Bradford legend Brian Noble believes the Bulls can and will return to their former glories.

But the former Great Britain coach also warns there is no easy fix – just hard work ahead.

Noble, who spent three decades at Odsal and coached both the Bulls and Sunday’s opponents Crusaders, reckons the foundations for recovery must be laid now.

Speaking ahead of the Bulls’ final home game of the season, Bradford-born and bred Noble emphasised: “It’s been very disappointing – no one likes to see your hometown club and one you spent 30 years of your life associated with struggling.

“Let’s not forget that for the majority of Super League’s existence, from virtually the beginning in 1996 up until about 2006, Bradford were the name on everyone’s lips – but that mantle has passed to Wigan and Warrington at the moment.

“I’m sure they want to change that because potentially Bradford are still a massive club but no one can afford to rest on their laurels.

“In the modern era someone else gets a go every now and then – that’s what’s happening now and the club are planning for the future and strategies have to reflect that.

“They have had three difficult years but things will turn for Bradford – I’m sure of that.”

Former policeman Noble, who made over 400 appearances in 17 seasons as Bradford Northern’s hooker, will be an interested spectator at Odsal tomorrow when the curtain comes down on one of his former clubs’ less memorable campaigns.

For North Wales-based Crusaders, 2011 has been even more agonising, languishing on or around the foot of the table for most of the season and knowing their top-flight existence comes to an end next week.

Since opting not to reapply for their Super League licence at the end of July, most of the playing and coaching side have spent as much time thinking about their own futures as the next game.

And Noble, who was Bulls head coach from 2001 to 2006 and held the reigns at Crusaders throughout their first year at Wrexham, stressed: “Crusaders have made a commitment to themselves to finish the season as strongly as possible but that can be difficult because, in terms of Super League, they don’t have a way forward.

“It’s Bradford’s last home game and they will want to finish the season on a high to begin building some momentum for next year.

“They do need to strengthen in some areas and have done that already.

“They’ve signed two halves and two outside backs in search of a little more strike.

“The players that are already at the club and staying are going to want to look to improve their prospects for next year.

“And Chev Walker looks like he might be back, which is huge for them.”

* Former Bulls powerhouse Paul Anderson is the latest recruit to the England Knights camp preparing two international matches next month.

The former Great Britain prop and current Huddersfield Giants assistant coach, who was part of the “awesome foursome” during eight of Bradford’s glory years, is to help Knights boss Kieron Purtill prepare for games against France on October 15 and Samoa on October 22.