Quote: Andy R "I didn't want Bradford to be relegated because of how it will affect our big games against them. Then I went to Odsal on Thursday and no one cares anymore. It felt like a non event. I was absolutely freezing, the place was falling apart and half empty and the game was as poor an advert for rugby league as you're likely to see bar a couple of moments. I hope there is a way back for them but after that on Thursday I can't see it. It was a sorry state.'"
I have to agree with William Eve on that the Bradford v Leeds derby was built purely on the SL Bulls brand boom and their meteoric rise to being a power in the game circa 2000.This coincided with our slump which heightened the tension between the clubs.I started watching Leeds as a kid in the late 80's and back then 'Northern' were never seen as our main rival.Without the Bully Bully and razamataz and hanger on's that went with it, they were only pulling the hardcore faithfull of around 6k a week to games in those days, and seen as no more our local rivals as other West Yorkshire clubs like Halifax,Wakey and Fev.Infact, i would say Cas were seen as our main derby rivals in those days.
I wish them well with their recovery, but its very hard to see a return to those peak days a decade ago.
