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Season 2003

Full Name: Matthew Elliott.
Birthday: 8/12/64.
Place of Birth: Thursday Island, Queensland, Australia
Height: 6' 1''
Weight: 95 kg.
Nickname: Mattie
Family: Wife Karen. 4 Children.
Previous Clubs: St George

Coaching record at the Bulls

1995: Joined Bradford Bulls as Brian Smith's assistant.
1996: Appointed Smith's successor as Head Coach.
1997: Won Super League Championship. Lost Challenge Cup Final at Wembley to St Helens 32-22. Named Super League Coach of the Year.
1999: Super League Minor Premiership & Grand Finalists. Named Coach of the Year for the second time.
2000: Won Challenge Cup 24-18 against Leeds Rhinos at Murrayfield. Third place finish in Super League.

Commenting on his decision to leave the Bulls to take up the NRL job with Canberra Raiders, Elliott said simply "It's time to go home."

"I am an Australian and that is where I need to be at this stage of my life - both professionally and domestically. I have four young daughters who, because of the demands of this job, have been brought up almost solely by their mother without the support of an extended family we would have back home and that was a big influence."

"The board have been extremely supportive, not only in terms of remuneration but in doing anything to help make our stay comfortable. It often went beyond the bounds of what might be reasonably expected."

Elliott has won both major trophies on offer in the Bristish game, the Super League Championship in 1997, and this year, he ended the Bulls 51 year wait for Challenge Cup glory with the 24-18 success over Leeds Rhinos at Murrayfield.

Now he is looking forward to new challenges in the NRL with Canberra Raiders.

"I feel I am ready for a crack at it. Fortunately when the opportunity came along to talk to Canberra in a two-and-a-half hour interview over the phone I was able to convince them that I was the right man for the job."

Elliott will initially work alongside Aussie League legend Mal Meninga, who has announced his decision to quit as coach at the Raiders at the end of next season.

Asked whether he might ever return to the British game, Elliott said "You never say never but my initial aim is to be coach of Canberra for ten years."

However, he is eager to help the Bulls in future if he can, commenting "It would not be right for me to start nominating who should succeed me. That is a matter for the board but if they want my opinion I will certainly do so. If they want my views on overseas players I will be only too willing to help."