ADMINISTRATORS who have been put in charge of Bradford Bulls have said they will work towards finding a solution to “preserve the future of the club.”

The news follows an announcement today that the Bulls had been placed in administration for the third time in four years.

Gary Pettit and Gavin Bates, directors of PBC Business Recovery and Insolvency are joint administrators. Mr Pettit said: “A club like Bradford Bulls serves the local community and we will be working towards finding a solution that preserves the future of the club while also meeting the requirements of the Rugby Football League with whom we have already opened a dialogue.

“I appreciate the club has been in this position twice before in recent years and in my own view ensuring it does not occur again will be paramount.”

The figure HMRC says is owed by the club is understood to be around £350,000. An HMRC spokesperson said: “HMRC doesn’t discuss individual taxpayers. We have an outstanding record for supporting businesses experiencing cash flow problems, by agreeing individual time to pay arrangements whenever we can.”

Meanwhile, rallying calls have been made by supporters group Bullbuilders.

Chairman Paul Butterworth said in his personal view it was important to stay positive.

He said: “We have been there before and we will come back bigger and stronger because we are a rugby league family, this club.

“There is a strong commitment there, you can look at the fan base. Yes, it has dropped from when we were in Super League but it is still strong and I’m sure the fans will rally round and support the staff and the players, because it is not about a ground, it is not about a name, it is about a club.”

Today, Bulls’ chairman Marc Green, who presided over the previous administration in 2014 and also relegation from Super League later that year along with a standard six point penalty, said the move was done to “save its future” and had been talking to a number of serious investors.

He added: “There is a dispute between ourselves and HMRC which we have been working hard to resolve since the winding up petition was issued and despite two adjournments from the courts to resolve this matter we have been unable to do so.”

He further stated: “Regardless of whether I remain at the helm of this great club, I will ensure all memberships already purchased for next season will remain valid, as will the offer under which they were purchased.

“I believe the future of Bradford Bulls is still strong.”

An RFL spokesperson added: “We have been communicating closely with Bradford Bulls and we are aware of the decision to place the club into administration.

“It is undoubtedly a painful and uncertain time for supporters, players and employees.

“In these circumstances the RFL will always seek to support a club in difficulty for the sake of those directly affected and also on behalf of the chairmen and boards of well managed clubs who deserve stability.”

Bradford South MP Judith Cummins declared the news “devastating” and said she would do all she could to support the club.

She said: “The news that the Bradford Bulls, one of our sporting treasures, entered administration in recent days is absolutely devastating news.

“Securing the future of the Bradford Bulls, by putting it on a long term and sound financial footing, is absolutely key for its thousands of fans and the wider communities of Bradford.

“I will be doing all that I can, alongside other local stakeholders, to support the club on its journey back to success in the months and years to come.”