Form is temporary, class is permanent.

The slogan so often used by Liverpool football fans to explain their club’s pedigree amid jibes about their relative lack of recent success could just as easily apply to Bradford Bulls.

Like the men from Merseyside, the Bulls’ stream of silverware has currently run dry – neither have won a major trophy since 2006 – but they can still point to a tradition and history that distinguishes them from many of their rivals.

‘The original and best’ is Bulls legend Brian Noble’s assessment and, confronted by the cold, hard evidence, it’s tough to disagree.

Neatly tucked away at Bradford 1 Gallery in Centenary Square, Running with the Bulls provides a pictorial history of the Bulls’ 15 years in Super League, charting the highs and lows from possibly the most significant period in the club’s history.

Even a quick glance brought memories flooding back and Noble wore the largest grin as he joined fans for a ‘meet and mingle’ event last week, which was also attended by former Bulls player Leon Pryce and chief executive Ryan Duckett.

“I think it’s an awesome exhibition and it brings up some wonderful memories,” said the current Crusaders chief, who was key to Bradford’s runaway success as head coach between 2001 and 2006.

“I can clearly remember on the good times, just ordinary league games, people go to work with a smile on their face on the Monday and there’s a feelgood factor.

“That’s why any successful city needs to have a successful sporting arm to what it delivers nationally.

“In Super League, Bradford are the original and best.

“I remember the hoo-ha over the naming of the Bulls and people threatened not to turn up because it had changed from Northern. But times change and you have to go with that.

“We have to make an effort to recognise and drag people down to the games. Even though the club is not as successful over the past couple of years doesn’t mean it’s not going to be.

“Steve McNamara’s moulding a team in his vision and that team will come to fruition I’m sure.

“Support is just that. You have to go through bad times as well as good times – it makes the good times all the sweeter.

“I’ve nothing but praise for this exhibition and the things the club are trying to do within the city.”

Staged by the Bradford Bulls Foundation and supported by Sovereign Healthcare, the exhibition showcases photographs by Gillian Duckett, Dave Williams and Ian Beesley, covering every season since 1996.

There is also a small collection of memorabilia, including Stuart Reardon’s award for winning the Harry Sunderland Trophy as man of the match in the 2003 Super League Grand Final.

Aside from capturing some of the famous faces from the Bulls’ recent history, the exhibition serves as a reminder of the vibrancy, colour and excitement of this game, something that can’t always be appreciated during the week in, week out grind of the season.

Gems like the Reservoir Dogs-style promotional poster, including Paul Deacon as Babyface and Scott Naylor as Nice Guy, highlight the relish with which Bradford embraced summer rugby and the flair applied to entertaining fans.

In a week when plans for a new stadium collapsed, it provides a timely reminder of the crucial role the Bulls play as part of Bradford.

“I don’t think you can separate the two, the club and the city,” added Noble.

“I just remember the euphoria when we had a successful team for ten years, during my tenure and before my tenure with Matthew (Elliott) and Brian (Smith). Steve is continuing that.

“It’s an integral part of the city and any city worth its weight has to invest in their sporting people because it gets national television coverage – the town’s mentioned in a positive light.

“When you see exhibitions like this, it shows it’s absolutely intrinsically part of Bradford life.

“The club’s been a part of Bradford for more than 100 years. We should be very proud of the heritage of both the rugby club and the football club.

“There’s so much honesty in our game. I think we under-sell it sometimes. I genuinely believe it’s the greatest game of all and you look at some of those pictures and some of the characters involved in our game, off the field as well, and you see why we have such a smashing product.”

* The exhibition runs until May 16 and admission is free. Open Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 11am-6pm; Thursday 11am-8pm; Saturday and Sunday 12 noon to 5pm. Closed Mondays.