Bradford Bulls: Potter linked to London job (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Mick Potter linked to London job but regaining Bradford Bulls post or heading back to Australia still preferred options

8:20am Friday 27th July 2012 in Bulls By Ross Heppenstall, Bradford Bulls Reporter

Mick Potter has played down speculation linking him with London Broncos and insisted he remains hopeful of being reinstated at Bradford.

Potter is currently working without pay after he was one of 16 staff made redundant by administrator Brendan Guilfoyle at the start of July.

He has since returned on a voluntary basis but has not given up hope of reclaiming his job should a takeover of the Bulls be completed.

The uncertainty surrounding the club has already forced Potter to start seeking paid employment elsewhere and has seen his name linked to the Broncos – who recently replaced Rob Powell with Tony Rea until the end of the season, when a permanent appointment will be made.

Asked whether he would be interested in the challenge of reviving the Londoners’ fortunes, Potter said: “I wouldn’t say no, so far as being interested. But I’m not really looking to do anything down in London.

“My preference would be to stay here at Bradford or to go back to Australia. I can’t see myself moving to London to do another job down there.

“I think London is a great place to live but my heart is here with Bradford and I want to see things through to the end here. Ultimately I’d like to be at Bradford but the situation is dragging on a bit.”

The deadline to find a buyer is today and Potter remains hopeful that a solution can be found.

He recently met with a member of the ABC consortium looking to buy the Bulls but their conditional offer has been rejected by the RFL and it remains to be seen whether any agreement can be struck with them or a rival bidder.

“I haven’t heard anything from Bradford other than a discussion with one of the consortium looking to buy the club,” said Potter.

“I think there are quite a few issues to cover before anything happens for me. Right now I haven’t got any other employment.”

Potter attended London’s home game with Wigan last weekend but he said: “You can read nothing into that.

“My son was over from Australia and I’ve got two nephews and a niece down in London. I was the taxi taking my wife and children down there!

“I’m not doing anything other than here or trying to get a job back in Australia, which I’m actively seeking.”

Potter is confident that Brett Kearney will be fit to face Warrington on Sunday but Olivier Elima is set to miss out due to a shoulder injury.

Nick Scruton, Elliot Kear and Jason Crookes are all in contention after injury, however, and Craig Kopczak is also edging closer to full fitness.

Potter will also decide whether to recall Ben Jeffries at stand-off this weekend or keep faith with Jarrod Sammut.