Bradford Bulls
For the Bradford Bulls hockey team in Bradford, Ontario, Canada, see Bradford Bulls (hockey)
| [[File:Black bull|frameless]] | |
| Club information | |
|---|---|
| Full name | Bradford Bulls Rugby League Club |
| Colours | Amber, red, black and white |
| Founded | 1863 |
| Current details | |
| Ground(s) |
|
| CEO | Gareth Davies |
| Coach | Steve MacNamara |
| Captain | Iestyn Harris |
| Competition | Super League (Europe) |
| 2006 | 4th of 12 |
| Records | |
| Premierships | 4 - 1997, 2001, 2003.2005 |
| Wooden spoons | Nil |
Bradford Bulls are a professional rugby league club based in the city of Bradford, England. They have been one of the success stories of the Super League, and are one of the biggest clubs in British Rugby League. The team jersey is white with red, amber and black 'V'. The club plays its home games at Grattan Stadium, which is located to the south of the city centre. The Bulls are coached by Steve McNamara who succeeded Brian Noble on 20th April 2006 when he moved to Wigan Warriors.
History
1863 - 1900: In the Beginning
The Bradford Rugby Club was formed in 1863. The club won the Yorkshire Challenge Cup in 1884.
In 1895, along with crosstown neighbours Manningham, Bradford were among 22 clubs to secede from the Rugby Football Union after a historic meeting at The George Hotel in Huddersfield, in response to a dispute over "broken time" payments to players. These 22 clubs formed the Northern Rugby Union. Manningham would leave the Northern Union in 1903-04 to play soccer and become Bradford City AFC. 1901 - 1914: Pre-War
In 1907, "The Great Betrayal" occurred. The original Bradford club abandoned the Northern Union game to become a soccer club, Bradford (Park Avenue) A.F.C.. A new team Bradford Northern was created to take their place in the Northern Union. 1922: Name of Northern Rugby Football Union changed to Rugby Football League.
1995 - 1999: Birth of Super League
1995-96: The club's name is changed from Bradford Northern to become known as the Bradford Bulls. They adopt a new club logo and appoint highly rated Australian Brian Smith as coach, and later Chief Executive. In April 1995, the Rugby League announce the decision to form the European Super League, and the switch in playing season from winter to summer, to begin in March 1996. The Super League consists of 10 clubs from the existing First Division (including Bradford Bulls) plus London Broncos from the Second Division, and new club Paris St Germain.
1996: Bradford lose the Challenge Cup final 40-32 to St Helens. Bradford’s points come from tries by Jon Scales, Bernard Dwyer and a hat trick from captain Robbie Paul - the first ever scored at Wembley. Paul Cook kicked 6 goals. Robbie Paul won the Lance Todd Trophy followed later in the season by the award for Super League Player of the Year. In September, assistant coach Matthew Elliot becomes head coach following Brian Smith’s decision to return to Australia as coach of Parramatta Eels. Bradford Bulls finish the season as the best supported team in the competition with an average attendance in excess of 10,000.
The Australian version of Super League is prevented from starting as planned in 1996, to run parallel to the British season, due to a court injunction obtained by the Australian Rugby League.
1997: Bradford win the Super League title with an record run of 20 successive victories from the start of the season. They are also Challenge Cup runners-up for a second season, losing to St Helens 32-22. Bradford's try scorers were Danny Peacock, Paul Loughlin, Glen Tomlinson, and James Lowes. Steve McNamara scored the goals. James Lowes wins the Man of Steel award. He is also chosen as Super League Player of the Season while Matthew Elliot (pictured) is chosen as Super League Coach of the Season. Bradford are once again the best supported club, with an average of over 15,000.
The Australian Super League finally kicks off, entering into direct competition with the Australian Rugby League causing a split in the game. All 10 Australian Super League clubs contest the World Club Championship series against the 12 clubs in the European competition.
1998: A generally disappointing season for Bradford, with a fifth place finish in the Super League. They remain the best supported club, however, with an average attendance in excess of 13,000. Leon Pryce beats Keith Mumby's record from 1973 to become the youngest player ever to appear for the club.
The Championship is decided by a top five play off system for the first time, culminating with an Australian styled Grand Final. Wigan win the inaugural Grand Final at Old Trafford against Leeds Rhinos. After one season, the Australian Super League merges with the Australian Rugby League to form a unified competition known as the National Rugby League (NRL).
