THE Bulls will survive the rugby league lockdown, Mark Sawyer today assured fans.

That is the promise from the chief executive as clubs struggle to make it through the enforced period without income.

Bradford are applying for some financial help from the RFL as part of the £16 million rescue package that the government have loaned the sport.

But Sawyer confirmed that the club will come out the other side once the threat of the coronavirus pandemic has eased – whenever that may be.

“With this liquidity, the club will get through to next season,” he said. “That’s not a maybe.

“The Bulls were more than getting back on their feet in a relatively short period of time before this happened.

“There are a lot of discussions to have with people and our season-ticket holders in terms of moving forward.

“But what I would say is that we’ve got a great set of fans and most people are taking things very positively.

“Everybody’s desperate for matches to get back on but the reality of the situation is that we won’t be playing in front of a crowd this season.

“It’s going to be hard work to play behind closed doors, not just because of finances but for logistical reasons as well with COVID.

“There’s a big chance we won’t be playing again this season.

“We’ll just have to make sure that the club comes back even stronger next year, if that is the case.”

The government hand-out will buy time for the Bulls and every club feeling the pinch.

They have submitted cashflow predictions up to December 1 to the RFL, who will then advise on the size of the loan they can offer.

Sawyer added: “We’ll be applying for a small business loan and we’ll also apply for money from the RFL to keep the club on its feet in difficult times.

“Everybody acknowledges that both sources are loans but it will keep us going. We will need income moving forward or else it’s going to be very tough.

“This offers much-needed liquidity for all clubs and gives everyone time to make sensible decisions about their businesses.

“We’ve got things in place. Obviously if the furlough scheme suddenly finishes that will cause issues to all clubs.

“But we’ll find a way to deal with that and get through. Those decisions are out of our control.

“Everybody has been hit and that includes the benefactors of clubs like myself. You’re not in the same position of offering support moving forward."

Sawyer and the new board had battled to get the club back on a more even keel following the uncertainty last autumn at the end of Andrew Chalmers’ time in charge and the move to Dewsbury.

“Things were going extremely well in getting the club back on its feet. Everybody had played their part in helping to achieve that.

“We were probably in a better position having gone down to the bare bones. We don’t have a massive staff off the pitch now.

“It’s unfortunate but I’d like to thank all the season-ticket holders for their patience.

“We need to give everyone some hope and if that means building towards next season, then that’s what we’ll do.”