Francis Cummins steps up to take over as Bradford Bulls coach

Francis Cummins will be the youngest Super League coach after taking over at the Bulls helm Francis Cummins will be the youngest Super League coach after taking over at the Bulls helm

Francis Cummins yesterday hit the ground running as he began trying to assemble a squad following his appointment as Bulls coach on a three-year deal.

The 35-year-old, set to be the youngest coach in Super League next season, currently has only 16 senior players contracted to the club for 2013.

Manase Manuokafoa and Chev Walker are set for new deals and the likes of Danny Addy , Shaun Ainscough , Jarrod Sammut and Karl Pryce are also under consideration.

It is understood that the Bulls are scouring the loan market and could sign some of the best young players from leading clubs such as Wigan and Warrington keen to gain regular Super League experience.

Paul Sykes , meanwhile, is believed to have been offered a two-year deal to join Wakefield permanently and John Bateman ’s rise to prominence is set to be rewarded with a new, improved contract offer.

Former Leeds assistant coach Cummins, recommended to new owners Omar Khan and Gerry Sutcliffe by predecessor Mick Potter, has an impressive contacts book which is set to come into play in the coming weeks.

The new Bradford coach admitted that Craig Kopczak is likely to have played his last game for the club after terminating his contract at Odsal , sparking a legal battle and an RFL investigation.

Yet Cummins, resplendent in a smart grey suit, spoke impressively as he took centre stage at a press conference in the Coral Stand, flanked by Khan and Sutcliffe.

“The hard work starts today and we’ll be looking to sign players up straight away,” declared Cummins.

“There are people out there getting itchy feet at other places but they’ve got to be the right people. They’ve got to buy into this environment and I’ll be speaking to agents in the new few days.

“Yes, we’ve currently got 16 players who are contracted to the club but Gerry, Omar and I have talked about the budget and we’ll hopefully be sitting down with the players in the next few days or weeks to secure a playing staff.

“That will be the current crop of players who are currently playing for us, and hopefully there will be a few of the younger players moving up as well.”

Cummins and Potter returned to Odsal to work without pay since being made redundant by administrator Brendan Guilfoyle on July 2.

It proved a testing time for the former Leeds winger, who was forced to retire early due to injury aged 29 before embarking on a career in coaching at Headingley, first under Tony Smith and latterly Brian McClennan.

Cummins explained: “I wasn’t getting paid but I’ve got three kids and a wife. When you’re thinking about trying to earn some money, it’s a real test of everything.

“I’ve got to publicly thank my wife Katy for that. It wasn’t easy but she didn’t make it any harder.”

Cummins insisted he was ready for the added responsibility of taking the club forward, despite the financial constraints in place at Odsal.

“I’ve been coaching since I was 16, so that’s 20 years,” said Cummins, who said no decision had yet been made on his backroom staff.

“I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t think I was ready. To be honest, I’ve been ready for a couple of years.”

The administrative structure of the club is set to be decided by the end of this week and Cummins added: “The job has started already.

“My phone isn’t the best – I think it’s on its way out and dieing with the amount of good luck messages and people asking for jobs!

“But it’s all good and I think you have to live this job so much.

“You have your family time but I realise what I’m going to do, although there will come a point in a couple of months where I think ‘this is how it’s going to be’.

“That’s what the head coaches say to me but I’m looking forward to it.”

Comments(46)

monkey belly says...
8:36am Tue 18 Sep 12

good positive article
lets hope Nas accepts the offer as he is a key signing. All the fans ask is that the team play with the heart and commitment that was shown this year, the results will take care of themselves. We showed this year we are a competetive team, which has not been the case for a number of years.

Mumby was the best says...
8:53am Tue 18 Sep 12

this is a very positive interview and what all the fans want to hear, be true to your words Franny/Omar and get a team built to make us proud

Mumby was the best says...
9:03am Tue 18 Sep 12

The players showed a positive attitude till their futures were sorted out then reverted back to normality.

Mumby was the best says...
9:03am Tue 18 Sep 12

The players showed a positive attitude till their futures were sorted out then reverted back to normality.

Mumby was the best says...
9:12am Tue 18 Sep 12

Monkey belly, A competitive team ? As they say you are only as good as your last game.

Shipley Paul says...
9:21am Tue 18 Sep 12

No point looking back, Francis is a very positive kind of guy with experience of working with the best, and all other Super League clubs have been playing their younger players in big games. We won't be any different, we've got a geat crop of young lads itching to step up, and although we might not win anything for a good while, I reckon some of the doom merchants will be surprised.

Mumby was the best says...
9:40am Tue 18 Sep 12

And if not you will be calling for his head ala MP last season.

