Departing Bradford Bulls forward Steve Crossley has hit out at the club following his exit.
Crossley is one of many expected to be shown the door at Odsal following a disappointing season in which the West Yorkshire side finished outside the play-offs.
However, the prop forward – who also had a spell with the Castleford Tigers in Super League – is unhappy about how things have ended at the club.
“There are a lot of players and all staff members that have been treated so disrespectfully, and I share the same frustrations as the fans,” Crossley told the Telegraph & Argus.
“A lot of finger pointing has been done at the players and staff, which to some degree is fair as we are the ones on the pitch, but frustrations go further than that.
“There has been a real lack of leadership, organisation, communication, respect and most of all integrity.
“I’ve proudly stuck by this club and tried leading from the front after all the previous turmoil the club has gone through and the huge turnover of players in recent years.
“Through it all, I’ve always played for the badge on my shirt, so all of this is a real shame for the club I love.
“I thank all the fans who have watched and supported my career here, from a schoolboy to my latter years in the game.
“I will continue to come to games and support the players and Bradford Bulls in the future, as it’s still my home.
“I wish the club all the best in their preparations for next year and the future.”
Although Crossley emphasised that it was his decision which has seen him leave Odsal, he wasn’t happy about making it, stating: “It’s due to personal reasons.
“I’m certainly not happy about leaving, even though it is my choice.
“If things were different, I’d be staying, but they’re not, so I’ve called time myself on my stay here.”
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