Mark Lawn ready to help rescue Bradford Bulls
Wednesday 16 November 2016 18:03, UK
Former Bradford City joint-chairman Mark Lawn says he wants to rescue Bradford Bulls from their latest administration.
The Bulls are in the hands of administrators for the third time in less than five years as a result of a long-running dispute with Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs.
The Championship club's chairman Marc Green said this week he has "been talking to a number of serious investors" and predicted a "strong future".
And Lawn, who was in joint charge of the city's football club for nine years before selling to two German businessmen in the summer, is willing to help.
He told Sky Sports News HQ: "I wouldn't like to see the Bulls go out of business. If there is anything I can do to stop that happening, then I'll try my best."
Bradford City were promoted to League One and reached the League Cup final as a League Two side during Lawn's time at the club.
Figures released this week show they have more season-ticket holders than any other League One club.
Lawn has spoken to Julian Rhodes, his former joint-chairman at Bradford City, about buying back the Bulls together and says a deal could be completed by early to mid-January if it could be agreed.
He told Sky Sports News HQ on Wednesday: "Julian would be a dream ticket for me if we both got involved because we both know each other, we both know we can work together and we both know our strengths and weaknesses.
"I think the RFL are going to have to learn how to deal with me. It's time they woke up and stopped giving a franchise to people who haven't got a clue how to run anything.
"And they have got to be more realistic with what they are doing with the Bulls. Heaping penalties on them and heaping fines on them and not helping them get their ground back, that sort of thing would be the key for me.
"And certainly if I get involved it will be to steady the ship and make sure that they don't overspend.
"I'm not going to be one of these who is going to say 'I am going to get you the Super League in three or four years'. I am going to be realistic.
"I want that club, if I take over, to be in the Super League. I want to be successful; I like to be successful, but I won't risk making it go into administration. I have never run a business into administration and I don't intend to do it now."
The RFL has confirmed that Bradford Northern Limited's membership has been terminated with discussions already underway with their appointed administrators to try and secure the club's future.
