McManus, a former investment banker, believes the current plight of Bradford is a clear sign of the weaknesses of professional rugby league, with growing crowds and television audiences masking the problems affecting the game.

Writing in the match programme ahead of Saints' derby with Wigan at Langtree Park, McManus said: "Whilst it is comforting to see the reaction of supporters and others who have gifted the Bulls money, we should not be distracted from the much bigger issues of which Bradford's position is a mere symptom," he said.

"I have been saying for a number of years that there is a systemic commercial weakness in the way that rugby league is structured and governed and in the commercial composition and policy of Super League.

"We have far too long been content to accept growing crowds at some clubs and growing TV audiences as the indicators of the game's success when the underlying reality is different.

"There is no doubt and never has been in my mind that Super League cannot sustain 14 clubs - how can it when two have gone into administration in the last year and another is on its verge?

Review

"We need to review every initiative taken over the last decade and to entirely re-evaluate our commercial platform, particularly for Super League as, without this premier rugby league competition being in a strong financial position, the game has no sustainable future.

"We need transparency, honesty, bravery and decisiveness to admit where mistakes have been made and to remedy them forthwith.

"We need leadership, decisive action and a game which is governed and structured in a way that brings commercial stability to all and an investment case for all."