Bradford Bulls supporters deserve more transparency, honesty and respect

That record-breaking crowd against Leeds Rhinos. The countless major trophies. The heroics of players like Robbie Hunter-Paul and Lesley Vainikolo.

If you're feeling nostalgic, then I'm afraid you've fallen into the trap. All of those aforementioned moments in the history of Bradford Bulls are just that: history. Not only that, they are all nearly 20 years old and professional sport does not stand still, nor does it survive or provide credence for sentiment and sympathy.

The truth is that we are fast approaching a decade since Bradford Bulls last played a Super League fixture. Any notion of the team that once dominated the modern game being deserving of a place in the top-flight is a thing of the past: if it ever were one to start with, as nobody deserves anything in professional sport. You earn it.

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But you suspect the Bradford fans who are more realistic and understanding of their recent history would simply take some sort of stability right now. A platform from which to build from and move forwards. Let's be clear, the Bulls aren't challenging for promotion this year. Or next year. They have work to do in that regard.

But any on-field woes, compounded by last week's defeat to London which leaves them well off the pace for the Championship play-offs, were once again overshadowed by off-field matters 48 hours earlier. It is, sadly, an all too familiar tale that what happens off the field dominates the agenda at the Bulls.

The Bradford fans who have stuck by the club through thick and thin deserve, at the very least, respect and honesty. Speaking to some who were present at last Thursday's fans forum, it feels like they