Jamie Foster aims to boost his career with Bradford Bulls

7:00am Friday 9th November 2012 in Bulls Photograph of the Author Exclusive By Ross Heppenstall, Bradford Bulls Reporter

Jamie Foster checks in at Odsal after signing up for a one-year deal Jamie Foster checks in at Odsal after signing up for a one-year deal

Jamie Foster last night signed a one-year permanent deal with the Bulls and declared himself confident of proving a success at Odsal.

The goal-kicking winger had one year left on his contract at St Helens but has joined Bradford in search of regular first-team rugby.

Foster, 22, was frozen out by Saints coaches Mike Rush and Keiron Cunningham after he made a mistake in the Bulls’ victory over his home-town club at Odsal in March.

It proved to be his last appearance for them but he went on to enjoy a profitable loan spell at Hull FC in the second half of the season.

He played nine consecutive games, scoring five tries and kicking 45 goals, amassing an impressive tally of 110 points to help Peter Gentle’s men reach the Super League play-offs.

Foster, who played in two Grand Finals for St Helens, said: “I know I’m a good player and I know I can score tries and kick goals.

“I’m looking forward to getting my head down and producing the form that I know I’m capable of. Working with new people will be good and hopefully bring out the best in me.

“I didn’t get that chance from Mike Rush and Keiron Cunningham at St Helens for whatever reason.

“As soon as I got the chance to play under Peter Gentle at Hull, it was a case of kicking on again. Hopefully the same thing can happen here at Bradford.”

Foster, who will commute to Bradford from his home in Haydock, said the prospect of a permanent switch to Hull had been mooted before he agreed a move to Odsal.

“I had played 60 Super League games for Saints, and two Grand Finals, and I didn’t want to be playing in front of 80 people at under-20s level,” said Foster, who owns a hairdressing salon in St Helens.

“There were a few lads at Saints in the same boat as me. We were really struggling playing in that 20s league. I was fortunate to get out when I did and get the move to Hull."

Foster, who returned to Odsal with Hull later in the season and scored 26 points in their 70-6 victory, added: “It went uphill for me from there but I’m delighted to be a 100 per cent Bradford player now. I think I needed a clean break from Saints.”

Bulls coach Francis Cummins said Foster still had plenty to prove despite his impressive cv.

He said: “Jamie has got some great experience already for such a young man but he’s also got to prove a few points here. I think he did that at Hull and he needs to kick on again now.

“It will be hard for him as well, initially, to leave Saints after such a long time. But he’s got to take the next step in his career, as a lot of our players have to do.”

Cummins is set to add more signings to his squad, including at least one prop.

Meanwhile, the Bulls are poised to announce a big-money sponsorship deal at a press conference at Odsal today.

Comments(39)

ifallwerelikemumby says...
7:09am Fri 9 Nov 12

Another 1 year deal to get through the super league probationary period.

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ifallwerelikemumby says...
7:12am Fri 9 Nov 12

Big money sponsorship deal now who could that be ?

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barbarian mike says...
7:55am Fri 9 Nov 12

Decent signing! Things are moving on a bit now and mention of signing props is very encouraging. We need someone with a bit of bite and nasty edge, with raw aggression!!
Think the squad will take shape over the next couple of months and we may find that we have a squad with a good mix that can compete better than what some people are saying!

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hemsworthbull formerly known as pontebull says...
7:58am Fri 9 Nov 12

It may only be a 1 year deal, however, I am really excited to be watching Jamie in a Bulls shirt this year. 1 year is sufficient to see what he can do and if we return to full super league status next season then who knows, he maybe with us a lot longer. Welcome on board Jamie and good luck for the season ahead

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Solomon Grundy says...
7:59am Fri 9 Nov 12

Good signing no question, clearly he's angry about what happened at Saints, and that will stand him in good stead, put fire in his belly.

Sponsorship deal, more signings, let's hope we are starting to move forward now. COYB!!!!

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AdeyG'man says...
8:05am Fri 9 Nov 12

Quality finisher and a decent goal kicker. No matter how you look at it he's a points machine! Backline is looking good for 2013!

