Francis Cummins named new Bradford Bulls head coach
Last updated on .From the section Rugby League
Bradford Bulls have appointed Francis Cummins as their new head coach on a three-year contract.
The former Leeds winger, 35, served as an assistant to Mick Potter for the past two years.
Cummins, who was recommended for the job by Potter, will become the youngest head coach in Super League.
"We had no hesitation in taking Mick's recommendation to offer Francis the job and we are delighted he accepted," said Bulls chairman Gerry Sutcliffe.
Potter, who is returning to his native Australia, had been working for free, as had Cummins, at Odsal since July as the club battled to avoid liquidation.
He rejected a fresh contract offered by the club's new owners.
Bradford faced extinction earlier this summer after being hit with a winding-up order over unpaid tax.
But the club's financial future was secured after businessman Omar Khan led a consortium to buy the club from administrators in August.
That takeover was ratified by the Rugby Football League last week.
Former Great Britain international Cummins, who also represented Ireland, spent his entire club career with Leeds Rhinos, where he was later an assistant coach before moving to Bradford in 2010.
When Super League resumes in February, Cummins will be the youngest coach in the competition as Catalan Dragons boss Trent Robinson, who is nine months younger, is leaving for the NRL.
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I have to say that I am surprised they have stayed in SL - given that it was
rumoured that the majority of other clubs wanted them kicking out.
Next season sees the return of relegation so maybe a 20pt deduction at
the start of the new season will sort things out.
Nobody will mind and the RFL will always be there to ensure they don't go into liquidation.
Your gonna need it !!!!!!!!
Although Bradford find themselves in a very lucky position more so than Halifax, Crusaders, Bramley yeah yeah yeah the old sob story worked you'll be fighting relegation next year when several of your top players have gone.
Its ok bringing in youth but you need men to back them up and if like most when the money drys up so will the foreign talent.
Bradford Bulls are in Super League next season, and this can only be a good thing.
Good luck to the club and their new manager.
Fans of certain clubs always seem to be bitter for some reason.
Seriously, do you think its fair that the RFL who own your ground, and then its the RFL who have the final say in wether you stay in SL or not is fair? Its like a homeowner evicting themselves! Like I pointed out in a previous post, about wages etc, get your facts right before going off on one, all that happens is you make yourself look a little foolish!
The RFL DID give BB an advance on players wages, thats a fact, and as for being a troll or an armchair fan, what a classic coming from a cougar! The name says it all!!!
Ryo - either a troll or an armchair fan. Had Bradford dropped out of the super league there would have been a significant effect on the entire league, potentially catastrophic in long run. Missing out on play-offs was a proportionate&sufficient penalty