BRADFORD Council says it will work with Bradford Bulls to make sure the club's upcoming move to Dewsbury is "as temporary as it sounds."

The Rugby League club made the shocking announcement that it would be leaving its longtime home of Odsal Stadium at the end of the season, and play at Dewsbury Ram's Tetley’s Stadium for the next two years.

Chairman Andrew Chalmers said the decision was due to the high financial costs of remaining at Odsal.

But the club has told fans it is looking for a future home in Bradford, and is already looking at potential alternative stadium sites in the city.

These plans would take at least two years to come to fruition, fans were told.

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After the announcement Bradford Council's leader vowed to work with the club to ensure a speedy return to the city.

Bradford Council owns the land at Odsal, but the Rugby Football League owns the stadium, and leases it to the Bulls.

The club said it had looked into sharing existing stadiums in Bradford, but these plans were "not suitable."

"The Club has a proud history and we want it to continue making history in Bradford... and to this end all parties have been working towards this" - Susan Hinchcliffe - Leader of Bradford Council

Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe said: “I am hugely disappointed by the news that the Bradford Bulls intend to move to Dewsbury for two seasons.

"The Club has a proud history and we want it to continue making history in Bradford.

“The owner of the Bulls is clear that Odsal is no longer financially viable for the Bulls. 

"We fully accept that if costs are too high then a business cannot sustain itself.  The Bulls is no different.

"We have been working with the Bulls and the Rugby Football League to find a solution to secure the future of Bradford Bulls in Bradford, which is both realistic and financially sustainable.

"We still really want the Bulls to stay in Bradford and to this end all parties have been working towards this.

“We will continue to speak with Bradford Bulls, the RFL and other local organisations to determine a viable Bradford home for the Bulls for the future and hope that this move, announced today, remains as temporary as it sounds.”