New bidder for the Bulls

Bradford could yet be rescued without the direct assistance of their fellow Stobart Super League clubs after a new bidder emerged for the beleaguered Bulls.

The latest twist in the protracted saga came on Wednesday when Brendan Guilfoyle, partner at Leeds-based The P&A Partnership and joint administrator at Odsal, announced he has found a new potential buyer.

The offer was put to the Rugby Football League, who need to ratify any change of ownership, and they revealed it was not conditional on the Bulls remaining in Super League, which was a major stumbling block to previous failed bids.

Guilfoyle was hoping for a quick answer from the RFL but the board of directors deferred a decision when they discussed the latest development via a conference call and asked for more information.

In an attempt to end the short-term uncertainty over the club's future and avert the threat of liquidation, Super League (Europe) stepped in last Thursday with an offer to buy the Bulls on behalf of the other 13 clubs.

Super League Europe (SLE) could now be "gazumped" by the latest offer but an RFL spokesman claimed their actions in expressing their confidence in the Bulls had helped to "flush out" a new potential buyer, who got in touch with the administrator for the first time 24 hours later.

Guilfoyle said: "This new offer is for more than Super League (Europe) Ltd put forward so we felt obliged to submit to the RFL for consideration."

The RFL's executive officers carried out "due diligence" before making a recommendation to the board of directors which is thought to be favourable.

Bradford head coach Mick Potter, one of 16 full-time staff made redundant a month ago, is among those working voluntarily but has said he needs to be given an assurance about his own future by the weekend as he edges ever closer to returning home to Australia.

He is currently preparing the Bulls for their next home game, a crucial televised clash with play-off rivals Hull KR at Odsal on Friday.