Bulls file accounts up to Nov 2023
Bradford Bulls have filed their latest set of accounts covering the 12 months up to 30th November 2023.
The accounts show that the club made a small profit of £22k on a turnover of £2,131,000.
Commenting on the 2023 out-turn, chairman Nigel Wood said “The club’s board does try to run the club sustainably, because frankly, we have no real alternative other than so to do.
“If this is achieved, it is only thanks to the herculean efforts of numerous supporters and volunteers who are willing to give their time and in some cases their money to support professional rugby league.
“It does however get harder and harder each season with cost increases, salaries, inflation and now Covid loan repayments to deal with. Sometime ago the RFL referred to the reduction in the sports centrally generated income, euphemistically, as a “correction” in TV values.
“Well, unfortunately, there does not seem to have been a reciprocal “correction” in the cost base of professional rugby league. In fact, quite the reverse. Recent events around the sport suggest that some thinking in this area may perhaps be overdue.”
Chief Executive Officer Jason Hirst said:
“We, the Bradford Bulls are a unique proposition outside of the current Super League. Across the main club and our excellent Foundation we regularly field 9 teams, across Women’s, Wheelchair, Physical Disability, Learning Disability, Men’s and various junior sides.
“No other, part-time, non-Super League club attempts to get so much Rugby League played across all of these genres. Indeed, numerous Super League clubs run far less predominantly self-financed teams than we do.
“Being outside Super League currently, we do so, with very little central distribution, so inevitably have to rely upon the efforts and generosity on our many volunteers, sponsors, supporters and benefactors, as well as our owners.
“The club’s essential decision to reacquire the lease of Odsal to protect our home ground will undoubtedly add significant further cost to the club next year, so we will have to work even harder to balance the budget, whilst fielding a high quality, competitive and successful 1st Team.
“As always, the club would welcome sponsorship and donations from further commercial partners and benefactors who would like to help us continue to build upon the progress of the past few years and help with the final push of getting us back into the Super League imminently. If anyone is interested, I kindly ask that they contact me directly.”