RICHARD Lamb has joined the race to seize control of the Bulls.

The London-based businessman was in the running to take over the crisis-torn club during their previous spell in administration in 2014.

He had a bid accepted by administrator David Wilson but no deal materialised because he was unable to provide £1million proof of funds to the Rugby Football League within a strict timescale.

Now he has spoken of his renewed desire to finally take ownership of a club who find themselves in administration for the third time in five years.

Lamb serves as chief executive of rugby union club Rotherham Titans and is also a shareholder in the Championship side.

Former Bradford City joint-chairman Mark Lawn announced his interest in acquiring the Bulls yesterday and Lamb told the T&A: "Would I like the opportunity to take over Bradford Bulls? Of course I would.

"Last time I came very close to buying the Bulls and the core basis of the club is still there – a loyal fanbase, great history and fantastic potential.

"The key is to come up with a sensible, affordable business plan over the next two to three years because there is no point signing a load of players if you can't afford to pay them.

"It might take three or four years to get back into Super League but the problem the Bulls have had is they are clearly spending more money than they have coming in.

"Somehow the model at Bradford just isn't working and I've had the same conversation at Rotherham Titans, where I'm saying 'we can't spend more money than we are getting in'.

"Or we accept that if we are going to spend it then we have to put that money into the club to make sure it is there. If you haven't got the money, don't spend it.

"It's about getting the club on a stable financial footing and building from there. It has to be a realistic business plan, as I said back in 2014."

Back then, Lamb fronted a consortium to buy the club before administrator Wilson sold it to Marc Green.

Lamb said: "If the will is still there, and it doesn't become over-complicated, you can put something together. Certainly the basis of a great club is there and everyone in Super League recognises that."

It has also been revealed that players and staff did not learn of the club entering administration until it was announced on the club website on Monday morning.