Salford Red Devils coach Brian Noble admits he would love Mandy Koukash – the wife of Salford owner Marwan – to take control of the Bradford Bulls, after it emerged she is putting in a bid for the club.
Noble served the Bradford club as player and coach with great distinction, coaching them to three Super League Grand Final victories. The club has since fallen on harder times, with the Bulls again entrenched in administration, and rooted to the bottom of the Super League.
However, the Salford boss believes it would be great for the game should the Koukash family assume control of another Super League club – and believes the possibilities are endless when it comes to the potential of the Bulls.
“I hope she gets it, I really do. If she can bring the same kind of noise and enthusiasm to Bradford that Marwan has brought to Salford then it’s happy days for rugby league,” a passionate Noble said.
“They need something to happen, and I hope whoever the administrator decides is going to take the club forward will have the same vision and dreams that we’ve had here. I don’t want to cause a family rift between husband and wife, but it would be interesting to say the least!
“Do I want a team that can get 25,000 in an arena and generate hairs on the back of your neck at Odsal? Of course; it can only be good for rugby league. People sometimes forget that Bradford is a big city, and we don’t want to be losing big cities from the rugby league landscape.”
Noble also confirmed he had offered some tips to the Koukash family as to just how big a club the Bulls could be once again, stating he is still a “proud Bradfordian”, and would love to see the club back at the top again – so long as they are second to Salford.
“Yes, they have asked for some advice; but not intimately. I’ve given them what I think the feel for the club is, and how massive a club it could be if it is run properly. Obviously my focus is on the Devils – but do I want Bradford to be successful? You’re damn right I do.
“I’ve given them a feel for what I think the place is like, and what can be achieved there. My little contribution hasn’t been massive, but I’ve said that should Mandy want to go into the Bulls then it would be as exciting a prospect as Salford is right now.
“I’m a proud Bradfordian, and I really want the club to be second-best behind Salford. There can’t be any objection to the deal, because the precedent has been set already elsewhere. I used to walk up there as a 15-year-old boy, so of course I want the club to do well. It’s very much still in my heart.”
