BRADFORD & Bingley have turned to Bradford rugby league legend Brian Noble to help them out after the roughest of rough seasons.

The Bees lost all 26 matches in North One East in 2021-22 and have recently been handed a 10-point deduction by the RFU for next season after multiple instances of fielding under-age players.

The 61-year-old Noble, who played hooker for Bradford Northern and Great Britain, was coach when Bradford Bulls won three Super League titles, three World Club Challenges, two League Leaders’ Shields and a Challenge Cup.

Noble, who is based at Eldwick, just up the hill from Wagon Lane, said: “Phil Greaves rang me two or three months ago to help get the Bees going again, and I am going down to do a couple of sessions and create a bit of interest.

“It is important that we have a big rugby union club in the city, alongside everything else, and they can use my name to help out, but the priority at the moment is to get a squad together as we haven’t enough players.

“I know that we have a 10-point deduction, but that is two bonus-point wins, so that is not insurmountable, and task one is to stay in the division.”

Noble, part of a long list of rugby league coaches who have worked in union, such as Kevin Sinfield at Leicester Tigers, added: “I saw the lads play against Ilkley and against Heath in March and April and there is something to be built upon.

“I am not getting paid for this but I want to give the club some direction, and that pint after the match always tastes better when you win. It is also important that the lads enjoy their rugby.

“I have always thought that the facilities down there are great and there has always been that cross-fertilisation between union and league.

“I want to give the club direction and give them their identity back.”

Noble’s involvement at Wagon Lane is just part of a new-look committee as the club look to move on from the RFU sanctions.

Bees chairman Andy Watts revealed on Twitter: “The senior club committee have decided to dissolve the rugby committee and create a new rugby management group that will specifically focus on coaching and player development for adult rugby and create a pathway between juniors (in particular colts) into adult rugby.

“There will no longer be a chair of rugby. Instead the new rugby management group will be led by Andy Smith, supported by Phil Greaves (coaching and player recruitment and development), Carl Paterson (head coach), Benji Pickin (RFU administration lead and liaison and committee member) and Andy Watts (club chair, committee representative and colts/junior development lead).

“Other members, coaches and volunteers will assist this group on and off the field where appropriate to ensure the success of rugby and the club in the future.

“This group will be further supported by Stuart Dixon and Brian Noble, who will provide valuable strategic advice and direction for the group.”

Watts added: “Despite the difficulties the club has experienced in the last few months, may we take this opportunity to thank Chris Hemsley for his commitment and dedication as rugby chair, in particular over the past two years during Covid, which created the greatest challenges for us all.”