HOLMES PENS CONTRACT EXTENSION

Bradford Bulls are delighted to announce Tom Holmes has signed a one-year contract extension keeping him at the club until the end of the 2025 season!

The 28-year-old arrived at Bartercard Odsal prior to the start of the 2023 campaign and made an instant impression, scoring 13 tries in 25 appearances and winning the Fans’ Player of the Year Award. 

Holmes missed the beginning of the current season due to health issues but scored on his return to action against Widnes Vikings in April and has been ever present since, scoring 7 tries as the Bulls continue to push for 2^nd place in the Betfred Championship.

The full-back is hoping a full pre-season can kickstart a massive year for himself and the club in 2025. 

“I am really happy I can say I am staying at Bradford, it is good to know where I will be and I’m over the moon that it’s Bradford. I am really excited and am looking forward to another year at this club where I have enjoyed my first two, I am buzzing to be staying,” said Holmes, who is sponsored by HF Wealth.

“My last two years have been the most enjoyable on and off the field, the boys are outstanding and the fans and the club itself have been more than amazing to me with their support on and off the field and the way they’ve been with my family. 

“I have really enjoyed my rugby here and this year it took me a while to get some consistency after coming back, my first year here I obviously jumped into a position I hadn’t played much but I played some of my best rugby and had a smile on my face and what’s what I want and that’s why I’m staying at Bradford. 

“The 8 months I had off the field were a scary time both mentally and physically and when I could return to normality I didn’t really have a pre-season I just wanted to play and felt ready. 

“I am pretty happy I haven’t missed a game since I have been back, it’s taken me a while to get back to speed but over the past month I feel I have played some really good rugby and hopefully I can take that into the play offs and into next year. 

“Pre-season is important, not just on the field but off it too, I jumped straight back in and missed that this year so a full pre-season will do me the world of good. Hopefully I can knuckle down hit the ground running and have a full year, I don’t want to miss any games so hopefully I will have a big pre-season and I am hoping for a massive year next year.” 

Bradford boss Eamon O’Carroll, who is sponsored by M & S Combustion Ltd, said: 

“I am really happy, everyone is aware of what Tom has been through in recent times, it shows the calibre of player and person he is to overcome that and come through the other side and perform the way he is. 

“He certainly wanted to start where he left off, he was regarded as one of the best players in the competition and it took him a while to get to that level but he’s doing extremely well and I am excited for what is ahead, he is getting better and better each week. 

“Pre-season will certainly do him good, not many players look forward to a pre-season but Tom is! He wants to get back to his best, it will be great to have him from the get go as the news came very early into pre-season last year and he missed a large chunk of it so he will only benefit from having a full pre-season with us.”