Bradford Bulls looking to tempt Saints winger Jamie Foster

8:10am Tuesday 23rd October 2012 in Sport Photograph of the Author By Ross Heppenstall, Bradford Bulls Reporter

St Helens winger Jamie Foster enjoyed a successful loan spell at Hull FC last season St Helens winger Jamie Foster enjoyed a successful loan spell at Hull FC last season

Jamie Foster held talks with Bulls coach Francis Cummins yesterday over a deal that could see him spend the 2013 campaign on loan at Odsal.

The goal-kicking St Helens winger has again been made available by his parent club after a successful loan spell at Hull FC during the past season.

Cummins met with the 22-year-old wideman and his representative in Leeds yesterday afternoon to open negotiations over a potential switch to the Bulls.

The arrival of Foster would give Cummins another attacking option following the departure of Karl Pryce but would appear to leave Shaun Ainscough facing an increasingly uncertain future.

The popular winger’s contract expired at the end of the season and he has admitted he may be forced to turn down the offer on the table from the Bulls, saying: “I’m not sure it’s enough to support the three of us (his girlfriend and son).”

Ian Sibbit, who left Odsal at the end of the season after calling time on his Super League career, believes his former team-mate deserves a pay rise after hitting double figures during the 2012 campaign.

Sibbit said: “I thought Shaun was fantastic last season. He scored a lot of tries and his work-rate was outstanding.

“Not only does he score tries, he saves them too and a lot of the work he does chasing back goes unnoticed.

“I know Bradford have got budgets and restrictions and need to be careful after what happened last year.

“But I certainly believe that Shaun is worth more than what he was on last year. It would be a mistake to offer him less than he was on then.

“He’s got a girlfriend and a child to support and is someone who I was glad to have on my team.”

Sibbit feels Ainscough is exactly the kind of character that Cummins will need next season.

“Shaun is a great personality and is great at lifting people’s spirits,” said the former back-rower.

“Not only is he a good player but he’s also a great guy to have around the place.”

The Bulls, meanwhile, will hold a sponsors evening tomorrow night as they look to attract revenue into the club.

The event, which kicks off at 7pm in the Coral Stand, will include a complimentary buffet provided by new owner Omar Khan and live entertainment from the Teri Sullivan Band.

Bradford general manager Ryan Whitcut said: “We want as many local businesses and supporters as possible to come along and join up as partners of the Bulls for next season and beyond.

“We have sponsorship packages from as little as £50 and, as always at the Bulls, there is something to suit everyone.

“Sponsorship will play a massive part of what we want to achieve at the club going forward and we are sure all supporters and businesses will be delighted at what we have to offer them.”

The Bulls say they have hit 2,128 in season-ticket sales for next term.


Khan said he hoped supporters would jump on board and buy season tickets following the recent raft of re-signings such as John Bateman, Luke Gale, Manase Manuokafoa, Chev Walker and Jarrod Sammut.


Meanwhile, rookie stand-off Jordan Aitchison has signed a one-year contract with Keighley Cougars after his return to the club following his departure from the Bulls.

Comments(25)

Hudzilla says...
8:27am Tue 23 Oct 12

Such a shame, I think Ainscough was one of the stand out players last season.

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UNBULLIEVABLE says...
8:28am Tue 23 Oct 12

Foster would be a huge plus for us, but like most fans I like Ainy - A LOT!!, Not an easy job putting the squad together - glad I don't have to do it

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Solomon Grundy says...
9:00am Tue 23 Oct 12

Agree keep Ainscough - would also have kept Pryce.

Am getting worried to be honest - we need to sign some FRONT ROW FORWARDS ( !!!!!!! ) as we don't seem to have anywhere near enough and in SL you will get mullered week in week out without real strength and depth in that area.

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THEMANOFSTEEL says...
9:30am Tue 23 Oct 12

YES YES YES!!!
GET HIM SIGNED!!!
Matty Blythe next to him or Lulia!
wnt even notice Crookes one if we get him. Needs to get his career going again.
Come on Omar get Ainscough signed the effort he puts in is tremendous.
Sure there are some disaster moments but he has so much heart.
We need players like him!

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nosher says...
10:11am Tue 23 Oct 12

I would keep Ainscough for his enthusiasm alone. Season ticket sales seem a bit low ? Might be interested to sponsor something, what do you get for the minimum 50 squid ?

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Will, Huddersfield says...
10:14am Tue 23 Oct 12

Foster would be a big plus. He's quick and knows the way to the line. Not an Ainscough fan. A Superleague player needs to have the defensive qualities he seems to me to lack.

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bullybullman says...
10:20am Tue 23 Oct 12

Foster or Ainscough ? Well I would without doubt go for Foster he has pace & is a great goal kicker would also be a handy stand in half back.

Ainscough loveable lad who plays his heart out but we have to look at the big picture hope we can swing both we know Ainscough has been offered a deal but on much less than his last contract & he`s mulling it over so ball is in his court.

No sentiment we must mean business tough calls need to be made & you can not please all over the people all of the time.

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Sheffieldbull says...
10:46am Tue 23 Oct 12

Looks like it's going to be one or the other - shame, I would have liked both. Shaun had a pretty decent season and scored a bag full of tries and showed huge amounts of enthusiasm which made him a favorite with the fans. I think i'm right in saying they've both scored the same amount of tries in their careers to date and although Foster is a very good goal-kicker, so is Luke Gale and he would remain 1st choice I believe. We have Sammut as back-up kicker along with Addy subject to a new contract. So, Ainsy or Foster mmm! Think I'd go with Ainsy BUT would not be disappointed with signing Jamie. Both please Franny but I'm wondering if both these guys have question marks hanging over them. Foster did a terrific job for 'ull last season especially with Tickle missing and for my money would represent better value than Crookes imo. Out of favour at Saints big time and Ainsy is in danger of becoming a 'journeyman' at his tender age! Hence my comment about the question marks over both.

