Word Club Champions 2006
In the final part of my history of the Bradford Bulls, we see the side become one of the major success stories of summer rugby after years of being the nearly men.
The rugby league landscape changed forever in Britain in 1996 with the advent of Super League, which signalled the start of summer rugby and injected much-needed glamour into the game, as well as the end of the dominance of Wigan.Teams such as Leeds, St Helens and, of course, Bradford came to the fore, but the latter was no longer Bradford Northern – in 1996, the Bradford Bulls were born
The first season of Super League was an impressive one for the Bulls, with the side finishing in third place in the table and also attracting some huge crowds including a massive 17,000 to see the side take on Wigan in July.
Bradford also reached the Challenge Cup final that year, losing one of the finest finals in the competition's history 40-32 to St Helens, despite a hat-trick from man of the match winner and the new star of Super League – Robbie Paul.
1997 will go down as one of the most impressive in the club's history. Under the guidance of Matthew Elliott, the side won their first 20 games in Super League and looked on course to go an entire season unbeaten but Wigan finally ended the run in the penultimate fixture.
In addition, Bradford reached the Challenge Cup final once more but once again fell to Saints at the final hurdle, though they nevertheless topped the Super League table by seven points and saw James Lowes scoop the Man of Steel award for his outstanding contribution.
1998 was the first time that the Super League champions were decided through virtue of play-offs and a Grand Final but it turned out to be an unsuccessful season for the Bulls, though they topped the table once more in 1999 before eventually losing the Grand Final in controversial fashion to St Helens 8-6.
In 2000 the Bulls ended a 50-year wait for Challenge Cup success by lifting the trophy at Murrayfield after beating Leeds in a close final 24-18, the skill of man of the match winner Henry Paul proving to be the difference.
In 2001 former player and Matthew Elliot understudy Brian Noble took over the coaching reins and oversaw five seasons in which the club dominated both Super League and the world.
His first season in charge saw the club play at Valley Parade while Odsal Stadium was being redeveloped. Nonetheless, the side finished top of the league, lost the Challenge Cup in a close final against St Helens and crushed Wigan 37-6 in a Grand Final which featured a hat-trick from Michael Withers as he took home the man of the match award.
In 2002 Bradford became World Club Champions for the first time after beating Penrith 41-26 at the McAlpine Stadium and carried this swagger into 2003, when they swept all before them – taking the League Leaders Shield, Challenge Cup and Super League titles after defeating Leeds in both finals.
2004 saw Bradford regain their world crown with another victory over Penrith, but the season was all about the volcano, Lesley Vainikolo, who smashed his way into the record books and the hearts of fans with 37 tries in just 26 matches, including five in one game against Wigan.
The Volcano once again helped Bradford to the Super League crown in 2005 with 25 tries including one in the Grand Final against Leeds, which would prove to be the last time the Bulls scooped the title.
In 2006 Noble steered Bradford to yet another World Club Challenge triumph with a 30-10 defeat of the Wests Tigers, but he departed the club for Wigan in April and soon signed star player Stuart Fielden.
These events marked the end of an era for the Bulls, who have since failed to make a Challenge Cup or Super League final.
Fans are hoping that the appointment of Mick Potter as coach and the signing of many new players in 2011 will be the start of another golden age for the side which started life as Bradford Football Club in 1863 and are now known as the Bulls.