Bradford Bulls

A revised offer by the ABC Consortium to buy the beleaguered Bradford Bulls was today rejected as unacceptable by the Rugby Football League.

RFL director of standards and licensing Blake Solly said: “While we are encouraged by the continued interest in purchasing Bradford Bulls, it is disappointing that the ABC Consortium is still unable to submit an unconditional offer.

“We have been consistent and clear in that our position is we are unable to consider any offer which comes with strings attached.

“The position with Bradford Bulls is identical to that faced by Widnes Vikings and Wakefield Trinity Wildcats, who were taken out of administration in 2007 and 2011, respectively, by new owners without any guarantee as to which competition they would be playing in.

“All inquirers have been informed that the RFL is only interested in receiving offers for Bradford Bulls which are free from any condition pertaining to competition membership or the re-acquisition of Odsal Stadium.

“The ABC Consortium has also been informed that any unconditional offer would also have to be accompanied by a detailed business plan, the identity of all material shareholders and proposed directors and the appropriate proof that the required levels of funding are in place.

Mr Solly said the RFL was continuing to speak to the club’s joint administrator Brendan Guilfoyle following his request for an advance of remaining distributions to meet payroll on August 14.