Departing Potter warns bad news may follow good for Bradford Bulls (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)
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Mick Potter: Super League licence award ‘fantastic’ but depressing 2012 season has ‘set Bradford Bulls back a couple of years’
8:30am Saturday 15th September 2012 in Bulls
By Ross Heppenstall, Bradford Bulls Reporter
Mick Potter is heading back to Australia but the departing coach leaves a Bulls side which has at least been given the green light to continue in Super League
Mick Potter last night hailed the decision to keep the Bulls in Super League but warned supporters to brace themselves for a tough couple of years at Odsal .
Bradford will remain in the top flight after the Rugby Football League awarded the club a one-year probationary licence.
This season’s financial crisis, leading to a slide into administration and a subsequent six-point penalty, had raised fears over the Bulls’ future.
But the RFL issued a statement yesterday saying their independent board of directors had allowed the club to remain in a 14-team Super League for 2013.
RFL chief executive Nigel Wood said: “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.”
Potter was due to arrive back in his native Australia today after calling time on his two-year reign as Bradford coach, opening the door for Francis Cummins to be confirmed as his successor on Monday.
Potter told the T&A: “This (licence) is fantastic news and I’ve said all along that the competition would not be the same without Bradford in it.
“What they bring to Super League with their large, loyal and passionate following and the atmosphere they create is an event in itself.
“I’m certainly not discrediting any other clubs who may have aspirations to get into Super League and I am maybe a bit biased.
“But Bradford’s fanbase is such a good thing for rugby league and it would have been sad had they dropped out of the top flight.
“Our sport isn’t football; in fact, it’s nothing like football. It’s nowhere near as big and we can’t afford to have that luxury of teams going up and down. We need the biggest teams in Super League.”
Potter is confident that new owners Omar Khan and Gerry Sutcliffe can now begin in earnest the task of assembling a competitive squad for next season.
With 17 players out of contract, the Bulls’ first-team squad will be decimated during the close-season.
Significantly, however, a number of those – such as Chev Walker , Jarrod Sammut, Manase Manuokafoa, Danny Addy and James Donaldson – are set to be offered new deals.
The Bulls are also busy scouring the market for new signings and Potter is confident there is a core group of talented home-grown players like Elliott Whitehead and John Bateman to build a team around.
But he warned: “This season just ended is really going to set Bradford back a couple of years.
“I know that Gerry and Omar are guys that are passionate about the club. They are hard-working and honest and they want the club to be successful – but I think there’s only 16 players signed for next season as things stand.
“We missed out on a couple of players we would have liked to retain and all the top-line players have pretty much secured contracts elsewhere.
“So your recruitment drive is going to be minimal and the finances you have available to that are going to be minimal. But there is a core of good players still at the club and that’s definitely something to build on.”
Bulls playmaker Luke Gale reflected: “The fact we are staying in Super League is awesome news. I’ve spoken to a few of the lads and everyone’s absolutely delighted.
“Hopefully we can now get on with recruiting players. I’m already looking forward to next season.”
Meanwhile, the RFL have launched an investigation into the events which led to Craig Kopczak terminating his contract with the Bulls.
Comments(44)
murphyslaw
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9:21am Sat 15 Sep 12
Sheffieldbull
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9:53am Sat 15 Sep 12
Van Bellen's Baby
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11:05am Sat 15 Sep 12
THEMANOFSTEEL
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11:13am Sat 15 Sep 12
Potter is right whitehead and Bateman will be the players we build a team around
As long as we aim for 8th I'm happy
Wigan Warrington Saints and Hull FC are going to be the top teams for a while now
Let's upset the big boys next year!!! COYB!!!
Sheffieldbull
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11:15am Sat 15 Sep 12
Van Bellen's Baby wrote:We will see! All have contracts with the Bulls and with the RFL investigation on Kopout Craig to come, lets hope the result is a nice transfer fee from whoever to the Bulls.
The really telling comment in this interview is "and all the top-line players have pretty much secured contracts elsewhere" so that, presumably, means Kearney, L'Estrange, Koppy (we know about), Gayle and Lulia as well?
raisemeup
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11:32am Sat 15 Sep 12
So let's say the best scenario will be realised and the "Bulls" begin the process of re branding the image in earnest with a Peter Deakin marketeer and a football supremo in place.
For that two people come to mind 1) Brian Noble as the football supremo who can link between the board and the team coach whilst retaining the respect of all factions in the club, and the fans. (Big Job, big personality)
2) the Marketing Supremo is Robbie H Paul. respected admired and still 100% Bulls.(Iam sure) Even though Huddersfield employ him..They can have CK in exchange, no contest there.
