Bradford Bulls have made the surprise appointment of Brian Noble as head coach and the 63-year-old has made it clear Super League is his mission.
It’s been almost 20 years since Noble last coached at Odsal and a decade since his last head coach gig at any club, however, he has remained involved in the sport.
He’s been so involved that only on Sunday was he leading the commentary of England’s Test against Samoa when working for the BBC.
His more regular job of late has been as a consultant at Bradford Bulls and that’s something he alluded to when commenting on his new role.
“I am really excited, I’ve been a part of what’s been going on behind the scenes for 18 months and you have to say we’re on an upward trajectory,” Noble explained in a club statement after being appointed as Bradford Bulls head coach for a second time.
“There’s lots that has been done but there’s lots still to do and we need to be careful because there’s lots to lose as well, that’s the reality of it all.”
Super League the ‘only mission’ for new Bradford Bulls boss
Credit: BEN DUFFY/SWpix.com
He’d continue in his lengthy statement by first outlining what his ‘only mission’ is; Get Bradford Bulls back in Super League.
Noble stated: “The only reason I came back to help out initially was on the back of trying to get the Bradford Bulls back to the Super League. That’s my only mission. That’s my only dream, not only for the people of Bradford, but for the club itself.”
During Noble’s time with the club at the height of Bullmania, he led them to three Super League titles, three World Club Challenges, two League Leaders Shields and one Challenge Cup.
It is not an exaggeration to say that Bradford Bulls were the best team in world rugby league during Noble’s five years in charge and now he is hoping to reinvigorate that, even referring to the ‘old times’ during his first comments.
“Nigel Wood and Jason have been my contact people and everything they said that’s going to happen, pretty much has and the feel around the place is a little bit like the old times,” Noble explained.
“You can only make the steps you can make with some of the financial constraints that are necessary. You know you can’t be reckless and you can’t be flamboyant in what you’re doing, but it’s been well planned and it’s been well thought out. I think there’s some energy and enthusiasm around the place, the only reason I’m here is that the Bradford Bulls get back into Super League.”
It’s a big shift from his role as a consultant which he began in 2023, however, he will have first-team coach Lee Greenwood alongside him. Looking back on the role he ahs held for the past 18 months, he explained: “It’s both an honour and a privilege to try pass on the information that I think will help the football side of things in that respect, but behind the scenes, it’s a very vibrant, very exciting journey to be on.
“At the moment, I think every department in the club is working really, really hard, and more importantly, with smiles on their faces whilst they’re doing it, which makes for a great working environment.”
Noble makes rallying call to Bulls fans after shock appointment
Credit: Ben Duffy/SWpix.com
On the task that is in front of him now, Noble stated: “One of my jobs now is stability around the joint and making sure that we’re still progressing. Progression is massively important, and to progress on what we’ve done, two third placed finishes, has to be a second or a first or a cup competition where we’re in the final. It’s just to show more intention for our fans, that we want to get to big occasions and we want to be in the big show, which is clearly Super League.
“I’m a Bradfordian, and I walk through the streets of Bradford and I speak to lots and lots and lots of people who were passionate about the club, and talk about the halcyon days of previous years. Well, I think the days are now.
“If you’ve been a Bulls fan before and you’re not there, please consider coming back. If you’re a Bradfordian and you’re proud of your rugby club, as we all should be, then come and watch, see what we’ve got to offer and see what we can do. I’d really, really like us to add to the Bradford army that was swelling and swelling from last year and it needs to be bigger for lots of reasons, they’ll be entertained, and we’ll have some good times, as well as the tough times. But that’s all about. Being a fan is brilliant.”
Whether he can bottle that Bullmania feeling and bring Odsal back to it’s former greatness is a major ask with the Bradford journey in 2025 one that cannot be missed.
