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Bradford Bulls

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Bradford Bulls
File:BradfordBullsLogo.png
Club information
Full nameBradford Bulls
Rugby League Football Club
Nickname(s)Bulls
Founded1863
Current details
Ground(s)
ChairmanPeter Hood
CoachSteve McNamara
CaptainPaul Deacon
CompetitionSuper League
Uniforms
Home colours
Away colours
Records
Challenge Cups5

The Bradford Bulls are a professional rugby league club based in the city of Bradford, England. It has been one of the major success stories of the Super League era, with the 2003 season being its best where the club successfully won all of the major rugby league honours, (Challenge Cup, Superleague Championship, World Club Championship, and Minor Premier) The team jersey is white with red, black and amber hoops. The club plays its home games at Grattan Stadium (formerly called Odsal Stadium) which is located to the south of the city centre. Bradford is also one of the original twenty-two rugby clubs that formed the Northern Rugby Football Union in 1895, making them one of the world's first rugby league teams. Bradford's main rivalry is with the Leeds Rhinos, however their traditional derby is with Halifax RLFC, they also have a lesser rivalry with the Huddersfield Giants.

History

1863 - 1907: In the Beginning

The Bradford Rugby Club was formed in 1863. Park Avenue was established as their home ground in 1880. It achieved its first major success by winning the Yorkshire Cup in 1884. In 1895, along with cross-town neighbours Manningham FC, Bradford was among 22 clubs to secede from the Rugby Football Union after a historic meeting at The George Hotel in Huddersfield, in response to a dispute over "broken time" payments to players. These 22 clubs formed the Northern Rugby Union. In 1903-4 Bradford finished level on points with Salford at the top of the league and then won the resulting play-off 5-0. Manningham ran into financial difficulties and, despite a summer archery contest that generated enough money to ensure their survival, its members were persuaded to change to Association football. The club was invited to join the Football League in 1903, in an attempt to introduce the soccer to the rugby-dominated region, and the newly renamed Bradford City A.F.C. was voted into full membership of the Second Division without playing a game of soccer, having a team or being able to guarantee a ground.

There was also a demand for Association Football at Park Avenue, which played host to soccer matches as well as Northern Union games. The first game of Association Football played at Park Avenue is believed to have been between Blackburn Rovers and Blackburn Olympic F.C. and in 1895 a Bradford side beat a team from Moss Side, Manchester 4 -1 in front of 3,000 spectators. In 1905-6 Bradford beat Salford 5-0 to win the Challenge Cup and were runners up in the Championship. The following season winning the Yorkshire Cup 8-5 against Hull Kingston Rovers.

With soccer already successful at Bradford City, a meeting was called of the club members on April 15 1907 to decide the club's future. An initial vote appeared to favour continuing in the Northern Union, then opinion shifted towards rugby union but the Chairman, Mr Briggs, used his influence to swing the committee behind Association football. This act, sometimes referred to as "The Great Betrayal", led to Bradford becoming a soccer club, Bradford (Park Avenue) A.F.C. and a new team Bradford Northern was created to take the available place in the Northern Union. Bradford Northern's first home was Greenfield Athletic Ground.

Bradford Northern

Bradford moved to Birch Lane in 1908. Bradford council offered Bradford a site for a new stadium between Rooley Lane and Mayo Avenue in 1927. However the RFL said the site was too small and the club kept on looking.

Before moving to Odsal Bradford had had two other homes, Greenfield Athletic Ground in Dudley Hill and Birch Lane which was part of Bowling Old Lane Cricket ground, although at times they also had to hire Valley Parade as the capacity at Birch Lane was not sufficient enough for large matches.

On 20 June 1933 Bradford Northern signed a ten-year lease with Bradford council for a former quarry being used as a waste dump at Odsal Top. It was turned into the biggest stadium outside Wembley. The Bradford Northern team played its first match there on September 1 1934.

1940s

Success came in the 1940s with a number of cup wins: the Yorkshire cup in 1940-1, 1942-3, 1944-5, 1945-6, 1948-9 and 1949-50; and the Challenge cup 1943-4, 1946-7 and 1948-9. In the championship Bradford found it difficult to win either before the war or after despite being runners up in 1942-3 and 1947-8.

On Saturday 3 November 1945, Bradford Northern met Wakefield Trinity in the final of the Yorkshire Cup held at Thrum Hall, Halifax. Wakefield began the match as favourites, they had lost only one of thirteen matches thus far in the season. However, Bradford won 5-2 and lifted the Yorkshire Cup for the fourth time in six seasons.

Bradford defeated Leeds 8-4 to win the Challenge Cup at Wembley in 1947.