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ifallwerelikemumby says...
8:13am Fri 9 Nov 12

The ball has to get out to him for him to score, the platform has to be built by the forwards and unless another 2 or 3 top quality props come I can't see the arm wrestle up the middle being won, too many on here who have never played the game so don't understand.

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Shipley Paul says...
8:20am Fri 9 Nov 12

Shows great ambition for Bulls. Let's hope it stirs some more ticket sales. I reckon we can hold our own with most others next year.

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hemsworthbull formerly known as pontebull says...
8:20am Fri 9 Nov 12

ifallwerelikemumby wrote:
The ball has to get out to him for him to score, the platform has to be built by the forwards and unless another 2 or 3 top quality props come I can't see the arm wrestle up the middle being won, too many on here who have never played the game so don't understand.
And which 2 or 3 quality props are you referring to that are available to sign?

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Mumby was the best says...
8:21am Fri 9 Nov 12

I know Ainscough was all heart and effort, but this guy is in a different league, he has natural ability.
He`s a good signing and was treat badly at Saints for having one howler of a match.
A few more signings and we should be OK, its still 3 months to the season kicking off plenty of time for more signings, especially after the sponsor is announced.

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ifallwerelikemumby says...
8:23am Fri 9 Nov 12

Doubt ticket sales will be affected on this news its hardly billy slater or Greg inglis, talking of which how many have been sold so far with the early bird coming to an end shortly.

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hemsworthbull formerly known as pontebull says...
8:29am Fri 9 Nov 12

ifallwerelikemumby wrote:
Doubt ticket sales will be affected on this news its hardly billy slater or Greg inglis, talking of which how many have been sold so far with the early bird coming to an end shortly.
Again, which 2 or 3 props are you referring to that are available. Also, due to the fact that we were in administration means that most of the decent signings have already been snapped up. This lad is a quality signing. The players that you are referring to are top Aussie players and we can't afford to be buying players of that ilk.

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JAtkinson says...
8:31am Fri 9 Nov 12

I'm losing track. Are all these annoying, childish posts by one bored dole-wallah whittling away his life by winding people up, or two?

Surely one person with even a modicum of a life would struggle to be so pointlessly prolific; two sad losers could, if they really tried, keep it up.

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-HCK3R- says...
8:41am Fri 9 Nov 12

ifallwerelikemumby wrote:
The ball has to get out to him for him to score, the platform has to be built by the forwards and unless another 2 or 3 top quality props come I can't see the arm wrestle up the middle being won, too many on here who have never played the game so don't understand.
And your comments are based on how many years playing profesionally ??

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locky1667 says...
8:44am Fri 9 Nov 12

Great signing. A good kicker is worth 10/12 points a game. Good to see we are not just signing guys coming towards the end of the line

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els1959 says...
9:27am Fri 9 Nov 12

Says elsewhere in T&A that sponsorship deal will likely be with Provident Financial Group

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Steam Pigs says...
9:31am Fri 9 Nov 12

welcome Jamie

He'll go well outside Lulia

DON'T FEED THE TROLL GUYS AND GIRLS, ignore it, that winds it up even more

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bullybullman says...
9:39am Fri 9 Nov 12

Shipley Paul wrote:
Shows great ambition for Bulls. Let's hope it stirs some more ticket sales. I reckon we can hold our own with most others next year.
Good post mate we are indeed looking good.

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RuggerTyke says...
11:13am Fri 9 Nov 12

Massive signing.

Outstanding player who Saints probably could do with.

As for the sponsorship, a loan-shark isn't exactly exciting.

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Tricky Dicky says...
11:26am Fri 9 Nov 12

Sorry guys, but this signing underwhelms me. We are recruiting in the wrong positions. Wingers rarely become match winners or tie-breakers and live off the back of their pack. It is unlikely to create a rush to the turnstiles. Am I the only one who thinks we are way to light in the pack and should be saving our pennies for recruitment in that area?

