LEE Gaskell admits the Bulls' failure to win promotion has left him devastated but he has vowed to stay at Odsal and spearhead next season's challenge.

The stand-off was recently crowned the Kingstone Press Championship player of the year in recognition of his exploits for Jimmy Lowes' side in 2015.

He was unable to exert a telling influence during the Million Pound Game at Wakefield following his recent recovery from bruised kidneys. But he insists he will remain part of the Bulls' squad for another season.

Gaskell confirmed: "I will be at Bradford next season. I've enjoyed my time here and it has been fantastic.

"I can look back on Saturday's game and say I gave my all – but it wasn't quite good enough on the day.

"Hopefully next season it will be a different story. It's not ideal being in the Championship for another year but as long as I'm playing for Bradford Bulls, I'll do my best to get the club back where it belongs."

The former St Helens star paid tribute to the fans for their backing this season and is hoping they stick with the Bulls for another year in the Championship.

"I sat down after the game and it's hard to describe how you feel because it was so devastating and there were a lot of tears in the dressing room," said Gaskell.

"Full credit to the fans because they turned out in force and we tried our best to get back to where the club and the supporters deserve to be.

"It wasn't meant to be and next year we need to come back bigger and stronger – but this will hurt for a while.

"We gave Wakefield a 12-0 lead but when we scored a try we started to believe and began playing fast around the ruck.

"I think it was just that belief that we needed. If we had started off like that then it could have been a different game.

"We were in touching distance at the end because we just missed that kick late on and they scored a try in the last minute, which didn't really sum up the game.

"We just have to stay strong and stick together. Like I said, I want to pay tribute to the fans because they have been fantastic all year.

"I know the Championship is not where they want to be but hopefully they will come back and support again next season. I hope they stick with us."

Gaskell's wife Courtney recently gave birth to their second son, who they named Nye.

"He's only a week old but he came to the game on Saturday," said Gaskell.

"He was there with Leo, my five-year-old, in the crowd and it was nice to have them behind me."

Meanwhile, managing director Steve Ferres has made a brief video statement in which he confirmed the Bulls will stay full-time next season.

This news had been first revealed by club chairman Marc Green in yesterday's Telegraph & Argus.