2021 Bradford Bulls season

The preparation for the 2021 season started with the re-signing of experienced coach John Kear on a 2 year extension which would keep him at the Bradford Bulls until the end of the 2022 season.[1] Following this news, the Bulls announced that Super League veteran halfback Danny Brough would join the club on a 2 year deal from Wakefield Trinity linking up with John Kear for a third time.[2]

Vice captain Sam Hallas and homegrown fullback Brandon Pickersgill both signed one year deals to stay at the club for the 2021 season.[3][4] Winger Joe Brown also signed an extension to stay with the Bulls.[5]

Due to the reserves being suspended until 2022 young halfback Cobi Green signed for Swinton Lions.[6] Soon after Green's departure the Bulls announced the re-signing of second-row forwards Brad Gallagher and Ebon Scurr, Gallagher signed a 2 year extension whilst Scurr signed for one year.[7][8] French prop forward Levy Nzoungou also signed a one year extension to his contract.[9] Young hooker Thomas Doyle was the next player to sign an extension with the Bulls, signing on for another season.[10] Luke Littlewood was the next player to leave the club due to no reserve grade for 2021, the young halfback signed for RFL League 1 side Rochdale Hornets, coached by former Bull Matt Calland.[11] Bradford announced their second signing for the new season in the form of Huddersfield Giants second rower Aaron Murphy who signed a two year deal with the club.[12]

The month started with the news that winger Matty Dawson-Jones had taken up the option in his contract to stay an extra year at the Bulls after finishing last years cancelled season as Bradford's top try scorer.[13] However last season's top point scorer Rowan Milnes was called back to his parent club Hull Kingston Rovers thus terminating his loan with the Bulls.[14] Winger David Foggin-Johnston signed an extension to his contract to keep him at the Bulls until the end of 2021.[15] Second row forward Connor Farrell announced his retirement from the sport due to ongoing injuries. Following this news the Bulls signed Doncaster R.L.F.C. second rower Brad England on a one year deal.[16] Pack members Anthony England and George Flanagan both signed extensions with the club, prop forward England signed a two year deal whilst hooker Flanagan signed a one year deal.[17][18] Second rower Adam Rooks who was at the club on loan last season from Hull KR put pen to paper on a one year permanent deal.[19] Former Bulls centre Rhys Evans signed a two year deal with the club following a short stint at Leeds Rhinos.[20]

There was positive news to start the month as the Bulls announced that they had retained reserve grade players Matthew Race, Cameron Berry and Bradley Ho for the 2021 season.[21][22][23] The fourth reserve grade player to sign up for the new season was centre/second row Sam Smith.[24] It was announced that homegrown prop forward Liam Kirk had signed for fellow Championship side Oldham R.L.F.C. ending his 5 year stint at the club.[25] Another young reserve grade player in winger Murphy Smith signed up to the 2021 squad by signing a one year deal.[26]

The Bulls revealed that the new kit supplier for the next two years would be Steeden after spending the last two seasons with Kappa.[27] The sixth new signing for the upcoming season was the former England Youth international wing/centre Reece Hamlett who signed a one year deal with the club from Super League side Warrington Wolves.[28] Another young reserve grade player in Billy Jowitt was retained by the club for the 2021 season.[29] Following the decision to expel Toronto Wolfpack from the Super League the Bulls announced that they would be applying for the 12th place in the 2021 Super League season along with the likes of Leigh Centurions, Featherstone Rovers, Toulouse Olympique and York City Knights.[30] Chairman Mark Sawyer stated that a return to Odsal Stadium would be a key factor in applying for the Super League.[31] Highly rated young Hull Kingston Rovers winger Elliot Wallis signed for Bradford on a year long loan deal in order to gain some first team experience.[32] Former prop forward Dan Fleming who was at the club in 2015 and 2016 signed a one year deal after a short stint at Castleford Tigers.[33]

Young homegrown second rower Evan Hodgson signed for RFL League 1 side Newcastle Thunder.[34] The Bulls application to Super League XXVI was not a success as Leigh Centurions were selected to be the 12th side for the 2021 Super League season.[35] Bradford also released their away kit which consists on Black and Red vertical stripes.[36]