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Bradford CEO denies ‘mysterious backer’ has ‘bank rolled’ the club’s 12 new signings and declares ‘our recruitment drive isn’t finished’

Bradford Bulls have been one of the busiest clubs in the off-season.

Head coach Mark Dunning has brought in 12 new players to date, as the Bulls look to improve after an average 2022 campaign in the Championship.

Their overhaul has seen some high-profile names arrive at Odsal, including the likes of Jack Walker, Bodene Thompson and most recently Michael Lawrence.

And with murmurings of a ‘mysterious backer’ at the former Super League Champions, CEO Jason Hirst addressed the rumours in his latest statement, as he provided an update on all things surrounding the club, including new signings.

The statement reads: “The playing, coaching and backroom staff are now back and into their second week of pre-season training.

“There’s a real positive vibe about the place, no doubt built upon, in part, by the arrival of so many new faces, including plenty of players, with us having recruited 12 new signings to date. As in any organisation, fresh faces bring in fresh enthusiasm, ideas and behaviours.

“Talking of recruitment and for the avoidance of any doubt, despite some popular belief to the contrary, these exciting and in certain cases, established high quality Super League and representative athletes haven’t been bank rolled by a new mysterious backer.

“They have in fact been recruited as part of our revamped recruitment strategy for 2023. Furthermore, they have been brought in within budget. That’s testament to our new recruitment strategy, which in short, has been a real team effort, in terms of identifying and signing the right players at the right prices.

“To be clear, our recruitment drive isn’t finished yet and we’re still working collectively hard and smartly behind the scenes, to bring in additional quality athletes before the start of the new season. So, whilst we are excited by the potential of our new look squad in 2023, we’ll only really know how successful we’ve been in assembling a largely new squad once the season is well and truly underway. One thing for certain though, is that we are doing all we reasonably can to deliver on-field excitement and success for our much appreciated loyal band of fans.

“Moving to off-field matters, the club has had a very successful commercial off-season, with record numbers of new kit sponsors coming on board. Led by our commercial team, it’s once again been a real team effort, with lots of different people identifying and securing new additional sponsors, not to mention maintaining numerous existing ones. Keep your eyes peeled on the club’s website for a number of exciting commercial announcements across the next few weeks.

“All in all, it’s been a tremendously busy off-season to date, with volunteers (new and existing) and staff at Odsal and Tong alike, working tremendously hard behind the scenes, on behalf of our great club.

“The one theme that is hugely prevalent throughout the club is teamwork. That’s from the bottom up and the top down. Everyone is pitching in and doing their job and more besides. It’s teamwork that will lead to any success we have on and off the field this coming season and beyond. A big part of our team are our fans and we look forward to your continued vocal support throughout the upcoming season. If you want to support us before then, you can do so in many ways, from the obvious of purchasing season tickets and new training kit (which is now available in store and online) and/or buying our new 2023 playing kits, which we expect to be available before Christmas. You can also support in perhaps less obvious ways, such as volunteering (please contact the club shop) or by visiting the stadium this weekend, for our Christmas Market, with circa 55 stalls across Saturday and Sunday (11am-6pm, with free admission) and 1st Team players in attendance. We are also showing the England World Cup match against Wales, next Tuesday, in our banqueting suite (doors open at 5:30pm for a 7pm kick off).

“Finally, our 2023 pre-season schedule will be revealed in the coming weeks once all details have been confirmed.

“Thank you for your continued support. Jason.”

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