Promoting the pledge could prove to be the Bulls’ biggest challenge yet.

After bowing out of the Super League play-off race with defeat to Hull KR, the timing of the scheme’s launch couldn’t have been much worse.

Neither results nor performances have provided a particularly persuasive argument for fans to renew their season tickets, so the club are once more left trading on faith.

Belief in better to come will be the most important factor in attracting 12,000 pledges. Both Mick Potter and the board have a busy time ahead.

“The way the results have gone this year – there have been some disappointing results but then there are several games we could’ve won and should’ve won,” admitted chief executive Ryan Duckett.

“With a little bit more composure, we could’ve easily won those games.

“At times we’ve had some tremendous results and good performances and we’ve competed with some of the best.

“We have looked a good side in spells but we haven’t done it consistently enough.

“There have been signs this year that we’re making progress. There have been some blips – we’re the first to admit that – but we have made progress and Mick has identified areas of the squad that need strengthening.

“With the players we have recruited already, we feel we have addressed those weaknesses.

“Everyone within the club is hoping we will be more consistent next year and the players we’re bringing in should give us more strike and more game-breakers.”

On the surface of it, Potter does appear to have made improvements.

A lack of guidance in the halves, a lack of strike in the three-quarters and a predictable attack have been common gripes throughout the season and the Bulls boss has attempted to address all three issues.

NRL regulars Keith Lulia and Adrian Purtell will add size and power to the outside backs and Jarrod Sammut can be a match-winner on his day, while Luke Gale will be asked to take on the organisational role at scrum half.

Whether or not he is capable of marshalling the attack remains to be seen but one thing is sure, he has bags of talent.

An aggressive, in-your-face forward or two would still be most welcome but the moves made so far are a start.

Ultimately, the Bulls are faced with a Catch-22 situation.

Results have not helped encourage fans to pledge but if they don’t offer their support, fortunes will only continue to dip over the coming seasons.

Still, things must change. This team have shown fleeting glimpses of talent – notably in wins over Leeds and Huddersfield – but seem to lack the heart and toughness required to make the next step.

Players must become accountable for their failings on the pitch and a good start would be in helping the Bulls’ hardworking staff to promote the pledge.

If representatives from the squad and coaching staff take time to meet the public, address concerns and front up in the face of adversity, it would go a long way to building bridges with disgruntled fans.

Ultimately, the club remain confident a successful pledge scheme can be the catalyst for positive change.

Duckett said: “As a business, we need to maximise revenue so we can spend the full cap and we need to do that through the turnstiles because that’s one of our key revenue streams.

“Everything else comes on the back of that.

“It’s a competitive league but we feel we are building something here. We thought we’d be further along at this stage but hopefully it will pick up momentum next season.

“The way the league is now, you can’t guarantee to be a top-four side every year.

“It goes in cycles but in four to five years time I’d like to think we’re in improved facilities and we’re a competitive side competing in all competitions year on year.”

Membership prices have risen this year – the result of a VAT increase and the increased financial demands on Super League clubs – but still remain among the cheapest in professional sport.

If the club hit their target of 12,000 pledges, an adult season ticket will cost £75 on the terrace and £115 in the main stand.

But Duckett has refuted suggestions that cheap season tickets will necessarily result in a cheap product.

“Obviously the key to it is people taking it up,” he said.

“It works on volume and it worked for us last year so hopefully it will do again.

“The price is determined by the number of people so if we don’t get the numbers, the price will be higher.

“The numbers work because of the volume and we’ve worked out that that’s the revenue we want to get from our membership.

“If you were setting a fixed price I could understand that criticism but the key thing is that it works on the volume.

“If we hit our targets, the revenue will allow us to be competitive.”