Is Bradford about to get a new rugby league club?

Bradford Northern Rugby League Club 2020 LTD and Bradford Rugby League Football Club 2020 LTD were both registered with Companies House on August 19.

Both companies were registered by a management firm based at York House, in Leeds, which specialises in organising the formation of new business, but no one in Bradford has come forward to claim responsibility for the new ventures and the company says it is not in a position to reveal who set them up.

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It is believed someone may have their heart set on taking advantage of Bradford Bulls' imminent depature from Odsal Stadium, while Bradford Northern makes reference to the team's original name when it was formed in 1907.

Earlier this month Bradford (Park Avenue) owner Gareth Roberts vowed to set up a new rugby league team in the city.

A new company has been set up on Companies House

This came after Bradford (Park Avenue) was revealed to be one of the clubs the Bulls' owners were speaking to with a view to using their Horsfall Stadium before deciding to move their home games to Dewsbury instead.

In a statement on Park Avenue's website, he said: "This is a sad day for Bradford but we will keep the option for them to ground share with us open as long as we can. After that we’ll look to set up a new professional club to keep rugby league alive and well in a BD postcode. If that happens we’ll continue with our commitment to making Bradford a ‘Sporting City’."

The more rugby league in Bradford, the better. What we have to remember is Bradford Bulls will still be playing games in Bradford. The vast majority of games will be playing here with the academy, reserves and new women's team" - Paul Butterworth, chairman of Bradford Bulls' Supporters Trust

Rising running costs meant Odsal Stadium - the team's home since 1934 - is no longer a viable option to host games.

Paul Butterworth, chairman of the Bradford Bulls' Supporters Trust, said he would welcome a new team into the city, but his loyalties would always remain with the Bulls.

He said: "The more rugby league in Bradford, the better.

"What we have to remember is Bradford Bulls will still be playing games in Bradford.

"The vast majority of games will be playing here with the academy, reserves and new women's team.  As I understand it they will all remain in Bradford.

"It is 13 games a season which are going out of Bradford. 

"When you put that into perspective it's 26 hours in a season that's being played outside of Bradford.

"All the other work that goes on with the club and the development. 

"We have already got football teams playing alongside each other and community rugby league teams, like Clayton, Dudley Hill and Wibsey."