Departing chairman Chris Caisley today announced he is stepping down so the Bulls can search for their very own Roman Abramovich.

As revealed in later editions of yesterday's T&A, Caisley has shocked Bulls fans by announcing he will quit after the World Club Challenge clash with Wests Tigers in February.

Today he explained that the club need a sugar daddy like Chelsea's Russian billionaire owner if they are going to maintain their position as the most successful in Super League.

Caisley, who helped transform the Bulls from also-rans to kings of the world during his 16-year reign, also announced rugby union could still form part of the club's future.

Basketball may be on the horizon as well in his long-term vision if the Odsal Sporting Village development he has spearheaded finally gets the go-ahead.

But Caisley admitted he hopes his replacement will be the man to bring these dreams alive - in the shape of a major investor who can maximise the Bulls' earning potential.

"The club are looking for someone with the right ambition and drive and perhaps somebody who can get access to the financial resources which are going to be needed to turn what is there - the spectre of a fantastic club with a great brand - to something more than that," he said.

"You see it in soccer now. It's gone from the sublime to the ridiculous with Roman Abramovich but it's happening on a lower level in rugby league too.

"You are seeing the involvement of people who want to come in and run clubs their way and are prepared to do that on the back of getting sound business propositions.

"You've Simon Moran at Warring-ton, Dave Whelan at Wigan, Paul Caddick with Leeds and the new guy at London (Ian Lenagan).

"We've never had that at the Bulls throughout the whole of my chairmanship but it may well become necessary to have that sort of person at the helm if you want to carry on competing.

"I won't comment whether that's good or bad but possibly it will become part of the game.

"It's good that me going paves the way for that sort of person to come in and really develop what is a fantastic brand and club. The time is right for someone out there to come and take full advantage."

During Caisley's tenure, the Bulls have won every major honour in rugby league, being Super League champions four times, Challenge Cup winners twice and also double World Club Challenge champions.

Caisley has proved a shrewd and visionary operator in making the Bulls one of the biggest names in the game but the Leeds-based solicitor accepts he cannot realistically take them to the next level.

He has also resigned from the board and will sell his stake in the club if a suitable buyer emerges - and he believes his fellow directors will follow suit.

"I don't have a majority stake in the club but the board as a whole does and so if the person coming in had the right motives and reasons then I'm sure the board would be happy to sign over the controlling shares," he confirmed.

Caisley, who also wants to spend more time with his family, sees the Bulls' name as the club's pathway forward.

"To continue the success you have to always develop it," he said.

"The Bulls brand can be diversified and I would like to see it used in other things.

"When you look at Leeds, they've done it with the Tykes. They'll say it's not paying its way but it is contributing to overheads.

"I'm still convinced there's an opportunity with rugby union. That's one area and with the development of the stadium, the city is going to need to utilise its sporting facilities as much as possible.

"There will be a huge indoor arena created and that needs to attract other sports, basketball being the obvious example.

"A top team in Bradford would, I'm sure, be made most welcome in the National League and the Bulls brand could be used there."

The Bulls almost bought out Wakefield RU four years ago in a bid to break into the Zurich Premiership and that sort of venture is well within their reach, according to the exiting chairman.