Super League strugglers Bradford Bulls tried to put an end to the uncertainty surrounding their future by announcing local businessman Marc Green as their new owner on Wednesday.
With relegation re-introduced to the Super League this season as part of a restructuring plan which will reduce the division from 14 clubs to 12 Bradford, bottom of the table on minus two points after being docked six for entering administration, are already on course to be demoted.
Nevertheless, Green had to see off several rival bids for Bradford, including a London-based consortium featuring former Bulls player Abi Ekoku and an offer from Mandy Koukash, the wife of the chairman of Super League rivals Salford.
"I am really pleased to have completed the takeover of this fantastic club," said Green, managing director of Leeds-based Safeguard Security Group.
Green has told coach Francis Cummins his job is safe, and is also keeping on Robbie Hunter-Paul as chief executive, with Steve Ferres, formerly of Wakefield and Castleford, named as the club's new managing director.
The club will be formally owned by a holding company, Bradford Bulls Northern Ltd, in a reference to the Yorkshire team's original, pre-Super League, name of Bradford Northern.
