STEVE Ferres has paid tribute to Bulls fans following Sunday’s dramatic win at Batley and told them: “There is plenty more to come from this side.”

Jimmy Lowes’ men snatched victory with two tries in the last four minutes in front of a terrace packed with Bradford supporters.

Although the official crowd was given as 2,223, the actual attendance was later revealed to be 3,019 and the Bulls took at least 1,500 supporters to Mount Pleasant.

Ferres believes that kind of support, which easily outstrips the away followings the club had in Super League during last year’s disastrous campaign, is proof of a “buy-in” from fans.

The managing director said: “The game at Batley typified what the Championship is about and gave some of our players who aren’t used to it an insight into how tough it is going to be.

“If you don’t make sure you’re 100 per cent bang on your game, then you’re going to get challenged and that’s what happened on Sunday.

“John Kear did a tremendous job in getting his team up for it, which he has done before and will do again, so it’s credit to our boys for battling it out and keeping their heads for 80 minutes.

“But that fantastic, vociferous support also contributed and our players recognise that and very much appreciate it.

“The fans seem to be really enjoying going to different places and it’s great to see.

“Our players are benefiting from it and all the other clubs are reaping the financial rewards when the Bulls come to play.

“Hopefully the fans will turn out in force against Workington at home for the next two weekends.”

The Bulls struggled for fluency at times against a fired-up Batley side but Ferres pointed to the number of new faces in the teams and the lengthy list of absentees.

He added: “We had about 10 players missing and six of those would probably be in the starting line-up.

“Also, Jake Mullaney didn’t have a full season last year but is starting to show he’s a very good player.

“Harry Siejka also missed a lot of rugby last season but I thought his defence at Batley, where he put in some big hits on some really big men, was very good.

“He stood up and he will get better as the season goes on and I also think there is a lot more to come from the likes of Ryan Shaw.

“Adam Sidlow and Paul Clough were outstanding on Sunday but Epalahame Lauaki is getting fitter each week and the first drive he made just lifted the side.

“The fitter he gets, the more of those thunderous runs you will see, so when you consider we have so many players to come back from injury, there is a lot more to come from the side.

“The team now knows a bit more about Championship rugby but, as the injured players start coming back, we’re only going to get stronger and Jimmy will have plenty of selection headaches.”