JIMMY Lowes immediately set his sights on returning the Bulls to Super League after the club were relegated to the Championship.

The 52-26 defeat at neighbours Huddersfield left Bradford preparing for their first campaign outside of the top flight in over four decades.

It marked one of the darkest days in the club’s history but legendary former hooker Lowes is up for the fight next season.

He said: “We’ve been knocked down and put on our backsides but it’s time for us to stand up, put the gloves back on and go for it next year.

“We’ll set some ground rules during pre-season and I’m certainly up for it.

“If we want to play the game back at the top level then we’ve got to finish this season off in the right manner and prepare for what will be a tough year in the Championship.

“The target is the top four and then we’ll target the bottom four of Super League to get back up.

“I’m certainly up for the challenge and the guys who are staying will certainly be up for that as well.

“Hopefully things will fall into place pretty quick and we’ll get the ball rolling with that mysterious ‘Plan B’ I keep talking about.”

Lowes has already signed Dale Ferguson and Lee Gaskell for the next two seasons but Luke Gale will head a list of departures.

The Bulls have also been linked with moves for Wakefield prop Richard Moore, Featherstone winger Etu Uaisele and Salford full-back Jake Mullaney.

Lowes added: “Hopefully things will happen with recruitment in the next few weeks.

“Some players are very ambitious and want to stay in Super League, so there will be a few changes, which is unfortunate.

“How many players will still be here next season? That’s a good question and I can probably answer it better at the end of next week. But there will certainly be quite a few changes.”

The Bulls seem certain not to take the appeal against their six-point penalty to the High Court and Lowes admitted yesterday’s demotion was a sad day.

Having experienced Challenge Cup semi-final and World Club Challenge wins at Huddersfield, he added: “I’ve been at this stadium popping champagne and squirting beer everywhere at the end of game.

“As you can imagine, the dressing room is a sad place because it’s a sad time now.

“I thought the lads did themselves justice and went about their business really well.

“We just weren’t clinical enough, particularly in that first half, which was a shame because I thought we were the better side for most of that half.

“It’s a shame but the lads have gone down fighting, definitely, and they will for the rest of the season.

“But you saw our character there and I think we will get a win before the end of the year.”

Lowes added that Chev Walker was withdrawn late on with a badly-cut hand.