You have had your chance to pick a Bradford team of the century - now who's going to coach them?

If selection is down to silverware alone, three names stand out when it comes to the club and success - Dai Rees, Peter Fox and Brian Noble.

In the early days, teams were chosen by the committee but the appointment of Rees in July 1936 was a watershed in coaching at Bradford Northern.

He had far more influence on selection and tactics than any before him and the Welshman, along with chairman Harry Hornby, was responsible for bringing some of the club's most famous names on board.

He signed Ernest Ward as a promising 16-year-old and also persuaded the great Trevor Foster to leave Newport RU. Frank Whitcombe and Willie Davies were other key captures as Rees began moulding one of Bradford's finest-ever sides.

He went on to win four Challenge Cups and remarkably remained as manager/coach for the next 24 years - what bosses would do for such longevity and security in the modern game - adding seven Yorkshire Cup finals and a Championship. He was replaced in 1960 but his impact on the club had been indelible.

Former Great Britain international Gus Risman led the newly-formed Bradford Northern club to their first trophy success - the Yorkshire Cup - in 1965, while Ian Brooke steered them back into the top flight as Division Two champions in 1974, but Fox was the next great chief.

After years of instability, Northern needed someone who could come in and build a team that could bring home the silverware. Fox was deemed that man, having just guided Bramley to promotion from the Second Division on a shoestring budget, building a close-knit team who outstripped their potential.

He repeated the success at Odsal when arriving in April 1977, signing the hugely influential Jimmy Thompson, who illustrated a sign of the no-nonsense style to come.

By the end of the 1977-78 season, Northern were beating Widnes in the Premiership final and the success had begun.

The league success that was to follow was beyond even the most ardent Northern fan's dreams. The club were champions in 1979-80, retained the title the following year and also lifted the John Player Trophy in 1980, straight-talking Fox's man-management skills and ability to bring the best out of his players proving so key.

Unfortunately, this was to be the peak of Northern's success and with the moving on of Thompson and Nigel Stephenson, who were the guiding forces in the team, results began to wane.

The club directors decided not to renew Fox's contract in May 1985, producing a mini-revolt of the players and supporters. Jeff Grayshon resigned the club captaincy in protest, later following his coach to Leeds where Fox moved as head coach.

However, Fox returned for a second spell in December 1990 when Northern were in dire straits and heading for the drop. The wily old master tactician managed to save their skins though and in the following two season they finished second and third before the dawn of Super League and another change in direction.

The club embraced a whole new image for the centenary season with a new image and a new name - the Bradford Bulls.

Alongside this new image the decision was taken to appoint a new coach in the shape of pioneering Australian Brian Smith, who arrived in June 1995. It was to be Smith's task not only to put in place a whole new set of coaching methods at the club but also to restructure their administration.

He only served for 14 months before making the shock return home to Parramatta Eels but the sweeping changes he made, new levels of professionalism introduced and players signed during that time are largely held as the reasons why the Bulls have become such a force in the summer era.

In the first season of Super League, Smith coached the side to the classic Challenge Cup final against St Helens, regarded by many as the best ever.

Fellow Aussie Matthew Elliott had been his deputy and he took over when Smith departed, continuing the principles of his predecessor and leading the Bulls to their first Super League championship in 1997.

Elliott also masterminded Bradford's first Challenge Cup win in 51 years when they defeated Leeds at Murrayfield in 2000, having missed out against Saints again in 1997.

He returned to Australia with Canberra the following year but the Bulls dynasty rolled on with Noble, another assistant, being promoted.

A player for two decades at Odsal, Noble served his coaching apprenticeship under both Smith and Elliott so was well-served to take the Bulls to a new level.

His success is unrivalled, having overseen a glorious era for the club, attracting some of the world's finest players and guiding Bradford to three Grand Final wins, his abilities recognised when he was also appointed Great Britain boss.

Noble was in charge as the Bulls became world club champions for the first time in their history in 2002, a triumph they would repeat twice more, and when they raised the Challenge Cup again in 2003.

He moved in controversial circumstances to Wigan midway through last season when once again the Bulls appointed from within. Highly-rated Steve McNamara became the latest head coach at Odsal, becoming the youngest in Super League.

He has quickly settled into the role, encouraging a more exciting brand of football and maintaining the Bulls as one of the competition's leading sides despite countless hurdles that have been thrown in his way during a dramatic first year.

Now you must decide who is the best. E-mail your vote to dave.craven@bradford.newsquest.co.uk or fill in and return the coupon in tomorrow's T&A.

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