Potter prize a reward for combating Bradford Bulls chaos (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Mick Potter prize a reward for combating Bradford Bulls chaos

7:10am Wednesday 3rd October 2012 in Sport By Simon Parker, Bradford City Reporter

Mick Potter scooped the Super League coach of the year title for much more than his record on the pitch.

That’s the view of his Bulls successor Francis Cummins after the Aussie’s final term at Odsal was acknowledged with a trophy.

Cummins was delighted to see his fellow peers pay tribute to Potter’s leadership while the financial chaos whirled around him.

“You think of a coach getting the award for being technically and tactically aware but it was more than that this year,” he said.

“It wasn’t about the wins. They became a little bit insignificant early on. Players were playing for their careers.

“There were times when we genuinely felt the club was going to go. You feared it would be the last game and that was a really strange feeling. But Mick’s leadership shone through.

“He was blunt with them. You couldn’t control anything going on round the club – the only thing you could change is what you did on the pitch.

“It’s like sometimes when a player is coming to the end of his contract. There are negotiations going on and other clubs might be interested and that can put them off their game.

“We’ve had a whole club like that and it wasn’t just the players. It was the coaches, the backroom staff and even people in the offices.

“All kinds were going off, the rumours and conspiracy theories were flying around.

“Ultimately you went out there and did it for each other. Full credit to Mick for keeping the lads focused.”

Potter has now returned Down Under but Cummins plans to tap into his knowledge as he finds his feet as a rookie coach. But he has not welcomed all of his predecessor’s messages.

“Mick keeps sending me pictures of beaches, which isn’t helpful when it’s raining outside once again!” said Cummins.

“We’re in contact a couple of times a week and we will keep chatting because you keep hold of the good ones.

“I will do the job my way but you’re still always asking other people, even in other sports, because they’ve all got examples of what happens and you draw from that.

“Mick will be another valuable source to tap into.”