Bulls fans and club officials were left reeling today after Henry Paul's shock decision to switch codes with Gloucester in a four-year deal believed to be worth around £1m.

After months of speculation over his future the Super League club's patience appeared to snap yesterday afternoon when they broke the news of his impending departure in a terse statement that failed to disguise their obvious disgust, after having their hopes raised by the player's agent.

The news cast a shadow over tomorrow's big West Yorkshire derby with Leeds Rhinos at Valley Parade and immediately brought an angry response from supporters on the club's website.

Some called for the goalkicking Kiwi ace, pictured, to be dropped for the remainder of the season and privately within the club there is undoubtedly some anger at the way Paul and his advisors have conducted the protracted negotiations.

The clubs' statement indicated that. It said: "Previous suggestions that he would be taking up offers from Australian Rugby League and New Zealand Rugby Union have proved unfounded and Henry's original reasons for delaying his decision, that he had family consideration to consider, have obviously not proved crucial."

Paul split with his Australian-based manager Simon Burgess following the collapse of talks with NRL club Canterbury Bulldogs, who subsequently accused the player of misleading them, and also held talks with the New Zealand RU about a move to Super 12 rugby.

But chairman Chris Caisley and skipper Robbie Paul are anxious to avoid a backlash from the club's fans at tomorrow's match and have both issued rallying calls as the club bids for Grand Final glory at Old Trafford in October.

Caisley added: "His three years here have been tremendous and the club would like to wish Henry every success in the future.

"In the meantime, we have much to look forward to for the remainder of this season in our attempt to reach another Grand Final and our ambition to deliver some more silverware to our fans.

"This would be a fitting legacy to the Bulls supporters who have struck up a great relationship with Henry.

"There will be some disappointment felt by the Bulls supporters, but this will surely be more than balanced by the exciting prospects at half-back, with Robbie Paul, Paul Deacon and Leon Pryce all fighting for places at the Bulls next season.

"This, coupled with our plans for the next few years, including our new stadium development, gives me every confidence that we will continue to progress our year on year improvement in playing standards and maintain our position, on and off the field, as one of the country's leading rugby clubs."

Brother and half-back partner Robbie admitted: "From the point of view of a player and captain, it's pretty disappointing. It's good to have one of the best players in the world on your side.

But we've got a good squad. We were a good team before Henry came and we'll be a good team when he leaves.

"As a brother, I wish him all the best. I know he has made the right decision for himself. He's not a young fella any more. He's looking at the back end of his career."

Robbie is also confident Henry won't be on the end of a hot reception from Bulls fans tomorrow.

"The supporters have always been positive for both myself and my brother," he said. "They want success at the end of the year and Henry can play a huge part in the race to the Grand Final.

"I think they will react well because they've always been positive towards all the other players who have left us in the past. This will probably be his swansong in rugby league and he'll get the support internally.

"It's important that we get on with the job. What he does next year is his business and he'll take care of it. We have to focus on the job in hand. We're on top of the Super League at the moment and we're planning on staying there."

Meanwhile Zurich Premiership outfit Gloucester, who are backed by mulit-millionaire Tom Walkinshaw the Arrows Formula One racing team boss, will unveil their star capture at a press conference early next week.

Paul has agreed a four-year deal part-funded by the RFU, thought to be worth around £250,000 a year.

Paul, who has played 25 teams for New Zealand at rugby league, qualifies to play for England through a grandparent and has been a long-time target of national coach Clive Woodward. He had a brief spell playing rugby union alongside recent convert Jason Robinson for Bath in 1996.

Caisley commented: "Obviously we are disappointed, particularly as we were told by Henry's agent some time ago that the package offered by the Bulls to the player was acceptable.

"Unfortunately, it seems that the financial support offered by the RFU to union clubs wishing to sign League players has been influential in enabling Gloucester to procure Henry's signature."

Paul is currently the top flight's leading points-scorer this season with 136 goals and seven tries and, despite only becoming a regular goalkicker over the past two seasons, has amassed 1,467 points in 255 matches during his nine seasons in the British game.

Four of those seasons were spent at Wigan, where he won Grand Final, Challenge Cup, Premiership and Regal Trophy winners' medals.

He helped Bulls to win the Challenge Cup at Murrayfield in 2000.