IN 2004, Chev Walker helped Leeds to end a 32-year wait for the championship as they defeated arch-rivals Bradford in the Grand Final.

Over a decade on, Jimmy Lowes has appointed Walker as his captain as the Bulls seek to make an immediate return to Super League.

It was recognition of his professionalism and a tribute to the respect he commands not only in the dressing room at Odsal but throughout the game.

It would be easy to roll out the clichés about Walker having come a long way since spending time in a young offenders institution following a brawl in Leeds city centre in 2003.

He is now a married family man with two young boys and is seen as a role model for the Bulls’ aspiring youngsters.

Yet Walker said: “I was never not a good role model. I messed up once, got punished and was probably made an example of more than anything.

“People just misinterpreted how I am perceived because of what happened. The media obviously paint a different picture to what I’ve actually been like.

“My personality has never changed and, while it has never been broadcast before, now it has been rewarded through Jimmy making me captain.

“But I’ve not actually changed as a person. I’ve obviously matured a little bit more but I was never one of those wild ones.

“That shows with the fact that, from the age of 16 when I made my debut for Leeds, I’ve never been out of the team.

“If I was a loose cannon, I wouldn’t have had the career I’ve had.”

Ryan Bailey was also jailed for his part in the brawl but Leeds stood by both men and they have gone on to enjoy outstanding careers.

“It could have broken us but we had the support of the club and we’ve got good families,” added Walker.

“Looking back, I did wrong and I’ve always put my hand up and said sorry to Leeds and my team-mates for that because I felt like I’d let them down.

“I made a mistake, made up for it and just tried to forget about it.

“It’s one of those things that has happened in my life – like my breaking my leg – which builds character.

“I never looked at it as a negative. If anything it was a waste of time because I wasn’t a bad lad and didn’t need reforming.”

Walker’s willingness to play in any position asked of him should serve the Bulls again well this season.

He said: “I’m versatile and if I have to play prop then I’ll play prop.

“Jimmy has made me club captain but we’ve got a team of captains with Purts (Adrian Purtell), Gaskey (Lee Gaskell) and Cloughy (Paul Clough) also named as captains.

“The squad know that and I’m not guaranteed to play every game and I don’t think that’s the intention anyway.

“But my role doesn’t change because I’m not playing.

“It’s about the day-to-day work and keeping that bridge between the coaching staff and the players, to ensure we are all tight.

“It has taken some getting used to. Obviously I’ve been a senior player for a while but the captain’s role is a little bit different.

“It’s just about finding my feet whether to let Jimmy talk or talk myself.

“The process will develop throughout the year but I’m enjoying leading from the front and being that bridge between the players and Jimmy.

“Jimmy has got the respect of all the boys but I’m there to be able to convey the boys’ point of view. It’s another challenge and I’m up for it.”