Bradford Bulls head coach-elect Brian Noble has pledged to do all in his power to help maintain the club's standing as the 'biggest in British rugby.'

Noble will take over from Matthew Elliott at the end of the season on a two-year contract but will clearly start work immediately behind the scenes planning for next season with a new assistant as a priority.

Possibile targets for the role include former Halifax boss and Odsal team mate John Pendlebury, Oldham coach Mike Ford and Keighley Cougars' Karl Harrison.

Noble has also vowed that the club has no intention of being left behind in the race for new talent and promised some 'exciting annoucements' once the current season is over.

Wigan centre or back-rower Lee Gilmour is a hot tip for Odsal next season while Northern Eagles and former Manly back-rower Daniel Gartner is believed to have been lined up to replace David Boyle who has confirmed he will be returning to Australia at the end of the season.

"I understand this is the biggest club rugby job in this country and the attendance figures bear that out," said Noble. "There are responsibilities that come with that, but it is so very exciting for me.

"There are lots of jobs in rugby league but I had set my heart on this one. I had a couple of job offers previously but at the end of the day this was where I wanted to be and now it's up to me to have a really good crack at it. Hard work has never been a problem for me and I can promise I will be giving the job absolutely everything because this club has been such a massive part of my life.

"Two years is the going rate for a contract these days and I understand the board need to look at me. At the moment it's just the opportunity to do the job that really pleases me. I am highly delighted for myself and my family.

"To be fair, the board have been very good. I was only talking to them about a new contract as assistant coach six weeks ago and they knew then that my aspirations were to be a head coach.

"The events happened quite quickly. I went to a board meeting on Wednesday for an interview and they gave me the job on the night."

Noble revealed that former Bulls coach Brian Smith, who made him part of his coaching team in 1995, was one of the first to hear the news.

"Brian rang as I came out of the interview to ask about how things were going and I was able to tell him I'd just been handed the job. He was really pleased

"It's been really flattering the support I've had and it makes me even more determined to succeed."