Council's Odsal plans anger Bulls

Bradford Bulls have attacked the efforts of their council over the redevelopment of their stadium as "abysmal'' and have accused them of planning to leave Odsal "to rot".

Proposals for a completely rebuilt 25,000-seater ground were abandoned last week when Bradford Council and its commercial partners pulled out of a public inquiry. That has left the Bulls with an uncertain future which could involve them losing their Super League place, according to their chairman, Chris Caisley.

"The record of the council in dealing with one of its prime assets... has been abysmal,'' Caisley said.

Caisley's attack comes after studying the council's proposals for salvaging something from the long-running controversy over the ground. Under those proposals Caisley says, the council would spend the "bare minimum'' on the ground over the next 18 years for which the Bulls are contracted to play there.

As the only stand reaches the end of its life in two years' time, it would be closed down and not replaced. Therefore, the capacity would eventually coming down to 14,000.

"The proposal to let Odsal rot will simply add to the perception of Bradford as a decaying city in irreversible decline,'' Caisley said.

The Super League leaders and champions are currently playing at Valley Parade, home of Bradford City Football Club, but do not want to stay there, even if the football club's eventual new owners want them. If they lose their Super League status through having nowhere suitable to play, Caisley warned that the club would sue the council for its financial losses.

The Welsh international forward Gareth Price has joined the London Broncos on loan from Leigh in time for Saturday's game against Warrington in Carcassonne. The Broncos fear that next season they could lose Richie Barnett, their New Zealand Test full-back, with Leeds and Bradford both rumoured to be showing interest in one of the world's best in his position.