Matthew Elliott will quickly put his side's early play-off exit behind him and sign a new two-year contract with Bradford Bulls.

The news comes as chairman Chris Caisley pledges to reward the fans for their superb backing in a difficult season by building the most exciting team in the club's history in time for the 1999 campaign.

News of two new overseas recruits is expected to be confirmed this week as the club immediately set their sights on recapturing the Super League crown which finally slipped from their grasp at St Helens on Friday night.

The basis of Elliott's deal was thrashed out some weeks ago and he will meet with Caisley in the next few days to finalise details which will keep him at Odsal into the new Millennium.

"There has never been any question about Matthew's future in our minds," said Caisley. "We firmly believe he is the man to take the club forward and have a great deal of admiration for the way he has continued to work away this season, despite horrendous injury problems in the squad.

"At Saints on Friday it was clear he had got his preparations just right and the players were in the mood to do the job. I am certain, had it not been for the very poor decision to send off Graeme Bradley, that we would have finished the job.

"Matthew is very committed to the task and we are delighted that we have reached agreement."

Caisley will also be discussing further team building with Elliott and the futures of several players who are out of contract, including Aussie forward Jeremy Donougher.

"We have some key decisions to make which will effect what direction we take with our recruiting programme, but the emphasis will be on quality."

Elliott is set to confirm deals with Aussie duo Nick Zisti and Michael Withers, who are expected to arrive at Odsal next month to team up with a new-look squad which has already been boosted by the captures of Henry Paul, Scott Naylor and Lee Radford.

"With Danny Peacock also confident that he will be back after his knee surgery, I don't think there will be a back division in the competition to touch us," added Caisley.

The club are also in talks with prop Harvey Howard, who has enjoyed an impressive short spell with the club.

Howard has a two-year deal in place with Sydney outfit Wests, but they have resumed merger talks with Canterbury and his availability is dependent on the outcome.

"Harvey has given us an extra dimension, and if he does come back to this country, we would certainly like it to be with us," said Caisley.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.