Picture: twitter.com/rlwithjd/status/2540 ... 61/photo/1 Announced by @rlwithjd

Picture: twitter.com/rlwithjd/status/2540 ... 61/photo/1 Announced by @rlwithjd

[url=http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/9967302.Bateman_signs_new_Bradford_Bulls_deal/T&A has the story too[/url

Excellent work by the new owners. Getting our best and brightest on long term deals is always good news.

Incredible news!

But he can't have done. According to some Message Boards he'd already signed for Hull. Well done John. Loyal to his home town club.

Cracking news

. Hopefully we can now move on and sign a few more. Props and a standoff please

Can't be true, he'd already signed for hull/shudder/wire (delete as appropriate) and some people even put FACT after it so it must have been true....


Brilliant news, real statement of intent by the club and Bateman. Now let's get some of the others signed up.

Loyalty being rewarded. Best signing of the 2012 off season!

Brilliant news.

There is no downside to this!

Bateman the player is the best young to come through our ranks since Leon, Peacock and Fielden in 98-99! This is great news for the club and for him!

Lets hope a few more follow suit now!

Official L-o-l at whoever said he was pulling our pants down, saying he loved the club then leaving

Excellent news. Sends out a message that we're here to stay.

Great news for a Friday morning

Can't wait to hear from all those who came out with 'I can tell you for a FACT that Bateman has already signed for Warrington'....

He has, we've loaned him back for 3 years.

Very happy with the news today shows the clubs ambition and drive foward. Come on now lets get nas signed up and gale on a long deal!!!

I imagine that there's an element of truth in the Wire rumours.

I should think that all of our 'in demand' players would have had back-up deals sorted for if we'd gone pop. There's no secret to Wire's admiration of Bateman and it wouldn't have surprised me if he'd have gone there if we'd have been relegated - particularly as it was an open secret that they were prepared to pay for him.

I must say, though, I got the impression that Wire handed themselves completely professionally and above board - unlike some other clubs.

I can't speak for how they are with signings. However, from my recent dealings with the Warrington club regarding the gate receipts money they so superbly donated to the Bullbuilder Hardship Fund, I can only say they come across as an extremely professional and thoroughly reasonable outfit. So it would not surprise me at all if that same attitude extended to their approach to signings.

You don't have to call yourself a Giant to be able to stand tall.

Great news!!!!

Quick question... Has whitehead's and o'brians contracts been put forward now?? They were held back if I remember right?

yes they have

Yes, many talk the talk, but John Bateman has proved that he's a Bull through and through, the best news for ages and a massive and well-deserved finger to all the trolls and [iagents provocateurs[/i.

It also says a great deal about the team spirit around the place. As has been pointed out, obviously players and their agents will have done their best to make contingency plans but once the Bulls were back in business, apart from Kopczak, the squad that we knew about remains intact (we alredy knew who was likely leaving).

OK Bulls haven't really put a foot wrong yet, have they? Instead of pontificating in the press, they do seem to have the knack of quietly going about their business in the background and getting things done. Big raps to them, as this is actually the biggest news bar saving the club that we could have got. If our biggest assets are happy to commit to the cause, it bodes well for our future.

John Bateman - you're a star. Glad it will be with us.

What he said....

Excellent, rains on leedslovers brigade with his imaginary contacts, had it on good authority from nathan at rfl that bateman loves the bulls and will sign extension if possible, but other teams fans were adamant he was going even after omar bought us.


Even if wife promised to put on a lesbian show for me it wont be as good a news as this.

I know. The last one of her's I saw was rubbish.

Realy good news guys real shot at those that just think money talks , great to see some strong player loyalty and heres to much more and looking forward to many more leeds - bradford battles

John told me himself that he was going to Hull as they had offered him 100k in first yr so thats who my contact was unlike some on here I dont have imaginary contacts as I know quite a few players personally
you must have broke the piggy bank to keep him hope you get your £s worth