2014 Bradford Bulls season
This article details the Bradford Bulls rugby league football club's 2014 season, the 19th season of the Super League era.
Season Review
June 2013The Bulls announced their first signing for the 2014 season in the form of Warrington Wolves props forward Gareth Carvell on a 2-year deal.
July 2013
Bradford signed winger Luke George and second rower Dale Ferguson from Huddersfield Giants. Both of these players signed 2-year deals with the club.
August 2013
The Bulls announced that Matty Blythe's loan deal would become permanent and signed him on a 3 Year Deal from Warrington Wolves. Also, Bradford signed young stand-off Lee Gaskell on a 2 Year Deal from St. Helens.
September 2013
It was revealed that centre Keith Lulia had signed a deal with Wests Tigers as he wanted to raise his newborn child in Australia. Also leaving the club is veteran Jamie Langley, Langley's contract was not renewed by coach Francis Cummins and Langley signed with Hull Kingston Rovers. Promising young fullback Curtis Naughton also went to Australia as his mother was emigrating there so Naughton followed suit. Michael Platt's contract was also not renewed so he would be leaving the club as well.
October 2013
Two signings were revealed in October. The first being New Zealand centre Adam Henry from NRL champions Sydney Roosters. The second signing was Samoa forward Frank Winterstein on a 1-year deal from Widnes Vikings.
November 2013
The month started off bad for the Bulls as it was announced that forward John Bateman was sold to Wigan Warriors for a 6 figure sum. Bateman would join the Super League champions on a 3-year deal. Co-captain Heath L'Estrange was released on compassionate grounds so he could return to Australia. Young centre Sam Wood signed a 3 Year Extension keeping him at Odsal until after the 2016 season. Winger Elliot Kear also signed a 1-year extension to his current contract.
December 2013
It was announced that the Bulls would play Hull F.C. in a pre-season friendly whilst the match against Dewsbury Rams would be moved to 26 January. The Bulls revealed that Matt Diskin would continue on as captain for the 2014 season. Luke Gale was announced as vice-captain for the season.
January 2014
Frank Winterstein left the Bulls to return home to Australia to pursue a career in rugby union. Bradford announced that they had recruited Warrington Wolves youngsters James Saltonstall, Joe Philbin and Tom Walker on short-term loan deals. The Bulls won their first pre-season match against Hull F.C. 30–18. Nick Scruton, Adrian Purtell, Danny Addy, Jamie Foster and new boy Adam Henry scored the tries whilst Foster converted all 5 goals. In the second pre-season friendly the Bulls fielded a team of academy players with a few first-team members, the youthful Bulls lost 38–4 to Dewsbury Rams with James Saltonstall scoring Bradford's only try.
February 2014
The Bulls finished pre-season with an embarrassing 66–10 loss to Castleford Tigers. Bradford's tries came from Elliot Kear and Nick Scruton with Jamie Foster converting one of the tries. The week after it was announced that James Saltonstall would stay at Odsal on another month's loan deal. Vice-captain Luke Gale signed an extension to his contract, keeping him at Bradford until the end of the 2016 season. In the week leading up to the first Super League game, new signing Gareth Carvell left the Bulls and joined former club Hull F.C. on a 1 Year Deal. In wake of this news, the Bulls signed Danny Bridge on a 1-month loan deal from Warrington Wolves. Just before the season kicked off last year's top try scorer Jarrod Sammut departed the Bulls and joined Wakefield Trinity Wildcats on a 2 Year Deal. The opening day of the season did not go well for the Bulls as they lost 36–18 to Castleford Tigers. Danny Addy, Jamie Foster and Adrian Purtell scored for the Bulls whilst Foster kicked 3 goals. It was announced that Anthony Mullally would join on a 1-month loan from Huddersfield Giants. The Bulls got their first win of the campaign as they beat Wakefield Trinity Wildcats 23–10. The tries came from Adrian Purtell, Brett Kearney, Luke George and Adam O'Brien. Jamie Foster kicked 3 goals whilst Luke Gale slotted over a drop goal to give Bradford the win.
