FROM the outside, the Bradford Bulls look worryingly rudderless.

Without a proper home after losing Odsal; the club’s ownership once more in transition and seemingly deep in debt as Andrew Chalmers prepares to walk away from his three-year tenure.

In an era of continued uncertainty for Bradford’s once-proud sporting institution, it seems like another spin of the merry-go-round to see what issues will befall them next.

But despite the prospect of next year’s nomadic existence at Dewsbury, and the concerns about the squad John Kear will be left with to face it amid the serious belt-tightening that will be required, the roots remain strong.

That is the defiantly-upbeat stance from Bullbuilder, the club’s supporters trust who do so much towards their youth development.

And it is those links with the academy and a production line that remains the envy of their rivals that still offer hope in this latest round of cuts and setbacks.

“We won’t lose the roots because the roots are the people,” said Bullbuilder chairman Paul Butterworth.

“It’s been a very difficult few years but you get those highs and lows in sport.

“But we’ve still got a club and some very loyal supporters, who a lot of clubs are envious of.

“They turn up week in, week out wherever the club are playing and show a fantastic commitment.

“It’s great on game days because you can forget about everything that’s going on and just enjoy the team.

“What I like about our team is that it’s coming from the youth development side and the young players.

“Unfortunately, we can’t keep some of them at the minute but you look at those who have come through like Oakesy (Ross Oakes) and Ethan Ryan. We’ve got the pleasure of watching them develop and it’s exciting.

“You look at Kirky (Liam Kirk) and how much he has come on this year. I remember watching him in the under-16s and now he’s delivering in the first team in the Championship.

“It’s credit to people who work at the Bulls. They are so dedicated to stick with the club through thick and thin.

“We’ve got players that other clubs have offered contracts to but have stopped at Bradford. Not only because of the facilities we’ve got at Tong but the way the staff are so committed and supportive.”

Bullbuilder have always championed the club’s youth structure with their fund-raising, establishing that bond between the fans and the players and their families.

“We’ve recently tried to support players’ welfare as well,” added Butterworth. “Bradford’s not a rich city and you get your young players coming through who need covering for medical insurance.

“We’ve stepped in this year to do that because we care about them. That’s the supporters looking after the young players and then you see it on that pitch delivering.

“When we did the Snowdonia challenge, the parents are taking part because they see the commitment.”

While the RFL are allowing the Bulls to base themselves at the Tetley’s Stadium for 2020, returning to Bradford is the priority for an increasingly sceptical public.

Butterworth urges the decision makers to use their common sense rather than dreaming of a flash multi-million pound stadium.

“Getting the Bulls back in Bradford has got to be top of the agenda. But faze it in properly.

“What’s the point of building a new stadium to cover 25,000 when realistically we don’t need it?

“I think 8,000-10,000 is enough, which Odsal can accommodate. I don’t think Horsfall is practical but it could be to move Park Avenue to Odsal.

“There are all sorts of opportunities but it needs joined-up thinking – and the role model for joined-up thinking is the academy structure.”

The number of local lads emerging through the Bulls system is something that Butterworth says every fan should be proud of. As belts are tightened again, the conveyor belt will be needed.

“The structure has grown. We’re getting more and more players coming through and getting the opportunity to play in the Championship.

“Look at other teams above us, apart from Toronto and Toulouse, and they’ve all brought in loads of loan players. Yes, they have gained from it but longer-term we’ve gained more.

“We missed out by one point with a young side who now have that experience under their belt.”