Avenue’s initiative to help neighbours Bradford Bulls was announced this week by press officer Lewis Sale but it was the idea of director Kevin Hainsworth.

Any Bulls supporters paying into Avenue’s home games will be contributing directly to the coffers of the Super League club.

The extent of the plight of the rugby league giants came like a bolt out of the blue last Tuesday. They need to raise a £1million to survive, and half of that by next Friday.

Avenue were quick to swing into action to do what they could for the Bulls and they hit on the idea of donating half of any money the Bulls fans spend by watching Avenue.

Sale said: “The two clubs have had a close relationship going back years and not just since the Avenue moved back to Bradford.

"We are close now in terms of location with us at Horsfall Stadium, which is very near to Odsal.

“Kevin rang me the day the story broke about the perilous finances of the Bradford Bulls and told me to let everyone know about the deal we are offering.

"Any Bulls season-ticket holders who come to our home games and pay on the gate will be helping their own club also.

“Half of what they pay to get in, full price or concessions, will go straight back to the Bulls.

"There are quite a number of Bulls supporters who are regulars at Horsfall and we hope they bring along friends and family. We are running this until the end of the season.”

Unfortunately, Avenue have only three home games left this term - Chorley on Monday, Rushall Olympic on Easter Monday and Frickley Athletic the following Saturday. That is unless they get home advantage in any possible play-off fixture.

In what has been a busy week for Avenue, the two new signings they made have almost slipped under the radar.

Bradford boss John Deacey has brought young defender Dean Overson in on loan from Football League neighbours Bradford City.

Overson has been a regular with the Bantams’ reserves this season, and even captained the side in their victory over Scunthorpe United.

Experienced striker Brian Cusworth, who was formerly at Alfreton Town, Frickley Athletic and Stocksbridge Park Steels, has also swelled the numbers after the squad was cut by Aiden Savory’s departure to Australia and recent signing Mark Hudson’s unavailability.

It is understood that the former Huddersfield Town man has moved from the area due to work commitments.