March 2014
Bradford went into administration again as potential buyers backed out following the 6-point deduction to the Bulls. During administration, Nick Scruton was sold to Wakefield Trinity Wildcats on a 1 Year Deal. The Bulls reduced their points deduction to minus 2 with a well earned 25–12 win against London Broncos. Luke Gale, Adam Sidlow, Danny Addy and Tom Olbison scored the tries whilst Jamie Foster kicked 4 goals and Gale added a drop goal. Bradford signed Leeds Rhinos halfback Liam Sutcliffe on a 1-month loan. They also brought in Wigan Warriors forward Greg Burke on a 1-month loan deal. Bradford lost to Hull F.C. 44–16 the following weekend with tries coming from Matt Diskin, Adrian Purtell and Adam Henry with Foster kicking 2 goals. The next game wasn't much better as the Bulls were reduced to 1 prop following injuries to Sidlow and Burke and Anthony Mullally being ineligible to play against Huddersfield Giants. The depleted Bulls lost 66–18 with Henry scoring 2 tries and Adam O'Brien also scoring, Foster converted 3 goals. Mullally's loan stay was extended until the end of the season. Bradford's season got worse as they lost 16–0 to Hull Kingston Rovers before losing the last March game 22–18 to Widnes Vikings, Liam Sutcliffe, Brett Kearney and Elliot Kear all scored while Luke Gale kicked 3 goals. The Bulls were taken over by Marc Green at the end of March.
April 2014
The Bulls announced their first signing since the ownership change of the club and it was Jamal Fakir the ex-Catalan prop who joined the club until the end of the season. The Bulls progressed to the next round of the Challenge Cup with a comprehensive 60–6 victory over Oldham. Luke Gale scored a hat-trick while Elliot Kear grabbed a brace. Brett Kearney, Adam O'Brien, Danny Addy, Adam Henry, Jamie Foster and Dale Ferguson also scored, Gale kicked 8 conversions. The following week the Bulls went down 38-24 to Salford Red Devils with Rangi Chase proving the difference between the two sides. Adrian Purtell, Adam Sidlow, Kear and Henry all scored and Foster kicked 4 goals. The derby game against Leeds Rhinos followed with Lee Gaskell scoring a try and Gale kicking the goal in Bradford's 46-6 loss. The final league game in April proved to be Bradford's biggest ever loss in Super League as they were beaten 84-6 by Wigan Warriors, Gale scored all 6 points. Jay Pitts and Joe Arundel signed for the Bulls on loan for the rest of the season. April ended on a high for Bradford as they came back from 16-0 down to beat Catalans Dragons 33-20 in the Challenge Cup. Foster grabbed a couple of tries whilst Gaskell, Gale and Purtell also scored, Foster, kicked 6 goals and Gale slotted a drop goal.
May 2014
Antonio Kaufusi joined the Bulls on a one-month loan from Huddersfield Giants. The win in the cup revitalised the Bulls as they beat Warrington Wolves 34-28 in their next league match. Adrian Purtell scored two tries whilst Jamie Foster, Brett Kearney, Tom Olbison and Elliot Kear also scored, Foster slotted 5 goals to ensure the Bulls won for the first time in 7 league games. However, they were brought crashing down to earth as St Helens R.F.C. were rampant and hammered Bradford 50-0. The Magic Weekend proved yet again too hard of a task for the Bulls as they were dispatched 54-16 by Huddersfield Giants, Danny Addy scored a try and Foster grabbed 2 and kicked 2 goals. Leeds Rhinos re-signed and then loaned youngsters Jordan Baldwinson and Mason Tonks to the Bulls. The following week the Catalans Dragons gained revenge for their cup exit as they beat the Bulls 46-4, Foster scored Bradford's only points.
June 2014
2014 Milestones
- Round 1: Adam Henry, Lee Gaskell and Danny Bridge made their debuts for the Bulls.
- Round 1: Nick Scruton made his 100th appearance for the Bulls.
- Round 1: Manase Manuokafoa made his 50th appearance for the Bulls.