Thirdly on the Board the young lady who can open many doors for us Kate Hardcastle, not to forget the CEO Gary Tasker and General Manager Ryan Duckett.
We also need a supporters trust that is a Supporters Club, with experienced people who will begin the process of linking fans and club together so we are all singing from the same hymn sheet. This means meet the Players nights/days. functions for fans in the Coral Stand which are affordable for all.. we also need to get kids involved through the family set ups.
It won't be easy but it will be achievable all we need is the plan and the belief.
Nuff said, but that in my humble opinion is a good start.
theviking62
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11:36am Sat 15 Sep 12
theviking62
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11:44am Sat 15 Sep 12
murphyslaw
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12:34pm Sat 15 Sep 12
billybobbull
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12:44pm Sat 15 Sep 12
In the end the new owners will want someone to bring in some big names on small(er) pay cheques and Nobele is the man to do that. he knows a lot of the older players who can do us a job for two seasons wh.yile the young ones come through. That includes Franny Cummins.
I feel very sorry for Mick Potter. He has been a great asset over the past two years and done an amazing job. Thank you and well done Mick.
Going forward we need to build again and no matter how we like it, Noble is the man who can do that with the help of some old heads, Fielden etc and new ones, Cummins.
theviking62
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1:18pm Sat 15 Sep 12
murphyslaw
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1:38pm Sat 15 Sep 12
bullslad17
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1:51pm Sat 15 Sep 12
As for where it says 'All the top-line players have pretty much secured contracts elsewhere' I really don't know what to make of that. If the likes of Kearney and Lulia were to leave wouldn't the clubs signing them have to pay a fee?
'top-line' could mean Jeffries, Elima etc so we'll just have to see what happens in the coming weeks. Looking forward to seeing who we sign.
theviking62
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1:55pm Sat 15 Sep 12
Capabull
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2:01pm Sat 15 Sep 12
When CC`s mate sacked the coaching staff he expected the club to virtually go under, then he would have come in on his white charger.Once the staff agreed to carry on he could not do that.
Well done Mick a true hero making the club have a brand new start without any previous BOD involved.Have a,great rest of your life. You deserve it because we can still say COYB
bullslad17
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2:03pm Sat 15 Sep 12
Average gain per match of 174 this season, third highest in our team behind Tom Burgess and Brett Kearney.
He made 488 tackles this season, the fifth highest in the team. He only missed 12 tackles all season.
He was also the fifth highest player in terms of metres gained, with 2057.
(Source - Super League Website)
With Hargreaves and Burgess leaving, and with the possibility of Kopczak leaving too, Manuokafoa will be our main prop next season, if he stays. His contract should be renewed.
Tricky Dicky
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2:19pm Sat 15 Sep 12
I mentioned that there was more mileage in the Kopczak affair - first rule is don't believe what an agent (or solicitor or accountant) tells you. If players under contract want to leave because there is more money elsewhere then please do it through proper channels but the Super League pot is getting smaller and smaller. What the Bulls' need are players who are loyal to the shirt and the supporters. Carpetbaggers can close the door after them. After the sugar daddies start falling by the wayside, the Bulls will be in an enviable position of a self-financing, successful RL outfit.
BTW, I believe that the Bulls will hold their licence until 2014 when SL will revert to a 12-team competition and I believe we will be one of those 12. At the same time promotion/relegation will be reintroduced (it should never have been removed) and a true competition (at the top and bottom) will reinvigorate the sport.
theviking62
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2:50pm Sat 15 Sep 12
Bullbreath
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3:21pm Sat 15 Sep 12
Van Bellen's Baby wrote:Apart from mr BITER Elliot whitehead who has been going about bragging that he's on 100k next year. Actually I wouldnt class him as a top player he's the highest mistake maker in super league & has been dropped from the England Knights!
The really telling comment in this interview is "and all the top-line players have pretty much secured contracts elsewhere" so that, presumably, means Kearney, L'Estrange, Koppy (we know about), Gayle and Lulia as well?
raisemeup
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3:34pm Sat 15 Sep 12
theviking62 wrote:There we have to differ viking, mainly because what we need has to be a localised experienced set up before any further plans can be made:
Raise me up, Nobby, as a football supremo, no. I would bring in Brian Smith, to mentor Franny, as he did with Matt, Brian and Mick. Franny, having TOTAL control on all things to do with team. A middle man would only cause problems, IMO.
Brian Noble is of the same school as Brian Smith who was followed by Matty, and then Brian N. so the styles are very much in the same mold.
The head coach if it is to be Francis Cummings is going to be like Steve Mc Namara was when he first took the reins from Brian Noble, ie inexperienced and thrown in at the deep end.
