The administrator of crisis-hit Bradford Bulls has issued a rallying call for fans to turn out in their thousands for their “last chance” to convince potential buyers to save the famous rugby league club.

The appeal by Brendan Guilfoyle came as it was revealed that former coach Mick Potter and some of his key assistants, all of whom were made redundant by the administrator on Monday, have volunteered to return to the club without pay to see the Bulls through Sunday’s game.

Mr Guilfoyle hopes 10,000 supporters will flock through the turnstiles at Odsal for the side’s Super League clash against London Broncos, which could be its last game if an investor is not found by Tuesday’s deadline.

But yesterday the Rugby Football League (RFL) expressed its “optimism” about the future of the club, saying it had received interest from the business community and supporters about taking the club out of administration.

RFL director of standards and licensing Blake Solly said: “We are also aware that the administrator has received other bids and while there remains a great deal of uncertainty, we are optimistic about the future.”

The club now has until Tuesday to find a potential buyer and Mr Guilfoyle said anyone who had expressed an interest had been spoken to and given more information.

The Telegraph & Argus reported yesterday that the administrator had received six expressions of interest from potential purchasers but last night he would not reveal what stage any of the discussions with interested parties had reached.

He said: “My focus is to find someone who’s prepared to buy the club before Tuesday’s deadline. If I was to discuss the progress I’m making with potential purchasers it would jeopardise my ability to run this club.”

Mr Guilfoyle, of the P&A Partnership, told an estimated 500 fans who had packed into the Guide Post Hotel for a crisis meeting on Monday that the game needed an attendance of 5,000 – but said he now hopes it can attract closer to 10,000 people.

The fixture usually has the smallest attendance of the season of 2,000-3,000 people and would make a loss if it cannot attract a larger crowd.

He said: “It’s a derisory figure.

“If that’s going to be the attendance for what could be Bradford Bulls’ last game, it’s not going to help me find a buyer.

“I hope fans will march on down to the stadium in their droves to show potential investors their passion for Bradford Bulls and how much the club means to them.”