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Solomon Grundy says...
11:34am Fri 9 Nov 12

No you're not Tricky. At present we're sleepwalking into a calamity. McNamara talked yards of rubbish and left us with a pack way too small and light to compete.

Potter understood that size and numbers in the forward division is the key in this league. at present FC seems not to understand that which is really odd since he sat beside Potter for 2 years.

We have lost 4 big impact forwards from the first choice 17 and thus far signed a junior from warrington reserves who has not even played one game in SL. It's really worrying.

We're about 3 players of genuine size light in the forwards

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Mumby was the best says...
11:36am Fri 9 Nov 12

Yes we are light in the pack as you say, but the season don`t start till February, so there is plenty of time. We have to trust that FC is putting together a competitive squad. We did need wingers as we lost 3 so Foster`s signing is to be welcomed.
Once the Sponsors are in place maybe we will see recruitment in the pack hopefully.
We are now worrying over having a front row, a few months a go it was whether we were going to have a club!

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ifallwerelikemumby says...
11:50am Fri 9 Nov 12

The sponsor to be announced today won't make difference to who was to signed anyway

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els1959 says...
12:03pm Fri 9 Nov 12

Mumby was the best wrote:
Yes we are light in the pack as you say, but the season don`t start till February, so there is plenty of time. We have to trust that FC is putting together a competitive squad. We did need wingers as we lost 3 so Foster`s signing is to be welcomed. Once the Sponsors are in place maybe we will see recruitment in the pack hopefully. We are now worrying over having a front row, a few months a go it was whether we were going to have a club!
Last sentence is the main point that a lot seem to be missing. There were 3 options a couple of months back no club,
championship or super league and luckily we stayed in SL. Most true fans know that it is going to be tough for the next season or two and FC does say that his next priority is to get a prop on board so give him time. Some mention Inglis and Slater but come on let's be realists!! The raised salary cap in Oz and
closure of a lot the tax loopholes means fewer of their players are heading this way. Even noises are coming out of Wigan and Leeds that the way forward has to be with homegrown players. The likes of Hill and Hardaker have made the step us and we need to look in that direction as well (probably now more than ever)

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ifallwerelikemumby says...
12:37pm Fri 9 Nov 12

The difference with foster playing on the wing for the so called entertainers and the bulls is that the ball may not get out to him.

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RYBACKERBOARD says...
12:45pm Fri 9 Nov 12

Too right. FC, OK & Bulls heading in the right direction from the desperate situation over the summer. This is a another good signing & I'm sure that once the SL season begins we will have adequate forwards in place to make us a competitive outfit on the field. So far so good and very encouraged by all the noises coming from Odsal. Whilst the season ticket uptake may seem a little disappointing I am sure that given the way things are currently progressing it is likely that those supporters who prefer to pay on the day can offset this.
I have to say looking @ the Bulls news here on the T&A is certainly a lot more enjoyable than it was a few months ago. COYB!

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NG1972 says...
12:55pm Fri 9 Nov 12

very good signing. I just wish we could have agreed a better deal with Ainy then we would have had two good wingers. Foster for me is the best kicker in SL. All we need now is a good prop to make our pack stronger. Lets get behind Franny I believe he will make us a force again but we have to get behind him and the team and trust his judgement and decisions. All im seeing is positives at the Bulls so come on Franny some more good signings please. Welcome aboard jamie. COYB.

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Steam Pigs says...
3:24pm Fri 9 Nov 12

wow - £1.2MILL over 4 years

bet here is some humble pie to be eaten by those with honour and courage!

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theviking62 says...
3:45pm Fri 9 Nov 12

First time I've posted for some while now. Though I noticed someone has been using my name. £1.2 million over 4 years. Every thing comes to those who wait. In the words of the famous song " we're in the money " on a sound financial footing from now on.

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raisemeup says...
3:50pm Fri 9 Nov 12

To read some of the posts on here reminds me of the "Idiot abroad" series on SKY.

That is funny, our poster idiots usually aren't!

