Bradford Bulls chiefs are urging businesses to buy season tickets for their staff as sporting success sweeps the city.

Former Sports Minister Gerry Sutcliffe, honorary chairman of the club, said it will write to large companies, including Hallmark Cards and Yorkshire Water, asking them to support the side and sport in the area in light of Bradford City’s Capital One Cup heroics and Bradford-born Scott Waites’ BDO World Professional Darts Championships win on Sunday.

The Bradford South MP said: “These successes have been great for the city and show Bradford is on the up.

“We had a fantastic result at the weekend, beating Dewsbury Rams 48-6, and our Super League campaign starts on February 3.

“Bradford City have done fantastically well so far in the cup, Bradford Park Avenue are doing well and Scott Waites winning the darts was incredible.

“We want to maintain that success and hope businesses in Bradford will support us by buying season tickets and maintain the feel-good factor from successful sport in Bradford.”

The top-flight club has so far sold about 6,500 season tickets for the new season and say an offer to buy tickets to nine games for the price of seven, with a deadline of Saturday, January 19, had been “very popular”.

Mr Sutcliffe said it was important as many tickets as possible are sold to ensure the Bulls, which was saved from the brink of liquidation by Bradford restaurant boss Omar Khan last August amid a cash crisis, remains on a sound financial footing.

“We have been thrilled with the generosity of businesses in Bradford who have sponsored us, but we still have a way to go,” he added.

“Obviously, the more season tickets we sell the better financial footing we are on.

“If companies buy season tickets for their staff, it will boost productivity and give their workforce a real feel-good factor. We really hope businesses in the city will get on board.”

On Monday, the Telegraph & Argus exclusively revealed the line-up of the first of three major pop concerts at the club’s Provident Stadium, which include 80s pop icons Rick Astley and Belinda Carlisle.

Ryan Whitcut, general manager at the club, said it was expecting a flurry of sales when the ticket lines open for priority sales tomorrow, before going on general sale on Friday.

“The line-up’s had a fantastic response so far.

“There’s a real buzz around the club at the moment, with the game at the weekend and the concert announcement. Everyone’s really excited.”

Priority tickets for the concerts will be available from the club’s box office, while general sale tickets will be available online.

Visit bradfordbulls.co.uk for more information about the concerts and season tickets.