew was a very attractive proposition. Their investment in Bradford Bulls is a vote of confidence in Super League.

“A probationary licence allows us to closely monitor the performance of Bradford Bulls next season and develop a view on what direction we take in future years. That direction will be framed by the ongoing strategic policy review that we expect to present to clubs in the first half of 2013.

“The probationary licence also precludes the need for a mini-licensing round, which the overwhelming majority of clubs accept was impractical given the timeframes involved.

“The RFL board and executive will continue to work with all member clubs to build on the terrific progress we have experienced in 2012.”