BRADFORD BULLS head coach Kurt Haggerty has paid tribute to the six players departing Odsal at the end of the season.
Joe Keyes, Sam Hallas, Chris Atkin, Guy Armitage, Dan Russell and Mitch Souter will leave at the conclusion of their contracts.
Halfback Atkin has played 16 times this year, back-rower Russell 13 times and hooker Mitch Souter eleven.
Prop Sam Hallas – who is out for the season with a shoulder injury – and back Guy Armitage have each played ten matches while halfback Joe Keyes has been limited to two by injury.
Ed Chamberlain has already left Bradford, having returned to parent club Hull FC for rehabilitation on an ankle injury.
Haggerty said: “There’s a great analogy we use in camp where we talk about soldiers, and they’ve all been really good soldiers.
“They’ve all worked extremely hard, they’ve helped fight the cause for this year with it being our first year back in Super League.
“What I did say from the first day I came to the club was for any players we knew we wouldn’t be keeping moving forward, I would let them know as early as possible so they can either sort an opportunity at another club or effectively go back and find work.
“I wanted to be open and honest to give them that opportunity to find something instead of waiting until the deadline on August 31, so we’ve done it as respectfully as we can.
“I never had any doubt in my mind that any of the players are not fully invested for the last seven games of the season. They’ve mentioned to me before I’d even spoken to them about how they are fully invested, fully committed into this group and that they’ve made friends for life.
“There is no doubt we will get the best out of every player, whether they’re playing or not, for the rest of the year.
“If you come and see our environment people still have got a smile on their face and they appreciate the honesty. It’s a reflection of the group of men I coach and I wish them the very best moving forward.”