By ROSS HEPPENSTALL
Bradford Bulls’ interim chairman Eric Perez believes the club’s change of ownership has brought “stability” and “energy” as he revealed more signings are in the pipeline.
Two months ago, Andrew Chalmers jumped ship and a new consortium including former RFL chief executive Nigel Wood and Dewsbury Rams chairman Mark Sawyer took control.
Perez was appointed on a three to four-month basis and tasked with steadying the club and laying solid foundations for the new regime.
The change in ownership came after a series of financial meltdowns that have included three administrations, two relegations and a liquidation since 2012.
Accounts revealed the Bulls ran up over £1million of debt in the two years under previous owner Chalmers, a friend of Wood, but Perez says progress is now being made.
Although John Kear’s side will play their home games at Dewsbury’s Tetley’s Stadium in 2020, they are hopeful of returning to the city of Bradford in 2021 and a club shop was opened at Odsal over the weekend.
Perez told League Weekly: “The Bulls were a sinking ship when we took over but I think we have all managed to pull together as a team and begin patching up most of the holes.
“The name of the game is stability and I believe we are achieving that goal in a serious way in every aspect.
“It’s been about figuring out the situation with the previous ownership to where we are now and the fans are buying into it.
“We’ve exceeded our goals on season ticket sales and are actually at the same level as last year, so things are looking very promising.
“The newly-renovated club, still at Odsal, opened at the weekend and a lot of people worked tirelessly for this to happen. It’s a big step forward for us.”
A number of signings have arrived to bolster Kear’s squad such as Anthony England and fellow prop Sam Barlow.
Loose forward Adam Rooks, 19, has also arrived on a season-long loan from Hull Kingston Rovers and former Hull FC prop Levy Nzoungou will join the club from Albi on a one-year deal.
Perez added: “When teams face us this season, they know they will be hit hard by a formidable pack – I think we will play a ‘smash-mouth’ rugby league style.
“Back in the day, Bradford were known for having big forwards and I think John is putting together a side which is a reflection of that heritage with guys like England, Barlow and Nzoungou.
“Greg Johnson is another astute signing on the wing who brings experience and a lot of people were asking about a month ago ‘does Bradford even have a team?’
“John is picking and choosing who he wants and we are not done with our recruitment.
“But we’re not desperate and I think loanees will be a big thing for us like Adam Rooks; young, hungry up and coming players who are willing to prove themselves and give their all.
“I think what you will see is that we will be winning games on the back of it. Energy is our new buzzword.”
When asked about who Bradford may strike up a dual-reg partnership with, Perez replied: “I’d rather not talk about that because your risk losing the deal. Those talks have to stay confidential for now.”
On the stadium situation, Perez added: “I’m optimistic about the club playing back in Bradford in 2021.”
