Nobody seemed quite sure how last Thursday’s members’ forum would pan out, least of all the club themselves.

After a third season of failing to make the play-offs, it was never going to be a tea party.

As fans filed into the Coral Stand to voice their concerns and frustrations, and seek answers to their many questions, the Bulls’ hierarchy took centre stage.

Chairman Peter Hood, head coach Mick Potter, chief executive Ryan Duckett, head of youth development Paul Medley and director Andrew Bennett fielded a variety of questions during a two-hour session hosted by football and media manager Stuart Duffy.

In fairness, the majority of questions had been agreed beforehand but there were also opportunities for fans to fire more random ones at the panel towards the end of the evening.

A wide range of topics were discussed, starting with finance and administration-related issues such as the salary cap before on-field matters came to the fore in the latter part of the forum.

None of the panel spoke more passionately about the Bulls than Bennett.

Since coming on board at Odsal two years ago, the marketing guru and lifelong Bradford fan has been a driving force behind the club’s successful pledge scheme, which will see Potter’s men backed in huge numbers again in 2012.

The Bradford-born director said: “It was great to see at the forum how committed and passionate our fans are.

“Yet that is also reflected in the management team here and I think it is important that fans realise that we are supporters ourselves, just like them.

“We really support the team out on the field and if the fans can get behind us again this year, and with the way the squad is shaping up, I think our performances on the pitch will be a hell of a lot better next year.”

Bennett grew up supporting Bradford Northern before his career path took him to Bath, where he lived for 24 years.

It did not stop him following the Bulls on a regular basis though.

He explained: “I came back to Bradford for 99 per cent of home games and a lot of away games.

“I also work here now on a voluntary basis. That proves my commitment to the club.

“I first came to a game at Odsal with my dad when I was seven years old.

“I fell in love with the game and remain as passionate about it now as I was back then.

“It’s been a big a part of my life and I’m confident that 2012 will be a better year.”

Adrian Purtell, Luke Gale, Keith Lulia and Jarrod Sammut have signed and more acquisitions are certain to follow.

Bennett added: “I’m absolutely delighted with the centres (Purtell and Lulia) we’ve signed because we needed a lot of strengthening in that area.

“Those two guys are scoring tries for fun at the highest level of the game and will clearly strengthen our attacking options.

“Jarrod Sammut can be a real gamebreaker and can do some spectacular things. He’s a very exciting player and will give us a hell of a lot of go forward, which is something that we’ve missed in the backs this season, undoubtedly.

“There’s a great deal of confidence that 2012 will be a better year.

“Look at the season just ended. We took Mick on and Francis Cummins and we brought 11 new players to the club.

“That was a hell of an influx and trying to get the right formula on the pitch and the right team out was a difficult ask last season.

“We think Mick is completely and utterly aware of where the strengths and weaknesses are in the squad.

“We think he’s addressed a lot of those weaknesses, which was out wide and in the centres. Defensively we were also weak at times and that is also being addressed.”

Bennett can understand the frustrations of fans – because he is one himself.

He added “Our fans are paying good money to watch the club and they’ve got every right to make a criticism if they want to.

“When I wasn’t involved with the club, I was on the terraces and critical like anyone else.

“But above all I passionately supported the team and still do. You have to get behind the team. Bradford Bulls is a key part of my life.”

Spoken like a true Bradfordian.