JOHN Kear today agreed a two-year extension with the Bulls and vowed to pursue his dream of taking them back to Super League.

The hugely-popular head coach will take a wage cut in a contract that will now run until the end of the 2022 season.

Kear’s current deal, which he signed when taking over from Geoff Toovey in December 2017, was up after this year – and he is thrilled to get the chance to continue the club’s push back towards the top flight.

He said: “I certainly feel we’ve made massive progress on and off the field.

“I’m just delighted to be given the opportunity now to finish off what I came here to do – and that’s to attempt to get the club into Super League.

“We did a great job in year one in League One and had a really good season last year when we consolidated.

“I sensed we could push on this time but obviously what’s happened has put a cat among the pigeons.

“But by having a two-year agreement, I just feel it will be possible to get this club, a big club, back into Super League.

“I’ve taken a voluntary wage cut and I’m happy with that because you either have a club and have a job or you don’t.

“I’d rather have that job on reduced terms with the opportunity to complete what I came here to do.”

Kear inherited the Bulls at their lowest ebb when they were relegated to the third tier.

After leading them to promotion with play-off victory over Workington, his side finished a point out of the top five in the Championship last year. They also reached the Challenge Cup quarter-finals, memorably upsetting Leeds at Odsal on the way.

The Bulls had won two of their opening four Championship games when this season was suspended in March.

With Kear pledging his future while the domestic sport remains in lockdown, he will now focus on holding on to the players. Only four are currently contracted for 2021.

He added: “I know the owners have been in touch with the players as much as we have as coaches.

“When anybody spoke about contract extensions, one of the questions was, ‘who’s going to be the coach?’

“Obviously, that’s been answered, so hopefully we can progress with that as well.

“I think the club has had enough drama and instability in recent times. It will be nice to provide a bit of stability now and we’ll try to do that with the playing group.

“I was pretty happy with them but negotiating contracts is going to be difficult.

“This is just speculation but I can’t see there being a reserve comp next year. So obviously, I think our playing staff is bound to be cut down.

“As a player, you’ll do well to keep the same level of wages next year given the financial predicament of the game and with each club because of COVID.

“You speak with other owners and coaches and have already read that Super League clubs have taken wage cuts. That’s the reality of the predicament that we are in.”

Chief executive Mark Sawyer said: “We’re absolutely delighted that John has agreed to stay on. It’s great news for everyone.

“It’s a bit of security for the club and John has made it quite clear that he is more committed than ever.”