1999: Bradford sign New Zealand international Henry Paul from Wigan Warriors to link up with brother Robbie Paul for the first time at professional club level. The club achieves record season ticket sales, and a new scoring record is established when the Bulls defeat Workington Town by 92 points to nil in the fourth round of the Challenge Cup at Odsal. Bulls secure Minor Premiership in Super League IV whilst also remaining undefeated at Odsal. The final home game sees the Bulls smash the Super League attendance record with 24,020 fans packing Odsal to see the 19-18 defeat of Leeds Rhinos. A Rugby League record 50,717 fans at Old Trafford see the Bulls in the Grand Final against St Helens, where they are defeated by 8 points to 6. Henry Paul wins the Harry Sunderland Trophy as man of the match.
2000 to Present Day: A New Millennium
2000: Bulls win the Challenge Cup for the first time in 51 years by 24 points to 18 against local rivals Leeds Rhinos. Henry Paul wins the Lance Todd Trophy as man of the match. The match is played at the Scottish Rugby Union's Murrayfield Stadium, the first time in the history of the competition that the final has been held in Scotland, and goes ahead despite major flooding at the ground only two days before.
A record 16 teams contest the twelfth Rugby League World Cup, which is staged at multiple venues around England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland and France. The tournament is won by Australia who defeat New Zealand in the final at Old Trafford, Manchester.
2001: The Bulls take up residence at Valley Parade, home of Bradford City AFC, to allow for the redevelopment of Odsal Stadium. They reach the Challenge Cup final at Twickenham, but suffer a 13-6 defeat to St Helens. On 3rd May in a home match against Warrington, Henry Paul sets a new World Record for consecutive goal kicks (35). The Bulls finish the regular season as Minor Premiers and on 13th October at Old Trafford, a new Super League Grand Final record attendance of 60,164 is established as the Bulls crush Wigan Warriors 37-6 to claim the Championship Trophy. Michael Withers scores a try hat-trick and is awared the Harry Sunderland Trophy as Man of the Match.
Also in 2001, Bulls second row forward Jamie Peacock scores the opening try for Great Britain after just two minutes as they defeat Australia 20-12 in Huddersfield in the first Ashes Test for seven years, but Australia go on to take the series 2-1, winning the second Test at Bolton and the third Test at Wigan.
2002: The Bulls are crowned World Club Champions on 1st February after defeating Australian Premiers Newcastle Knights 41-26 in front of a crowd of 21,113 at Huddersfield's McAlpine Stadium. James Lowes is named as Man of the Match and Paul Deacon kicks eight goals from nine attempts plus one drop goal for a total of 17 points in the match, an individual scoring record for this competition.
2003: Bradford Bulls have the most successful season in the history of the Club, winning all three titles. They travelled to Cardiff to beat the Leeds Rhinos at the Millennium Stadium 22-20, then went on to lift the League Leaders Shield for finishing top of the Super League after 28 rounds, before defeating Leeds Rhinos again, for the fifth time in the season, in the Qualifying Semi Final Play Off to Reach the Tetley's Rugby Super League Grand Final. An outstanding performance of skill and domination saw the Bulls claim the Super League title with victory over a spirited Wigan Warriors. The season also saw the retirement of super star hooker James Lowes after an illustrious career, and the departure of veteran loose forward Mike Forshaw.
2004: Bradford Bulls regained the world club challenge by beating the NRL champions Penrith Panthers 22–4 in front of a packed crowd at the McAlpine Stadium in Huddersfield. 2004 also saw the Bulls beat Leeds Rhino’s in the play offs to reach the Grand Final, Only to meet their arch rivals two weeks later at Old Trafford in front of a record grand final crowd of 67,000. This time Bradford were narrowly edged out by Leeds, eventually losing 15–6. 2004 was a superb year for the ‘The Volcano’ Lesley Vainikolo as he smashed the Super League try scoring record with a total of 37 tries in only 26 appearances. This remarkable achievement started in the first round of the regular super league season as he crossed the try line on 5 separate occasions against Wigan Warriors to equal the record for the total number of tries in a super league game.
2004 also saw 5 Bradford players being named in the Great Britain squad for the tri-nations series with Brian Noble being placed in charge of the GB Lions side. Four other Bulls players were named in the New Zealand side to face them. The series was a great success for Bulls utility back Stuart Reardon as he crossed the try line 4 times and finished Great Britain’s top try scorer.
