WELCOME TO OUR LATEST EDITION OF BULLIEVE
NEWS ROUND UP
INTERVIEW WITH FORMER BULLS PROP STUART FIELDEN,
SUMMER BASH
FANS INTERACTION AND MENTIONS.
______________________________________________
NEWS ROUNDUP
NEWS ROUNDUP
Its hard to believe that we kicked off our season in February, and there are now only 9 rounds left until we enter into the super 8's. The first game was a fiery event against an ambitious Leigh side who are unbeaten so far this season in cup and league, so far its the only 2 points we have dropped but i'm sure after recent performances, that we can end there unbeaten season when they turn up at Odsal on July 19th.
The season is passing on at alarming rate, and there have been some outstanding performances from the squad, and some great individual performances too, notably Adam o Brien who seems to be growing in stature week by week under Jimmy's tenure. Danny Addy is playing some great rugby, Lee Gaskell has been outstanding at full back with several man of the match performances, and the balance in the squad seems to be about right. Of course we have had new additions Steve Crossley returning home, James Mendieka signing from Featherstone until 2017 and quietly away in the background contract talks are underway building for next season for whatever league we are to play in, within the squad there are several players that committed for 2 years so were sure that should make it slightly easier moving into next season.
When you look at it in perspective, we still have some players who have not featured as yet Matty Blythe is still to feature and has been out on loan to Hemel Stags, Karl Davies has been injured and Dave Peterson who has gone on a months loan to Sheffield. I'm sure come the 8's these guys can make an impact.
The season is passing on at alarming rate, and there have been some outstanding performances from the squad, and some great individual performances too, notably Adam o Brien who seems to be growing in stature week by week under Jimmy's tenure. Danny Addy is playing some great rugby, Lee Gaskell has been outstanding at full back with several man of the match performances, and the balance in the squad seems to be about right. Of course we have had new additions Steve Crossley returning home, James Mendieka signing from Featherstone until 2017 and quietly away in the background contract talks are underway building for next season for whatever league we are to play in, within the squad there are several players that committed for 2 years so were sure that should make it slightly easier moving into next season.
When you look at it in perspective, we still have some players who have not featured as yet Matty Blythe is still to feature and has been out on loan to Hemel Stags, Karl Davies has been injured and Dave Peterson who has gone on a months loan to Sheffield. I'm sure come the 8's these guys can make an impact.
Our 1st Championship match at Leigh
In our last match once again saw another Super league hopeful come up against a determined Bradford side, despite going behind in the early stages Bradford staged a brilliant fightback to take control of the game and scored 6 tries to extend the unbeaten run to 13. Adam o Brien once again being the stand out performer, this was a solid win for the bulls with Williams, Gaskell, Henry and Purtell being singled out by coach James lowes for there efforts in the backs and on the wing. There was a scare though for Danny Addy who was knocked out in a collision and not allowed to play any further part in the proceedings. Danny should be available to face Doncaster, Mendiaka certainly impressed off the bench with a solid display in the halves as cover for Addy.
With win less Doncaster next up at Odsal its hard not to see another Bulls victory, but as we have seen so far this year, each team we play seem to up there game to try to get the scalp they crave so much, there is also a ladies day this Sunday where Ladies go free in honour of Women's aid.
FORMER PROP AND FANS FAVOURITE SPEAKS TO BULLieve.
Hi Stuart and thank you for your time to speak to us at BULLieve, we appreciate your time very much, you had a glittering career at the Bulls and we have compiled some questions for you, so thank you again.
Q. You actually didn't start playing Rugby League until you were in your teens, how did this come about, what were your influences to play Rugby league especially as you initially toyed with the idea of becoming a footballer.
A. I played football from the age of 8-16 for a local side, high school and also the local area. I played some rugby at high school but had no idea what I was doing to be honest. I was asked by a friends dad (Kenny Giles) to go up to a local club he coached at in Halifax (Illingworth).Which I did to the under 15’s. Just before that through him also I was invited by him to attend a rugby scheme called C.A.T.S that coached young people in the area. Through this scheme they picked a side to represent West Yorkshire. That team played the other areas in Yorkshire and through that a team was picked to represent Yorkshire in the inter county championship. I was picked for Yorkshire and we won the championship. So I would say I was lucky that my first real organised game was to represent Yorkshire. I then joined Illingworth to play for their under 15’s but also played for their under 18’s in that same year .Being involved with both teams success.
I was still playing football at the time too. My eldest Brother Adam had played with Brian noble for Bradford Northern and he took me along to watch my middle brother James in a trial game in 1996. He asked about me, invited me along to train with the Bulls academy and I played a few months later for them and then signed Professional forms in September on my 17th birthday.
Q. You had a fantastic career at Bradford and won virtually everything in sight, can you tell us about your time at Bradford and some of your highlights.
