PARTIES interested in creating a new rugby club in Bradford must follow a nine-point plan if they want to be considered.

The Rugby Football League has drawn up a list of criteria that must form the basis of any application, which in turn must be submitted by midday on Monday to be considered.

They are: details of the business plan including a three-year budget forecast and proof of funds; details of the experience the relevant individuals have of running rugby league or other sports clubs; proposals relating to the recruitment of sufficient staff in order to be ready to start the 2017 season on time and whether the playing squad will be full or part-time; completed Fit and Proper Person forms for relevant people; confirmation that the directors/shareholders of the new company are prepared to provide personal guarantees to support their assurances that the club will complete its fixtures in 2017, 2018 and 2019 and that if those fixtures are not completed then all central distributions paid in that season will be repaid by the club or directors/shareholders; any further assurances that are proposed regarding the future survival of the new club over the next three years; proposals relating to an Academy; proposals relating to fans who bought season tickets for Bradford Bulls; and proposals relating to the ‘RL debts’ money owed by Bradford Bulls at the time of the administration, which will be about £50,000.

The RFL said: “The RFL Board will consider the bids received and determine which - if any - bid it will accept. The Board will have discretion in making such decision and will take into account all factors it considers appropriate.”

Featherstone Rovers chairman Mark Campbell said: “I do feel that the Rugby Football League have certainly got to nail their due diligence on whoever takes control of Bradford this time around. Why it isn’t as simple as asking to see a potential new owner’s bank statements from the past 12 months I am not sure. That would be a good start in my view. I firmly believe the competition and, more importantly, the game needs a strong Bradford and it will be interesting to see how things develop there as the weeks go by.”