Hudzilla says...
9:45am Tue 18 Sep 12

Great article, I was worried that the players were just going to drift to other teams, but, by the sounds of it, they are activley trying to secure some deals for the OOC players.

Kop-who???


Excellent forst day in charge I think.

bullybullman says...
10:12am Tue 18 Sep 12

Can not believe Koppy has done the dirty ! Bradford lad chasing the dollar at Huddersfield no real chance of any glory there ! Good luck Franny you have the fans behind you all the best in your new role.

Will, Huddersfield says...
11:04am Tue 18 Sep 12

There's much to be done and Franny is rolling up his sleeves and getting straight down to it. I think it is a bold positive appointment by the new owners and I believe their choice will be vindicated. Franny may be youthful in years but he has been around rugby circles for a long time being an international player as a teenager and doing a thorough apprenticeship at two big clubs. As for getting in an older head to use as a sounding board, I don't buy it. Franny needs no nanny, he can stand on his own feet. Doubters should note that Leeds were gutted when he moved to Bulls as they recognised his potential. With two more year's coaching experience under his belt, he is ready OK.

Mumby was the best says...
11:13am Tue 18 Sep 12

Wrong

Adeybull says...
11:37am Tue 18 Sep 12

Its all a refreshing change already.

FC coming across strongly and well, hitting the ground running. I have a sneaky feeling he is going to surprise a lot of people. I have every confidence.

LoyalBull says...
11:37am Tue 18 Sep 12

bullybullman wrote:
Can not believe Koppy has done the dirty ! Bradford lad chasing the dollar at Huddersfield no real chance of any glory there ! Good luck Franny you have the fans behind you all the best in your new role.
getting boring this subject but from the sound of things Franny has accepted that he will no longer pull the shirt on. This tells me the club has boobed once again with poor contracts. I would not hold it against any player to try and earn more money elsewhere which really Burgess has done as well. But to hear that Scruton was on double the pay of both Koppy and Burgess is **** poor management from the old regime.

Mumby was the best says...
11:54am Tue 18 Sep 12

LoyalBull wrote:
bullybullman wrote:
Can not believe Koppy has done the dirty ! Bradford lad chasing the dollar at Huddersfield no real chance of any glory there ! Good luck Franny you have the fans behind you all the best in your new role.
getting boring this subject but from the sound of things Franny has accepted that he will no longer pull the shirt on. This tells me the club has boobed once again with poor contracts. I would not hold it against any player to try and earn more money elsewhere which really Burgess has done as well. But to hear that Scruton was on double the pay of both Koppy and Burgess is **** poor management from the old regime.
what a load of crock - how does anyone know wht Scruton is on, same for Kopout and Burgess.

If you believed all the wage rumours -

Platt is a multi milionaire
Sykes was on more than the Prime Minister
Awful has more cash than Bill Gates does thanks to his Buills contract

But lets not forget that both Kopout and Burgess were VERY poor before last season (2012)

raisemeup says...
12:06pm Tue 18 Sep 12

LoyalBull wrote:
bullybullman wrote:
Can not believe Koppy has done the dirty ! Bradford lad chasing the dollar at Huddersfield no real chance of any glory there ! Good luck Franny you have the fans behind you all the best in your new role.
getting boring this subject but from the sound of things Franny has accepted that he will no longer pull the shirt on. This tells me the club has boobed once again with poor contracts. I would not hold it against any player to try and earn more money elsewhere which really Burgess has done as well. But to hear that Scruton was on double the pay of both Koppy and Burgess is **** poor management from the old regime.
Where do you get these supposed figures from?

Craig Kop-out lost his sense and his nerve that's all. There is no other explanation for his ridiculous move to a side that will fare no better than us next year.

It's a great shame that he brought his mates and the club into this legal wrangle on the advice of Martin Shuttleworth, his agent>

Rest assured he may not get his registeration with the RFL with the way it was done.He's already forfeited it with Bradford, so at the moment , I imagine he isn't registered to play for any Super League club?
"You stupid Boy" comes to mind.

raisemeup says...
12:09pm Tue 18 Sep 12

Where do you get these supposed figures from?

Craig Kop-out lost his sense and his nerve that's all. There is no other explanation for his ridiculous move to a side that will fare no better than us next year.

