JAMES Clare insists Bradford Bulls' supporters will guarantee it becomes "a great club" again soon.

The 25-year-old was one of a stream of players who exited Odsal following the club's liquidation last month.

Having signed a two-year deal with Leigh Centurions upon his departure, Clare will be mixing it with the Super League big boys again this season.

However, the winger is hopeful that the newly-formed Bulls can not only survive in the Championship this year, but actually prosper – and give their long-suffering support something to cheer at last.

Clare told the T&A: “There was no way on this earth that rugby league wouldn't exist in Bradford, whether that was going to be the Bulls, going back to being Bradford Northern or whatever.

"There are so many loyal supporters there and a really strong core who want to watch rugby, so I was 100 per cent confident something would be done.

“I'm just glad it got sorted because it was obviously getting closer and closer to the start of the season.”

In total, a dozen senior members of the previous squad have moved on to pastures new, while head coach Rohan Smith also exited soon after Andrew Chalmers and Graham Lowe's arrival as new owners.

While the RFL assessed the remaining bidders in the race to create a new club, Clare explained why he and the likes of Kris Welham, Alex Mellor and Tom Olbison opted to sign deals elsewhere.

“Bradford is an incredible club and one that I genuinely believe is going to be a great club again one day. That was something I wanted to be a part of,” Clare explained.

“But we didn't know what the future held – when the new club might be up and running or whether it would even be full-time again.

“The RFL committed to a Bradford club staying in the Championship but with a 12-point deduction, but there was still so much uncertainty there.”

After joining up with the Bulls towards the business end of the 2015 season, Clare went on to make 30 appearances for the club, scoring 21 tries and becoming a firm favourite with the Odsal faithful.

The former Castleford Tigers man added: “I’ve got some incredible memories from my time with Bradford – not only from the players and friends I’ve made for life, but also the coaching staff. They’ve all been incredible for my personal development.

“Most importantly, I’ve made a lot of friends with the fans as well. I was sponsored by a group of supporters and I’ve become great friends with them, they've introduced me to their friends and so on.

“That was the most difficult part. The fans are the biggest asset for the club – they’re the ones spending their money every single week, so I felt really sorry for them.

“I’ve taken some wonderful memories away with me, and I’d never say never about maybe coming back and playing for those fans again one day.

“A lot of them actually work for the club as well. From the players like Leon Pryce and Ross Peltier through to people like Lee Beattie, the Under-19s coach.

“They are fans before staff members so I wish them all the best, and if I can help in any way in the future I’ll do that.”