- Round 2: Luke George and Anthony Mullally made their debuts for the Bulls.
- Round 2: Luke George scored his 1st try for the Bulls.
- Round 4: Greg Burke and Liam Sutcliffe made their debuts for the Bulls.
- Round 4: Adam Henry scored his 1st try for the Bulls.
- Round 7: Liam Sutcliffe scored his 1st try for the Bulls.
- CCR4: Jamal Fakir and Dale Ferguson made their debut for the Bulls.
- CCR4: Dale Ferguson scored his 1st try for the Bulls.
- CCR4: Luke Gale scored his 1st hat-trick try for the Bulls.
- CCR4: Luke Gale reached 200 points for the Bulls.
- Round 8: Jamie Foster reached 200 points for the Bulls.
- Round 9: Brett Kearney made his 100th appearance for the Bulls.
- Round 9: Lee Gaskell scored his 1st try for the Bulls.
- Round 10: Sam Bates made his debut for the Bulls.
- CCR5: Jay Pitts made his debut for the Bulls.
- Round 11: Joe Arundel and Antonio Kaufusi made their debut for the Bulls.
- Round 12: Elliot Kear made his 50th appearance for the Bulls.
- Round 13: Jamie Foster kicked his 100th goal for the Bulls.
- Round 14: Jordan Baldwinson made his debut for the Bulls.
- Round 14: Luke Gale made his 50th appearance for the Bulls.
- Round 18: Adrian Purtell made his 50th appearance for the Bulls.
- Round 18: Luke Gale kicked his 100th goal for the Bulls.
- Round 18: Jay Pitts scored his 1st try for the Bulls.
- Round 19: Danny Williams made his debut for the Bulls.
- Round 19: Jamal Fakir scored his 1st try for the Bulls.
- Round 20: Joe Arundel scored his 1st try for the Bulls.
- Round 22: Danny Williams scored his 1st try for the Bulls.
- Round 25: Lee Gaskell scored his 1st hat-trick for the Bulls.
- Round 26: Brad Adams made his debut for the Bulls.
- Round 26: Luke Gale reached 300 points for the Bulls.
- Round 27: Emmerson Whittel made his debut for the Bulls.
- Round 27: Luke Gale scored his 1st four-try haul and 2nd hat-trick for the Bulls.
Pre Season Friendlies
| Date | Competition | Vrs | H/A | Venue | Result | Score | Tries | Goals | Att | Report |
| 19 January 2014 | Pre Season | Hull F.C. | H | Odsal Stadium | W | 30–18 | Scruton, Purtell, Addy, Foster, Henry | Foster 5/5 | 2,472 | |
| 26 January 2014 | Pre Season | Dewsbury Rams | A | Rams Stadium | L | 4–38 | Saltonstall | Foster 0/1 | 1,239 | |
| 2 February 2014 | Pre Season | Castleford Tigers | H | Odsal Stadium | L | 10–66 | Kear, Scruton | Foster 1/2 | 1,987 |
Player Appearances
- Friendly Games Only
| FB=Fullback | C=Centre | W=Winger | SO=Stand Off | SH=Scrum Half | P=Prop | H=Hooker | SR=Second Row | LF=Loose Forward | B=Bench |
= Injured
= Suspended
Table
2014 Fixtures and Results
2014 First Utility Super League| Date | Competition | Rnd | Vrs | H/A | Venue | Result | Score | Tries | Goals | Att | Live on TV | Report |
| 16 February 2014 | Super League XIX | 1 | Castleford Tigers | H | Odsal Stadium | L | 18-36 | Addy, Foster, Purtell | Foster 3/3 | 8,214 | - | |
| 20 February 2014 | Super League XIX | 2 | Wakefield Trinity Wildcats | A | Belle Vue | W | 23-10 | George, Kearney, O'Brien, Purtell | Foster 3/5, Gale 1 DG | 4,049 | Sky Sports | |
| 2 March 2014 | Super League XIX | 3 | London Broncos | H | Odsal Stadium | W | 25-12 | Addy, Gale, Olbison, Sidlow | Foster 4/4, Gale 1 DG | 8,500 | - | |
| 7 March 2014 | Super League XIX | 4 | Hull F.C. | A | KC Stadium | L | 16-44 | Diskin, Henry, Purtell | Foster 2/3 | 11,307 | - | |