Q. You had a fantastic career at Bradford and won virtually everything in sight, can you tell us about your time at Bradford and some of your highlights.
A. There’s a good yellow pages I could talk about from my ten years at Bradford . 10 years that I loved and were the most enjoyable of my career. The characters that were there made every day eventful and you would have a laugh every day at some point. I was lucky to be in a team that won at least one trophy every year from 1999 up and to the year I left in 2006. Something I didn't really appreciate as much as I should have when it was happening. I suppose wining at least one trophy every year makes you become accustomed to it.
The highlights I can pick would be the first trophy win in 2000 ( Challenge cup in Murrayfield the first time the bulls had won the cup for over 50 years ) and the first GF win in 2001 after the bitter defeat in 1999. One other would be the W.C.C in 2006 .
Q. You played in what was probably the most feared pack in the whole of the Super League era, what made that so special to be tagged as the "Awesome Foursome".
Q. You played in what was probably the most feared pack in the whole of the Super League era, what made that so special to be tagged as the "Awesome Foursome".
A. I‘ve never been one that bought into tags or titles. It was something that we got tagged with and it just seemed to stick . We laughed about it more than taking it seriously. Generally one of the ‘big men’ would be with one of the smaller men (me and Brian McDermott). So that meant me being on at the same time as Joe or Baloo or vice versa. Then being changed at some point .You had to feel for the opposition at points. To have a ginormous man of the stature of Baloo and Joe running at you , then to be replaced by another when he tired must of been dis heartening to say the least.
Q. During your playing days you had a ferocious rivalry with Barrie McDermott and you were never one to back down, was it just pride and bragging rights or something a little bit more also how did you get along away from the playing field and are you still in touch.
A. We got along fine away from the field. He was and still is a great bloke. On it he was the old bull and I the young(couldn't help the pun). He just generally took my head off on most encounters. thinking that would discourage me . It carried on from there with neither of us willing to back down .
Q. You have had the honour of playing alongside current Bulls coach Jimmy Lowes, another ferocious competitor no less, can you give our readers an insight into how Jimmy operates and what do you think he will bring to Bradford as a coach.
Q. You have had the honour of playing alongside current Bulls coach Jimmy Lowes, another ferocious competitor no less, can you give our readers an insight into how Jimmy operates and what do you think he will bring to Bradford as a coach.
A. He was assistant coach at Bradford in 2004 .He helped me then .From being 17 i’d always looked up to jimmy .And we had a great bond that most front rowers should get with their hookers.He knew when to give me the ball , but also when not too. As a player he demanded the best .He did that of himself but also of others. He was one of the leaders. He’s how a coach should be .Upfront and honest , but leaving no room for guessing .You know where you stand and what is expected of you . His record since he took over in the super league speaks volumes. He is a fine choice for Bradford . The championship is a very hard place to get out of .
Q. You were forced to end your career due to the reoccurring knee injury, what plans did you have in place when you were due to retire, was it always a plan to enter coaching, we recently spoke to Jamie Peacock and he said it would be far too stressful do you agree.
Q. You were forced to end your career due to the reoccurring knee injury, what plans did you have in place when you were due to retire, was it always a plan to enter coaching, we recently spoke to Jamie Peacock and he said it would be far too stressful do you agree.
A. I retired certainly earlier than I had expected . Not by one of the injuries that should of retired me but by a knee infection post a routine tidy up op. I never envisaged coaching . I would say that going straight into coaching was something that was more forced than a choice. I was contracted to the club , so they gave me a chance but by the same token were far more inclined too as I was contracted until a year post the injury. I left Huddersfield in June 2014 by mutual consent . I certainly found the transition to coaching extremely hard .That and the massive shift in work load coupled with( due to the schedule then, eg the times when the youth train ) having almost zero plan ability of your life nor I would say a good life work balance. I felt thrown in at the deep end without doubt .
Q. In 2006 it was well documented that you moved onto Wigan with former Bulls boss Brian Noble, can you tell us a little bit about your decision at that time and how did it feel leaving a side where you had enjoyed so much success and domination of Super League.
Q. In 2006 it was well documented that you moved onto Wigan with former Bulls boss Brian Noble, can you tell us a little bit about your decision at that time and how did it feel leaving a side where you had enjoyed so much success and domination of Super League.
A. From the back end of 2004 I had felt that I needed a change. I had been there since 1996 and been fortunate to be in a dominant team that had won everything. I had asked Nobby to leave in 2005 due to these reasons . He told me that would only be possible if I was replaced by a player of exactly the same standard . Which with most players being in contract at that time just not possible. in 2006 Nobby left and then gave me the only way to leave - being bought .Bradford had turned down a bid from Warrington before the Wigan one was accepted from in summer 2006 . There had been interest from Australia also but at that time the amount demanded by Bradford was more than could be justified and back then the salary cap and exchange rate meant they had even less.