It's a great shame that he brought his mates and the club into this legal wrangle on the advice of Martin Shuttleworth, his agent>

Rest assured he may not get his registeration with the RFL with the way it was done.He's already forfeited it with Bradford, so at the moment , I imagine he isn't registered to play for any Super League club?
"You stupid Boy" comes to mind.

bullybullman says...
12:28pm Tue 18 Sep 12

LoyalBull wrote:
bullybullman wrote:
Can not believe Koppy has done the dirty ! Bradford lad chasing the dollar at Huddersfield no real chance of any glory there ! Good luck Franny you have the fans behind you all the best in your new role.
getting boring this subject but from the sound of things Franny has accepted that he will no longer pull the shirt on. This tells me the club has boobed once again with poor contracts. I would not hold it against any player to try and earn more money elsewhere which really Burgess has done as well. But to hear that Scruton was on double the pay of both Koppy and Burgess is **** poor management from the old regime.
Loyalbull - Sorry mate but you dont have a clue in my opinion, Koppy is a Bradford lad under a Bradford contract & has jumped ship he should not be vindicated in anyway. The contract he signed was under his own agreement for the Bradford Bulls we are still the Bulls & all this about not signing for OK Bulls is just a Kop out ! I hope his agent Giants & himself are fined heavley.

Bullbreath says...
1:59pm Tue 18 Sep 12

bullybullman wrote:
Can not believe Koppy has done the dirty ! Bradford lad chasing the dollar at Huddersfield no real chance of any glory there ! Good luck Franny you have the fans behind you all the best in your new role.
Absolutely no chance of glory at the bulls other than getting the wooden spoon haaaaaaaa

Bullbreath says...
2:02pm Tue 18 Sep 12

LoyalBull wrote:
bullybullman wrote:
Can not believe Koppy has done the dirty ! Bradford lad chasing the dollar at Huddersfield no real chance of any glory there ! Good luck Franny you have the fans behind you all the best in your new role.
getting boring this subject but from the sound of things Franny has accepted that he will no longer pull the shirt on. This tells me the club has boobed once again with poor contracts. I would not hold it against any player to try and earn more money elsewhere which really Burgess has done as well. But to hear that Scruton was on double the pay of both Koppy and Burgess is **** poor management from the old regime.
Well said
All 3 burgess's did the dirty on bulls chasing the dollar in Oz FACT
Let Scruton do the graft now and earn his crust, after all he is on close to 100k how ludicruous is that! No wonder all the props bar manakafuck jumped ship!

Hudzilla says...
2:05pm Tue 18 Sep 12

I didnt know so many people were privvy to the Playing staffs wage slips...

LoyalBull says...
2:17pm Tue 18 Sep 12

Mumby was the best wrote:
LoyalBull wrote:
bullybullman wrote:
Can not believe Koppy has done the dirty ! Bradford lad chasing the dollar at Huddersfield no real chance of any glory there ! Good luck Franny you have the fans behind you all the best in your new role.
getting boring this subject but from the sound of things Franny has accepted that he will no longer pull the shirt on. This tells me the club has boobed once again with poor contracts. I would not hold it against any player to try and earn more money elsewhere which really Burgess has done as well. But to hear that Scruton was on double the pay of both Koppy and Burgess is **** poor management from the old regime.
what a load of crock - how does anyone know wht Scruton is on, same for Kopout and Burgess.

If you believed all the wage rumours -

Platt is a multi milionaire
Sykes was on more than the Prime Minister
Awful has more cash than Bill Gates does thanks to his Buills contract

But lets not forget that both Kopout and Burgess were VERY poor before last season (2012)
because I know everything and I have the previous accounts with all the wage's. go to companies house.

LoyalBull says...
2:22pm Tue 18 Sep 12

bullybullman wrote:
LoyalBull wrote:
bullybullman wrote:
Can not believe Koppy has done the dirty ! Bradford lad chasing the dollar at Huddersfield no real chance of any glory there ! Good luck Franny you have the fans behind you all the best in your new role.
getting boring this subject but from the sound of things Franny has accepted that he will no longer pull the shirt on. This tells me the club has boobed once again with poor contracts. I would not hold it against any player to try and earn more money elsewhere which really Burgess has done as well. But to hear that Scruton was on double the pay of both Koppy and Burgess is **** poor management from the old regime.
Loyalbull - Sorry mate but you dont have a clue in my opinion, Koppy is a Bradford lad under a Bradford contract & has jumped ship he should not be vindicated in anyway. The contract he signed was under his own agreement for the Bradford Bulls we are still the Bulls & all this about not signing for OK Bulls is just a Kop out ! I hope his agent Giants & himself are fined heavley.
but surely the club is bigger than one player or any other player for that matter. I find the whole subject very boring to be quite frank and I would rather wait and see the outcome as to who is right or wrong. I want to hear what players we will now be signing with less money as players come and go all the time.

portugalbull says...
2:40pm Tue 18 Sep 12

Hope Paul Medley is first appointment to give continuity to our successful youngsters.
Agree with free entry for under 12's.
Young are future for the club!
Good luck to Fanny, hope he can achieve a good enough squad for next year.
If short for props might be able to get Feilden from Wigan on the cheap? After nearly 2years out will want to prove himself again.

portugalbull says...
2:40pm Tue 18 Sep 12

Hope Paul Medley is first appointment to give continuity to our successful youngsters.
Agree with free entry for under 12's.
Young are future for the club!
Good luck to Fanny, hope he can achieve a good enough squad for next year.
If short for props might be able to get Feilden from Wigan on the cheap? After nearly 2years out will want to prove himself again.

