Yet already the club are looking to maintain the high profile in the community and to continue to be amongst those clubs fighting for honours.

Martyn Cheney, Bramley Buffaloes chairman, points out that "since a Bramley team wearing the famous Amber and Black returned to competition in 2004 we have reached the Championship Semi-Final every year, losing out in the Final in 2005, lifting the National League Three trophy at Warrington's Hallewell Jones Stadium in 2006, and being Cooperative RLC National Championship Finalists again in 2007, lifting the Minor Premiers Trophy along the way".

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But the hard working and popular Chair is aware that the club starts all over again in 2008.

"The standard has increased every year and the competition just gets tougher in what remains a truly national competition, with new teams coming in this year from Wales and Liverpool" he said.

"We are especially grateful to the Cooperative Group, who not only sponsors the competition, but is also the club's main sponsor following the merger of the former Leeds Co-operative Society. We are a fans' run cooperative so it represents an ideal sponsor for us."

Much sought after Head Coach, Paul Cook is quietly confident that the Buffaloes will again be making a challenge. "We were disappointed to lose the Final to Featherstone Lions, but Featherstone deserved their victory and it was a great result for the League, if not for us" he said generously.

"But we all start equal. There are some excellent teams. Featherstone will be determined to retain their title, whilst Celtic Crusaders, with forty-five players on board and Super League ambitions will be able to turn out a highly talented team in our competition. But all the other clubs have talent and things to prove, especially when playing a famous name like Bramley"

Turning to the Carnegie Challenge Cup Cook pointed out: "It's a great competition. I have some great personal memories. But for the Buffaloes this will be our second game, whilst our opponents are mid-season. But we'll give it a good go, no mistake."

On the 2008 squad he added: "We will have a strong squad again, this year captained by Jon Nicholls. Jon has done the business for both Leeds Met University and Bramley, and his leadership qualities are underlined by his captaincy of the Great Britain Students.

Bramley have held their entry price to just £4, with concessions available, the same as last year so watching the Buffaloes at Stanningley SSARLC's well-appointed Arthur Miller Stadium is excellent value, " added an ebullient Cheney.

The next game at the Arthur Miller Stadium is on Sunday, February 24 against Wigan St Patricks in the Carnegie Challenge Cup, kick off 2.30pm.