Bradford Bulls re-appoint icon Brian Noble as head coach

Noble will take the reins for a second time following a trophy-laden spell between 2001 and 2006 and he will be supported by first team coach Lee Greenwood, who has signed a contract extension for 2025 to remain at the club.

A hugely popular figure on the terraces at Odsal, Noble was inducted into the club’s Hall of Fame in 2021 following his stellar career representing the club in a playing and coaching capacity.

Noble returned to the Bulls shortly afterwards as their football consultant, before temporarily stepping up to work alongside Greenwood for an interim period in 2023, and he will now look to build on successive third place finishes heading into next season. 

Tom Holmes scores for Bulls in their thrilling play-off eliminator win over York in October 2023. (Image: Tom Pearson.)

Noble said: “I am really excited.

“I’ve been a part of what’s been going on behind the scenes for 18 months or so and you have to say we’re on an upward trajectory.

“There’s lots that has been done but there’s lots still to do and we need to be careful because there’s lots to lose as well, that’s the reality of it all.

“The only reason I came back to help out initially was on the back of trying to get the Bradford Bulls back to the Super League.

“That's my only mission and my only dream, not only for the people of Bradford, but for the club itself.

“(Chairman) Nigel Wood and (CEO) Jason Hirst have been my contact people and everything they said that's going to happen, pretty much has and the feel around the place is a little bit like the old times.

“You can only make the steps you can make with some of the financial constraints that are necessary.

“You know you can't be reckless and you can't be flamboyant in what you're doing, but it's been well planned and it's been well thought out.

“I think there's some energy and enthusiasm around the place.

The Bulls players give the impression that they are close, and Brian Noble has suggested that harmony runs throughout the club. (Image: Tom Pearson.)

“It's both an honour and a privilege to try pass on the information that I think will help the football side of things in that respect, but behind the scenes, it's a very vibrant, very exciting journey to be on.

“At the moment, I think every department in the club is working really, really hard, and more importantly, with smiles on their faces while they're doing it, which makes for a great working environment.

“One of my jobs now is stability around the joint and making sure that we're still progressing.

“Progression is massively important, and to progress on what we've done, two third placed finishes, has to be a second or a first or a cup competition where we're in the final.

“It’s just to show more intention for our fans, that we want to get to big occasions and we want to be in the big show, which is clearly Super League.

“I'm a Bradfordian, and I walk through the streets of Bradford and I speak to lots and lots of people who were passionate about the club, and talk about the halcyon days of previous years.

“Well, I think the days are now, I really do.

“If you've been a Bulls fan before and you're not there, please consider coming back.

“If you're a Bradfordian and you're proud of your rugby club, as we all should be, then come and watch, see what we've got to offer and see what we can do.

“I'd really, really like us to add to the Bradford army that was swelling and swelling from last year and it needs to be bigger for lots of reasons.

“They'll be entertained, and we'll have some good times, as well as the tough times. But that's what it’s all about. Being a fan is brilliant.”

There were plenty of genuinely exciting occasions for Bulls fans last year, not least their home AB Sundecks 1895 Cup semi-final against Wakefield, which brought over 5,000 spectators to Odsal. (Image: Tom Pearson.)

Bulls CEO Hirst said: “I’m delighted to confirm that Brian Noble will be our head coach in 2025.

“Once we knew he was available and willing and wanting to take on the role, he was our undoubted number one choice.

“His passion, experience, knowledge and track record are there for all to see and I can’t wait to see him in his more hands-on coaching role.

“Equally, we were just as keen to retain Lee’s services and promote him to first team coach, as his influence at the club has grown significantly in these last 18 months.

“He’s extremely popular with the playing group and works very well in tandem with Brian.

“So, I ask all our fans and followers to get behind Brian and the club, to add to the buzz and feelgood factor that is building week on week, ahead of what I’m sure will be a successful 2025 on-field season.”