A pub landlord is bidding to form a Denver Broncos fan club branch following news of official links between the Bradford Bulls and the American football team.

On Tuesday, the Telegraph & Argus reported how Bulls coach Matthew Elliott and his coaching staff are preparing for a fact-finding mission to the Colarado club in December.

The trip has been organised by the Bulls' nutritional sponsor EAS, which also backs the NFL team.

But Shipley's Branch pub has had its own links with the Broncos for years and its staff and regulars are now hoping to make them official.

Landlord Chris Pope's sister, Ann Writer, and nephew, Rick Hale, who live in Denver and are season ticket holders at the Super Bowl champions' Mile High Stadium, are currently on holiday in Shipley.

Following news of the Bulls' plans to go to the US, they have exchanged club mementoes with the Branch's Broncos and Bulls fans.

And once back in the States they intend drumming up support for Bradford among Denver supporters.

Mr Pope said: "It was great reading about the tie-up but the branch has had an unofficial one for years.

"There's a group of us who've been supporting the Broncos for a few years now - we support the Bulls in the summer and Denver during the winter.

"Since we adopted the Broncos they've won the Super Bowl twice in succession while the Bulls finished top of the league so I guess our support has brought both success.

"Rick will be taking some Bulls' souvenirs back with him to America. He's going to contact the Denver Broncos fan club when he gets home and hopefully we'll become its Shipley branch.''

Mr Pope added: "They're big Denver fans but I've also managed to convert them to the Bulls and they're avid fans now who always look out for the results in the Denver Post.

"We keep some of the Broncos shirts and souvenirs they bring each year and some help the Branch Charity Appeal, which has raised about £14,500 for various good causes since it was launched in April 1996.''

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