BULLS co-owner Andrew Chalmers believes a legal claim against the club played a significant part in derailing a season which has ended in relegation to League One.

A total of 14 current players are among 46 individuals bringing a case following the old club's administration last November and its subsequent liquidation in January earlier this year.

The claims, which are regarding unpaid wages, holiday pay, notice pay and potential statutory redundancy payments, were made public in May following several weeks of deliberation.

The launch of the proceedings happened around the same time the Bulls' form took a turn for the worse and Chalmers believes it was no coincidence.

He said: "Until round nine (early April), the club had won five games out of nine.

"But following the formation of the proceedings – which was a claim by former and present staff and players against the club – the club lost 14 games out of 15, which is a staggering result on the field.

"What is clear to us is that this legal claim had a negative and distracting impact and affected players' commitment on the field and their attitude off the field. Not all players were affected but it had a definite effect."

The claims against Bradford Bulls 2017 Limited, which owns the new club, are also being made against the club's old owners, Bradford Bulls Northern Limited, which went into liquidation, the Rugby Football League and the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.

Other claimants include former players and ex-coaching staff, as well as current or former non-playing Bulls employees.

Chalmers, who formed the new Bulls company with fellow Kiwi Graham Lowe, said: "The club believes the legal claim brought against it is without any merit.

"We don't blame players for being part of that action. They are entitled to bring their claim but it was something we didn't anticipate and it did have an impact."

Speaking about the run of one win in 15 during a fans forum at Odsal last night, Chalmers added: "We were looking at what was driving it.

"Was it the loan players going out, was it the injuries? But if you have a dispute and you work in an every-day job, you are still going to be able to front up and do that job.

"When you are a player in a brutal collision sport, you've got to play through pain and injuries. You've got to have total 100 per cent commitment.

"What was clear was that it affected the side and the players – though not all of them. It only affected some and affected their performance during games and across that period of time."

The claims will be dealt with at a seven-day tribunal hearing scheduled to take place in January next year in Leeds. Chalmers said the case would not influence whether players were offered new contracts for next season.