It is excellent news that the Bulls are in the red for the first time in nine years, especially considering some of the doom and gloom the sporting world has dumped on us this week.
Peter Hood and his board have overseen some big and often difficult decisions during the last couple of years but they are now beginning to bear fruit.
However, a rare operating profit can’t mask the fact that the club’s long-term future is still decidedly murky.
For all the so-called glamour of professional sports, most clubs – especially in football – have real financial concerns hanging over them.
There is a fine balance between success and failure both on and off the pitch and the decision-making process is crucial.
In the Bulls’ case, one vote that has to go their way now to ease those long-term doubts and improve prosperity is for the Odsal Sporting Village.
As we await Council approval, it has never been more vital that the development finally gets the nod.
If the Bulls are to build and grow they need the scheme to come to fruition – and soon.
Clubs that have already moved to sparkling new purpose-built stadiums have reaped the rewards.
Hull FC and Warrington are both benefiting from the vast spoils of new advertising, sponsorship, marketing and corporate potential generated by their moves, while attendances have increased markedly as the match-day experience is so superior being in clean, dry, modern-seated facilities.
Wigan and Huddersfield have enjoyed such benefits for years after teaming up with their football counterparts, while Leeds have also invested heavily in their ground to get up to scratch.
With Castleford Tigers, Wakefield Trinity Wildcats and Salford City all either about to start building new stadiums or well down the road towards gaining the green light to do so, the Bulls are in danger of being left behind.
Notoriously, Odsal has been one of the most unenviable venues to watch sport for years, with it’s mass of uncovered terracing. The cost of maintaining the ageing stadium alone is potentially suffocating but the new plan would haul it into the 21st century and enable the Bulls to flourish like never before.
Let’s hope it gets that backing and the future is secured.