Rugby league journalist John Davidson broke the news on Sunday regarding Vickers’ appointment by Bulls, reminding readers of the chequered past of the prominent rugby league figure.
Vickers resigned from his post at Post Office Road last September, shortly before the club went into administration.
He joined Featherstone in 2021 and during his time there, the club was hit with allegations of mounting debts to players, suppliers and of pensions being unpaid.
Several players successfully took Featherstone to task in order to get money to owed to them during that period.
Vickers also worked for Toronto Wolfpack, when they went under with players, suppliers and staff owed money.
Before then, he was CEO of Salford, at the time the controversial Marwan Koukash owned the club, when the Red Devils breached the salary cap and were in court over payments owed to players and staff.
Vickers was also previously employed by Salford Council, with the council investigated in 2014.
Bulls fans approached the T&A expressing concern about Vickers’ appointment, and what that might mean for their club.
We put some questions to club CEO Jason Hirst, who kindly responded to our queries, in the Q&A format we proposed…
Jason Hirst (right) is a passionate Bradfordian and passionate Bulls fan, with the CEO seen at every game, home and away. (Image: Martin Taylor)
Q: Is it true that Martin is working at the club?
A: Yes
Q: If so, does he have a say in financial/spending matters or is it purely looking at new commercial opportunities for the club?
A: The latter
Q: Given Featherstone’s devastating demise a few months ago, can you understand people’s concerns?
A: The journalist concerns, no, it’s headline grabbing, modern day journalism.
Supporters have no reason to be concerned, Martin is employed as a Commercial Executive, tasked with bringing in additional commercial revenue – something he is doing very successfully.
This helps us strengthen our squad and matchday experience.
The recent signings of Jack Ormondroyd, Chris Atkin and Phoenix Steinwede (alongside a welcome and generous contribution from Squad Booster, for Phoenix) would not have been possible without the additional commercial revenue we’ve received since Martin joined us.
Q: What skills does Martin add to the off-field team to make this appointment worth the flak? As the club must have expected there would be a negative reaction once this became public?
A: Martin has the obvious skills required of a Sales Executive, if he didn’t, he wouldn’t be doing the job he is.
Every appointment made by this club is designed to further improve and drive the club forward, on and off the field.
Q: What ultimately is your reassuring message to fans, who might be worried about the club going forward with Vickers in post, given what happened at Fev, Toronto and Salford over the last decade?
A: There is zero reason to be alarmed. Martin, alongside another individual (sales and marketing executive Ellie-Mae Lister), has recently been appointed to drive our club further forward in terms of commercial activity and marketing, respectively.
Our return to Super League has obviously meant that we’ve had to strengthen our off-field team, as well as our on-field one.
The aforementioned two appointments are part of that ongoing recruitment process and Ellie-Mae’s role has particular emphasis on the marketing side.
She has a rugby league background in that she’s a fan of the sport, but she was appointed for her commercial background.
With Martin, he is not part of the club’s management or leadership teams.
He is part of our wider team, who has made a significant contribution to our club since his appointment.
The weekend story is further, easy Bradford Bulls related journalism and I’m sure our loyal, intelligent fans understand that.
Our fans should continue to trust and back their club’s board, ownership and leadership groups (which I’m sure they will) based upon the unparalleled success they have delivered, on and off the field, during their tenure, when compared to all of our other post-Super League years.
The Board is committed to continual improvement, the club’s fans and returning us to our formal glories.
Each and every appointment is for the greater good of our great club.
All of our immediate attention and positivity is centred on our huge match, this Good Friday versus the Rhinos, at Bartercard Odsal Stadium, so I urge all sport-loving Bradfordians to get there and support us against our near-neighbours and arch-rivals.