It was certainly sad to leave. There were still some of the people I had spent all my time with there. The main exodus had started after the GF in 2005 when the core of the squad left. So the mainly knew team made leaving not as hard.
Q. You have played in some of the biggest games in super league, what was your all time favourite memory, and most of all can you explain how it felt when you walked out onto the Odsal turf in front of over 24,000 fans.
Q. You have played in some of the biggest games in super league, what was your all time favourite memory, and most of all can you explain how it felt when you walked out onto the Odsal turf in front of over 24,000 fans.
A. My all time favourite memory would be the 2006 World club challenge . Everything just went right for me that day. And beating the Aussies is always good. Especially after , as per usual being wrote off.
Odsal was always a special place for me. I watched my brother Adam playing there 1992-1994 and I started playing there at 16 .And played there until my final game there as a player in 2011 with Wigan . The place held so many great memories and held a enormous amount of nostalgia . It was my sons first game attendance where I played and also my mums favourite stadium. For those reasons it will always be my favourite ground. The crowd always gave massive support. The place on game day was like a carnival. A very special atmosphere that you will struggle to find these days due to the design of most of the stadiums.
Q. You were once described as the best prop in the world, what advice would you give to any rising star of today who wants to become a star in Rugby league.
Q. You were once described as the best prop in the world, what advice would you give to any rising star of today who wants to become a star in Rugby league.
A. Catch the ball….Just kidding. I would say enjoy it .If you want it more than the rest you will certainly give your self a far better chance. Be serious when you need to be but also don't forget the lucky position your in, so enjoy and savour it. And plan for your retirement . Do as much outside rugby development as you can . whether that be qualifications, a trade ect . What ever it is you choose. Use the extra time you have .
Q. We have mentioned the fact of the Awesome Foursome, but in the teams you played in was littered with talent, likes of Shontayne Hape, Lesley Vanikolo, Karl Pratt, to name a few how did it feel to be involved in a team with quality literally all over the park.
Q. We have mentioned the fact of the Awesome Foursome, but in the teams you played in was littered with talent, likes of Shontayne Hape, Lesley Vanikolo, Karl Pratt, to name a few how did it feel to be involved in a team with quality literally all over the park.
A. It made your job a lot easier. You cant play of the back of a team that's being dominated. At points our wingers were as big as the props. And we had some class halves to direct us around too. I certainly would love to see how that Bradford team would do in todays super league.
Q. In the 2006 world club challenge Bradford were missing the first choice pairing of Paul Deacon and Robbie Paul, were there ever any doubts that Bulls were vulnerable without that partnership.
Q. In the 2006 world club challenge Bradford were missing the first choice pairing of Paul Deacon and Robbie Paul, were there ever any doubts that Bulls were vulnerable without that partnership.
A. With every World club challenge we were wrote off .Particularly on this occasion with the loss of Deacs and the exodus of players the year before. The team didn't doubt .Only the external people.
Q. You had a stab at coaching with your old pal Paul Anderson, can you tell us about Paul's approach to coaching and does he still have his no nonsense approach he had as a player.
Q. You had a stab at coaching with your old pal Paul Anderson, can you tell us about Paul's approach to coaching and does he still have his no nonsense approach he had as a player.
A. Yes Baloo still has the no nonsense approach. A very honest and upfront one.
Q. As we are all aware Bradford have been put through the mill over the past few seasons with uncertainty on future and more besides, do you think that Bulls can bounce back and become a dominant force again or is there more of a level playing field than the early days of Super League and will there be a team that will dominate again.
A. I hope the bulls bounce back and get back into super league. The Championship can prove a curse some times with teams exhausting their resources to go all out for re entrance into super league. Meaning that if they fail it leaves them in a bad position.
I think the results in super league will see more upset results as the quality of teams tighten .Mainly due to the overall team player quality dropping .Due to the fact that now that the best Aussies and kiwi's will generally stay in Aus. And the best talent from here will leave for Aus or rugby union .
Q. An ongoing debate we are having with all our featured interviewees is the fact of England or Great Britain, the gap appears to be still there between the Hemispheres. Having played for GB and England, do you think a GB team would create a bigger pool of players to choose from and give more choices of talent available.
Q. An ongoing debate we are having with all our featured interviewees is the fact of England or Great Britain, the gap appears to be still there between the Hemispheres. Having played for GB and England, do you think a GB team would create a bigger pool of players to choose from and give more choices of talent available.
A. There is a special feeling about playing for Great Britain .Representing your country is the highest honour .A great Britain team gives you without doubt more depth of selection. The question is how much would that differ from the England team picked that year??? I would suggest by very little .
