Luke Gale in talks over long-term Bradford Bulls deal

8:00am Monday 24th September 2012 in Sport Photograph of the Author By Ross Heppenstall, Bradford Bulls Reporter

Luke Gale could sign a contract extension in the next few weeks Luke Gale could sign a contract extension in the next few weeks

Luke Gale is in line for an improved contract as Francis Cummins steps up his efforts to attract new signings to the Bulls.

Gale enjoyed an outstanding debut campaign at Odsal following his arrival from Harlequins on a two-year deal.

The England Knights scrum half, 24, is one of the Bulls’ most prized assets and efforts are being made to tie him and John Bateman to new long-term deals.

It is understood that a three-year contract for Gale is under discussion, with agent Craig Harrison confident a deal can be struck.

Harrison told the T&A: “Luke’s very loyal and he loves it at Bradford, so I think he will stay.

“He’s very close to his team-mates and has fitted in superbly well at Odsal this year.

“I remember saying to Mick Potter when he signed Galey that he was the kind of player who can buy time on the field and I think he’s proved that.

“He’s quickly established himself as the fulcrum of the side and ideally I’d like things to get sorted in the next couple of weeks.”

Harrison has over 70 players on his books and is one of three agents to have met with Cummins in recent days.

Harrison admitted the prospect of former Hull KR utility player Scott Murrell joining the Bulls had been discussed along with a number of loan deals for promising young players from rival Super League clubs looking to gain regular first-team experience.

Chev Walker is in talks about a new deal and, despite having other options, has made clear his desire to stay at Bradford.

Comments(29)

flashdonut says...
8:10am Mon 24 Sep 12

Nice story to brighten a miserable Monday morning.

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Prycey says...
9:46am Mon 24 Sep 12

If Purtell makes a full recovery we might still have a very good back line and halves. Gale is a player who most clubs would like so if he signs it will send a message to other players both at Odsal and outside that we are building again. Looking at the plight of Hull KR on Friday along with Salford, London and Cas the Bulls will soon shake off the last 12 months and hopefully be in a position to attract new players as we will be in a sound financial position when others are starting to show real signs of trouble. SL is in a mess and players might see the Bulls as a safe club now for the next few years. It might sound silly but agents may be telling their players that the Bulls should be safe to sign for now.

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AdeyG'man says...
9:52am Mon 24 Sep 12

Agreed Prycey. We were just the tip of the iceberg...we've had our year of hell and the club is an exciting place to be now. OK, we may not make the big name signings we once did, but who needs them? If we keep the core squad, add some more young lads to the team and just enjoy 2013...

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bullyboydonegud! says...
10:33am Mon 24 Sep 12

Is this improved contract because gale had signed behind the scenes for another super league club? He wasn't afraid of making it public either! Loyal my bum

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Hudzilla says...
10:34am Mon 24 Sep 12

Great, positive, news. #COYB

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Old Dave says...
10:36am Mon 24 Sep 12

If a player was thinking about what happens if the Bulls go under, he wasnt being disloyal, he was being sensible! Luke's a great lad and a very good player, and we should be trying to tie him to a contract to build the team around him. Not bad for a lad from Miggi!

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Ralphie says...
11:00am Mon 24 Sep 12

According to an interview with Omar Khan in todays League Express the Bulls will be spending right up to the salary cap limit, which would appear to be great news as long as Cummins spends it well!

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Solomon Grundy says...
11:05am Mon 24 Sep 12

That's good news then re the cap, but can they spend some of it on some front row forwards please, since by my reckoning we're only about 4 short in that dept.

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Capabull says...
11:15am Mon 24 Sep 12

This is the sort of news we need to hear, we need the likes of Gale to stay and to get him on an extended contract means we mean business and he has faith in the club. Tough on whoever thought they had him lined up, how sad never mind.

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bullybullman says...
12:27pm Mon 24 Sep 12

bullyboydonegud! wrote:
Is this improved contract because gale had signed behind the scenes for another super league club? He wasn't afraid of making it public either! Loyal my bum
Unfair comment he was only going to move if we went out of super league who can blame him for that. We are a club who have been in trouble for several years we now have stability for the next two years plus there are not many clubs in SL that have that. Good news keep the signings coming to encourge people to buy a session ticket.

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Bone_idle18 says...
12:59pm Mon 24 Sep 12

Ralphie wrote:
According to an interview with Omar Khan in todays League Express the Bulls will be spending right up to the salary cap limit, which would appear to be great news as long as Cummins spends it well!
So, about half of what Warrington, Wigan and Leeds spend then? :)

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BrisBull says...
1:02pm Mon 24 Sep 12

Bone_idle18 wrote:
Ralphie wrote:
According to an interview with Omar Khan in todays League Express the Bulls will be spending right up to the salary cap limit, which would appear to be great news as long as Cummins spends it well!
So, about half of what Warrington, Wigan and Leeds spend then? :)
Now now, play nicely!

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Prycey says...
1:04pm Mon 24 Sep 12

He would be a fool if he hadn't sorted out a back up option and would have been putting his family in financial risk. If he signs for us then I don't care who else wanted him as he wants to stay with us.