| 16 March 2014 | Super League XIX | 5 | Huddersfield Giants | H | Odsal Stadium | L | 18-66 | Henry, O'Brien | Foster 3/3 | 6,781 | - | |
| 23 March 2014 | Super League XIX | 6 | Hull Kingston Rovers | A | Craven Park | L | 0-16 | - | - | 7,008 | - | |
| 28 March 2014 | Super League XIX | 7 | Widnes Vikings | A | Halton Stadium | L | 18-22 | Kear, Kearney, Sutcliffe | Gale 3/3 | 5,581 | - | |
| 11 April 2014 | Super League XIX | 8 | Salford Red Devils | H | Odsal Stadium | L | 24-38 | Henry, Kear, Purtell, Sidlow | Foster 4/4 | 6,144 | - | |
| 17 April 2014 | Super League XIX | 9 | Leeds Rhinos | H | Odsal Stadium | L | 6-46 | Gaskell | Gale 1/1 | 10,106 | - | |
| 21 April 2014 | Super League XIX | 10 | Wigan Warriors | A | DW Stadium | L | 6-84 | Gale | Gale 1/1 | 15,529 | - | |
| 4 May 2014 | Super League XIX | 11 | Warrington Wolves | H | Odsal Stadium | W | 34-28 | Purtell, Foster, Kear, Kearney, Olbison | Foster 5/7 | 6,173 | - | |
| 11 May 2014 | Super League XIX | 12 | St. Helens | H | Odsal Stadium | L | 0-50 | - | - | 6,311 | - | |
| 18 May 2014 | Magic Weekend | 13 | Huddersfield Giants | N | Etihad Stadium | L | 16-54 | Foster, Addy | Foster 2/3 | 28,213 | Sky Sports | |
| 24 May 2014 | Super League XIX | 14 | Catalans Dragons | A | Stade Gilbert Brutus | L | 4-46 | Foster | Foster 0/1 | 6,890 | Sky Sports | |
| 1 June 2014 | Super League XIX | 15 | Wakefield Trinity Wildcats | H | Odsal Stadium | W | 20-12 | Purtell, Olbison | Gale 4/4 | 6,249 | - | |
| 15 June 2014 | Super League XIX | 16 | Salford Red Devils | A | AJ Bell Stadium | L | 18-46 | Kear, O'Brien, Olbison | Gale 3/3 | 3,407 | - | |
| 20 June 2014 | Super League XIX | 17 | Hull Kingston Rovers | H | Odsal Stadium | L | 18-44 | Addy, Kear, O'Brien | Gale 3/3 | 5,601 | Sky Sports | |
| 29 June 2014 | Super League XIX | 18 | Warrington Wolves | A | Halliwell Jones Stadium | L | 24-50 | Kearney, Olbison, Pitts, Purtell | Gale 4/4 | 9,003 | - | |
| 6 July 2014 | Super League XIX | 19 | Catalans Dragons | H | Odsal Stadium | L | 30-32 | Gale, Fakir, Henry, Olbison | Gale 5/5 | 5,188 | - | |
| 11 July 2014 | Super League XIX | 20 | St. Helens | A | Langtree Park | L | 22-46 | Arundel, Foster, Gale, Purtell | Foster 3/4 | 10,238 | - | |
| 20 July 2014 | Super League XIX | 21 | Huddersfield Giants | A | Galpharm Stadium | L | 26-52 | George, Kearney, O'Brien | Foster 3/5 | 6,145 | - | |
| 27 July 2014 | Super League XIX | 22 | Wigan Warriors | H | Odsal Stadium | W | 16-8 | Arundel, Blythe, Williams | Gale 2/3 | 6,535 | - | |
| 1 August 2014 | Super League XIX | 23 | Leeds Rhinos | A | Headingley Stadium | W | 20-14 | Gale, Gaskell, Williams | Gale 4/5 | 16,009 | - | |
| 17 August 2014 | Super League XIX | 24 | Hull F.C. | H | Odsal Stadium | W | 34-28 | Arundel, Addy, Foster, Pitts, Sidlow | Foster 5/6 | 6,337 | - | |
| 31 August 2014 | Super League XIX | 25 | Castleford Tigers | A | The Jungle | L | 18-32 | Gaskell | Gale 3/3 | 7,428 | - | |
| 7 September 2014 | Super League XIX | 26 | Widnes Vikings | H | Odsal Stadium | L | 12-32 | Olbison, Walker | Gale 2/2 | 7,438 | - | |
| 13 September 2014 | Super League XIX | 27 | London Broncos | A | The Hive | W | 46-36 | Gale, Arundel, Kearney, Manuokafoa, Pitts | Foster 7/8 | 1,402 | - |
Player Appearances
- Super League Only
| FB=Fullback | C=Centre | W=Winger | SO=Stand-Off | SH=Scrum Half | PR=Prop | H=Hooker | SR=Second Row | L=Loose Forward | B=Bench |