The 1947-8 Challenge Cup final was notable as it was the first rugby league match to be attended by the reigning monarch, King George VI, who presented the trophy. It was also the first televised rugby league match as it was broadcast to the Midlands. Unfortunately Bradford lost 8-3 to Wigan. The 1949 Challenge Cup final was sold out for first time as 95,050 spectators saw Bradford beat Halifax.

1950s

In 1951-2 Bradford were runners up in the league but beat New Zealand at Odsal in the first floodlit football match of any code in the North of England.

In 1953, a crowd of 69,429 watched Bradford play Huddersfield in the Challenge Cup third round. This was Northern’s highest ever attendance. Northern also won the Yorkshire Cup final 7-2 against Hull.

Bradford Northern and Leigh were the first rugby league clubs to stage matches on a Sunday in December 1954, although there was opposition from the Sunday Observance lobby.

1960s

Bradford Northern's support declined rapidly in the 1963 season, attracting a record low crowd of 324 against Barrow. Northern went out of business on 10 December 1963 having played just 13 matches; winning 1 and losing 12, scoring 109 points and conceding 284.

A meeting on the 14th of April 1964 saw 1,500 people turn out to discuss the formation of a new club, and those present promised a £1000 to help get plans for the new organisation underway. Amongst those who led proceedings were former players Joseph "Joe" Phillips and Trevor Foster.

On 20 July 1964, Bradford Northern (1964) Ltd came into existence. The club’s new side had been built for around £15,000 and had John "Jack" Wilkinson as coach. On 22 August 1964, Hull Kingston Rovers provided the opposition in the reformed club’s first match and 14,500 spectators turned out to show their support, as Odsal hosted its first 10,000 plus gate for a Bradford Northern match since 1957.

The reformed club won its first cup in 1965-66 by beating Hunslet 17-8 in the final of the Yorkshire Cup.

1970s

In 1972-3 Bradford lost the Challenge Cup final against Featherstone 33-14. In 1973-4 Bradford won the Second Division Championship and were promoted back to the First Division. During this season Keith Mumby made his début, becoming the Bradford's youngest player at only 16 years of age, scoring 12 goals and a try in a match against Doncaster. He went on to make a record 576 appearances for the club. In 1974-75 Bradford won the Regal Trophy 3-2 against Widnes.

Peter Fox joined Bradford as coach for the first time in 1977-78. Bradford won the Premiership final 17-8 against Widnes and were also Championship runners-up. In 1978-79 Bradford appeared in another Premiership final this time losing 24-2 to Leeds. A year later Bradford won the Championship and Regal Trophy, Peter Fox winning the award for Coach of the Year. In 1980-81 the club made it back-to-back championships.

1980s

In 1981-82, Bradford lost the Yorkshire Cup final 10-5 against Castleford and lost again in 1982-83, this time 18-7 against Hull. Keith Mumby won the award for First Division Player of the Year while Brian Noble won the Young Player award.

In 1985 Ellery Hanley left Northern to join Wigan for a then record transfer deal, worth £80,000 and a player exchange involving Steve Donlan and Phil Ford.

In 1987-8 Bradford won the Yorkshire Cup final replay against Castleford 11-2 after drawing 12-12.

Ron Willey coached Bradford Northern for a short stint in 1989/90 and led them to the Premiership final and success in the Yorkshire Cup final when they beat Featherstone 20-14.

David Hobbs became coach at Northern in 1990 until he left for Wakefield Trinity in 1994. Bradford lost the Regal Trophy against Warrington 12-2 in 1990-91.

Peter Fox returned to Bradford for a second spell as coach in 1991, and in 1993-4 the last Championship before Super League, Bradford finished as runners-up behind Wigan on points difference. Fox left the club in 1995.

The Super League era

Bradford Bulls became very successful in the Super League, they have won the title in 1997, 2001, 2003 and 2005, the Challenge Cup in 2000 and 2003 and the World Club Challenge in 2002,2004,2006.

