Bradford Bulls to hold fundraising auction

Financially-stricken Super League side Bradford Bulls are to hold a fundraising auction to help them raise funds towards the £1m they need to stay in business.

The auction will take place at the Bulls' Odsal home on Thursday, 5 April.

Amongst the items are Brian McDermott's 2000 Challenge Cup Final shirt and winner's medal, and Jamie Peacock's 2003 Grand Final shirt and ring.

On Thursday the club revealed it had raised £155,000 towards its target.

The club announced it was appealing for pledges from supporters on Tuesday to help stay in existence.

Meanwhile, chairman Peter Hood has moved to clarify the club's position with its bank, Natwest.

In a statement on Wednesday, Natwest's parent company Royal Bank of Scotland said that the club had not provided them with security since the sale of their Odsal ground.

But Hood said: "In total, even after the club disposed of its land to the RFL in the recent sale-and-leaseback deal, the bank still has security over bricks and mortar and personal guarantees worth in aggregate in the region of perhaps ten times the overdraft.

"At no time has Natwest ever been specifically secured on the stadium - otherwise, how could we have sold it?"