Rugby League: Defunct Bradford club finds new owners

Former New Zealand Rugby League chairman Andrew Chalmers. Photo / PHOTOSPORT

New owners have been secured for Bradford, the Rugby Football League has announced.

The governing body has reached agreement with a consortium that will see a new club formed to take the place of the old defunct Bradford for the start of the Kingstone Press Championship season on February 5.

However, the identity of the new owners will not be known until a press conference is held early next week.

That means another weekend of uncertainty for coaches and those players remaining from the old club who have been largely kept in the dark over events since meeting one of the bidders a little more than a week ago.

A statement read: "The RFL is pleased to announce that an agreement has been reached with a consortium to create a new professional rugby league club in Bradford.

"Following a thorough review and consultation with potential owners throughout the week, the RFL board approved a decision to offer membership of the League to a consortium that it believes offers an exciting and stable future for rugby league in Bradford.

"As previously communicated, the new club will begin the 2017 season in the Kingstone Press Championship on minus 12 points.

"The owners will arrive at Odsal early next week and will at that point speak with former players, staff and relevant stakeholders before holding a press conference to reveal their identity and outline their vision for the future."

BBC Sport reported that former New Zealand Rugby League chairman Andrew Chalmers is believed to be at the head of the operation, with former Kiwis coach Graham Lowe also believed to be involved.

The old Bradford Bulls were liquidated 10 days ago after administrators failed to find a buyer - but the RFL fielded four serious bids after seeking offers to resurrect the club and has now come up with a preferred option.

- AAP