= Injured
= Suspended
Challenge Cup
| Date | Competition | Rnd | Vrs | H/A | Venue | Result | Score | Tries | Goals | Att | TV | Report |
| 6 April 2014 | Cup | 4th | Oldham R.L.F.C. | H | Odsal Stadium | W | 60-6 | Gale, Kear, Addy, Ferguson, Foster, Henry, Kearney, O'Brien | Gale 8/11 | 2,788 | - | |
| 27 April 2014 | Cup | 5th | Catalans Dragons | H | Odsal Stadium | W | 33-20 | Foster, Gale, Gaskell, Purtell | Foster 6/6, Gale 1 DG | 2,341 | - | |
| 8 June 2014 | Cup | QF | Warrington Wolves | H | Odsal Stadium | L | 10-46 | George, Kear | Gale 1/2 | 5,064 | BBC Sport |
Player Appearances
- Challenge Cup Games only
| FB=Fullback | C=Centre | W=Winger | SO=Stand Off | SH=Scrum Half | P=Prop | H=Hooker | SR=Second Row | L=Loose Forward | B=Bench |
2014 Squad Statistics
- Appearances and Points include as of 13 September 2014.
| No | Player | Position | Age | Previous Club | Apps | Tries | Goals | DG | Points |
| 1 | Brett Kearney | Fullback | 30 | Cronulla Sharks | 22 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 32 |
| 2 | Elliot Kear | Wing | 25 | Crusaders | 22 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 32 |
| 3 | Adrian Purtell | Centre | 29 | Penrith Panthers | 24 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 44 |
| 4 | Matty Blythe | Centre | 25 | Warrington Wolves | 17 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| 5 | Jamie Foster | Wing | 23 | St Helens R.F.C. | 16 | 10 | 50 | 0 | 140 |
| 7 | Luke Gale | Scrum-half | 25 | 29 | 14 | 44 | 3 | 147 | |
| 8 | Nick Scruton | Prop | 29 | Leeds Rhinos | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 9 | Matt Diskin | Hooker | 32 | Leeds Rhinos | 17 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| 11 | Tom Olbison | Second Row | 23 | Bradford Bulls Academy | 27 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 28 |
| 12 | Dale Ferguson | Second Row | 26 | Huddersfield Giants | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| 13 | Chev Walker | Second Row | 31 | Hull Kingston Rovers | 20 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| 14 | Manase Manuokafoa | Prop | 29 | Parramatta Eels | 27 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| 15 | Adam Sidlow | Prop | 26 | Salford City Reds | 25 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 12 |
| 16 | Danny Addy | Loose forward | 23 | Bradford Bulls Academy | 28 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 24 |
| 17 | Lee Gaskell | Stand Off | 23 | St Helens R.F.C. | 23 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 24 |
| 18 | James Donaldson | Loose forward | 22 | Bradford Bulls Academy | 25 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 19 | Adam O'Brien | Hooker | 21 | Bradford Bulls Academy | 29 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 24 |
| 20 | Luke George | Wing | 26 | Huddersfield Giants | 12 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 16 |
| 21 | Adam Henry | Centre | 22 | Sydney Roosters | 27 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 24 |
