BULLS chairman Marc Green believes "confidence is returning" among supporters after the club hit the 1,000 mark for 2015 memberships.

The 1863 Members Club was launched last month and the Bulls have now reached the first significant milestone in their quest to sell the 4,000 memberships they say are needed to break even next year.

The season-ticket packages provide members with various benefits, such as discounts at local businesses and money off 2015 replica shirts.

Some fans have baulked at the prices – adult season tickets have been priced at £230 for the terraces and £280 in the Provident Stand – but Green is confident the Bulls are on track to reach their target figure of 4,000.

Philip Hoyle, a Bradford follower for more than 50 years, yesterday became the 1,000th supporter to buy a 2015 membership, with figures revealing that over 100 fans bought season tickets again for the first time in a number of years.

Green said: "It was a pleasure to meet Philip and to have reached this milestone inside six weeks of the membership scheme's launch is testament to our fantastic, loyal supporters.

"The fact this includes in excess of 100 people who have not had Bradford Bulls season tickets, or memberships, for a number of years further demonstrates the confidence returning.

"I am now looking forward to not only achieving but smashing our target in terms of the number of memberships sold before the start of the season."

Hoyle, from Gomersal, met Green, managing director Steve Ferres and chief executive Robbie Hunter-Paul after buying his membership.

He received a complimentary copy of Hunter-Paul's book 'Robbie – Rugby Warrior' and said: "I am delighted to have become a part of the 1863 Members Club and hope to see many fellow supporters following suit in the weeks and months ahead.

"I am really excited about next season and am looking forward to visiting a number of grounds that I have not been to before, while – of course – helping turn the Provident Stadium into a fortress.

"The squad is looking really good and I am sure the players are working hard in pre-season training, readying themselves for a promotion charge."

The deadline for purchasing memberships as part of a six-month payment plan is Sunday, November 2 at 11.59pm. The deadline for securing the same seat in the Provident Stand is the following Sunday (same time).

Wakefield, one of the Super League teams the Bulls could face in the Super Eight play-offs next season, have also reached the 1,000 mark for 2015 season tickets.

Wildcats chairman Michael Carter tweeted: "We sold 2,300 last year. Surely we can beat that?"