The Rugby Football League board of directors today awarded a one-year probationary licence to Bradford Bulls which will allow the club to remain in Super League.

This season’s financial crisis, leading to a slide into administration and a subsequent six-point penalty, had raised fears over the Bulls’ top-flight future.

But the RFL issued a statement this afternoon saying their independent board of directors had allowed the club to remain in a 14-team Super League for 2013.

The Bulls were reinstated as full members of the RFL earlier this week after the club’s new owner provided all the financial information required for the governing body to complete their due diligence process.

RFL chief executive Nigel Wood said: “This is a very positive development which provides stability for all the clubs in Super League and the Championship and allows the sport to approach next season with even greater confidence.

“The board deliberated long and hard and took into consideration the many views of the sport’s various constituents before reaching a decision which we believe is in the best interests of the whole game.

“The new owners of Bradford Bulls are to be congratulated on their foresight in purchasing a club which we always knew was a very attractive proposition. Their investment in Bradford Bulls is a vote of confidence in Super League.

“A probationary licence allows us to closely monitor the performance of Bradford Bulls next season and develop a view on what direction we take in future years. That direction will be framed by the ongoing strategic policy review that we expect to present to clubs in the first half of 2013.

“The probationary licence also precludes the need for a mini-licensing round, which the overwhelming majority of clubs accept was impractical given the time frames involved.

“The RFL board and executive will continue to work with all member clubs to build on the terrific progress we have experienced in 2012.”

* See Saturday’s Telegraph & Argus for reaction to the news from departing coach Mick Potter and playmaker Luke Gale.