Prop Brian McDermott has declared that Odsal stalwart Brian Noble would be the players' unanimous choice as the club's new head coach.

His comments came just hours after current boss Matthew Elliott told the squad he was leaving at the end of the season to take up a new role with the Canberra Raiders in his native Australia.

Noble is sure to be a leading contender for the job having been linked earlier in the season with head coaching roles at Huddersfield and Warrington.

"There is no hidden agenda with Nobbie," said the club's longest serving current player. "He is Bradford Bulls through and through. He has amber, red and black on his heart and what a great bloke he would be to have as your head coach. That is the feeling right across the dressing room.

"When Brian Smith resigned there was only one man for the job and it was Matthew Elliott.

"Players who have come in like Henry Paul, Brad Mackay and Lee Radford have had to fit into our system. Now if you were to bring in another coach, other than Brian, you would certainly mess up the system we have at present.

"The system will keep running itself as long as the man in charge can implement it and Nobbie has certainly learned enough from Matthew, including some of his mistakes.

"He has been in an ideal position and I think it would be a travesty if he was not given a crack at the top job because if a new man came in with contrasting ideas it may take us another two or three years to get back where we are now."

Meanwhile, McDermott has been describing the mood as Elliott revealed his plans yesterday.

"There had been a lot of speculation about him going but everything seemed to have died down after Matt had been linked with a number of jobs," he said. "So it did come as a bit of a surprise when he told us, although not a huge one.

"I can't really blame him - he comes from Australia. My ambition is to play for my country and his aim is to coach in Australia.

"I think people sometimes underestimate the job he has done. I would get a little angry that every time when people write about the Bulls' success Brian Smith's name comes before his. It would be hard not to mention Smithy because he did a great job but Matt is a very good coach in his own right.

"He improved every individual player and I certainly owe him a lot.

"I don't think there is a good time for an announcement like this but it is not going to affect us or him in the play-offs.

"I think to be honest it is a bit like the Adrian Morley situation at Leeds where once he announced he was going to Australia and it was out in the open it was a lot better for everyone concerned. We all know what is happening now and that we are going to get a new coach next season.

"What a great way it would be to send Matt off by getting him a Grand Final medal."

lSeason ticket holders are reminded that Saturday's do or die play-off tie with Leeds Rhinos is all pay.