Further information: Bradford Bulls Super League History

Season Summaries

P=Premiers, R=Runner-Ups, M=Minor Premierships, F=Finals Appearance, W=Wooden Spoons
(Brackets Represent Finals Games)
Competition
Playing In		 Games
Played		 Games
Won		 Games
Drawn		 Games
Lost		 Ladder
Position		 P R M F W Coach Captain Main Article
Super League 1 22 17 0 5 3/12 Brian Smith Robbie Paul Bradford Bulls 1996
Super League 2 22 20 0 2 1/12
X
 Matthew Elliott Bradford Bulls 1997
Super League 3 23 12 0 11 5/12
X
 Bradford Bulls 1998
Super League 4 30 25 1 4 1/14
X
X
X
 Bradford Bulls 1999
Super League 5 28 20 3 5 3/12
X
 Bradford Bulls 2000
Super League 6 28 22 1 5 1/12
X
X
X
 Brian Noble Bradford Bulls 2001
Super League 7 30 24 0 6 3/12
X
X
 Bradford Bulls 2002
Super League 8 30 24 0 6 1/12
X
X
X
 Bradford Bulls 2003
Super League 9 28 20 1 7 2/12
X
X
 Bradford Bulls 2004
Super League 10 28 18 1 9 3/12
X
X
 Jamie Peacock Bradford Bulls 2005
Super League 11 28 16 2 10 4/12
X
 Iestyn Harris Bradford Bulls 2006
Steve McNamara
Super League 12 27 16 1 9 3/12
X
 Paul Deacon Bradford Bulls 2007
Super League 13 27 14 1 3 5/12
X
 Bradford Bulls 2008
Super League 14 27 - - - - - - - - - Bradford Bulls 2009
Super League 15 27 - - - - - - - - - Bradford Bulls 2010

Statistics and records

Main article: Bradford Bulls statistics

Stadium

Further information: Odsal Stadium

Odsal Stadium is a stadium situated in Bradford in West Yorkshire, England. The venue is used for rugby league and has been the home ground of Bradford Bulls since 1934. The official name of the stadium is currently "Grattan Stadium" due to corporate sponsorship. Odsal has also hosted many other sports, including association football, speedway, stock car racing, basketball featuring the Harlem Globetrotters, wrestling, show jumping and kabaddi. The stadium boasts one of the largest attendances of all time for rugby league (102,569) when Halifax played Warrington on the 5th of May, 1954.

2009 Squad Stats

Further information: Bradford Bulls 2009
  • Appearances and Points include all matches As of Rd 5, 15th March 2009
No Nat Player Position Weight & Height Age Previous Club Contracted Until Apps Tries Goals DG Points
1 Republic of Ireland Michael Platt Full Back 93 kg, 6 ft 2 in 24 Castleford Tigers 2011 4
2 England Rikki Sheriffe Right Wing 14 st, 6 ft 0 in 24 Harlequins RL 2010 4 1 4
3 England Paul Sykes Right Centre 92 kg, 5 ft 10 in 26 Harlequins RL 2010 4
4 Italy Chris Nero Left Centre 15 st, 6 ft 1 in 27 Huddersfield Giants 2010 4 1 4
5 Fiji Semi Tadulala Left Wing 14 st 10 lb, 6 ft 30 Wakefield Trinity Wildcats 2009 4 1 4
6 Australia Ben Jeffries Stand Off 14 st, 5 ft 9 in 27 Wakefield Trinity Wildcats 2009 4
7 England Paul Deacon (c) Scrum Half 80 kg, 5 ft 9 in 29 Oldham Bears 2010 4 7/9 1 15
8 England Sam Burgess Prop 114 kg, 6 ft 4 in 20 Bradford Bulls 2009 4
9 England Terry Newton Hooker 98 kg, 5 ft 10 in 30 Wigan Warriors 2009 4
10 England Andy Lynch Prop 108 kg, 6 ft 2 in 29 Castleford Tigers 2009 1
11 Australia Steve Menzies Second Row 98 kg, 6 ft 3 in 35 Manly Sea Eagles 2009 4 1 4
12 Australia Glenn Morrison Second Row 97 kg, 6 ft 0 in 32 Parramatta Eels 2009 4 1 4
13 England Jamie Langley Loose Forward 108 kg, 6 ft 2 in 25 Bradford Bulls 2010 2
14 England Wayne Godwin Hooker 13 st, 5 ft 6 in 26 Hull FC 2011 3
15 England Matt Cook Second Row 95 kg, 6 ft 0 in 22 Bradford Bulls 2009 4
16 Wales Michael Worrincy Second Row 98 kg, 6 ft 1 in 22 Harlequins RL 2010 2
17 England Nick Scruton Prop 106 kg, 6 ft 0 in 24 Leeds Rhinos 2011 4
18 Tonga Tame Tupou Left Wing 110 kg, 6 ft 4 in 26 Brisbane Broncos 2010
19 Wales Craig Kopczak Prop 98 kg, 6 ft 4 in 22 Bradford Bulls 2009 4
20 Wales Dave Halley Right Wing 78 kg, 5 ft 9 in 22 Bradford Bulls 2009
22 Wales Matt James Prop 100 kg, 6 ft 3 in 21 Bradford Bulls 2010 2
23 England Jason Crookes Right Centre 83 kg, 5 ft 18 Bradford Bulls 2011 1
24 England Richard Johnson Left Centre 87 kg 5'11 23 Bradford Bulls 2010
25 England Steve Crossley Prop 104 kg, 6ft 2 19 Bradford Bulls 2010
26 Samoa David Solomona Second Row 108 kg, 6 ft 0 in 31 Wakefield Trinity Wildcats 2009 1
27 England Kieran Hyde Full Back 5ft 11, 85 kg 18 Bradford Bulls 2011
28 England Elliott Whitehead Second Row 6ft 93 kg 19 Bradford Bulls 2010
29 England Tom Olbison Loose Forward 6ft 1, 96 kg 18 Bradford Bulls 2010
30 England James Donaldson Second Row 5ft 10 87 kg 17 Bradford Bulls 2010
31 England Andy Tate Right Centre : 6ft 3 85 kg 17 Bradford Bulls 2011
32 England Duane Straugheir Right Centre 6ft 0 & 90kg 19 Bradford Bulls 2009
Tries Goals DG Points
5 7/9 1 35