2005 After Diffcult Start to the season, they managed to win the Super League Title from 3rd Place by Beating Leeds Rhinos at Old Trafford.
2006 Started off with a Bang,the Bulls beat West Tigars in the World Club Challange Match by 30-10 at the Galpharm Stadium. this was the 3rd Time they became World Champions in 4 years.
They are one of only two teams to have won the Super League four times, the other being St Helens
Super League Era
| Year | Title | Result | Venue | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Super League | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 1999 | Super League | Lost St Helens 8-6 | Old Trafford | 50,717 |
| 2001 | Super League | def. Wigan Warriors 37-6 | Old Trafford | 60,164 |
| 2002 | Super League | Lost St Helens 18-19 | Old Trafford | 67,000 |
| 2003 | Super League | def. Wigan Warriors 26-8 | Old Trafford | 69,912 |
| 2004 | Super League | Lost Leeds 15-4 | Old Trafford | 69,912 |
| 2005 | Super League | def.Leeds 15-8 | Old Trafford | 69,912 |
Challenge Cup
| Year | Title | Result | Venue | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Challenge Cup Final | Lost St Helens 40-32 | Wembly | N/A |
| 1997 | Challenge Cup Final | Lost St Helens 32-22 | Wembly | 69,329 |
| 2000 | Challenge Cup Final | def. Leeds Rhinos 24-18 | Murreyfield Stadium | 60,164 |
| 2001 | Challenge Cup Final | Lost St Helens 13-6 | Twickenham Stadium | 67,000 |
| 2003 | Challenge Cup Final | def. Leeds Rhinos 22-21 | Millennium Stadium | 69,912 |
| Year | Title | Result | Venue | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | World Club Challenge | def. Newcastle Knights 41-26 | Galpharm Stadium | 21,113 |
| 2004 | World Club Challenge | def. Penrith Panthers 22-4 | Galpharm Stadium | 20,912 |
| 2006 | World Club Challenge | def. West Tigers 30-10 | Galpharm Stadium | 19,207 |
Super League Table 1996 - 2005
| 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3rd | 1st | 6th | 1st | 3rd | 1st | 2nd | 1st | 2nd | 3rd |
2006
Squad
As of 11th February, 2006:
| Number | Player | Position | Previous Club | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 
|
Michael Withers | Full Back | Balmain Tigers |
| 2 | 
|
Marcus Bai | Winger | Leeds Rhinos |
| 3 | 
|
Ben Harris | Centre | Canterbury Bulldogs |
| 4 | 
|
Shontayne Hape | Centre | New Zealand Warriors |
| 5 |
|
Lesley Vainikolo | Winger | Canberra Raiders |
| 6 | 
|
Iestyn Harris | Stand Off | Cardiff RU |
| 7 | 
|
Paul Deacon | Scrum Half | Oldham |
| 8 |
|
Joe Vagana | Prop | New Zealand Warriors |
| 9 | 
|
Ian Henderson | Hooker | Parramatta |
| 10 |
|
Brad Myers | Second Rower | Brisbane Broncos |
| 11 |
|
Chris Mckenna | Second Rower | Leeds Rhinos |
| 12 |
|
Paul Johnson | Second Rower | Wigan Warriors |
| 13 |
|
Terry Newton | Hooker | Wigan Warriors |
| 14 |
|
Andy Lynch | Prop | Castleford Tigers |
| 15 |
|
Stanley Gene | Stand Off | Huddersfield Giants |
| 16 |
|
Jamie Langley | Loose Forward | Bradford Bulls Academy |
| 17 |
|
Karl Pryce | Winger | Bradford Bulls Academy |
| 19 |
|
Brett Ferres | Second Rower | Bradford Bulls Academy |
| 20 |
|
Matt Cook | Centre | Bradford Bulls Academy |
| 22 |
|
Nicky Saxton | Full Back | Bradford Bulls Academy |
| 24 |
|
Tony Tonks | Prop | Bradford Bulls Academy |
| 25 |
|
Matty Brooks | Stand Off | Bradford Bulls Acadamy |
| 26 |
|
Matt James | Prop | Bradford Bulls Academy |
| 28 |
|
Craig Kopczak | Prop | Bradford Bulls Academy |
