Bradford Bulls get probationary Super League licence (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

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Say no more...

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We'll be running a full story on the site later and with all the latest developments and a round-up of the day's events in tomorrow's edition of the T&A.

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Apparently there may be a season ticket announcement imminent...

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Buy it! It's good!

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From earlier today: Mick Potter waves goodbye to the Bulls

“I was always going to return to Australia and I feel that now is the right time for me to go and I have recommended Francis Cummins as my successor. “He has worked with me throughout my time at the club and in my opinion will become a very good first-team coach. “I have enjoyed my time at the Bulls and the supporters and people at the club are second to none. “I feel too that, despite circumstances beyond our control, the team, through the rugby league we played, showed a lot of character in the midst of terrible adversity. “(New owners) Omar Khan and Gerry Sutcliffe have come in and rescued the club and were keen for me to stay for a longer tenure and I made it clear to them that my decision has nothing to do with their purchase of the club. It has been the things that have happened over the previous five months that have caused my decision. “I will be watching Bradford Bulls with a lot of interest from Australia and it goes without saying that I wish them every success in the future.”

Mick Potter

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The decision of the RFL’s independent Board of Directors was relayed to Bradford Bulls and the sport’s other member clubs earlier today and ends the uncertainty that has surrounded the structure of both Super League and the Championship competitions in recent months.

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Keep watching these live updates and also follow our on-the-spot reporter Hannah Postles on Twitter at @HannahP_TandA

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RFL Chief Executive Nigel Wood said: “This is a very positive development which provides stability for all the clubs in Super League and the Championship and allows the sport to approach next season with even greater confidence.

“The Board deliberated long and hard and took into consideration the many views of the sport’s various constituents before reaching a decision which we believe is in the best interests of the whole game.

“The new owners of Bradford Bulls are to be congratulated on their foresight in
  purchasing a club which we always knew was a very attractive proposition. Their investment in Bradford Bulls is a vote of confidence in Super League.

“A probationary licence allows us to closely monitor the performance of Bradford Bulls next season and develop a view on what direction we take in future years. That direction will be framed by the ongoing strategic policy review that we
  expect to present to clubs in the first half of 2013.

“The probationary licence also precludes the need for a mini-licensing round, which the overwhelming majority of clubs accept was impractical given the timeframes involved. “The RFL Board and Executive will continue to work with all member clubs to build on the terrific progress we have experienced in 2012.”

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More from the press release: "Bradford Bulls were reinstated as full members of the RFL earlier this week after the club’s new owner provided all the financial information required  for the governing body to complete its due diligence process."

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Our reporter Hannah Postles is at Odsal waiting to speak to Omar Khan and Gerry Sutcliffe about their reaction to the news.