The we're on our way back -Bradford Thread

[Luke]

First topic message reminder :

Just for you Beast.

Things going well on and off the pitch, promotion back up to the Championship hopefully.

And stupids rows with Workington what else could you want.

[The Beast]

Hot off the press Tom Holmes confirmed on a 2 year deal, excellent signing. I think one of Jordan Lilly/Dec Patton will leave, maybe both.

[The Beast]

well it's the off season but somehow there is still "drama" at Bradford???

1, CEO Jason Hirst takes an obvious swipe at former Coach John Kear Jason Hirst

2, a rebuttal from Outgoing Captain Steve Crossley Steve Crossley

Sigh..............

[Luke]

Bad News

Tom Doyle leaves and joins Keighley.

[The Beast]

Bad News

Tom Doyle leaves and joins Keighley.

Yep, this has been clear for some time, I am surprised that he is not SL bound however. An excellent prospect, I am assuming Keighley have offered some serious money. Good luck to him.

Meanwhile George Flanagan Sr. & Dee Foggin-Johnston have signed extensions and will be at the club in 2023.

There is of course potential news on the stadium, it strikes me as potential, come back to that later. The City has already been burned by the loss of the HS2 line, not getting my hopes up.

[The Beast]

Two signing annoucements;

Jack Walker signs from Leeds on a one year deal - excellent signing IMO

Dalton Desmond-Walker signs from Keighley. Played in the Bulls reserve team last year, thought to be initially a "squad" player with an opportunity to impress.

[Luke]

Bodene Thompson has signed feom Leeds.

This is a good signing in my opinion.

[The Beast]

Bodene Thompson has signed feom Leeds.

This is a good signing in my opinion.

No argument from me on that Luke. I read the rumour and thought in honesty I would be more likely to see a Unicorn. On the downside Elliot Kear has gone to Batley. I would imagine Billy Jowitt will cover for Jack Walker.

Lee Greenwood has been named as Assistant Coach

More rumours of a new prop being announced this week/at the fans forum the following Monday. On the whole a decent squad is being assembled.

[The Beast]

Centre Max Clarke has signed for the Bulls. They say due diligence has been done but it is initially a short term contract. I am not the sharpest knife in the draw but those two statements don't add up.

Rhys Evans has announced his retirement. Good luck and best wishes to him after an excellent career.

[Luke]

Micheal Lawrence has joined on a 2 year deal from Huddersfield.

[The Beast]

Micheal Lawrence has joined on a 2 year deal from Huddersfield.

Yes, another good signing IMO, arguably the most impressive to date.

[Luke]

Suprisingly to me at least in the outside.

Steve Crossley and Sam Hallas have gone to Hunslet. Crossley less so as never bwen impressed, but Hallas going certainly is.

[The Beast]

IMO they have both been great for the club in the last couple of years (with a caveat).

Hallas with the greatest respect is possibly not the most talented player however to his immense credit has over-achieved through hard work and basically grit, much better at LF than hooker for me. I think I recall talk of him going to Australia which fell through, I am a bit surprised to see him dropping down to League 1.

Steve Crossley, immense at times and a great captain but like a few struggled this year. Reports of Covid being a factor but he has been exposed around the ruck increasingly and whilst disappointed to see him go particularly with some harsh words between him and the club it might be the right time.

Good luck and best wishes to both.

[The Beast]

Bradford announce that the Club Captain for 2023 will be Michael Lawrence with Bodene Thompson as vice-captain.

George Flanagan Junior has signed for Huddersfield Giants for the 2024 season.

[The Beast]

Joe Arundel has signed a one year deal with the Bulls for 2023. Good signing IMO.

Desmond Dalton Walker has left to return to Australia before the season has started, compassionate grounds being cited.

[The Beast]

Club announce that SR Sam Scott has retired from the game. Best wishes for his future, sorry Bulls fans didn't get to see more game time.

[The Beast]

Bulls sign prop Josh Johnson from Widnes on a 2 year deal. Tough, hard working forward just what is needed.

Keven Appo (PNG) second row's Visa has finally come through and is on his way.

Solid if unspectacular win v Whitehaven yesterday, however haven't been beaten by them on their previous visits a decent result. The big downside being Jack Walker lasting less than 4 minutes on debut, hopefully nothing too serious.

[The Beast]

Dreadful performance v York on Monday. Take nothing away from the Knights took the chances they were given but there were a lot 8 dropped balls on the first tackle???? Not going to win many games doing that.

Widnes at Odsal Sunday which I was hoping to go to but now cannot do so. Important game against a side who have started their season very well.

Masi Matongo has signed having been receiving medical assistance and training with the club. I expect he will play on Sunday as Michael Lawrence is out.

[The Beast]

Having beaten Widnes with a last minute try, a great result beating Toulouse. I think Toulouse to some extend may have lost the game as Bradford did at York.

Masi Matongo having been forced off after 25 mins of his debut v Widnes with a dislocated shoulder looks like he might be out for some time on the basis it required surgery.

Featherstone away next. Not much to say a free hit in honesty.

[The Beast]

Great result v Sheffield last week thanks to a quick start and leading 20 - 0.

Tough local derby tomorrow at big spending Keighley. No pre-season major signings, Michael Lawrence (Hamstring), Bodene Thompson (Concussion) or Jack Walker (Hamstring) for at least 4 weeks.

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