My opinion is that we need someone to oversee the roles of Football matters. See how well Hull are now doing with Mc Crae at the helm, he has proved that that type of organisation works for a club.
Brian Smith as good as he is, (and believe you me he is good at his job)
is not going really going to be an option, is he?
Personally if Francis Cummings says he can't work with Brian Noble, my thoughts, as always are never let the tail wag the dog.
It's what's best for the club that matters.
However if Brian Smith was available, he would have the most experience, and he would have the respect and support of everyone at the club.IMO
billybobbull
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3:40pm Sat 15 Sep 12
What we have had since the start of SL is the legacy of Brian Smith, coaches who have learned their trade from Smith or his disciples, Elliott, Noble, McNamara, Potter and I know that Noble learned lots from him. Smith is still in the infrastructure of the club.
In fact if you look at the Super League coaches you will see a family tree in many clubs tracing back to Brian Smith. Without checking I would estimate at least 50% of them are his disciples. Or disciples of disciples.
Noble has the personal & professional knowledge and skills, along with contacts to oversee a new look at coaching systems, youth development and to a certain extent money management in terms of (eperienced) players contracts and wages etc. He learned all this from Peter Fox and Brian Smith.
In the financial situation we (and Mr Khan) find oursleves I think we might have to go back to the days of a dads army pack for a few years and bring on the young lads over that time. Nobby has the know-how.
I would rather have Potter. But sadly those days have gone.
Viking...you are correct about Smith to a certain extent but sometimes we have to bite the bullet, to have a former GB captain an coach who has worked under arguably the best two coaches ever in Smith & Fox, and whose blood runs red amber and black is too good not to consider.
theviking62
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3:49pm Sat 15 Sep 12
raisemeup
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3:53pm Sat 15 Sep 12
Tricky Dicky wrote:Tricky for clarification of certain points regarding the Noble affair prior to him joining Wigan. A certain Gareth Davies was brought into the club, ostensibly as the CEO who was going to take us forward into the future.
Just remember that the demise of the previous Bulls Ltd started with a totally unrealistic five-year contract to an unknown coaching commodity (has anyone else in the history of SL been offered a five-year contract?). Mr Cummins is another unknown commodity and, whilst I admire Mr Potter's loyalty to him, he needs someone with experience to guide him through the tricky waters of a first team coach (don't forget Jimmy Lowes at Warrington and Rob Smyth at the Broncos). Recruiting Brian Smith is a pipe-dream and I cannot believe some of you when you say you would forego Nobby if, and it's a big if, we could recruit him. It's a no-brainer to reject his services if they were offered. Too many of you think Nobby jumped ship with Caisley when in fact he was pushed out by Mr Hood, who, for some strange reason, one or two on here have a soft spot.
I mentioned that there was more mileage in the Kopczak affair - first rule is don't believe what an agent (or solicitor or accountant) tells you. If players under contract want to leave because there is more money elsewhere then please do it through proper channels but the Super League pot is getting smaller and smaller. What the Bulls' need are players who are loyal to the shirt and the supporters. Carpetbaggers can close the door after them. After the sugar daddies start falling by the wayside, the Bulls will be in an enviable position of a self-financing, successful RL outfit.
BTW, I believe that the Bulls will hold their licence until 2014 when SL will revert to a 12-team competition and I believe we will be one of those 12. At the same time promotion/relegation will be reintroduced (it should never have been removed) and a true competition (at the top and bottom) will reinvigorate the sport.
I likened him to many such management ploys I have seen ie the "Hatchet Man" I also believe many others believed that also...certainly he maximised the finances by selling both Fielden and presumably a compensation package for Brian Noble who was wanted by Wigan at the time, but I think, still contracted to Bradford.
Then Mr Davies went after the deed was done, didn't he?
Of course I haven't proof of any of this, I have just applied logic to a set of circumstances...all academic now...but it may shed some different thoughts on the subject.
raisemeup
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4:07pm Sat 15 Sep 12
theviking62 wrote:That's what I am trying to say Viking, Brian Noble is the ideal manager for directing Rugby matters at the club, and no ones mentioned Robbie H Paul yet, what a combination them two would be.
I would wait to see what happens on Monday. I'm all for Franny,if we end up with Nobby, so be it, but as director of rugby only. Should this happen,I think we will lose Franny.
If Franny goes then he would be a very naive young man, who couldn't see the opportunity given to him.
However I don't think he's that kind of person.
Capabull
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4:29pm Sat 15 Sep 12
theviking62
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4:37pm Sat 15 Sep 12
Mumby was the best
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4:50pm Sat 15 Sep 12
theviking62
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4:56pm Sat 15 Sep 12
raisemeup
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5:08pm Sat 15 Sep 12
theviking62 wrote:Been an interesting debate up to now, The fake Mumby's comment is probably valid, because at the end of the day price is a big factor in these hard times.
