The bootroom era may be over but Bradford didn’t need to look far for the man who will lead their bold new age.

Mick Potter is the first coach during the club’s Super League existence not to be promoted from within, yet he too remains indelibly stamped by the mark of the Bulls.

Having started his coaching apprenticeship at Odsal 14 years ago, the 46-year-old Aussie returns as the finished article – although the apple hasn’t fallen far from the tree.

Potter seems a natural successor to the Bulls’ proud Super League history, a legacy launched by Brian Smith at the dawn of the summer era and one Matt Elliott, Brian Noble and Steve McNamara have all tried to maintain.

“When I left, I never really gave much thought to possibly returning one day,” said Potter. “I hadn't even thought about coming back to Super League but then I ended up at Catalans. It’s funny how times change and how things come full circle.

“The fact I’ve been at the club before was a big factor in my decision. I spent three good years there, enjoyed working with the people at the club and the fans were great.

“It was an opportunity that presented itself completely out of the blue but I’m really looking forward to going back.

"I had intended to go back to Australia so it was a bit of a turnaround at the last minute. Having had that good experience in the past I was more inclined to return."

It seems fated Potter should get his turn in the Bradford hot-seat.

Originally slated to take over from Elliott, who he served as an assistant between 1996 and 1998, the former New South Wales full back instead decided to return Down Under and Noble instead assumed the mantle.

McNamara was next in the chain and, having kept an eye on proceedings from afar, Potter does not foresee the need for radical change at Odsal.

He said: “I’m not looking to revolutionise anything. I’m sure a lot of good processes are already in place.

“Steve put some fundamentals in place and some principles of play that have laid the foundations and hopefully we can expand that further. Steve's a respected coach who has some good ideas, having worked with the likes of Brian Smith, Brian Noble and Tony Smith.

“Once I get in, I’ll assess the situation, take a look at everything and then look to make my own mark.

"Brian Smith's influence is still there too. Just about every club he's been at, he's developed the club and made it a better place.

"He did it at Bradford, Parramatta, St George and he's now doing it at the Roosters as well."

Several of the background figures Potter worked with during his time at Bradford still remain at the club and he is confident he will quickly settle back into the fold.

He said: "There's a real family feel at the club and speaking from my own experience, the players and the staff all socialise and make you feel welcome.

"I'm told that's still the case, so I'm looking forward to that sense of togetherness."

With a Grand Final, Challenge Cup final and Super League coach of the year to his name already, Potter is first looking to add to his already impressive CV before switching St Helens for Bradford in November.

“I’m still employed by St Helens and that will be my focus,” he said.

“We want to win both competitions and it’s within our grasp, although we’ve got a lot of hard work ahead of us.”