Mumby was the best says...
2:45pm Tue 18 Sep 12

LoyalBull wrote:
Mumby was the best wrote:
LoyalBull wrote:
bullybullman wrote:
Can not believe Koppy has done the dirty ! Bradford lad chasing the dollar at Huddersfield no real chance of any glory there ! Good luck Franny you have the fans behind you all the best in your new role.
getting boring this subject but from the sound of things Franny has accepted that he will no longer pull the shirt on. This tells me the club has boobed once again with poor contracts. I would not hold it against any player to try and earn more money elsewhere which really Burgess has done as well. But to hear that Scruton was on double the pay of both Koppy and Burgess is **** poor management from the old regime.
what a load of crock - how does anyone know wht Scruton is on, same for Kopout and Burgess.

If you believed all the wage rumours -

Platt is a multi milionaire
Sykes was on more than the Prime Minister
Awful has more cash than Bill Gates does thanks to his Buills contract

But lets not forget that both Kopout and Burgess were VERY poor before last season (2012)
because I know everything and I have the previous accounts with all the wage's. go to companies house.
BULL shiner sunshine

Co House does not pint individuals wages only the total unless Scrutes is a Director....

Jog on

Mumby was the best says...
2:47pm Tue 18 Sep 12

portugalbull wrote:
Hope Paul Medley is first appointment to give continuity to our successful youngsters.
Agree with free entry for under 12's.
Young are future for the club!
Good luck to Fanny, hope he can achieve a good enough squad for next year.
If short for props might be able to get Feilden from Wigan on the cheap? After nearly 2years out will want to prove himself again.
best post of the day by far

Sheffieldbull says...
2:54pm Tue 18 Sep 12

LoyalBull wrote:
Mumby was the best wrote:
LoyalBull wrote:
bullybullman wrote:
Can not believe Koppy has done the dirty ! Bradford lad chasing the dollar at Huddersfield no real chance of any glory there ! Good luck Franny you have the fans behind you all the best in your new role.
getting boring this subject but from the sound of things Franny has accepted that he will no longer pull the shirt on. This tells me the club has boobed once again with poor contracts. I would not hold it against any player to try and earn more money elsewhere which really Burgess has done as well. But to hear that Scruton was on double the pay of both Koppy and Burgess is **** poor management from the old regime.
what a load of crock - how does anyone know wht Scruton is on, same for Kopout and Burgess.

If you believed all the wage rumours -

Platt is a multi milionaire
Sykes was on more than the Prime Minister
Awful has more cash than Bill Gates does thanks to his Buills contract

But lets not forget that both Kopout and Burgess were VERY poor before last season (2012)
because I know everything and I have the previous accounts with all the wage's. go to companies house.
If anyone thought you were an idiot before this post, you've just removed any doubt!
.
Please don't think others are as stupid as you - you are way ahead!

Mumby was the best says...
3:10pm Tue 18 Sep 12

Sheffieldbull wrote:
LoyalBull wrote:
Mumby was the best wrote:
LoyalBull wrote:
bullybullman wrote:
Can not believe Koppy has done the dirty ! Bradford lad chasing the dollar at Huddersfield no real chance of any glory there ! Good luck Franny you have the fans behind you all the best in your new role.
getting boring this subject but from the sound of things Franny has accepted that he will no longer pull the shirt on. This tells me the club has boobed once again with poor contracts. I would not hold it against any player to try and earn more money elsewhere which really Burgess has done as well. But to hear that Scruton was on double the pay of both Koppy and Burgess is **** poor management from the old regime.
what a load of crock - how does anyone know wht Scruton is on, same for Kopout and Burgess.