| 30 |
|
Sam Burgess | Loose Foward | Bradford Bulls Academy |
| 31 |
|
Marcus St Halaire | Full Back | Huddersfield Giants |
| 32 |
|
Andy Smith | Winger | Bradford Bulls Academy |
Fixtures and Results
| Round | Date | Team | Home Or Away |
|---|---|---|---|
| Round 1 | 12 Feb 06 | W 20-14 v Wakefield | (A) |
| Round 2 | 18 Feb 06 | D 18-18 v Harlequins | (H) |
| Round 3 | 24 Feb 06 | W 34-4 v Salford | (H) |
| Round 4 | 04 Mar 06 | W 50-18 v Les Catalans | (A) |
| Round 5 | 10 Mar 06 | W 18-12 v Hull | (H) |
| Round 6 | 17 Mar 06 | L 16-38 v St Helens | (A) |
| Round 7 | 24 Mar 06 | W 34-12 v Wigan | (H) |
| Round 8 | 08 Apr 06 | L 18-22 v Warrington | (H) |
| Round 9 | 13 Apr 06 | W 20-18 v Leeds | (A) |
| Round 10 | 18 Apr 06 | W 52-18 v Huddersfield | (H) |
| Round 11 | 23 Apr 06 | L 4-27 v Warrington | (A) |
| Round 12 | 28 Apr 06 | W 54-6 v Les Catalans | (H) |
| Round 13 | 05 May 06 | L 12-28 v Hull FC | (A) |
| Round 14 | 13 May 06 | W 58-16 v Harlequins | (A) |
| Round 15 | 26 May 06 | L 0-30 v Leeds | (H) |
| Round 16 | 11 Jun 06 | D 26-26 v Castleford | (A) |
| Round 17 | 16 Jun 06 | W 20-18 v St Helens | (H) |
| Round 18 | 23 Jun 06 | W 42-16 v Huddersfield | (H) |
| Round 19 | 30 Jun 06 | v Salford City | (A) |
| Round 20 | 07 Jul 06 | v Leeds | (A) |
| Round 21 | 14 Jul 06 | v Les Catalans | (H) |
| Round 22 | 23 Jul 06 | v Wakefield | (A) |
| Round 23 | 04 Aug 06 | v Warrington | (H) |
| Round 24 | 12 Aug 06 | v Harlequins | (A) |
| Round 25 | 18 Aug 06 | v Castleford | (H) |
| Round 26 | 01 Sep 06 | v Wigan | (A) |
| Round 27 | 08 Sep 06 | v Wakefield | (H) |
| Round 28 | 17 Sep 06 | v Huddersfield | (A) |
Transfers
Transfer for 2006 (In)
| Name | Signed From | Fee | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stanley Gene | Huddersfeild Gaints | 2005 | |
| Marcus Bai | Leeds Rhinos | 2005 | |
| Chris McKenna | Leeds Rhinos | 2005 | |
| Terry Newton | Wigan Warriors | 2005 | |
| Marcus St Halaire | Huddersfield Giants | 2006 | |
| Ian Henderson | Parramatta Eels | 2006 |
Transfer for 2006 (Out)
| Name | Signed From | Fee | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jamie Peacock | Leeds Rhinos | 2005 | |
| Leon Pryce | St Helens RFC | 2005 | |
| Stuart Rearden | Warrington Wolves | 2005 | |
| Rob Parker | Warrington Wolves | 2005 | |
| Ryan Atkins | Wakefield Wildcats | 2005 | |
| Stuart Feilden | Wigan Warriors | 2006 | |
| Robbie Paul | Huddersfeild Gaints | 2005 |
Transfer for 2007 (In)
| Name | Signed From | Fee | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Glenn Morrison | Parramatta Eels | 2006 |
Transfer for 2007 (Out)
| Name | Signed From | Fee | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brad Myers | Gold Coast Titans | 2006 |
Coaching Register
| Name | Contract Started | Contract Ended | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| David Hobbs | 1990 | 1993 | Sacked |
| Peter Fox | 1993 | 1995 | Sacked |
| Brian Smith | 1995 | 1996 | N/A |
| Matthew Elliott | 1996 | 2000 | N/A |
| Brain Noble | 2001 | 2006 | N/A |
| Steve McNamara | 2006 | N/A | N/A |
Captains
| Name | Started | Ended | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Robbie Paul | 1996 | 2004 | |
| Jamie Peacock | 2005 | 2005 | Contract Ended |
| Iestyn Harris | 2006 | Present |
Super League Points Scoring Records
Tries in a Match
- 6 Lesley Vainikolo Bradford Bulls (v Hull FC) 2.9.2005
- 5 Lesley Vainikolo Bradford (v Wigan Warriors) 20.2.2004
