THE chair of Bradford Bulls Supporters Trust has said any move away from Odsal must be a “short-term pain for a long-term gain”.

Paul Butterworth, chair of BullBuilder, has suggested for a new purpose-built stadium to be built on the Richard Dunn Sports Centre site if the club doesn't stay at Odsal.

He also told Bradford Council to follow examples set by councils in Lancashire in supporting rugby league in towns in the county by funding a new modern stadium.

Yesterday, Bradford Bulls chair Andrew Chalmers said the club is looking at moving away from its historic Odsal home as the site is no longer “financially viable”, with Bradford City’s Valley Parade, Bradford (Park Avenue)’s Horsfall Stadium and Dewsbury Rams' ground all touted as potential new homes for the Bulls.

Mr Butterworth said Bradford Council and the Rugby Football League need to “rally round to keep rugby league in Bradford”.

He said: “What’s important for me is keeping the club and sport of rugby league in the city.

“We all need to work together to keep rugby and sports development in general in Bradford.

“If Odsal could be redeveloped that would be brilliant, but there’s a great site just opposite - Richard Dunn - which could be used for a new stadium.

“It’s in a great spot at the end of a motorway, just up the road from the new Sedbergh Sports Centre, and what a great opportunity it would be to have a new sporting arena in Bradford.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Odsal StadiumOdsal Stadium

“It would be great for rugby league, people’s health, and for the city.

“Look what councils in Lancashire have done to support rugby league and sports development compared with Yorkshire councils.

“Look at the grounds in Bradford, Castleford, Wakefield, compare that to those across the Pennines in Wigan, St Helens, Leigh, they are much better.”

Of the grounds mentioned by Andrew Chalmers, Mr Butterworth said wherever the Bulls go it needs to feel like home, not just a place they play.

“I see it as short-term pain for long-term gain, the club must be sustainable,” he said.

“Any move needs to have long-term benefits, bringing money into Bradford and feeling like home for our fans.

“The problem at Valley Parade was we had no recognition of the Bulls’ history, no banners or boards by the pitch - even a Bulls Bar would do.

“Look again at Lancashire and their ground-shares, on a football day it feels like their home and its the same on a rugby league day.

“We were never at home at Valley Parade, we were just tenants. Wherever we go, as fans we need to feel like a part of the club.”

Andrew Chalmers said any move must be agreed by all parties including the club, Council, RFL and the fans, otherwise it is “doomed to fail”.

Last year, Bradford Council began marketing the Richard Dunn Sports Centre site - which closes when Sedbergh Leisure Centre opens this autumn - as Odsal District Retail Centre.