Chev Walker signs one-year Bradford Bulls deal

7:10am Wednesday 26th September 2012 in Bulls Photograph of the Author By Ross Heppenstall, Bradford Bulls Reporter

Chev Walker is happy at home and at work after two pieces of good news in a week Chev Walker is happy at home and at work after two pieces of good news in a week

New dad Chev Walker had double cause for celebration last night after it was revealed he has agreed a new one-year deal.

The Bulls star, who performed admirably in the centres and the pack during 2012, became a father for the first time on Saturday night when fiancée Lauren gave birth to a son, Lincoln Walker.

And it was revealed at last night’s fans’ forum that the 29-year-old had been awarded a deal for 2013, extending his stay at Odsal into a third season.

Walker said: “Becoming a dad, another year’s contract gives me a bit of security but I wanted to stay at Bradford regardless.

“I’ve said before that being happy at home makes me happy at work, and I’m really happy on both fronts with Lauren giving birth to Lincoln and then agreeing a new deal at Bradford.

“There was interest from elsewhere but signing for the Bulls was definitely my first choice. I absolutely love it here and have been made to feel really welcome from day one.

“I can see the club going places and I feel part of things here.

“While I would have liked a bit more security than a one-year deal, that is always going to be difficult with the club’s one-year probationary licence.

“Hopefully they can now start signing up the other out-of contract lads because there is already a really strong core of players here to build around.”

After a traumatic campaign which saw the Bulls’ continued existence come under threat, Walker is confident they can approach 2013 with fresh optimism with Francis Cummins at the helm.

He added: “I played with Franny and was coached by him at Leeds before spending the past two years with him at Bradford.

“He has always been a coach and I’ve no doubt he ‘s ready for the challenge and can take the club forward.”

New owners Omar Khan and Gerry Sutcliffe won fans over in the Coral Stand last night, where they spoke of their hopes of buying back the lease on Odsal and vowed to spend up to the salary cap.

They also spoke of the need for support from local businesses to attract sponsorship and Cummins said he was hopeful that John Bateman would sign a new deal.

Comments(24)

jozieme says...
7:40am Wed 26 Sep 12

congratulations Chev and lauren on the birth of your baby boy, am pleased you've secured another deal to be with the Bulls for 2013.Looking forward to the new season,with you injury free..

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Steam Pigs says...
8:42am Wed 26 Sep 12

Chev was very good towards the seasons end, seems a settled life really does suit him - think he'll go well for us next season

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Mumby was the best says...
9:43am Wed 26 Sep 12

Wont be injury free I am afraid.

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Capabull says...
10:06am Wed 26 Sep 12

Worth re-signing as long as he is not on mega money. He did start to show some form towards back end, so hopefully he is over his injuries.

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monobrow man says...
10:09am Wed 26 Sep 12

Looked good towards the end of the year in second row, if has a good off season could have a huge impact next year and only 29 and not played too much rugby over the last 4 years

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Bull4eva says...
10:22am Wed 26 Sep 12

monobrow man wrote:
Looked good towards the end of the year in second row, if has a good off season could have a huge impact next year and only 29 and not played too much rugby over the last 4 years
He was playing prop not 2nd row.

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murphyslaw says...
10:35am Wed 26 Sep 12

In the context of things this is as good a signing as we can expect.

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theviking62 says...
10:44am Wed 26 Sep 12

Murphys'law is it. Negative vibes again. We have the " ABILITY " to go up to the cap. But do we need to spends loads, I don't think so. As people keep pointing out we will sign loanees from other clubs. Even pick up young players rejected by clubs or who want to move for more game time. Eg Luke Gale moving away from Leeds. OK Bulls are endeavouring to sign the bulk of last years squad who are off contract. So the teams backbone will be there. We need to invest in some more experienced prop forwards. So in the context of things, some good signings may be on the way.

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Solomon Grundy says...
11:05am Wed 26 Sep 12

Definitely a good move, he's a good player and if the injuries are genuinely behind him, which looks to be the case, then he'll be important for us.

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monobrow man says...
11:17am Wed 26 Sep 12

Bull4eva wrote:
monobrow man wrote:
Looked good towards the end of the year in second row, if has a good off season could have a huge impact next year and only 29 and not played too much rugby over the last 4 years
He was playing prop not 2nd row.
maybe a make a shift prop against catalans but never seen him play there the rest of his 13 year pro career

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raisemeup says...
12:27pm Wed 26 Sep 12

Quality Centres often make quality Second Rowers as their career progresses> for example see Lee Gilmores tenure at Huddersfield.

Chev was a first class centre, and his size and ability will be good for us, and if he can regain full fitness again in the off season, I can see him being a firm Odsal favourite.

