The chairman of Bradford Bulls rugby league club has sensationally quit the Super League champions.

Chris Caisley has been at the helm for 16 years overseeing the club's most successful period.

But with the World Club Challenge just six weeks away, the Bulls chief today suddenly announced he is quitting because of family reasons.

His shock decision could throw the Bulls' ambitious plans to redevelop Odsal into jeopardy because Mr Caisley has been the driving force behind a multi-million pound project to create a world-class sporting village on the site.

Pressure is mounting on Bradford Council to see the long-awaited scheme put into motion.

Mr Caisley is thought to be frustrated by the delays in the process but today he simply stated that he will leave the Bulls after their World Club Challenge match against Australian champions Wests Tigers on February 3.

"I have been chairman since 1989 and 16 years is a long time but it is the right time to stand down for many different reasons," said the father-of-two.

"Throughout the lengthy period of my chairmanship I have always had in mind the best interests of the club and our fantastic supporters.

"I firmly believe that the time is right for us to close this particular chapter in the club's history and move forward positively into the second decade of Super League.

"My departure will present a fantastic opportunity for the Bulls to seek and attract the best possible replacement, someone with the necessary resources and business acumen, someone who can recognise the terrific opportunity which exists to build on our tremendous success and further develop the Bulls' brand, one of the most recognisable brands in UK professional sport.

"In addition, my goal was always to get the Odsal Sporting Village development scheme off the ground and in conjunction with Bradford Council we have got the scheme to the point where it is just about there, subject to planning.

"The sports village will deliver superb sports and leisure facilities for the whole of Bradford and the surrounding area and it will enable the city of Bradford to play a major role in the Olympic Games in 2012.

"It has the very positive and invaluable support of Sport England and it will play a major part in the ongoing regeneration of Bradford. The new chairman will have a major role to play in this very exciting scheme."

It is understood vice-chairman Mr Peter Hood will take over in the interim but the position of chairman is now up for the grabs.

"I hope that he or she enjoys the privilege of heading up this great club half as much as much as I have done over the past 16 years or so," said Mr Caisley.

"The World Club game will be my last as chairman and director and I hear the Wests Tigers are really preparing themselves well so it is going to be a real tough game.

"I will say my goodbyes to Brian Noble, the players, directors and staff and all Bulls fans who have given me such fantastic support over the years until we have got that game out of the way."

Mr Caisley, a senior partner with Walker Morris solicitors in Leeds, has been a major catalyst in transforming the club's fortunes during the Super League era, introducing Bullmania with all its colour and razzmatazz and making them the stand-out club.

The Bulls have been crowned Super League champions four times during his chairmanship, won the Challenge Cup twice and also lifted the world title on two occasions.

Bradford South MP Gerry Sutcliffe paid tribute to Mr Caisley.

He said: "I would like to acknowledge the tremendous success of Chris Caisley not just at the Bulls but for what he has done for rugby league in general.

"He has been really good for the game and the club, taking it to great heights, and has done tremendously for Bradford as a city by the positive success he brought to the club. He will be missed."

Mr Sutcliffe admitted he was worried about the plans for the Odsal Sporting Village, as was Mr Caisley.

"I'm concerned and frustrated by the length of time it is taking but we know that has got to happen to develop it even further.

"But I do know that has been one of Chris' frustrations that things take too long."