THE Bulls are making “giant steps” in solving their financial problems heading into the new year.

The club were understood to be in debt by more than £500,000 when Andrew Chalmers sold them at the end of October.

But Mark Sawyer has revealed that they have already paid back a large chunk of what was owed.

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“We’ve cut through a large percentage of it, either paying off the debts in full or agreeing to do it over three or four instalments,” said the club’s part-owner.

“The only ones which are outstanding are two or three relatively small ones where there is a dispute over whether we owe the money or not.

“Obviously as much as we’re keen to pay money that the club owes, we’re not in a position to do that where there might be a dispute.

“But the biggest of the creditors have all been paid off in full.

“We should be round the corner now. We’ve made really pleasing headway.

“Look back two or three months to where we are now, we’ve made giant steps forward.”

The pension arrears with players and club staff was the first area to be sorted and Sawyer senses a real optimism going into the new Championship season.

While they prepare to decamp to a temporary base at Dewsbury, talks continue on the prospect of a Bradford return as early as possible.

The Bulls have retained a commercial presence at Odsal with the office and club shop and still harbour hopes of going back there.

Sawyer added: “We’ve had some very positive meetings with the council and the ball’s back in our court to make some proposals for Odsal.

“That’s identified as a main target to get back in Bradford and we’re moving forward nicely with that as well.”