Not Playing

Injured

On Loan

2009 Fixtures and Results

2009 Engage Super League

Date Competition Round Opponent Home/Away Venue Result Score Tries Goals Attendance TV Report
8/2/2009 League 1 Harlequins A Stoop Postponed Highlights Report
15/2/2009 League 2 Hull KR H Grattan Stadium D 13-13 Tadulala, Nero Deacon 3/4 12,141 Boots N All Report
27/2/2009 League 3 Giants H Grattan Stadium L 12-16 Morrison Deacon 4/4 10,186 Boots N All Report
07/03/2009 League 4 Warriors A JJB Stadium L 4-44 Sheriffe,Menzies Deacon 1/2 12,588 Sky Sports Report
15/3/2009 League 5 Hull FC H Grattan Stadium Boots N All Report
21/3/2009 League 6 Dragons A Stade Gilbert Brutus Boots N All Report
29/3/2009 League 7 Tigers A Jungle Boots N All Report
5/04/2009 Cup 4 Dragons A Stade Gilbert Brutus BBC Sport Report
10/4/2009 League 8 Rhinos H Grattan Stadium Sky Sports Report
13/4/2009 League 9 Wildcats A Belle Vue Boots N All Report
19/4/2009 League 10 Wolves H Grattan Stadium Sky Sports Report
24/4/2009 League 11 Saints A GPW Recrui Stadium Sky Sports Report
2/5/2009 League 12 Wildcats N Murrayfield Boots N All Report
9/5/2009 Cup 5 Report
17/5/2009 League 13 Crusaders H Grattan Stadium Boots N All Report
22/5/2009 League 14 City Reds A The Willows Boots N All Report
30/5/2009 Cup QF Report
7/6/2009 League 15 Wildcats H Grattan Stadium Boots N All Report
14/6/2009 League 16 Wolves A Helliwell Jones Boots N All Report
21/6/2009 League 17 Saints H Grattan Stadium Boots N All Report
26/6/2009 League 18 Rhinos A Headingley Highlights Report
5/7/2009 League 19 Tigers H Grattan Stadium Boots N All Report
12/7/2009 League 20 Hull KR A Craven Park Boots N All Report
19/7/2009 League 21 Warriors H Grattan Stadium Boots N All Report
25/7/2009 League 22 Crusaders A Brewery Field Boots N All Report
2/8/2009 League 23 Harlequins H Grattan Stadium Boots N All Report
8/8/2009 Cup Semi Final BBC Sport Report
16/8/2009 League 24 Giants A Galpharm Boots N All Report
23/8/2009 League 25 Dragons H Grattan Stadium Boots N All Report
29/8/2009 Cup Final N Wembley Stadium BBC Sport Report
6/9/2009 League 26 City Reds H Grattan Stadium Boots N All Report
11/9/2009 League 27 Hull FC A KC Stadium Boots N All Report
12/09/2009 Playoffs PO1 Sky Sports Report
13/09/2009 Playoffs PO2 Sky Sports Report
19/09/2009 Playoffs PO3 Sky Sports Report
20/09/2009 Playoffs PO4 Sky Sports Report
26/09/2009 Playoffs PO5 Sky Sports Report
10/10/2009 Playoffs SLGF Old Trafford Sky Sports Report

Captains

From 1996 -

Coaching Register

From 1930 -

Player Records

All-time Top 5 Bradford Bulls Tryscorers

All-time Top 5 Bradford Bulls Point Scorers

All-time Top 5 Bradford Bulls Appearances

Former Super League Players

Players Earning International Caps Whilst At Bradford

Country names without capital letters indicate a player’s appearance as a substitute.

Players Recieiving Testimonial matches

Team of the Century

As announced in Bradford's T&A Paper on 31 August 2007 :Bradford's Team of the Century

Bradford Bulls Team Of The Century

Head Coach

Kit man

Famous Fans

See also

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