Just a note to Francis Cummings:

Welcome to the world of I'm never happy unless I'm unhappy Frannie.
Also if you do right, we have people who can tell you you've not done enough right, or even it's wrong.

Don't worry the terraces are always full of 'em. I'm waiting for those that believe we should never have left Birch Lane, and we still should be called Northern, plus what was wrong with the 3 hooped shirt from pre 1988.

The game like all the above thinking has moved on..it's based on speed-endurance- strength and agility with strong running forwards and backs.
With the ultimate skill of ball handling thrown in as a bonus, and a reading of the game as it unfolds.

Certainly the platform is set by forwards and from what I see FC is gradually addressing all those needs.

Let's wait till the fat lady sings before second guessing anything.
Opinions do count, but some of that lot (no names, but you know who you are?)I've just read , is mind searingly boring.
IMO (of course)

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Mumby was the best says...
4:46pm Fri 9 Nov 12

£1.2 MILLION it gets better and better.
These ratfans have got enough cheese to keep us grinning for a long time,
This time tomorrow we will be millionaires.
COYB

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Will, Huddersfield says...
4:55pm Fri 9 Nov 12

What a good day for the Bulls, the supporter, the owners and Franny. A top class signing in the bag and the crucial addition of necessary funding via the Provident sponsorship deal. It looks like the dark days of March and April are well and truly behind us. All the pieces of the jigsaw are not yet in place but Franny has got the backs looking in good shape and he will add to the pack. Well done to the owners for their enterprise in persuading Bradford's own Provident Financial to come on board. We did amazingly well when financially up against it but now we can move forward with confidence and optimism.

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Save2020 says...
4:59pm Fri 9 Nov 12

How will people actually get to watch the games at 'odsal' (hole in the ground) if people are busy tied up paying back extortionate interest rates on credit cards and doorstep loans??
Short term fix

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billybobbull says...
5:01pm Fri 9 Nov 12

hemsworthbull formerly known as pontebull wrote:
ifallwerelikemumby wrote:
Doubt ticket sales will be affected on this news its hardly billy slater or Greg inglis, talking of which how many have been sold so far with the early bird coming to an end shortly.
Again, which 2 or 3 props are you referring to that are available. Also, due to the fact that we were in administration means that most of the decent signings have already been snapped up. This lad is a quality signing. The players that you are referring to are top Aussie players and we can't afford to be buying players of that ilk.
What we need and can afford are what is available. Possibly inexperienced but BIG young lads who have point to prove. We cannot afford top Australian names due to the exchange rate and the better money afford in Oz. Please stop whining about top names, we cannot afford them yet.
Leave FC to build in his own way. He is doing a good job.
Up front we will get BIG young and violent lads. That will have to do for now and at this stage is the way forward. Not perfect, but reality of the situation.

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O ye of little faith says...
5:08pm Fri 9 Nov 12

Two good news items today,great signing and super sponsership deal.We seem to be heading in the right direction at last and I dont think we have seen the last of the signings.I am sure Franny is aware that we are a bit light in the pack and I feel confident he will address that area.It has been hinted by another source that Sidlow of Salford could be heading our way,we will all have to be patient and see what transpires.All in all the Bulls seem in a better position than where they were a few months ago.Keep the faith and support the Bulls in every way possible.COYB.

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monkey belly says...
10:07pm Fri 9 Nov 12

good news today
donaldson will be announced next,new contract agreed

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NG1972 says...
11:29am Sat 10 Nov 12

Ive seen today that Andrew Dixon has signed a 3 year deal with Salford. I think he is a good player and he would have been a good signing for us... what are your thoughts??

Also ive heard that Lee Gaskill is supposed to be following Mr Foster to us again I think he would be a very good acquisition. Has anybody heard anything on Gaskill??

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monkey belly says...
1:14pm Sat 10 Nov 12

gaskill out of favour at saints same as foster, they much prefer lomax.
not heard anything about him being linked to us

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monkey belly says...
9:36pm Wed 14 Nov 12

just had confirmed that gaskill and lomax will be starting halves for saints next year

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