Jamie Langley believes the Bulls are an integral part of Super League.

Now that the 13 other top-flight clubs have backed a 14-team division, thus reducing the chances of crisis-hit Bradford being demoted to the Championship, Odsal ’s longest-serving player says the competition would be the poorer without them in it.

Loose forward Langley said: “I know I’m a bit biased, and that Super League would go on without us, but it wouldn’t be the same without Bradford Bulls.”

Super League clubs, who also backed the Bulls’ prospective new owners at the same meeting, would probably be better off in terms of television money were the Bulls to drop down.

But 28-year-old Langley is glad they are taking a longer-term approach and said: “The Bulls have a tremendous fan base to take to away games and clubs have realised this.”

Another problem were the Bulls to be demoted to the Championship would be that it would leave 13 clubs, with all the problems that that would bring in terms of byes and more midweek matches.

Thinking of the physical aspect, Langley said: “The players probably wouldn’t mind the odd week off to recover but a 13-club league is something that needs to be thought about over a period of two or three years, rather than as a knee-jerk reaction.”

Langley has, however, admitted that the Bulls’ financial meltdown has forced him to consider a life away from Odsal.

The only remaining member of the Bradford side that last won a Grand Final in 2005, he is contracted to the club for another year.

It is to be hoped that a deal to buy the Bulls can finally be struck this week but Langley said the uncertainty of the last few months had made him weigh up his options as he bids to prolong his career at the highest level.

“I’m sure it has crossed everybody’s mind because you’ve got to account for what might happen in any walk of life,” he said.

“If there’s a chance that the job or career you are in might not be extending itself, you’ve got to look at other avenues.

“We can’t do that yet because of our contracts but I’m sure if we get an announcement in the coming days – such as the club going into the Championship – then we can go on and pursue other things and other clubs potentially.

“It’s our career, it’s our jobs, and I’m sure if we’re not in Super League then there will be plenty of boys getting on the phone to their managers to see what other options are out there.”