Peter Hood today eased any fears that the Bulls would be directly affected by the Grattan crisis.
The mail order shopping giant – who are axing at least 1,000 jobs – have a four-and-a-half-year ground sponsorship deal at Odsal worth half a million pounds.
That income is vital to the club but Bulls chairman Hood said it won’t be under threat by the Bradford-based company’s cutbacks.
The Grattan Stadium will remain and he confirmed: “The stadium sponsorship is a signed deal until the end of 2010.
“It’s a contract between two organisations and in that sense is completely solid.
“I’ve no doubt it will be honoured.
“Obviously, what’s happening at Grattan is extremely regrettable and we’re very, very sorry for those people losing their jobs.
“Unfortunately, it’s an effect of the economic time we live in.”
It is believed the Bulls are still due around £220,000 for the remainder of their tie-up with Grattan, who historically became the first firm to bag stadium naming rights at Odsal in June 2006.
Although that is safe, Hood admits the club might see crowd figures fall after the company’s recent bombshell.
“A great many fans are employed by Grattan, which was one of the reasons the sponsorship deal was done in the first place,” he said.
“Their disposable income is obviously now affected so that might have an indirect effect on us this season.”
With the massive Odsal Sporting Village development gathering pace, there may be no need to find a direct sponsor for the actual stadium itself when the current deal ends next year.
However, Hood said Grattan were “in the loop” and they will have appropriate discussions when the time arises.
Ironically, if bulldozers are on site before the end of 2010, it might be the Bulls who have to pull out of the present Grattan agreement because they can’t deliver their side of the deal.
But Hood said: “If that’s the case, it must mean only good news regarding the Odsal Sporting Village and everyone would be happy.”
