INSIDE KNOWLEDGE

When the news broke about Eamon O’Carroll taking up a full-time position with Super League giants, St Helens, I was rocked, the impact O’Carroll had managed at Bradford in such a short time coupled with the fresh direction being shown by the club’s directors had the Bulls fans dreaming of the old days.

Who out there in the Rugby League world could make Odsal their home and continue to push Bradford forward? Craig Lingard, Andrew Henderson, Ian Watson, a possible return for Mark Dunning?

What I did not see was the return of Brian Noble, the club legend, who steered the ship in the early 2000’s creating a history that is still spoken about throughout the game, You don’t have to search far to find a Bulls fan that remembers the golden age cup finals, record crowds and the West Yorkshire derby.

While I could see the nostalgia in the decision being made, personally I couldn’t help but feel like it was a backwards step for the Bulls outfit, maybe still pining over the loss of O’Carroll swaying my decision but I just couldn’t see how bringing Noble back after years away from the game could do for the club.  

Head Coach Brian Noble – (Credit @OfficialBullsRL on X)

Now the dust has settled on the move and knowing that Lee Greenwood is remaining in place as Noble’s assistant the thinking is starting to make sense, even more so seeing the signing the club has secured and the manner in which the players have publicly supported the movement I am warming to it.

With the club clearly working hard off the field and doing their best to engage with the IMG rating system to ensure they are in the strongest possible position to stake a Super League spot in 2026, Could a push for renewed glory days be exactly what the Bulls need right now?

Noble and Greenwood have been heavily involved with the running of the squad for the last few years, it is obvious they have influenced the signings made by Bradford coming into this season. You just have to look at the calibre of the players that have been drafted in and you can already see the resemblance to Noble’s famous trophy-winning teams.

The setback that bringing a new coach in at such a pivotal stage of the IMG era could have unsettled what has been a very steady Bulls movement over recent years.

It is safe to say that I have been won over by the build-up to the coming season and to quote the Bradford Bulls Media team, I am backing Brian I am backing Bradford and I will be backing the Bulls!

Are the Bradford Bulls on their way back to the Super League?  

Written by – Terry Moon