David Thorne, the former CEO and owner of the rugby union side Wasps, is one of the parties interested in re-forming Bradford Bulls following the club’s liquidation this week.
Thorne registered a company called Bradford Bulls Capital Limited with Companies House on Wednesday, before meeting the remaining members of playing staff at the club’s Odsal stadium.
That meeting was not sanctioned or attended by anyone involved with the Rugby Football League, and while the New Zealand-born businessman told the Guardian that the meeting was not held to undermine the RFL’s bidding process for the club – the deadline for expressions of interest in forming a new club is Monday – he believes the former Super League champions and World Club Challenge winners are an “iconic brand” worth rescuing.
“In no way do we want to be seen to be trying to usurp the RFL’s process, this was an innocent and perhaps naive meeting and maybe we should have waited,” he said. “But as an interested party I thought it was important to speak to the players and staff from a humanitarian perspective in person, because they’re all in limbo not knowing what is going on.
“I’ve been through this process with Wasps before so I know what it’s all about, and I see Bradford Bulls as an iconic brand within sport. If there’s something we can bring to the table and help remedy the situation then we feel we can contribute. But, of course, it’s down to the RFL to decide.”
Thorne previously worked with the current Wasps owner, Derek Richardson, during his time with the rugby union side, but the Guardian understands that neither Richardson nor anyone currently involved with Wasps is part of Thorne’s bid to assume control at Bradford.
Despite registering his interest with the RFL in the past 48 hours, Thorne admitted he has yet to finalise the details of his bid to the governing body. “We have a clear plan which we will submit to the RFL in due course,” he said. “They will make their own determination based on what everyone brings to the table but having registered the company with Companies House, it’s clear we’re putting things in place in case we’re given the go-ahead.”
The RFL is understood to be keen on receiving long-term financial plans for the new club from prospective bidders following the Bulls’ third administration in four years, which culminated in liquidation on Tuesday. So far, five of the club’s former players have agreed deals with other sides before a possible re-formation of the club in time for the start of the new Championship season next month.
The newly formed Toronto Wolfpack, who are starting life in League 1, would be willing to take Bradford’s place in the Championship, said the head coach of the Canadian side, Paul Rowley. “We fully supported starting at the bottom, I think that’s right,” he said. “But if you are asking me if we would take the opportunity, absolutely yes, we would go now. I know that Barrow would do the same, I’m not too sure about the other two, Whitehaven and Workington, although I’d be surprised if they refused it.
“The whole situation is confusing and not consistent with messages that have been given out previously when other clubs have been in similar situations. It creates unrest and debate.”