If you believed all the wage rumours -

Platt is a multi milionaire
Sykes was on more than the Prime Minister
Awful has more cash than Bill Gates does thanks to his Buills contract

But lets not forget that both Kopout and Burgess were VERY poor before last season (2012)
because I know everything and I have the previous accounts with all the wage's. go to companies house.
If anyone thought you were an idiot before this post, you've just removed any doubt!
.
Please don't think others are as stupid as you - you are way ahead!
No Sheff - let him share his EVIDENCE of Scrutons wage

please let him......

monkey belly says...
3:48pm Tue 18 Sep 12

Fielden has been out for 2 years.
He played at the weekend and in my opinion had a very good game, i would welcome him back.

Mumby was the best says...
4:33pm Tue 18 Sep 12

Sheff has proved he is bore of the day.

bullyboydonegud! says...
4:46pm Tue 18 Sep 12

Sorry for interrupting this argument but mr Scruton has made his wage public knowledge, he likes to brag. Those who frequent the rfl forum will know many posters are 'in the know' about what nick Scruton is on. No wonder bulls are in the mess they are

Capabull says...
4:48pm Tue 18 Sep 12

It is understood that the Bulls are scouring the loan market and could sign some of the best young players from leading clubs such as Wigan and Warrington keen to gain regular Super League experience.

If Wigan and Warrington are prepared to loan young players then that is a ringing endorsement of Franny Cummins.
Would like to think we are trying to keep young Donaldson, but no mention of him.

bullybullman says...
5:54pm Tue 18 Sep 12

Hudzilla wrote:
I didnt know so many people were privvy to the Playing staffs wage slips...
They dont !

theviking62 says...
6:34pm Tue 18 Sep 12

Cappabull, you should read other media sites, not just t n a. We are keeping our young'uns. As to " scouring the loan market " what was probably said was " might have to " . Anyway we have our own young'uns who need firt team experience, so why would we want Wire or Wigan ones.

bullyboydonegud! says...
6:39pm Tue 18 Sep 12

bullybullman wrote:
Hudzilla wrote:
I didnt know so many people were privvy to the Playing staffs wage slips...
They dont !
Agents talk, also a few ex bulls employee's who were made redundant have lose lips and an axe to grind and so have nothing to lose by revealing inside info re Bradford bulls

Capabull says...
7:08pm Tue 18 Sep 12

theviking62 wrote:
Cappabull, you should read other media sites, not just t n a. We are keeping our young'uns. As to " scouring the loan market " what was probably said was " might have to " . Anyway we have our own young'uns who need firt team experience, so why would we want Wire or Wigan ones.
Viking I only repeated what was in the above article because I felt it reflected well on Franny.
I agree with you we have our own young`uns and hopefully if they are ready we should promote them rather than lose them to a club nearby who seems to like to raid our academy rather than nurture their own.

Californiabull says...
7:41pm Tue 18 Sep 12

Feilden would be a good signing ...he still has plenty to offer and would be excellent to bring on the young props and forwards

Mumby was the best says...
7:51pm Tue 18 Sep 12

Viking could have a part to play and bring the young uns like karl fairbank through.

New Hall Nev says...
9:17pm Tue 18 Sep 12

you and windes and cas bottom nextyear lol

theviking62 says...
9:32pm Tue 18 Sep 12

Capabull, have we met before. You seem somewhat familiar. You take sense unlike some I could mention. I wouldn't mind a certain Giant in a swap for The Kopout Kid. Or a large squawking bird from down the road. Even if we only get a couple of years out of 'em. Will bring the kids on no end.

GIGO detector says...
6:23am Wed 19 Sep 12

New Hall Nev wrote:
you and windes and cas bottom nextyear lol
Didn't know West Indies had a RL team

Mumby was the best says...
8:01am Wed 19 Sep 12

Jamaica do

bullyboydonegud! says...
10:16am Wed 19 Sep 12

Bulls will finish behind widness in 14th spot next year..watch this space

Steam Pigs says...
10:23am Wed 19 Sep 12

bullyboydonegud! wrote:
bullybullman wrote:
Hudzilla wrote:
I didnt know so many people were privvy to the Playing staffs wage slips...
They dont !
Agents talk, also a few ex bulls employee's who were made redundant have lose lips and an axe to grind and so have nothing to lose by revealing inside info re Bradford bulls
thought people should check companies house????

u iz ful ov sh it (wrote in a language you may understand!)

Capabull says...
12:10pm Wed 19 Sep 12

theviking62 wrote:
Capabull, have we met before. You seem somewhat familiar. You take sense unlike some I could mention. I wouldn't mind a certain Giant in a swap for The Kopout Kid. Or a large squawking bird from down the road. Even if we only get a couple of years out of 'em. Will bring the kids on no end.
Unless you went to school in Bradford in 60`s I don`t think so.

Mumby was the best says...
10:11pm Thu 20 Sep 12

If it was the 1860s you would have been in the same class as viking.

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