Q. The seasons are long and gruelling as it is, but do you think a mid season international to help gel an International side in preparations for a series ,could be a feature? or even having another Origin Series, such as Yorkshire/ Lancashire
Q. The seasons are long and gruelling as it is, but do you think a mid season international to help gel an International side in preparations for a series ,could be a feature? or even having another Origin Series, such as Yorkshire/ Lancashire
A. Only if the amount of games is cut do I ever think a mid season series is viable. Or fair on the fans or players. With some players missing it to take the chance for rest also knowing they have the rest of the season to win a place in the end of season internationals. Or taking the chance to have needed medical work.
Q. You also had a stab at Boxing to raise money for the Steve Prescott foundation, what were the preparations like for that and was it similar to Rugby league training?
Q. You also had a stab at Boxing to raise money for the Steve Prescott foundation, what were the preparations like for that and was it similar to Rugby league training?
A. It was similar in the fact the serious way we approached it . I was lucky to be trained by one of my best pals Jimmy Moore who was a ex pro boxer and pro boxing coach. We also sparred with the professional Mark Hobson (former British and commonwealth cruiserweight champion ) and Paul Bonsan who were both very generous to give up their time for me.
Q. What advice would you give to Bulls fans ahead of our campaign in the Championship.
Q. What advice would you give to Bulls fans ahead of our campaign in the Championship.
A. Make Odsal the feared place it once was.
Q. Finally Stuart, how do you predict that the season will pan out at your former club Huddersfield, is a Grand final appearance on the cards?
Q. Finally Stuart, how do you predict that the season will pan out at your former club Huddersfield, is a Grand final appearance on the cards?
A. I certainly think Huddersfield will be top 6, but with the current squad I cant seem them bringing home any silverware. I hope I’m proved wrong.
Once again our thanks to Stuart for taking the time to speak to us at BULLieve. All the best in your future ventures.
SUMMER BASH!!!!!!!!!!
Well Bulls supporters what can we say about your entry into the Summer Bash, each and every one of you deserves a massive pat on the back, go on and take another look Here .
Bulls supporters really got into the spirit of the day and so did the boys on the field walking away with a 18-4 victory Adrian Purtell with 2 tries, and Ryan Shaw with a try, it was a tough hard battle for the Odsal boys, typical of a Bradford/Halifax game really and at times scrappy with too many unforced errors, the defensive effort cant be faulted though and neither can the supporters who really showed the championship our qualities well done to you all. Dennis Foley sent a few pictures in from the bash and it looked as though you all had a great time.
Bulls supporters really got into the spirit of the day and so did the boys on the field walking away with a 18-4 victory Adrian Purtell with 2 tries, and Ryan Shaw with a try, it was a tough hard battle for the Odsal boys, typical of a Bradford/Halifax game really and at times scrappy with too many unforced errors, the defensive effort cant be faulted though and neither can the supporters who really showed the championship our qualities well done to you all. Dennis Foley sent a few pictures in from the bash and it looked as though you all had a great time.
Of course we are all very saddened by the tragic news of Danny Jones, Danny left behind a wife and 5 month old twins, all the best efforts were made to attempt to save him but sadly passed away in hospital, once again the Rugby League community has pulled together and have raised a tremendous amount of money for his family so far at publishing, on the just giving page over £173,000,00 has been raised of the 175.000.00 target
Keighley Cougars have honoured Danny by retiring his No.6 Jersey and naming one of the stands in his honour, they have also publicly said they will honour the remainder of his contract with the money going into a trust for his twin daughters. Should you wish you to donate to Danny's Just Giving page you can do so by Clicking Here. A tragic loss R.I.P Danny.
FANS INTERCTIONS AND MENTIONS.
FANS INTERCTIONS AND MENTIONS.
At BULLieve we are always asking for fans interactions as without your help and input our blog wouldn't be what it is, Pete Smith has been in touch and sent us some pictures from a recent game between Boothtown Masters and Boothtown terriers, raising money for the Danny Jones fund. The game itself was played under masters rules. The pennine league open age team were left a little bemused and frustrated by the rugby league masters rules, which meant many fines were incurred with each indiscretion. Michael Blagborough from the 1904 @dean clough provided pie and peas and £110 was raised which makes a total of £400 so far. Well done lads
Here are a few pictures that were kindly submitted by Pete Smith,
We thank you all for taking your time to read our blog, we hope you enjoy it as much as we do writing it, if you want to get in touch with us for anything you may want to be featured you can contact us on Facebook at Bradford Bulls BULLieve, Twitter @BullsBullieve or drop us an e mail
at bullieve@hotmail.co.uk, We hope your all in fine voice ready for Sunday against Doncaster. Keep BULLieveing!!!!!
