Bradford Bulls have their sights on setting another Super League attendance record.
Bulls, who attracted the competition's biggest ever crowd of 24,020 to Odsal for their clash with Leeds Rhinos last September, want to break the 20,000 barrier for their first home game in this season's competition against Warrington on Sunday, March 19.
If they achieve it, they will post the biggest Super League crowd for the opening home fixture of any season.
But Bulls are aware they could face competition from Wigan who face Leeds Rhinos in the same round of fixtures at their super new JJB Stadium.
The weekend saw Super League kick off with a record aggregate of 51,104 fans watching the six games - the top gate being the 13,842 who saw Leeds lose at home to Wakefield Wildcats.
Bulls chairman Chris Caisley believes the omens are good for Bulls and the competition as a whole.
"It is very encouraging to see the gate figures," he says. "Everybody is working hard to market the game and I am sure the trend will continue.
"That is why we are striving to open our home league fixtures against Warrington with a big gate. It is a very attractive match. We have started extremely well and so have they.
"Warrington are very much a club who will be challenging for honours. They have recruited extremely well this winter and Australian scrum half Allan Langer is one of the best players the game has produced in the past 30 year.
"Tawera Nickau and Toa Kohe-Love are also top performers and I reckon the half-back battle between the Paul brothers and Langer and Lee Briers will be quite something."
The fact that Warrington recorded their biggest ever Super League home crowd of 8,718 for their 48-18 demolition of London Broncos on Sunday has not been lost on Caisley.
"I am convinced Warrington will bring a big following to Odsal and that will help us to reach our target," he says.
The Bulls' marketing team have been busy revamping their pre-season entertainment package which will be highlighted by the appearance of former Spandau Ballet lead singer Tony Hadley.
Caisley said: "I can guarantee the whole package is new, exciting and better than any other pre-match entertainment.
"I feel confident that the entertainment along with the quality of the match will push the attendance past the 20,000 mark."
Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article