STEVE Ferres is hoping for a surge in season-ticket sales before the Bulls open their Championship campaign next month.

The managing director said the current figure is around the 2,700 mark, which remains some way below the 4,000 the club say they need to break even in 2015.

But with pay-day looming at the end of January, Ferres is confident the club will see the current total increased significantly.

The Bulls open their campaign with a trip to promotion rivals Leigh on February 15 and then host Whitehaven at Odsal seven days later.

Ferres said: “We’re currently at about 2,700 but we expect a bit of a surge in the next week or so.

“The end of the month is almost upon us and it’s the last pay-day before our first home game.

“There are probably still around 1,400 people who haven’t renewed their season-tickets.”

It will be more expensive to watch Championship rugby at Odsal next year than buying a season ticket at some Super League clubs.

But the 1863 Members Club package gives season-ticket holders access to a minimum of four exclusive events, discounts at a host of local businesses, discounted rates for the Summer Bash and money off 2015 replica shirts.

Ferres added: “I’m still hopeful that we will get near to the target that we set in the first instance.

“Our first home game is against Whitehaven but at the moment all the focus is on the opening match at Leigh.”

Ferres, meanwhile, is hopeful that new signing Epalahame Lauaki will land in the country in time to face Leigh, where he could face veteran NRL star Fuifui Moimoi.

As Jimmy Lowes and his players got stuck into their Army camp yesterday, undertaking a series of team activities, Lauaki remained stuck in Australia.

Ferres added: “I’m hopeful that he gets his visa sorted within the next week.

“These things take time but we’re pretty hopeful that he will be in the country before the Leigh game.

“Whether he plays or not, that depends on his fitness and where Jimmy is with the team.”

Ferres also believes Ross Oakes, Ethan Ryan and Liam Kirk will benefit from gaining a taste of first-team action at Headingley on Sunday.

The Under-19s players are combining their rugby commitments with their academic studies.

Ferres said: “Their opportunity on Sunday was just reward for the work they have been putting in during the close-season and gave them a taste of the atmosphere that comes with Super League rugby.

“Over 11,000 fans turned up at Headingley last Sunday and that should give these lads the desire to make it in the game.

“It gave them a first-hand opportunity to see what it’s all about and they will be better for that, it will help develop their progress.”

Asked if any of the teenagers would feature for the first-team during the season, Ferres said: “I’m pretty confident that maybe one of them will at some stage but I also think there will be two or three others who may also come through.

“We’re pretty hopeful about the group we’ve got together at Under-16s and 19s level.

“We’re starting to put into place a methodology to get the personnel and players who will be with the club for some years and hopefully bring in a new era.”

The Bulls Under-16s open their campaign with a home game against Salford Red Devils on Saturday.

The match kicks off at Odsal at 12pm.