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Bone_idle18 says...
11:14am Tue 23 Oct 12

Last season, even when it looked like the rest of the team had given up, Ainscough just kept on going with the same enthusiasm. He deserves a better deal, it’s a bit of an insult to offer him less than he needs to support his family.

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THEMANOFSTEEL says...
11:15am Tue 23 Oct 12

Why does it have to be one or the other tho we cant go a season with 2 wingers if we get Foster. That will be Kear and Foster. Unless we have youngsters coming through?
we did well going through with 4 wingers last season. Bloody good job we had them with Kear and Crookes being injured!!

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NG1972 says...
12:04pm Tue 23 Oct 12

I think we need to sign both up. I dont think Kear will resolve our issues on the wings he didnt impress me at all when he played last season. I think we should be looking at Foster and Ainy on the wings also we need 2 more props Scruts is not a starting prop and also I think we should be looking at Gaskill from Saints because I think we will struggle in the halves if Jarrod gets injured. Come on Franny get em signed up!!!! I must admit I am concerened regarding the prop situation it seems to have gone quiet regarding Mr Kopouts situation does anyone know what is happening there?

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bartsbull says...
12:30pm Tue 23 Oct 12

I am a big ainny fan but senitment does not count when you are rebuilding a club would love to see him stay but there are other options out there

Need another big prop but we also need to have Danny Addy re signed he gives us better options in more positions

I would like to see ainny stay with us but franny knows who to keep he is doing a good job on the recruitment front so lets leave it to him

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jimmy_42 says...
1:15pm Tue 23 Oct 12

Decent player, but lets not forget the awful showing he had when he came to odsal and the old faithful was on his case all night. he was like a rabbit in the headlights and didn't know where to run.
this is why saints bombed him to Hull FC last year. Still at the end of the day a far better squad option than the 6ft plus fairy Karl Price

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portugalbull says...
2:20pm Tue 23 Oct 12

Would not object to both as we would then have cover in backs for injuries.
Concerned we are short on forwards, especially props. FC seems to be going in right direction. Ticket sales look slow. Good luck needed with Sponsers

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pweibj67 says...
2:49pm Tue 23 Oct 12

ok .. can somebody tell me what the deal is with Foster??

As in what is the reason he is not welcome at St Helens .. even under a new coach his face is not welcome around the place?

He does seem pretty decent .. ok not a world beater but quite high standard from what ive seen.

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theviking62 says...
3:05pm Tue 23 Oct 12

Think your missing the point. Ainscough has put himself in this position. There is a contract on the table,waiting to be signed. He wants more, what don't we have a lot of Money.

We need to be looking at forwards, props. But again it's money. To be exact it's the money that has been allocated for the KopOut Kid, can't be used on the off chance he comes back. If he doesn't we can spend it.

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monkey belly says...
4:11pm Tue 23 Oct 12

big issues at st helens with foster and jonny lomax, and others. Seems clear who they prefer.

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raisemeup says...
4:35pm Tue 23 Oct 12

nosher wrote:
I would keep Ainscough for his enthusiasm alone. Season ticket sales seem a bit low ? Might be interested to sponsor something, what do you get for the minimum 50 squid ?
Prices & sponsorships on RFL Fans Forum Site Bradford Bulls-. £50 sponsors Training Facilities, with a special meet the player at Training Day(Tong Centre) with lunch(I think) and your name on a special plaque at the centre. Just done our sponsorship.

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Tricky Dicky says...
5:07pm Tue 23 Oct 12

I'm afraid that, whilst backs may win matches, it is the forwards that lay the platform. We have lost an entire pack and have barely begun to replace them (with due deference to forwards re-signed, some of whom IMO are not up to the mark). Whilst the young lads will mature, it takes a lot longer to learn your trade in the pack. I, personally, do not think Ainscough or Foster is an issue. Neither would do anything behind a beaten pack. It is in forward recruitment that most interest lies.

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Kellington Bull says...
6:25pm Tue 23 Oct 12

Well said Tricky, I totally agree with you. Its the engine room that requires priority.

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Writer says...
7:10pm Tue 23 Oct 12

I would try and hang on to Ainscough as he has genuine pace and always plays his heart out. His defence can be worked on - remember Lesley Vainakolo when he first came? More often than not Ainsy's defensive lapses were due to other players not doing their job and he should not have been left having two men to tackle. Kear seems to be injury prone as well.

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A SENSIBLE LADY says...
9:43pm Tue 23 Oct 12

More money that Kopouts salary needed for the pack.

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RuggerTyke says...
10:12pm Tue 23 Oct 12

Don't understand how Forster isn't required by Saints.

He's a tremendous player who started brightly but then injury forced him to look elsewhere.

Would be a massive coup if he signs.

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RuggerTyke says...
10:13pm Tue 23 Oct 12

And he was playing for the Saints reserves against Rhinos where he was brilliant, as he has been for Hull.

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bbibby says...
8:25am Wed 24 Oct 12

Sensible lady you are spot on.As kopczak and Burgess were on a lot less money than the other highly paid props. There is not a lot of money in the POT.Get real ,where does the Club get the money from???

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