Bradford Bulls pitch latest after mid-season controversy

Bradford Bulls created controversy in the summer of 2021 when their pitch was found to be outside the regulations required.

When the West Yorkshire side moved back home, they had to apply to the Rugby Football League – who currently own the lease from the council – to play games back there due to the pitch being too narrow to meet the governing body’s minimum pitch requirements.

The RFL granted the Bulls special dispensation despite the pitch only measuring 51 metres wide – the minimum threshold is 55.

But, work was completed and Odsal now measures 89 metres by 56 metres, with the stock car racing track still there on the outside.

Bradford  had returned home in May following a period of groundsharing with local rivals Dewsbury Rams.

And, Bradford chairman Nigel Wood has revealed there are improvements in the pipeline to bring the pitch further up to standard.

“The pitch is fully compliant,” Wood told West Yorkshire Radio Rugby League.

“The drama was because for a period of time it was under the required width.

“Now, the RFL has sunk some new posts in there and they are the tallest posts I can ever remember.

“There are no short-term plans to do anything, the corners will have a better solution going forward.

“It won’t affect the pitch dimensions, it will just ensure better run off endings with soft landings etc.”