Goals in a Match
- 14 Henry Paul Bradford Bulls (v Salford City Reds) 25.6.2000
Points in a Match
- 32(1t, 14g)Henry Paul Bradford Bulls (v Salford City Reds) 25.6.2000
|
Tries in a Season
|
Goals in a Season
|
Points in a Season
- 446 (8t, 207g, 3dg) Henry Paul Bradford Bulls 2001
- 389 (12t, 168g, 5dg) Paul Deacon Bradford Bulls 2005
- 389 (10t, 173g, 3dg) Paul Deacon Bradford Bulls 2003
- 336 (6t, 155g, 2dg) Paul Deacon Bradford Bulls 2002
- 319 (9t, 141g, 1dg) Henry Paul Bradford Bulls 2000
Biggest Super League Victories
|
1996
|
1997
|
|
1998
|
1999
|
|
2000
|
2001
|
|
2002
|
2003
|
|
2004
|
2005
|
2006
- Bradford Bulls 50 18 Catalans Dragons (March 3 2006)
- Bradford Bulls 52 12 Huddersfield Giants (April 18 2006)
- Bradford Bulls 54 6 Catalans Dragons (April 28 2006)
Highest Super League Home Attendances
- (All games Played at Grattan Stadium or Valley Parade)
|
1996
|
1997
|
|
1999
|
2000
|
|
2001
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2002
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2003
|
2004
|
|
2005
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2006
|
Internationals
Notable Players
| Player | Player | Player | Player | Player |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Graeme Bradley | Karl Fairbank | Paul Medley | Staurt Spruce | Trevor Foster |
| Jeff Grayshon | Paul Newlove | Keith Mumby | Ellery Hanley | Paul Loughlin |
| Brian Noble | James Lowes | Keith Mumby | Ellery Hanley | Paul Loughlin |
| Robbie Paul | Henry Paul | Terry Price | Glen Tomlinson | Jamie Peacock |
| Leon Pryce | Stuart Fielden | Danny Peacock |
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Titles
- 2002, 2004, 2006 (3 times)
- (including Super League): 1903-04, 1979-80, 1980-81, 1997, 2001, 2003, 2005 (7 times)
- 1905-06, 1943-44, 1946-47, 1948-49, 2000, 2003 (6 times)
- 1977-78
- 1906-07, 1940-41, 1941-42, 1943-44, 1945-46, 1948-49, 1949-50, 1953-54, 1965-66, 1978-79, 1987-88, 1989-90 (12 times)
- 1899-1900, 1900-01, 1939-40, 1940-41, 1947-48 (5 times)
- 1974-75, 1979-80 (2 times)
- 1973-74
All Time Records
Player records
Most tries in a game
- 7 by Jim Dechan (vs Bramley) 13th October 1906
Most goals in a game
- 14 by Joe Phillips (vs Batley) 6th September 1952 & 14 by Henry Paul v Salford, 25 Jun 2000
Most points in a game
- 36 by John Woods (vs Swinton) 13th October 1985
Most tries in a season
- 63 by Jack McLean 1951-1952
Most goals in a season
- 203 (+ 4 dg) by Henry Paul 2001
Most points in a season
- 446 by Henry Paul, 2001
Most career tries
- 261 by Jack McLean 1950-56
Most career goals
- 781 by Paul Deacon 2006
Most career tries
- 261 by Jack McLean 1950-56
Most career points
- 1,834 by Paul Deacon June 23rd 2006
Most career appearances
- 580 (+8 as a subsitute) by Keith Mumby 1973-90, 1992-93
Biggest win
Heaviest defeat
Bradford attendance Record
- 69,429 vs Huddersfield (Challenge Cup ) 14th March 1953
Odsal attendance record
- Officially 102,569 although some estimates have put the figure around the 125,000 mark - Warrington vs Halifax (Challenge Cup Final Replay), 5th May 1954
Record attendance in Super League era
- 24,020, vs Leeds, 9th August 1999
Trivia
- First Team to Win Super League from 3rd Place
- First Team to Appear in Five Consecative Super League Grand Finals
- Record 20 Super League Matchs Unbeaten-(First 20 in 1997)
- They are one of only two teams to have won the Super League four times, the other being St Helens