Guilfoyle concerned by RFL messages

Brendan Guilfoyle, the administrator running ailing Super League club Bradford, has sought to play down optimism from the governing body over the Bulls' future but admits he is in talks with interested buyers.

Bradford, the four-times Super League champions, are facing the threat of extinction after being placed in administration with time fast running out on Guilfoyle's search for new investment.

Rugby Football League chief executive Nigel Wood told a media briefing on Friday that there was no reason why the Bulls should not finish the season even if a buyer is not found by Tuesday's deadline. On Sunday night, Guilfoyle told Super League TV: "I'm a bit concerned at the messages the RFL seem to be putting out."

He added: "The truth is we've had quite a lot of interest but a lot of that interest has fallen away.

"We haven't had a single offer but we are continuing and we've been talking to a consortium of local businessmen and they seem to be our front runner at the moment.

"The leader of Bradford Council joined us at the meeting. They are asking lots of questions and seeking lots of assurances. They're looking at it and we're re-convening [on Monday]."

Guilfoyle, who insists the club will be liquidated if he cannot find a buyer, says he may push back Tuesday's deadline if current talks progress.

"I've got to sit down with some of my partners who are hard-headed and perhaps don't share my love of sport and convince them that it's worth carrying on," said Guilfoyle, who watched the Bulls gain a morale-boosting 44-12 win over London Broncos at Odsal.

"But I've had 10,000 people through the gates and, if they've all paid as some of the season-ticket holders offered to do, then I've got quite a lot of revenue and that may help me deal with commitments like wages.

"I'll get there on Tuesday and I'll put a good case if it's appropriate for continuing to find a purchaser. We've got more meetings tomorrow so that's my focus."