Bradford Bulls chairman Chris Caisley today demanded Bradford Council find a long-term solution to the Odsal Stadium crisis within the next month.

But he stressed that moving back to a patched-up stadium, which has been proposed by Council bosses, is not an option.

Although the move may be favoured by many fans, it could cost the club thousands of pounds in lost revenue from sponsors.

Today JCT600 - the Bulls' main shirt sponsors - indicated it may pull the plug on its deal if the Bulls move back to their dilapidated home.

Mr Caisley said Odsal's future must be decided by next month when the club will begin to draw up plans for selling season tickets for next year's Super League competition.

"It is in all of our interests to get this thing sorted out now for good," he said.

"We all need a long-term solution and it must be sorted out before we start selling season tickets for next year.

"It is no good us struggling on from one year to the next not knowing where we stand. The current situation is quite debilitating for us and the Council."

Talks are continuing which could see the Council pay off the Bulls to free itself from an agreement under which it pays the club £300,000 a year while the club remains at Odsal.

And that money may fund further development at Odsal or a permanent move to Valley Parade, the home of Bradford City Football Club. Geoffrey Richmond, the City chairman who is set to win back control of the club after a financial crisis, has said he is happy to re-open negotiations with the Bulls.

But the Bulls may be reluctant to move in with City, whose debts of £21 million when it went into administration in May could rise to £36 million if it goes into liquidation, mainly due to players' unpaid wages.

Bradford Independent Supporters' Association (BISA) chairman Michaela Greasley said Bulls' fans have been left in the dark. "We are concerned that the club and the Council are conducting negotiations on the future of the club, but the fans have yet to be consulted on what they want," she said.

Christine Gilliver, marketing manager at JCT600, said the company would find it "very difficult" to continue its sponsorship if the club returns to Odsal with no promise of improved facilities. "The quality of hospitality facilities are very important to us and to go back to a bomb site of a car park and entertaining clients in portable buildings would not be acceptable," she said.

Bradford Council chief executive Ian Stewart said: "We are negotiating with the Bulls and will update the Council's executive at the first possible opportunity. In line with the recommendations to the executive on July 9, we have invited tenders to carry out health and safety works at Odsal which would enable the Bulls to return for the 2003 Super League season."