STEVE Ferres believes the Bulls will be the best-prepared team in the Championship next season and has targeted a top-placed finish.

The appointment of Karl Harrison as Jimmy Lowes’ assistant added to the club’s bulging backroom team ahead of the start of pre-season training next week.

John Bastian (head of youth), Matt Diskin (Under-19s head coach) and Gary Dempsey (strength and conditioning coach) have all come on board while a 30-man first-team squad has been assembled.

Managing director Ferres said: “With what we’ve got, we’re actually pushing the boundaries to the top end of Super League in terms of analytical and physical preparation.

“We have given Jimmy every opportunity to support the playing staff with a coaching team that can not only maintain a Super League standard but improve as we move forward.

“This is a new start for Bradford Bulls and I’m not sure if a club has ever gone down to the Championship with a true and proper full-time squad on this scale.

“It’s a pretty unique situation and is new to us all but there is certainly a wealth of experience in the coaching and football department which should stand us in good stead.

“Karl has a wealth of experience and will bring a lot of steel and a good work ethic to the club, which is vital.

“He will complement what Jimmy is doing and strengthen the bond within the group. We’ve got a performance analyst, a conditioner and a physio within the backroom staff too.

“We aim to be fitter than any other team and everything is geared towards giving our players and coaching staff the best opportunity possible.

“The infrastructure is all there – the players and the coaching staff, so now they’ve got to drive that forward.”

The top two in the Championship at the end of the regular season four home games in the Super Eight play-offs and three away – but finishing first would mean an extra £50,000 over second place.

Ferres added: “It’s paramount to finish first so the primary aim will be to get in the top four and then work our way into top spot.

“We’ve got to put ourselves in a position to get where we need to be, but we’ll certainly be better prepared than most.

“We’re not going to shout from the rooftops what we’re going to do because it’s obvious what we’re trying to do.

“We are all singing off the hymn sheet as management, players and staff – the goal is to get back into Super League.

“The players will be left in no doubt as to what is required in the next twelve months to achieve the end result that we all want.”