JASON HIRST has no doubt Bradford Bulls will be in Super League in 2027, despite a fall in their IMG points.
The Bulls were given an IMG grading of 14.81 last year, but with changes in the goalposts regarding catchment, Bradford will be in and around the 14-point mark going into next season.
Hirst, speaking with the Telegraph and Argus, said: “There are no doubts over us being in the top 14 for next year.
“We scored 14.81 to finish 10th last year, but there’s been changes to the grading system, so we expect to lose one-and-a-half points on catchment.
“We expect our overall score to drop but we expect increases in other areas, like how we’ve got primacy of tenure this year, as well as our digital performance.
“The stadium utilisation score will also increase, so I expect our score to be about 14, but that’s nothing to be alarmed at.”
Bradford’s financial figures for 2025 were released a few weeks ago, revealing short-term debts at the club had doubled – a financial issue that has become widespread across Super League.
But Hirst has sought to alleviate any potential concern, referencing the league-wide problem: “The reality is that Rugby League isn’t football.
“Clubs exist because people donate, rather than invest, money.
“Owners know they won’t get their money back and people work long hours for less than the going rate.
“We’ve seen bigger clubs than us, like Wigan and Leeds, all post losses and our figures came as no shock.
“Is it great news? No, it’s not, but we manage it.
“The Bulls are no different to every other professional club in the UK, getting by through volunteers and people putting their hands in their own pockets to prop clubs up.”
