A bit left-field, but if he was, as the announcement says, "had an increasing involvement in the last 18 months," then he either had to step up and become the coach or cease any involvement at all (to be fair to the incoming coach)

I don't agree with the lazy trope that "He interested Matty Ellot's team"—he developed that team over the years he was in charge. OK, he hasn't done much since, but he loves the club and will hopefully be refreshed by a few years away from coaching.

Good appointment, I feel.

He didnt do bad at wigan turned around there fortunes when needed - green wood has been promoted to first team coach which will increase his involvement also

Did he not get Crusaders into the play-offs too, or am I remembering that wrong?

I think it's actually a pretty smart appointment, players seem to like him, he's had a hand in building the squad for next season so knows exactly what he's inherited and how he wants them to play. My first choice was Lingard but I'm happy with his appointment, especially compared to the other options put forward at this point.

You would be correct!

A sound appointment IMO for all the reasons outlined above.

I do wonder if his level of involvement was a factor in EOC leaving.

It should be a seamless transition though with the same direction and strategies being followed.

Eyebrow raiser for this party. Hope it works out.

I think it's an eye-Brow raiser for those who haven't been following us closer (hence you've had some of the usual lazy tripe from certain "journalists" who are more triggered by Gledhill than balanced reporting)

I think most of us know it gives us continuity on the back of a couple of strong seasons.

Agreed. Noble has been part of the coaching set up and a regular on the touchline for ages now. It's not as if he's been on a desert island since 2006. The upturn in performances came when he got more involved. I'm hoping that continues. He's been key in getting us some decent signings (particularly from overseas) too.

Uuuugh. I fell asleep in 2006 and have just woken up. Is Deacs still strutting his stuff? Or is the current England SH a 45 year old Deacs? He certainly plays like one.

A great appointment IMO which should keep me interested during the season.

Wonder if the 1 year deal is significant or just comfortable for all parties? Seems clear the club are heavily targeting the next round of IMG gradings - we are surely going to need quite a few pieces of the jigsaw to fall in place for any realistic chance. And that is before we factor in further improvements by SL clubs above and potential moving of the goalposts in the next few months.

I hear the Georgesons are massive fans of Harry Smith.

Well Noble is 62 now so probably didn't want a long contract. Maybe the club have a target who isn't available yet?

As for IMG ratings it's clear where we need to improve. There's still scope for on field improvement but the main areas of improvement needed are with the ground - can't see any championship club managing to get attendances of 7.5k.

It's good to see how much interest this has sparked, not only amongst the supporters, but also it's the most media interest I've seen in the club for a good many years. It's even on the BBC (admittedly in the sports/rugby league section) which virtually never mentions championship clubs.

I thought the same, it even was the headline on the Sky Sports RL page!

Will we once again see a classic roller coaster Noble led season whereby the Bulls misfire for various reasons (usually suspensions & injuries) then come July (or as Nobby likes to put it the business end of the season) start firing on all cylinders for the run in!
We don't need to hit the ground running only to fall flat on the face!

From memory, it was only 2005 that was like that....2001-2003 we performed well throughout and led the pack from the off. 2004 we were clearly 2nd best and finished up runners up that year.

I take your point though, it is key to hit form at the back end of the year (we've seen some Championship favourites fall foul of this!) and Nobby does have a good record of doing this.

Literally the most exciting time to be a bulls supporter since a few years before relegation.
We were only headed down, now for the first time in a long time we seem to have hit an upward trajectory.

Surely it's a matter of time now before McNamara reprises his role as assistant coach, to complete the dream coaching team? Bernard's patience must be wearing thin, although you'd think he's due a stint on Humberside at some point.

It's a bit baffling how Steve Mac has managed to last so long in coaching with so little success - that is, since he was last assistant at Bradford... One CC win with Catalans - even Richard Agar managed that!

Noble obviously did a lot more in a much shorter career. It would be great if Bradford can get back to the top flight - all the more so if Noble can get another 'monkey off your backs'!

EoC confirmed as going to Saints.

Bit weird why it's taken so long to make an announcement that everyone pretty expected.

Sport is a brutal business. I think if Wellens can't improve Saints in 2025 from their 2024 season, EoC will be an interviewee for the Head coach position. Might not get it, but he'll have a chance.

Lee Briers is also there isn't he?

Agreed Briers will be next in line at saints.

I'm not sure Briers is a head coach or even wants to be. I think he has skills to develop individual players attacking abilities but whether he emotional intelligence to translate that to managing a big squad of highly talented individuals, I don't know. When you look at consistently successful coaches - Peet is the stand out example over here - there is more to them than being just a temperamental talented player. I've always liked him & maybe his ego or intrigue will one day want to give it a go. And a club tends to appoint a big name player over less glamorous one.