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Prycey says...
1:10pm Wed 26 Sep 12

Last night showed us that the club will be run soundly even though some of us may not like it when we are screaming for expensive signings. It looks like Bateman is torn between staying where he loves and taking a bigger offer so we may lose him. They said they will not offer silly money. I liked it when we were told that we must bring our own youngsters through. It makes sense. I wish other clubs would do the same though. Good to hear that Purtell looks like he can play again. We will have a top full back and two top centres with Kear alongside Lulia and either Platt or Ainsky outside a solid Purtell. Not too bad a line up there to say we went bust. Came away last night feeling happy with the new setup and Franny at the sharp end. We have to be patient though and give the new business time to settle down after the upheavals. Omar Khan seemed a really decent and genuine Bradford Bulls chap from where I was seated. Their ideas about using Odsal made sense.

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Bone_idle18 says...
1:21pm Wed 26 Sep 12

Ideal to fill the Shoes of Elima in the second row, except not as penalty prone!

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AdeyG'man says...
1:39pm Wed 26 Sep 12

Definitely a backrow option. His Centre days are over but he certainly adds pace and power to the backrow. Hope there's more to come...mainly in the front row! Hopefully, we can nab Scott Murrell to replace Jeffries.

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portugalbull says...
2:45pm Wed 26 Sep 12

Some good news from last night then. Now need a stand off and some props. If we can resign Mano, a look at costs for Feilden would not go wrong. If the price is right think of the boost to season ticket sales if OK can afford him.
As regards the ground like the idea of RFL getting millions from "Sky Odsal stadium" but even then would need City /PA. to ground share to be viable. RFL would not be interested as it would dent their profits and staff bonuses just for a few representative games where history shows the support is not there.

How come no report from T&A on last nights meeting to at least keep those who are unable to attend informed? Free publicity may be help sell a few more sea son tickets?

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Solomon Grundy says...
4:28pm Wed 26 Sep 12

Disagree on Bateman. Do not let the brightest star go away because all the rest will surely follow. This is where Hood was a weakling.

Dear Mr Khan,
Bateman must be kept - he must be assured he is wanted and needed and the project here is as good and as big as anywhere else! Do not meekly allow the best young forward in the game to leave if he is saying his heart is here.

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raisemeup says...
5:00pm Wed 26 Sep 12

Certainly when a player is happy with his club, they tend to play their best and most productive Rugby.
I can site a few Players who played their best rugby at their spiritual home.
ie Stuart Fielding for one, Darrell Shelford, Robbie Paul who also made Bradford their home club, and Shaun Edwards never played anything like his potential anywhere other than Wigan.
So young John stay where you are happiest is my advice.

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Mumby was the best says...
6:35pm Wed 26 Sep 12

My god I give up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Capabull says...
6:50pm Wed 26 Sep 12

Mumby was the best wrote:
My god I give up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thats the best bit of news I have heard since the Bulls were saved!

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bullslad17 says...
6:54pm Wed 26 Sep 12

Capabull wrote:
Mumby was the best wrote:
My god I give up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thats the best bit of news I have heard since the Bulls were saved!
Agreed Capa

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oddshapedballs says...
7:43pm Wed 26 Sep 12

is fielding noels brother??

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theviking62 says...
7:46pm Wed 26 Sep 12

No, and your not as funny as you think. Fielden. Go annoy the City fans.

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Tricky Dicky says...
5:18am Thu 27 Sep 12

theviking62 wrote:
Murphys'law is it. Negative vibes again. We have the " ABILITY " to go up to the cap. But do we need to spends loads, I don't think so. As people keep pointing out we will sign loanees from other clubs. Even pick up young players rejected by clubs or who want to move for more game time. Eg Luke Gale moving away from Leeds. OK Bulls are endeavouring to sign the bulk of last years squad who are off contract. So the teams backbone will be there. We need to invest in some more experienced prop forwards. So in the context of things, some good signings may be on the way.
Even considering the Bulls' position, we should still be selective and not openly accept anyone who wants to play for the club. There were some overpaid (but underplayed) players in previous years and, if they are coming off contract, regardless of how much they are prepared to accept, it's their overall value to the club, in the immediate and in future, which needs to be analysed. A cosy "buddy boys" club does not encourage competition or motivation. My personal view, for what it's worth, is that Mr Walker is one I'd have let go but let's hope, next year, he can repay Mr Cummins faith in him.

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Tricky Dicky says...
5:53am Thu 27 Sep 12

theviking62 wrote:
Murphys'law is it. Negative vibes again. We have the " ABILITY " to go up to the cap. But do we need to spends loads, I don't think so. As people keep pointing out we will sign loanees from other clubs. Even pick up young players rejected by clubs or who want to move for more game time. Eg Luke Gale moving away from Leeds. OK Bulls are endeavouring to sign the bulk of last years squad who are off contract. So the teams backbone will be there. We need to invest in some more experienced prop forwards. So in the context of things, some good signings may be on the way.
Even considering the Bulls' position, we should still be selective and not openly accept anyone who wants to play for the club. There were some overpaid (but underplayed) players in previous years and, if they are coming off contract, regardless of how much they are prepared to accept, it's their overall value to the club, in the immediate and in future, which needs to be analysed. A cosy "buddy boys" club does not encourage competition or motivation. My personal view, for what it's worth, is that Mr Walker is one I'd have let go but let's hope, next year, he can repay Mr Cummins faith in him.

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