Bradford Bulls' Dramatic Return to Super League After Years of Adversity
Relegated, liquidated, and resurrected: the Bradford Bulls have completed a stunning journey back to rugby league's elite Super League. Two decades after their last world championship triumph, the club is preparing to kick off their season at Hull this Saturday, marking a significant milestone in a story of resilience and revival.
From Financial Meltdown to Top-Flight Resurgence
When Super League was reduced to twelve teams at the end of the 2014 season, it lost major urban centres like Bradford and London, following earlier departures from cities such as Paris, Tyneside, and Sheffield. While the London Broncos have made brief returns, their stays were fleeting. Witnessing the Broncos become a penniless, homeless part-time operation was disheartening, but seeing the Bradford Bulls suffer a similar fate was nothing short of shocking.
The Bulls endured a severe financial meltdown, leading to liquidation, relegation to the third division, and even a temporary departure from their iconic Odsal Stadium. Now, after hitting rock-bottom, the four-time Super League champions are back in the big time, ready to compete at the highest level once more.
Timing and Significance of the Comeback
The timing of Bradford's election to Super League has raised eyebrows across the sport, coinciding with the return of former chairman Nigel Woods to the Rugby Football League (RFL) board. Despite finishing 15th in the pyramid last season and missing the Championship Grand Final, the Bulls ranked 10th in the latest IMG ratings, underscoring their enduring stature as a major club.
Bulls stickers remain visible in car windows nationwide, and even sports fans who rarely follow rugby league recognise the team's name—a level of recognition that eludes many current Super League clubs. The sport stands to benefit greatly from their return, with the large attendances they are expected to draw in the top flight.
Revitalising Odsal Stadium and Coaching Vision
Odsal Stadium, often criticised as a muddy relic from a bygone era, has undergone significant renovations. The removal of stock car racing, installation of new LED floodlights and pitchside boards, refurbishment of the Southbank Stand, and creation of a full-sized pitch have all contributed to its revival.
In a bold move, the club appointed Kurt Haggerty as head coach during this delicate period, highlighting their high regard for the former Leigh and Widnes forward. Known for his collaborative work with Paul Rowley at Salford, Haggerty, aged 37 and a former Bradford player, has a distinct coaching philosophy.
"When the club contacted me, I made it very clear that I'm not a 'five drives and a kick' kind of coach," Haggerty explains. "I don't believe I can coach that better than other coaches in Super League. You probably saw a style at Salford that was between myself and Paul Rowley. I made it very clear I have a system and a style that I believe in. I always got taught to make sure you play a style of rugby that you enjoy watching sitting in the stands."
Key Players and Team Dynamics
With eleven new signings, Bradford will need time to gel as a unit. In a recent Challenge Cup match, they secured a 26-8 victory over the London Broncos at Wimbledon, though they only gained control after injuries reduced the home side to twelve men. In Super League, such scenarios might have been different, as teams can call upon an 18th man for head injury assessments.
Halfback Joe Keyes, who debuted in London's relegation season twelve years ago, is set for another shot at Super League, especially with big-money signing Jayden Nikorima sidelined until April. Keyes, now in his third spell with the Bulls, played a pivotal role in their slow climb from rock-bottom, kicking five goals in their 2018 League One opener against York.
On Sunday, Keyes shone alongside Rowan Milnes in a halfback partnership bolstered by veteran Joe Mellor, a natural half playing at loose forward. "People have a version of what they think Joe Keyes is, an older half managing the game," Haggerty noted. "That is not his strength. His strength is to run the ball. You need to engage him on the ball. He has a fantastic running game. I'd like him to swing both sides of the field a little bit more but overall, I'm really happy how he's taken to it."
Much of Bradford's attacking play flowed through the 35-year-old Mellor, who previously worked with Haggerty at Salford. "Joe Mellor is a pretty freaky athlete—to play the minutes he has at his age, and the way that he plays," said Haggerty, who is just two years older. "He's a fantastic player for us. Joe's always played as a pivot and in my system I need a specialist 13. But I didn't have to convince him much because he's a natural footballer. He's still learning that role but he plays at a tempo that suits him. He can play fast, slow, or slow to fast, depending on what the defence is doing. That's not coaching. That's just his natural ability."
Challenges and Expectations for Promoted Teams
Prop Ryan Sutton will be crucial to Bradford's rapid acclimatisation to Super League. Haggerty admitted to being moved nearly to tears watching Sutton play his second game since 2023 after an injury-plagued spell in the NRL.
Following Bradford's opener at Hull, Toulouse will begin their first Super League fixture since 2022 at Wakefield. Like fellow expansion club York Knights, Toulouse operate with only half the central funding that Bradford receives from the RFL. To avoid past mistakes, coach Sylvain Houles has retained familiar players, with new arrivals including England prop Tyler Dupree on loan from Wigan and scrum-half Cesar Rouge from Catalans.
York's opener against treble-winners Hull KR marks the city's first top-flight game since 1986, when a mere 1,367 spectators watched a narrow loss to Leeds. Under Mark Applegarth, York won 20 consecutive matches last season before a close defeat to Toulouse in the Grand Final, setting a high bar for performance.
Expectations for the three promoted teams—Bradford, Toulouse, and York—remain modest this year. It is unlikely they will emulate Leigh or Wakefield by challenging for a play-off spot. If any avoid the bottom three by September, it will be considered a success, though fans are advised not to hold their breath.
