Super League champions Bradford Bulls have taken over Wakefield Rugby Union club.

And Bulls chairman Chris Caisley today said it was envisaged that the clubs would eventually share the newly developed Odsal Stadium, which could be used for representative matches for either code.

Under the plan, sharing would hopefully enable the stadium to run at a profit.

He insisted that the days of stadia just being used for one sport were fading. And he didn't rule out ventures into other sports either.

Wakefield are now fighting to avoid relegation from National League One - England's second division. But Caisley hopes they will soon be playing in the Zurich Premiership, union's elite division in England.

However, he emphasised that the deal in no way lessens the Bulls' ambitions where rugby league is concerned.

Caisley said: "We only took this step after satisfying ourselves that we can give our supporters absolute assurance that the future of Bradford Bulls RLFC would not be detrimentally affected and, indeed, the deal brings some actual and potential benefits to our league operations."

Caisley said: "The deal will be to the substantial benefit of both the Bulls and Wakefield."

He added that the takeover was of such significance to so many people that the reason for it needed to be explained in detail.

"The connection between the Bulls and Wakefield has existed for some time," said Caisley. "Some of our former players have gone on to play rugby union for Wakefield and, indeed, Neil Summers currently plays for the club.

"A highly-respected member of our coaching staff, Darrall Shelford, has both played for and assisted with coaching at Wakefield, and a number of the Wakefield players are Bulls supporters.

"Also some of the best players in the Bradford Northern days began their careers in rugby union."