BULLieve
10th June 2013
Welcome to
this week’s edition of BULLieve.
What a week
it has been for the club. New sponsors Kar skip and grab hire have signed a 2
year sponsorship deal and will be responsible for all waste solutions and
recycling at the Provident Stadium. The company is a Bradford based company
which is great for the club keeping with their community links.
There is great
news regarding the extension of player’s contracts which see’s Tom Olbison pen
a new 2 year deal. Olbison, who joined the club in 2007 after being on the
club’s Scholarship, had one year to run on his current deal but has now agreed
a new improved contract to keep him at the Provident Stadium until the end of
2015.
Tom had this
to say;
“I was here
until the end of next year anyway, so they’ve added a year to it and I’m
obviously delighted. I take it as a big
compliment because I wasn’t up for renewal and this is a big confidence boost
because it shows the club want me here.
I was more than happy to take it because it gives me some added
security.”
It is great
to see such a young and talented player staying with our club and committing
his future to The Bulls. From all the
fans we say, thank you Tom.
The biggest
news of the week was the transfer request by Elliot Whitehead.
Elliot feels
he is ready to play for a top 4 side and requested a transfer. Whilst this is on-going
Francis Cummins has placed Whitehead on leave and said “I can’t have players in
my squad who don’t want to be here”. We could debate Elliot’s decision all day/
week long but, I will say one thing and that is Elliot handled the situation
better than Craig Kopczak. He hasn’t just left the club he placed a transfer
request to the club which has been accepted. Good luck in the future Elliot you
will be missed.
Our
co-captain Heath L’Estrange has been called into the Exiles squad following the
departure of Warrington’s Michael Monaghan. The Exiles will face England on
Friday 14th June at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, Warrington. Well done Heath, you fully deserve your place and
we hope you come through the game unscathed as we don’t want yet another person
on the side lines.
This weekend
I had the pleasure of going to see our amazing family over in Bridlington and
had a fantastic time.
Sami and I
took 3 of our children to see Thomas Fynn, Kirsty Dew and their 2 children. Initially
we were only going for the day but, ended up staying overnight. Whilst we had a
lot to talk about Tom revealed that back in 2009 going to Murrayfield, he was the
one who held up the supporters coach and other traffic for 60 miles. I thanked
Tom in a very sarcastic way as, I was on the supporters coach and it was very
warm and the holdup did not help at all. Whilst over on the east coast we was
wearing our Bradford Bulls gear and my song is “Everywhere you go, always take
the Bradford with you”. We had a great
time and cannot wait to go back.
Yesterday
was a bad day for our club on the field. Firstly the under 19’s played Saint
Helens U19’s in the curtain raiser but unfortunately the lads were on the wrong
end of a 42-18 score line. Our try scorers were Todd Binns, Jarrod Ward and Nathan
Conroy with Adam Brook converting all three tries. Unlucky lads, we are sure
you will bounce back next game.
The first
team squad were also playing Saint Helens. They too also fell to a defeat at
the hands of the Saints. The game had errors from both sides which was officiated
by Thierry Alibert. The Bulls were not on form and had a long afternoon at
Langtree Park. Saints were the better team on the day and are now in the playoff
spots at the expense of the Bulls who now sit in 9th in the table.
There was a lot of hard effort along with handling errors and missed tackles
but the first half had put the game beyond the Bulls. Willie Manu, Tommy
Makinson and Sia Soliola went over for the hosts before the break, Brett Kearney
responding for the Bulls to make it 18-6 at half time. The Bulls looked
optimistic about turning the game around and responded great in the second half
even though Saints scored just after the interval. The Bulls responded through Matty
Blythe and Elliot Kear to make the score line 24-18 but, Jon Wilkin's try was
the match winner. Final score, Saint Helens 30 Bradford Bulls 18.
Francis
Cummins has said there is an injury concern to Keith Lulia but the rest of the
squad have come through uninjured. We are now sat in 9th but I urge
you all to back the boys and our coach Francis Cummins as, this is his first
season with a very small squad and an ever growing injury list. Success is not
an overnight thing and it takes time, effort and a lot of patience.
Next up we
are finally back at home and will face Widnes Vikings Sunday 23rd June
and kick off is at 3pm.
If you have purchased
a groupon voucher for match tickets then please read the following information;
Many thanks to all those that have purchased match day tickets through the
fantastic Groupon offer; we’ve had a great response!!
Please
ensure that you call the Bradford Bulls Ticket Office on 08448 711490 to redeem
your Groupon vouchers and we will post the tickets out to you. We are unable
accept the vouchers on a match day so ensure you call at least 24 hours prior
to the relevant match day. Entry to the stadium is with a valid match day
ticket only.
Please also don't forget that, if you are looking to purchase a new bed then BedzRus is the place to get one from.
Even Bull Boy knows comfort when he see's it so let's support one of our sponsors by purchasing from them.
Father’s Day
This Sunday
is father’s day and the coral stand is holding a Carvery lunch.
Bookings
between 12pm - 5pm and prices are;
£12.95 per
adult, £5.50 under 12 and Under 4's free. There will be a free gift for every
Dad!
Call 08448
711 490 to book your place.
Special Mentions
First up is
a special mention to an ex player. Roy Goddard was the Bradford Northern scrum
half 1951 to 1956. He played in the same squad as Trevor foster, Len Haley and
Jack McLean. Unfortunately Roy passed away last year and his Birthday was on
June 7th.
I would like
to wish Millie Johnson a very happy 21st birthday today with lots of
love from all your family and your dad would have been very proud of you.
Millie has been a fan since the age of 5 and was first taken to a match by her
father on August bank holiday against Wigan but, unfortunately Wigan won that
day to stop the Bulls unbeaten Run.
I would like
to wish my son Riley a very happy 6th birthday on Thursday 13th
June and myself a happy birthday on Friday 14th June.
Last but not
least, Happy Father’s Day to all you fathers out there have a great day
whatever you are doing.
Thank you
all for taking your time to read BULLieve I hope you have enjoyed reading,
please let others know and if you would like a mention for yourself or someone
else please email me on bullieve@hotmail.co.uk
Until next
week, enjoy your week and don’t stop BULLieving.
