Gareth Carvell poised to return to Hull

[josie andrews]

Hull are set to re-sign former England prop Garreth Carvell ahead of the start of the new Super League season.

The 32-year-old joined Bradford in the close season from Warrington on a two-year contract but now looks set to be reunited with Hull coach Lee Radford, his former Black and Whites team-mate at the KC Stadium.

Hull are currently monitoring Carvell's situation at Bradford as they look to increase their front row options after injuries last weekend to Liam Watts and Chris Green

"The club have been made aware of Carvell's availability and could look to formalise a deal for the Challenge Cup winner in the near future once his situation has been clarified," read a statement from Hull.

Carvell, who has reportedly agreed a one-year deal at Hull with the option of a second season, made 164 appearances for Hull from 2001-08, including two Challenge Cup final appearances, before joining the Wolves, for whom he played in last October's Grand Final.

Although Bradford chairman Mark Moore said at the weekend that coach Francis Cummins' squad had been "ring-fenced", it is thought that Carvell has made clear his desire to leave the club, who are in the middle of another crisis after OK Bulls Ltd was put into administration.

The Bulls say all the players have been transferred to a new company, Bradford Bulls 2014 Ltd, but they are facing a possible points deduction with a crucial meeting with the RFL scheduled for Friday.

http://www1.skysports.com/rugby-league/ ... /9152602/?

[josie andrews]

OFFICIALS ISSUE HANDS-OFF WARNING

BRADFORD BULLS officials have today issued a hands-off warning to their Super League rivals, insisting "no-one is for sale".

This comes following recent speculation surrounding a Provident Stadium player, who has been linked with a move elsewhere.

A spokesperson for the board of directors has moved to address the situation, insisting the Bulls' top-flight counterparts are not welcome to approach any member of Francis Cummins' first-team squad.

A statement said: "We are shocked and disappointed by some of the comments made today regarding one of our players.
"To say we are baffled by talk that another club is 'monitoring' an 'on-going contract situation' would be an understatement.

"We can confirm that no form of deal has been sanctioned by the board of directors.

"Recent reports have and are continuing to cause major confusion and distress among our supporters, while undermining our efforts to re-build this club – with extremely limited resources.

"Agents and clubs need also to be mindful of the confusion and distress in which these kinds of approaches can cause for players and their families.

"We are operating with only half of the central funding provided for our Super League rivals and we have been through a very difficult time.

"Our message is very, very clear: Leave our team alone. No-one is for sale.

"The announcement to ring-fence of our first-team squad last week was designed to create some stability for the players, while offering Francis the support he requires as head coach.

"It was about consolidation, as we want to keep what we have very much intact ahead of the new season to give both fans and all other stakeholders clarity.

"We are not foolish enough to believe that talks do not go on between players and clubs during a season, but they must happen in an appropriate manner and at an appropriate time.

"And we would ask all clubs to act in a right and proper manner, in keeping with the family spirit of rugby league."
Directors and HR representatives are to meet with the Bulls squad later today in a bid to once again outline the players' contractual position.

The club will be making no further comment at this time.

http://www.bradfordbulls.co.uk/news/art ... f-warning?

[butt monkey]

Absolute rubbish!!!

I fear that, whatever passionate words the club say, if Carvell wants to go, he can go, under the TUPE regulations, just as Kopczak did.
This extract from Kopczak's agent at the time...

Martin Shuttleworth, confirmed Kopczak had taken legal advice, drawing on legislation used in the recent Rangers case, namely the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) regulations 2006.
In a statement, Shuttleworth said: 'Craig was notified by the joint administrators by letter dated September 3, 2012 that his playing contract had transferred with effect from August 31, 2012 to OK Bulls Ltd.
'He then served notice on the administrators that he objects to the transfer of his employment under the relevant TUPE legislation.
'The net effect of having served the notice is that he is deemed to have resigned with effect from August 31, 2012 and his employment with the club is automatically terminated.'

Sadly, this could open the door for other departures too.

The new owners of the club want the benefit of going into administration without the problem of loosing it's players (and points deduction)

All the players need to do is formally reject the change of contract ownership and give notice their intentions to leave and their is NOTHING the "Bulls 2014" can do about it

Sammutt and Gale are also expected to walk away from the club