Brian Noble's previous spell as Bradford Bulls boss recalled

Bulls had had periods of success before, notably their three Challenge Cup final wins in the 1940s, then back-to-back top-flight titles in 1979/80 and 1980/81.

Noble played in both of those Division One triumphs and after retiring as a player in the mid-1990s, he almost immediately joined Bradford’s backroom staff as the sport transitioned into its summer era.

And while Bulls certainly enjoyed some really highs under Matthew Elliott, notably winning Super League in 1997 and their first Challenge Cup for 51 years in 2000, things really took off once Noble took the top job.

Officially appointed as first-team head coach ahead of the 2001 season, Noble struck gold immediately.

They pipped Wigan to the League Leaders’ Shield, then completely obliterated the Warriors 37-6 in the Super League Grand Final, still the biggest-ever margin of victory in the showpiece.

Noble helped Bulls become World Champions for the first time in 2002, with a superb 41-26 win over Newcastle Knights in Huddersfield.

But his greatest achievement as Bulls head coach came the following year, as Bulls completed an historic treble in 2003.

They finished three points clear of Leeds at the summit to claim the League Leaders’ Shield, beat the Rhinos in the Challenge Cup final in Cardiff, and won the Grand Final against Wigan at Old Trafford once again.

Brian Noble and Tevita Vaikona bask in the glory of beating Leeds in the 2003 Challenge Cup final. (Image: Simon Walton.)

And that meant when Bulls cruised to World Club Challenge victory over Penrith in February 2004, Noble’s side held all of the ‘big four’ trophies simultaneously.

They came well behind both St Helens and Leeds in the 2005 Super League table, but they did things the hard way in the play-offs, beating both to win a third Grand Final in five years.

Noble had one more trump card up his sleeve, as his Bulls side comfortably saw off Wests Tigers in the 2006 World Club Challenge.

Sadly, he departed the club just two months later in acrimonious circumstances, despite having a year left to run on his contract, amid reports of a falling out with Bulls’ chief executive Gareth Davies.

Noble told the T&A: "I've been here 11 years as coach and maybe some people on the board were tired of my voice.

"It was the hardest decision of my life. I have always tried to do the right thing. It has not been me that has brought this about."

The Bulls fans make it clear whose side they are on during a game at Odsal against Huddersfield in April 2006. (Image: Mike Simmonds.)

Bulls rejected Noble’s accusations, responding: "The club wishes to make it clear that every effort was made by the board and chief executive Gareth Davies to persuade Brian to see out the rest of his contract with the Bulls."

It seemed as if Noble’s Bulls story was over for good, but fortunately, that has not proved to be the case and excitement is now building, as people await to see what he can do in 2025.