THE proof, if needed, came from the tears that flowed at the John Smith's Stadium.

Any doubts that new owners Graham Lowe and Andrew Chalmers had harboured about taking on the monumental task of rebuilding Bradford Bulls disappeared the moment they were stopped by a couple of fans before the first friendly at Huddersfield.

"They were just crying with emotion," recalled Chalmers this week. "It was quite overwhelming.

"The sense of relief that we were prepared to stand and fight our way out of it was humbling.

"But in life, you do things that you believe will be worthwhile. We wanted to take on this really tough challenge because we genuinely believe we can make a difference."

It is coming up for two months since the New Zealand duo were unveiled.

On the eve of the season, they had – in Chalmers words – "no team, staff, management, kit, sponsors, website or even a photocopier". But they knew how tough it was going to be.

"We came in with our eyes wide open," he said. "Graham and I talked extensively about what the issues would be.

"We took counsel from people whose opinion we valued. Some said 'don't do it' but we were the ones who made the decision.

"It's all hands to the pump and we're still resolving issues and making decisions that you would have done six months ago.

"But we were quickly into the season and the team has done the best they could with the resources available.

"It's a massive fight and everyone from full back to the girls in the front desk, to the fans, to the sponsors, are all up for it together."

Chalmers believes the punishment from the collapse of the previous club has been three-fold.

"We had the 12 points deducted but then the problem with the liquidation is that contracts fall away," he said.

"The players, not just the first side but in the high-performance programme, were all attacked.

"The second penalty was seeing those players picked off by clubs and there was nothing we could do.

"Fans and players are just critical to the club. We had to deal with that and come up with ways to strengthen it within the rules.

"Thanks to the co-operation of clubs like Leeds and Salford, we've been able to balance that out, but obviously the effect on the playing roster was severe.

"And then you're having to start again in terms of ticketing and season-tickets and with sponsors.

"But we've had massive support from the council, from stakeholders and sponsors Provident and Utilita. We've got an active programme to build that.

"It's overwhelming sometimes what people want to do to help be part of it.

"It's about having steady hands and making uncomplicated decisions to grow the club and provide stability."

Chalmers has promised plenty of player activity as the Bulls attempt to make up for lost time by recruiting on the hoof during the season. Jordan Lilley's recall by the Rhinos shows the vulnerability of relying on the loan market.

Chalmers said: "That's the burden that comes with loan players. The problem is where all this happened in the cycle and who was available.

"If you think about it, this is a team that didn't really have a pre-season. We had a pre-season on paper but not in practice.

"Despite that, we've won two games and were ahead against Rochdale before the blizzard hit.

"I've never played in snow myself and a few out there hadn't either! But that's just another one of the challenges."

Lowe has plans to come back from New Zealand. But the pair speak regularly and Chalmers values his knowledge.

He said: "Graham's been around rugby league a lot longer than me. He's seen the cycles of clubs and coaches, players and administrations.

"He's got a wealth of experience because he's done everything in the game and we're lucky to have him.

"We talk about doing the right things and making the right decisions. At the top of that list it's about treating the stakeholders and fans right.

"We want the club to be in the media for the right reasons, talking about the players, the performances and the fight – and it is a fight.

"When we're lying face down and there's no pulse, you know we're out of the fight. But we're all fighting. We want to look back in years to come and go 'wow, that was big'."