Gerry Sutcliffe believes the Bulls can move forward with renewed confidence after their Super League status for 2014 was finally rubber-stamped by the Rugby Football League.

Last September the club were awarded a one-year probationary licence to stay in the top flight for the current campaign, which raised doubts over their future beyond this season.

But the RFL’s board of directors are satisfied with the Bulls’ progress during the past six months and have confirmed their elite status until the end of 2014.

That is when the current round of Super League licences expire and when a change in the competition’s structure could begin, with the matter due for discussion at a meeting of top-flight clubs in Huddersfield today.

Bulls owner Omar Khan and co-chairman Sutcliffe have in recent weeks provided the RFL with historical financial accounts and cash-flow forecasts for next year.

Sutcliffe said: “The RFL were happy with those and with the way we’ve operated as a club, so we now have the confidence to move forward until the end of 2014 at least.

“The certainty of Super League reinforces the view that this wasn’t just about saving the club – it was about the regeneration of Bradford – and kills off all the doubt.”

Although Sutcliffe expressed disappointment at season ticket sales of around 6,500, the club secured a four-year £1.2million sponsorship deal with the city’s Provident Financial Group last November.

The Coral Stand is being used increasingly for conferences and events and Francis Cummins’ team are riding high in sixth place in the table at the midway point in the season.

The Bulls coach said: “Now that we’ve been given the green light, we can step up our recruitment for next year and there are players keen to come here.

“But they have got to fit in to how we value them and the wage structure of the club.

“Furthermore, everyone who is out of contract has been told where they stand and negotiations are starting with those players now.”

Sutcliffe sounded a note of caution when he said more support from the Bradford business community was needed.

Asked if there was enough cash to stave off the threat of another financial crisis, he said: “Very much so. Obviously the Provident deal was a key element in keeping us in a good position.

“I’ve put what little money I’ve got into the club and Omar has committed everything he’s got.

“We’re grateful to all those people who have supported us so far – individuals and businesses – but more needs to be done.”

Blake Solly, the RFL’s director of licensing and standards, said: “Bradford have delivered good crowds with people paying full rate for their season tickets and the team are obviously performing very well on the pitch.

“They’re working very hard to make sure the club is a sustainable business and they’ve certainly engaged and energised the local community.

“Like all clubs, cash-flow is tight and that’s something which Ryan (Whitcut), Gerry and Omar readily admit. But at the same time they have made great progress, given the situation they inherited.”

Solly confirmed that the Bulls would again receive only half of their £1.2million of central distribution next year.