Hi, FAKE, positive attitude, as usual. Now get back under your rock. You're not wanted. Nip over to City forum, have a go at them.
But we will have to see?
Mumby was the best
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6:32pm Sat 15 Sep 12
theviking62
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6:56pm Sat 15 Sep 12
Reading Bullette
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7:50pm Sat 15 Sep 12
Van Bellen's Baby wrote:No. You misunderstood. he means all the top players who were off contract at other clubs. There is no one left to sign.
The really telling comment in this interview is "and all the top-line players have pretty much secured contracts elsewhere" so that, presumably, means Kearney, L'Estrange, Koppy (we know about), Gayle and Lulia as well?
theviking62
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8:16pm Sat 15 Sep 12
theviking62 wrote:If you read the article, gale says he's looking forward to next season, but see one of my previous posts, attached.
Why don't we wait for a retained list. Rather than speculating, on who's going, who's staying. I have heard STORIES, that Le Strange and Kearny are staying, along with Gale. But are they to be believed. Your thoughts please.
Sheffieldbull
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10:20pm Sat 15 Sep 12
raisemeup wrote:Can I just remind you 'raise' that this poster is a FAKE. The debate was interesting up to this THIEF taking part. By acknowledging the scum, it effectively feeds it! Why would anyone wish to do that? It may come back as you.
theviking62 wrote:Been an interesting debate up to now, The fake Mumby's comment is probably valid, because at the end of the day price is a big factor in these hard times.
Hi, FAKE, positive attitude, as usual. Now get back under your rock. You're not wanted. Nip over to City forum, have a go at them.
But we will have to see?
bradfordbronco
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12:34am Sun 16 Sep 12
My vote goes to Noble as head coach, Cummings as assistant & Warren Jowitt, as defensive coach instead of St Hillaire.
raisemeup
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12:37am Sun 16 Sep 12
Sheffieldbull wrote:I might allow it if it made more sense than me????
raisemeup wrote:Can I just remind you 'raise' that this poster is a FAKE. The debate was interesting up to this THIEF taking part. By acknowledging the scum, it effectively feeds it! Why would anyone wish to do that? It may come back as you.
theviking62 wrote:Been an interesting debate up to now, The fake Mumby's comment is probably valid, because at the end of the day price is a big factor in these hard times.
Hi, FAKE, positive attitude, as usual. Now get back under your rock. You're not wanted. Nip over to City forum, have a go at them.
But we will have to see?
Mumby was the best
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9:05am Sun 16 Sep 12
oddshapedballs
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11:30am Sun 16 Sep 12
Van Bellen's Baby wrote:been telling u this for ages but those with "higher" knowledge of the club ridiculed me and came out with the contracts were only if they didnt stay in superleague.
The really telling comment in this interview is "and all the top-line players have pretty much secured contracts elsewhere" so that, presumably, means Kearney, L'Estrange, Koppy (we know about), Gayle and Lulia as well?
time for some word eating mi thinks
theviking62
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12:58pm Sun 16 Sep 12
oddshapedballs wrote:odd shaped balls, ALL players under contract are staying. The ones that may be leaving are the ones out of contract. Did you actually read the article, Gale says he is looking, forward to the NEW season. So he's not going. Kearney and Le Strange have both intimated they are staying. As has Manufakoa, plus the young'uns. So buzz off back to annoy Bantams fans.
Van Bellen's Baby wrote:been telling u this for ages but those with "higher" knowledge of the club ridiculed me and came out with the contracts were only if they didnt stay in superleague.
The really telling comment in this interview is "and all the top-line players have pretty much secured contracts elsewhere" so that, presumably, means Kearney, L'Estrange, Koppy (we know about), Gayle and Lulia as well?
time for some word eating mi thinks
Mumby was the best
says...
1:04pm Sun 16 Sep 12
Bullcity
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5:27pm Sun 16 Sep 12
This will take us forward--hope this happens
Mumby was the best
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7:34pm Sun 16 Sep 12
New Hall Nev
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8:56pm Sun 16 Sep 12
Bullcity wrote:hahahaha robbie is a gaint now lol dont you now out
dream ticket --Fran Cummins coach, Brian Noble --Rugby Director , Robbie Hunter-Paul = marketing and some help with player recruitment & mentoring .
This will take us forward--hope this happens
all these cheepos will win you nowt no playoffs again Wakey will be playoffs again next year bulls nowere hahaha

king karl says...
9:02am Sat 15 Sep 12