Bradford today paid glowing tributes to its Super League heroes. The city spoke out with one voice to praise the Bulls whose magnificent performance saw them humble the Wigan Warriors at Old Trafford.

The rugby league team was whisked off on a pre-planned break to Amsterdam yesterday, but civic leaders have joined together to praise the 37-6 victory for restoring pride in the city, badly dented by the summer's riots.

Council Leader Margaret Eaton said it was a brilliant morale-booster for the city which had been suffering from the blues after the riots.

"It is absolutely what we needed. I think it is a fantastic achievement for the Bulls but more importantly it is such an achievement for Bradford," she said.

"It is a very positive thing and celebrates that we, as a district, can have enormous success."

And the Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Ghazanfer Khaliq, said he was proud of the team's achievement and would be organising a civic reception this week in their honour. He said: "I am pleased the Bradford Bulls have finally won the cup and it was a really wonderful occasion for Bradford.

"I am hoping to organise a civic reception honouring the Bradford Bulls so they can go round the city and display the cup and I look forward to welcoming them home.

"It is great for the city after there has been so much doom and gloom."

Bulls chairman Chris Caisley said he hoped the whole city would turn-out for next week's civic reception to celebrate.

"It's been a dreadful year for Bradford with the riots and troubles but this club, its fans and its players have shone like a beacon," said Mr Caisley.

"To win in the fashion we did was almost unbelievable. I thought our players were tremendous.

"The discipline, the effort, the will to win, you could almost touch it. I'm so proud of the players and I'm especially proud of the coach."

Goal-kicking ace Henry Paul, who was making his final appearance for the Bulls before he changes codes, admitted he was close to tears.

"At the final whistle I was nearly going to cry. We get a fine if we cry, but I was pretty emotional.

"The whole year has been a roller-coaster ride and the Challenge Cup defeat was devastating, but we just picked it back up."

Geoffrey Richmond, chairman of Bradford City Football Club, whose Valley Parade ground is temporary home to the Bulls added his congratulations.

"This is great. There is nothing like sporting success to bring civic pride and the Bulls thoroughly deserved their victory. It will bring a lot of pleasure to everybody in the city which is good for Bradford."

Asked if the rugby success could spur his football side on to a winning streak he said: "All clubs want to win and there is healthy competition between the clubs, but I know each wishes the other well."

Bradford North MP Terry Rooney said: "It is splendid news for the city and a big lift. They played excellently and are a credit to the town.

"Things like this are always good timing and help to restore pride in the town."

Bradford-born TV presenter Richard Whiteley, who has just returned from a trip to Venice, said it was "great news to come back to".

"I'm delighted," he said. "They are a credit to the city and it seems to be impossible to put them down because they always bounce back.

"It is very good news for Bradford and for the name of Bradford."