This article details the Bradford Bulls rugby league football club's 2018 season. This is the Bulls 1st season in League 1. Following liquidation, the Bulls finished last place in the 2017 RFL Championship season and were relegated alongside Oldham.
Season review
August 2017
By the start of August it was confirmed that the Bulls would be relegated into League 1 after finishing bottom of the 2017 RFL Championship table. Preparation for the 2018 season began in August when it was announced that academy graduate and first team player Keenan Tomlinson agreed to leave the Bulls by mutual consent. This was swiftly followed by the news that home grown second-rower and the 2017 Player of the Year James Bentley, had signed a 3-year deal with Super League side St. Helens.
September 2017
Home grown centre Ross Oakes and prop forward Liam Kirk both re-signed with Bradford among speculation that the duo would leave due to the Bulls relegation, however both signed new 2-year deals. It was announced that centre James Mendieka had been released by the club after three seasons. Young academy graduate hooker Joe Lumb signed a 1-year deal with local League 1 side Keighley Cougars after not featuring much during 2017. Further departures were announced as winger Johnny Campbell resigned with his old club Batley Bulldogs. While fellow winger Omari Caro announced on social media that he had retired from the sport. Second row forward Colton Roche joined the mini exodus as he signed for Huddersfield Giants of the Super League. Some good news followed the exodus as it was revealed that highly rated academy prospects Reiss Butterworth, Evan Hodgson and Oliver Wilson all signed new 3-year contracts with the Bulls. Hodgson and Butterworth have both featured in the first team during the 2017 season, however Wilson is yet to make his debut. In a shock move, Bradford managed to acquire the services of current superstar halfback Dane Chisholm for another 2 season despite interest from several other clubs. Meanwhile, prop forward Ross Peltier put pen to paper on a new 2-year deal and young halfback Joe Keyes also signed up for another 2 years. Hooker Vila Halafihi became the 9th player to re-sign with the Bulls after agreeing a new 2-year deal to stay at Odsal. Following this, hooker Scott Moore was released after declining to sign a new contract. Lifelong Bulls fan and loose forward Elliot Minchella became the first new signing of the 2018 season as he signed a 2-year part-time deal from RFL Championship side Sheffield Eagles. The month ended on a high for the Bulls as they announced the capture of experienced second rower Matt Garside from Championship team London Broncos on a 2-year deal.
October 2017
October started with the re-signing of two young academy products, winger Josh Rickett and fullback Brandon Pickersgill both signed 2 year part-time deals after making a handful of appearances last season. After initially signing for Leigh Centurions, young winger Ethan Ryan re-signed with Bradford on a 2-year deal following Leigh's relegation to the Championship. Prop forward James Davies signed a 1-year extension to his contract to stay at Bradford, whilst it was announced that young prop Mikey Wood signed on a 1-year loan deal from Super League side Huddersfield Giants. Young prop George Milton signed a 2-year deal with Bradford from newly promoted side Hull Kingston Rovers. It was announced that former prop and academy graduate Steve Crossley would return to the club for a third spell from Canadian side Toronto Wolfpack on a 2-year deal.