Two months ago, Bramley faced extinction, just six years after reviving the historic club.

The West Yorkshire club feared they could become a victim of the credit crunch after failing to find a main shirt sponsor.

But after making a plea to businesses nationwide, the Buffaloes received responses from new shirt sponsor PPD - a Leeds-based developer - National Express, Unison, RMT and PRomotion.

Head Coach Mark Butterill said: "We desperately needed a main sponsor as this represents one of our only sources of income aside of season-ticket sales and merchandise.

“We’ve had fantastic successes in the six years since we revived a senior rugby league club and have hundreds of supporters keen to see the lads back in action but because we don’t have our own ground and ability to generate ongoing funds we are at a major disadvantage.

“I’m an immensely proud Bramley lad who played for the original professional outfit in the nineties and I’m as pleased as punch to be carrying the baton on from Paul."

After securing their future, Bramley opened up their Conference National season at the weekend with an impressive 36-18 win over Warrington Wizards at Wilderspool.

Two tries from Nathan Anderson saw Buffaloes home as they look to reach a fifth successive Grand Final in 2009. With the Wizards fancied to be one of the side's to challenge them, it was a more than positive start for the Yorkshiremen.

And this weekend, they will try and get the community behind them by offering free entry to the game against Nottingham Outlaws on Sunday. It is the clubs first ever free entry home game to get the population of West Leeds to taste the action for free.

The game, which kicks off at 2.30pm at Stanningley on April 19, is being sponsored by Leeds Co-operative Members Committee.

Butterill said: “We hope that this idea will bring a few more fans through the gate and generate a great atmosphere and we hope to build on last Saturday’s outstanding 36-18 win at Warrington Wizards.

He went on: “The club has secured a number of outstanding sponsorship deals during the close season and everyone is buzzing as we face our first home game.”

“If a few hundred new faces can taste the quality of rugby that our lads put on then I’m sure they will come back for more and it will be a real family carnival atmosphere next Sunday afternoon."

The squad is chomping at the bit to get the home campaign started, none more so than new signing Jim Shuttleworth.

The 28-year-old back row forward has just returned from a two-year stint with Southport Tigers in the Queensland Rugby League.

“I joined Bramley because of their history and also because of coach Mark Butterill who I’ve worked and played with before at Milford and Leeds Met. I had no hesitation whatsoever when Buttsy made the call!

“He’s pushed us incredibly hard in pre-season and all of the lads are raring to go,” added Jim who hails from St Helens and first played the game, aged nine, with amateur side Blackbrook.

“Bramley is a very well known name in the game of rugby league football and a club that carries a lot of heritage. That was a big reason behind my decision and it will be fantastic to be playing in front of such loyal supporters and I’m looking forward to seeing a big crowd at our first home game with Nottingham Outlaws on April 19th.

“I’ve had some fantastic times in the sport especially when I was a student at Leeds Met. I captained the side to their 2001 Grand Final triumph at Salford and that has to be my proudest moment to date. We broke all sorts of records that season but I’m hoping to make a little bit of history with the Buffaloes in 2009."

Shuttleworth will line up alongside 20-year-old centre Aidy Manley, who has made the step up from West Leeds ARLFC.

Coach Butterill has high hopes for the young back. He said: “Aidy has got the ability and the drive and he’s sure to excite our fans with his pace and power.

“He’s shown a great deal of commitment in training and has fitted in very well and I’m looking forward to seeing him cross the whitewash for the first time.

“He’s scored a lot of tries with West Leeds and he’ll be carrying that on with the Buffaloes."

Manley, who works as an electrician, said: “I can just about remember when the club went out of business and I recall my grandparents talking fondly about the old days at McLaren Field.

“It was a real community club that was held in close affection and the Buffaloes are carrying that on with a professional approach both on and off the pitch."

The club disappeared off the rugby league radar in 1999 when it suffered a slow death after selling off its old McLaren Field home ground, but was reformed in 2003 after a concerted community effort.

They have enjoyed great success since reforming, with the high point the 2006 Grand Final triumph at Warrington, although the club has lost the last two Grand Finals, against Featherstone Lions and Celtic Crusaders Colts in 2007 and 2008 respectively.