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raisemeup says...
1:37pm Mon 24 Sep 12

bullyboydonegud! wrote:
Is this improved contract because gale had signed behind the scenes for another super league club? He wasn't afraid of making it public either! Loyal my bum
A lot over the top there BBDG. You can't confuse loyalty with common sense when survival is the issue.. What CK did was disloyal. LukeGale is in my opinion a good loyal member of our team.

A player cannot sign for another club behind the scenes if already contracted to a club.

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Solomon Grundy says...
1:40pm Mon 24 Sep 12

Real shame about Kopczak, think he's been badly advised, he's a Bradford lad who could have played all his career here and been a big hero to us, as we all rate him. Shame. But no hard feelings and good luck to him in the end.

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Mumby was the best says...
3:06pm Mon 24 Sep 12

Average player at best.

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BrisBull says...
3:18pm Mon 24 Sep 12

Solomon Grundy wrote:
Real shame about Kopczak, think he's been badly advised, he's a Bradford lad who could have played all his career here and been a big hero to us, as we all rate him. Shame. But no hard feelings and good luck to him in the end.
He was improving season on season - shame.

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Capabull says...
3:32pm Mon 24 Sep 12

Koppy was improving, but still tended to be a stroller. To me he lacked nastiness and aggresion. But time will tell how good he will be.
Love to see Fielden back if he can shake off his injuries.

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bullyboydonegud! says...
4:48pm Mon 24 Sep 12

raisemeup wrote:
bullyboydonegud! wrote:
Is this improved contract because gale had signed behind the scenes for another super league club? He wasn't afraid of making it public either! Loyal my bum
A lot over the top there BBDG. You can't confuse loyalty with common sense when survival is the issue.. What CK did was disloyal. LukeGale is in my opinion a good loyal member of our team.

A player cannot sign for another club behind the scenes if already contracted to a club.
Your talking absolute crap
He's loyal Is he? He's wanting a revised contract, more money! If he was loyal he wouldn't need a pay increase to stay he would have continued on the same terms of his existing contract. carrot and stick approach- how desperate


And yes he did sign for another club, So did many players

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raisemeup says...
5:16pm Mon 24 Sep 12

bullyboydonegud! wrote:
raisemeup wrote:
bullyboydonegud! wrote:
Is this improved contract because gale had signed behind the scenes for another super league club? He wasn't afraid of making it public either! Loyal my bum
A lot over the top there BBDG. You can't confuse loyalty with common sense when survival is the issue.. What CK did was disloyal. LukeGale is in my opinion a good loyal member of our team.

A player cannot sign for another club behind the scenes if already contracted to a club.
Your talking absolute crap
He's loyal Is he? He's wanting a revised contract, more money! If he was loyal he wouldn't need a pay increase to stay he would have continued on the same terms of his existing contract. carrot and stick approach- how desperate


And yes he did sign for another club, So did many players
No that's left entirely to you, you do it so much better than me.

You are tiresome!
Who did he sign for and on what terms,
where did you see the actual story that said Luke Gale has signed for X club, and when was this? Convince us all please.

Either put up or shut up!

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Capabull says...
5:25pm Mon 24 Sep 12

Methinks the troll has got a new name!!!!!

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oddshapedballs says...
6:17pm Mon 24 Sep 12

he igned for the team that mops up at clubs that struggle. the low life club not so far away

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raisemeup says...
6:47pm Mon 24 Sep 12

oddshapedballs wrote:
he igned for the team that mops up at clubs that struggle. the low life club not so far away
No he didn't it was all speculative nonsense.

No player will risk the breach of contract situation.

As with the other chap what's not is name BBDG?

Convince us by giving hard evidence, chapter and verse they call it?

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theviking62 says...
7:11pm Mon 24 Sep 12

Raise, bbdc, oddballs, are both noted for coming out with utter garbage. Oddballs, is the wind up merchant of the City site. Bbdc, could well be another name for our own pet troll, but at this moment I doubt it as he posted something earlier.

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Mumby was the best says...
7:44pm Mon 24 Sep 12

I am still here Viking my friend how are you and are you still in hospital ?

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Videoref says...
9:05pm Mon 24 Sep 12

Be nice if we do extend Gales contract and also sign Sammut to partner him at halfback as Jeffries has gone.
1, 6, 7 & 9 then look good. If we can keep Bateman, Whitehead and Langley in the pack, Ainscough, Kear, Lulia & Platt in the backs plus the ones still on contract we have the makings of a good team-just need some good hard Front Rowers to set the platform

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Mumby was the best says...
6:23am Tue 25 Sep 12

So Signing all the existing players that finished 9 th and let in 120 points in the last 2 games sounds like a recipe for disaster.

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bullyboydonegud! says...
8:01am Tue 25 Sep 12

oddshapedballs wrote:
he igned for the team that mops up at clubs that struggle. the low life club not so far away
very true
Absolutely correct
We are both in the know

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Mumby was the best says...
8:14am Tue 25 Sep 12

Name the team if you are in the know

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