| 22 | Sam Wood | Centre | 20 | Bradford Bulls Academy | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 23 | Oliver Roberts | Second Row | 18 | Bradford Bulls Academy | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 24 | Alex Mellor | Second Row | 19 | Bradford Bulls Academy | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 25 | Nathan Conroy | Hooker | 19 | Bradford Bulls Academy | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 26 | Liam Sutcliffe | Stand Off | 19 | Leeds Rhinos | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| 27 | Greg Burke | Prop | 21 | Wigan Warriors | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 28 | Danny Bridge | Prop | 21 | Warrington Wolves | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 29 | Anthony Mullally | Prop | 22 | Huddersfield Giants | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 30 | Jamal Fakir | Prop | 31 | Catalans Dragons | 16 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| 31 | Sam Bates | Prop | 18 | Bradford Bulls Academy | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 33 | Jay Pitts | Prop | 24 | Hull F.C. | 18 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 12 |
| 34 | Joe Arundel | Centre | 22 | Hull F.C. | 12 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 20 |
| 35 | Antonio Kaufusi | Prop | 29 | Huddersfield Giants | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 36 | Jordan Baldwinson | Loose Forward | 19 | Leeds Rhinos | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 37 | Mason Tonks | Prop | 19 | Leeds Rhinos | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 38 | Danny Williams | Wing | N/A | Salford Red Devils | 7 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| 39 | Brad Adams | Centre | 19 | Bradford Bulls Academy | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 40 | Emmerson Whittel | Loose Forward | 19 | Bradford Bulls Academy | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
= Injured
= Suspended
2014 Transfers In/Out
In| Name | Position | Signed from | Date | |
 | Gareth Carvell | Prop | Warrington Wolves | June 2013 |
| Dale Ferguson | Second Row | Huddersfield Giants | July 2013 |
| Luke George | Wing | Huddersfield Giants | July 2013 |
| Matty Blythe | Centre | Warrington Wolves | August 2013 |
| Lee Gaskell | Stand Off | St Helens R.F.C. | August 2013 |
 | Adam Henry | Centre | Sydney Roosters | October 2013 |
 | Frank Winterstein | Prop | Widnes Vikings | October 2013 |
| Danny Bridge | Prop | Warrington Wolves | February 2014 |
| Anthony Mullally | Prop | Huddersfield Giants | February 2014 |
| Liam Sutcliffe | Stand Off | Leeds Rhinos | March 2014 |
| Greg Burke | Prop | Wigan Warriors | March 2014 |
 | Jamal Fakir | Prop | Catalans Dragons | April 2014 |
| Jay Pitts | Second Row | Hull F.C. | April 2014 |
| Joe Arundel | Centre | Hull F.C. | April 2014 |
 | Antonio Kaufusi | Prop | Huddersfield Giants | May 2014 |
| Jordan Baldwinson | Loose Forward | Leeds Rhinos | May 2014 |
| Mason Tonks | Prop | Leeds Rhinos | May 2014 |
Out
| Name | Position | Club Signed | Date | |
 | Keith Lulia | Centre | Wests Tigers | September 2013 |
| Jamie Langley | Loose Forward | Hull Kingston Rovers | September 2013 |
| Michael Platt | Centre | North Wales Crusaders | September 2013 |
| Curtis Naughton | Fullback | Sydney Roosters | October 2013 |
| John Bateman | Second Row | Wigan Warriors | November 2013 |
| Heath L'Estrange | Hooker | Sydney Roosters | November 2013 |
| Frank Winterstein | Prop | Australia | January 2014 |
| Gareth Carvell | Prop | Hull F.C. | February 2014 |
 | Jarrod Sammut | Stand Off | Wakefield Trinity Wildcats | February 2014 |
| Nick Scruton | Prop | Wakefield Trinity Wildcats | February 2014 |