This seasons cup game against Leeds.

I’ve been privileged to watch some of the greatest rugby league players of modern times, and see our club lift every trophy possible. This years cup game was a brief reminder of what could be possible if the club gets itself onto a sound financial footing, and was the first time my son got to experience a Leeds/bradford derby in a competitive game

There's so much to go at isn't there and rather than specific games, some highlights for me:

1. My first game in 1986 (v widnes I think) and wondering why the players didn't have helmets on (as per american football). We sat in the old red seats on the popular side.
2. Getting soaked to the skin at an Australia tour game either the same year or certainly pre 1990. I don't think I have ever been as wet.
3. Keith Mumby. The number of text book tackles I have seen right in front of my in the main stand is countless
4. Early to mid nineties - a few players that stick in my head: Watson, Simpson, Cordle, Heron
5. 1993/94 The nearly title year - the game against Workington (?) who were bottom, it was a banker, we lost 12-11 I think and ultimately cost us the league - a draw would have been enough as it goes too!
6. 1996 - SL arrives....oh my!
7. 1997 - being crowned champions v PSG. Also the WCC - didn't win any of the 3, but what contests!
8. 1999 - 24,048
9. 2003 - welcome home!
10. 2005 - was this the 71-10 game v Hull Les getting 5?
11. Some sad years since and lean pickings to what has game before but the Workington final win and the Leeds game this year.

On a last note, though there are some great memories, I'm not too sad, the club needs to move on before Odsal ultimately kills us.
Let's hope AC is a little more than hot air and we see the Bulls back in Bradford and back in SL before long and start a new memory bank!

Lot's of odsal microclimate memories...

My mum wrapping me up in every winter clothing possible for my first match.

The "novelty" of midweek matches in the winter rugby days - freezing cold, pitch black but being out late on a school night. Remember beating the touring kiwis and the crowd giving Paul Cullen some stick after being sent off in a Wednesday night game against wire.

The Wigan fog games - didn't go to the one that was abandoned but remember the farce of the super league game - Wigan fans at the Richard Dunn's end having to be told when they'd scored down the other end.

Then it absolutely siling it down (even by Odsal standards) vs Saints - me getting soaked, Glenn Morrison getting man of the match.

Maudling one...2005 St's at home, sat in the crown feeling like I was on the outside having lost my Dad the weekend before. Remember nothing of the game other than we got hammered and I really didn't care. For some reason my over riding memory.

So many over the 27 years I've lived in the area. I didn't realise how many until I started thinking about it. The tigress reminded me last night of a couple of stand out ones (I'll no doubt add some more as they come back to memory);

1. Taking tigercub as a new born baby (she's now 22) against Cas. The tigress breastfeeding her on the terraces.
2. My 50th birthday. I arranged 10 pizzas to be delivered from a local joint at half time. We sat on the terraces & stuffed ourselves.

3. Stood with Azim & Bullseye during (another) rainstorm. Azim being young couldn't keep his phone in his pocket. It literally filled with rain.
4. Playing an A team game for my home town team before the annual first team pre-season friendly. My mate broke his neck (he fully recovered). The game was abandoned, an ambulance drove onto the centre of the pitch to rescue him.
5. In hospitality with Bullseye, FA & other sponsors. Can't remember who you were playing (London or Cats?). You were losing a game you should have been winning. Last couple of minutes you made a potential match-winning break; Paul Sykes with an overlap passing straight into touch. Bullseye jumping up from his seat, shouting "FOR F* CKS SAKE!" & storming off to the bog.
6. On the pitch one moment still stands out for me. Bulls v Cas, you had Danny Peacock, we had Adrian Vowells. They were from the same town in Aus. Each time they hit each other you could hear the smack on the terraces, like thunder. Each time was legal & they just got up, tapped each other on the back & got on with it. Class.
7. Taking Ridlerbull as a young pup & watching him grow. Him & his Mum now love the game.
8. The huge shared baths in the old club house.
9. Assisting Mick Gledhill on commentary vs Cas. We woz robbed.

tbc