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Bradford Bulls: Omar Khan consortium buys club
Bradford Bulls' future has been secured after the administrators confirmed the Super League club has been sold to Omar Khan's consortium.
The Bulls had been in administration since June and were facing liquidation.
But administrator Brendan Guilfoyle said in a statement that he had sold Bradford Bulls Holdings Limited to OK Bulls Limited for an undisclosed sum.
The Rugby Football League will not ratify the takeover until next week, but that is expected to be a formality.
The Bradford restaurant owner's consortium, which included Bradford South MP Gerry Sutcliffe, and Bradford Park Avenue were confirmed as front runners to buy the Bulls by the Rugby Football League.
And a total of four bids were placed for the Bulls, including one from Super League (Europe) Ltd which was considered a last resort.
Bradford administrator Brendan Guilfoyle“My main duty as administrator is to get the best return for creditors - and this was the best deal on the table”
"This is a great achievement for Bradford Bulls, the players, fans and the city of Bradford," said Guilfoyle.
"My main duty as administrator is to get the best return for creditors - and this was the best deal on the table.
"Omar Khan has also passed the Rugby Football League's test as being a 'fit and proper person' to run a rugby club as well as being a passionate fan of the Bulls."
Despite being deducted six points for entering administration, the Bulls remain in the Super League play-off places with two matches remaining after a run of three straight wins.
Guilfoyle added: "I am really pleased that we were able to retain the playing squad without selling off young stars - which in the end was a crucial decision to achieve the sale.
"There are many people to thank in making this deal possible, not least employees, coaches and the interim chief executive who have all been working without pay.
"But I'm sure they would join me in saying the fans' support has been outstanding and they have played a major part in this rescue.
"And through all this the players have won an extraordinary string of matches."
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Comment number 59.
bradfordbronco2nd September 2012 - 23:28
Think the Bulls have bright future if the RFL do the decent thing. They've averaged over 12000 supporters this season, taken big away followings to all other clubs. The administration fiasco would appear to have been orchestrated behind the scenes by former directors who have now gone(Good riddance) The new owners & the fans have earned & deserve the chance to compete in SL next season.
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Comment number 58.
bradfordbronco2nd September 2012 - 23:06
The question is was it necessary to put the bulls into admin.Who got the previous chairman to step down after promising to bring new investors in .Who appointed an administrator that just happened to work for the same company as himself. Was there a plan to buy the club back cheaply. Did the plan fall apart when the RFL got involved & starting asking who was the 'C' in the ABC deal???
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Comment number 57.
bradfordbronco2nd September 2012 - 22:53
The Bulls went into admin & have now been taken out of it. Rangers went into Liquidation, completely different matter. Having new owners shouldn't mean the loss of SL status it didnt when the new guy took over at Wakey or Wigan or Leeds, London, Saints, warrington, Hull in fact prob every other team! The game cant afford to lose 10000 supporters. SL needs the Bulls
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Comment number 56.
Yorks1532nd September 2012 - 17:12
Bradford are not particularly competitive and haven't been for several seasons, as shown by last night's abject humiliation at home to Hull. They have occasionally put in a decent performance but do not have the resources to support a squad capable of being competitive week in week out. Halifax, Barrow or Leigh wouldn't do much worse in the long term.
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Comment number 55.
Wagster2nd September 2012 - 16:59
Add your comment...Doubled7; as I said earlier a typical blinkered bulls supporter, any derby would attract that many fans and if you had supported them long enough you would know that half of your fans are Halifax fans anyway!! I speak to many bandwagon bulls fans all the time, what a waste of time!!
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