Brereton pulls out of Bradford deal

Chris Brereton has released a statement confirming that he will no longer head up the consortium interested in buying Bradford Bulls. Brereton was seen as the perfect candidate to try and broker a deal with the cash-strapped Championship club due to his experience in Rugby League. He was a co-owner of Wakefield Trinity up until November 2018 and helped save the Super League club from bankruptcy in 2013. With Bulls placed under special measures by the RFL in August, owner Andrew Chalmers has been open to doing a deal to sell the club. Chalmers took the decision to leave their Odsal ground at the end of the 2019 season, due to its high running costs, and they will play at Tetley’s Stadium in Dewsbury from next term. It appeared that there could be a light at the end of the tunnel for Bulls fans when Brereton and a UK-based consortium were confirmed to be in talks over a buyout. However, Brereton has been left frustrated at a lack of progress over the past few weeks and will no longer continue to front up the bid. Brereton said in a statement on Bradford Bulls’ website: “Over the weekend, I have decided to withdraw from the Consortium looking to save Bradford Bulls. I have offered to help both the Consortium and the Rugby League moving forward. “I would like to thank the Rugby League for their help and advice during this process and Simon Hustler of Charters Solicitors for his guidance. “Finally, I would like to apologise to all the fans of Bradford Bulls for not being able to help, and wish you, any new owners of the Club, success in the future.”