BULLS CONFIRM HOLMES DEAL

Bradford Bulls are delighted to announce we have overcome strong competition to secure the signature of experienced half back Tom Holmes on a two-year deal – with thanks to the Bradford Bulls Squadbooster Association for their support!

The 26-year-old arrives at Odsal Stadium boasting experience in the sport’s top two tiers – with spells in the Championship at Featherstone Rovers and Sheffield Eagles preceded by time in Super League with Huddersfield Giants and hometown club Castleford Tigers.

Holmes played an integral role as the Rovers reached the Million Pound Game in 2021 before being beaten by Toulouse Olympique, with the half-back having now amassed over 120 senior appearances to date.

Bradford boss Mark Dunning has hailed Holmes’ signature as ‘really exciting’ for the club – insisting he will have a positive effect on those around him over the next two years. 

“It is really exciting, Tom is a quality half and with that brings a bit of utility at full back and 9. He is a really creative player and the thing I like about him, when I met him with his agent, he talked about having a burning desire to play Super League, he did so with Huddersfield and he has a burning desire to go back and challenge himself in the upper echelons of the game and if he can bring that competitive edge and desire it is something I am really looking forward to,” said Dunning, who is sponsored by Crystal Clear-Bi Folds. 

“He is coming into a group where I want some more competition in key areas, it has been well documented we have been light on halves this year so we have had a good chat with some who were pursued and we will now have four quality half backs next year including Myles Lawford. For Myles to rub shoulders with the halves we currently have and Tom will be good for his development, he won’t block Myles but now there will be some real competition in that half back spot. 

“It will be good for everyone [learning from Tom], it will keep people on their toes and it is another person that the likes of Myles can learn from. They’ll see a quality person, a really professional player who conducts himself well so they’ll get an example of how to be a professional RL player on and off the field. 

"We have got some serious irons in the fire, should they drop out they will be exciting, it may be quiet season in terms of announcements but it is not quiet on the detail front so we are working really hard in the background to hopefully announce a couple more in the coming weeks and some real excitement as well.”