NEW signing Richie Mathers is just one of the stars featured in the T&A's Bulls 2016 Season Preview. Pick up a copy of today's newspaper for your special 12-page supplement including a team poster – or visit www.telegraphandargus.co.uk throughout the week for more great interviews with Adrian Purtell, Epalahame Lauaki and Jay Pitts...

RICHIE Mathers’ affiliation to Leeds as a city and its sporting institutions is not even up for debate.

He was born and raised there, played his amateur rugby at East Leeds and went on become a Grand Final winner with the Rhinos.

He takes in games at Headingley as a fan when time allows and is also a keen Leeds United supporter.

Yet joining the Bulls, a club he has historically viewed as an arch-rival, was a no-brainer for the 32-year-old full back.

“Bradford was really the only club I would have come out of retirement for and I’m not just saying that,” said Mathers.

“I’ve been really lucky to have played at some really good clubs and had a really good career.

“I must put on record and say that coming here wasn’t a case of me being self-indulgent to play again.

“The move had to be right and this felt right. It feels right.

“I’ve actually got some of my best memories from playing at Odsal, albeit as a Leeds player, in those big Super League derbies from 2002 to 2006.

“The crowds were massive both here and at Headingley and I always had a lot of respect for what Bradford did off the field.

“They were at the forefront of Super League really and they’re obviously in a transitional phase right now.

“I genuinely feel they have got good people on board now with Steve Ferres, Robbie Hunter-Paul and of course the owner, Marc Green.

“Winning promotion is the aim and that’s the case for all the full-time clubs in the Championship.

“If you look at the middle eights and the Million Pound Game, then I think it’s a realistic target.

“Now that everyone has had a season of bedding into how the system works, I think it’s about peaking at the right time and showing your best form at the end of the year.

“Clubs like ourselves, Leigh, London, Sheffield and Halifax have ambition to get into Super League but, having experienced the Championship with London last year, I know it’s a tough league.”

Mathers, of course, was part of the golden generation of homegrown youngsters who swept Leeds to win their first championship for 32 years in 2004.

Chev Walker and Matt Diskin were among that crop and now serve as assistants to Bulls boss Jimmy Lowes, another Leeds old boy.

With Mathers having played under Lowes at Warrington, it was easy to see why a move to Bradford made sense.

That said, it was not easy to smooth the way for the move when he already had roles at Warrington Wolves and kit manufacturer ISC.

Mathers works three days as player welfare manager at the Wolves and has an ambassadorial role at ISC.

Rather than relinquishing either position, he will combine them with his playing commitments and family life.

Mathers added: “All my wife’s family are massive Bulls fans and I was speaking to my father-in-law last week about me coming here.

“All that side of the family will be pleased and I’m really excited too.

“I had an offer to sign here for the 2006 season when Steve McNamara was Bradford coach.

“I was coming off contract at Leeds and was also in negotiations with the Gold Coast Titans, so ended up going there.”

After his spell in Australia, Mathers returned to England to play for Wigan before joining Warrington, where he enjoyed two Challenge Cup finals in successive years against Huddersfield and Leeds respectively.

It was a dream come true for a player who went to Wembley with his dad in 1999 to watch the Rhinos beat London Broncos when East Leeds old boy Leroy Rivett scored four tries.

After Warrington came spells at Castleford and Wakefield before he dropped into the Championship to sign for London Broncos ahead of the 2015 campaign.

Injury and a controversial betting ban ensured the move was a nightmare and led to Mathers retiring last September.

Mathers said: “Looking back, and with the benefit of hindsight, going to London probably wasn’t the best move for me, especially with my family being up in Leeds and me living down there.

“I had the injury and then the ban, so after everything I went through I was happy not to play again.

“But I’ve got the opportunity to come here and play again on my terms.

“It was a crazy few days last week figuring everything out but every day got a bit more exciting the closer I have got to fixing a deal.

“Steve Ferres and I did this deal ourselves and there were no agents involved.

“A couple of clubs made little enquiries about me but I didn’t need to do it, whereas I really want this opportunity at Bradford.”

Mathers’ experience and noted professionalism, not to mention his ability to marshall the defensive line and score tries at the other end, should serve the Bulls well over the coming season.

He is not expecting to walk into the team as the first-choice full back and can expect competition from the likes of Oscar Thomas, Johnny Campbell and James Clare throughout the year.

Mathers, who played all his junior rugby as a stand-off, said: “There is no hiding the fact I’m coming into the group in the last week of January and all the other lads have done a full pre-season.

“First and foremost, it’s not about getting a starting spot but earning the respect your team-mates and Jimmy.

“I want to enjoy it, hopefully enhance the group and the bi-product of that is an increased competition for places.

“Whoever is training and playing well will get that spot.

“In squads I’ve had in the past, that has what has brought success.

“You’ve got to contribute to the group first and earn your respect. You don’t just want to get put in because you’re a signing.”

Watching Warrington play Leigh from the stands in a recent pre-season friendly convinced Mathers he was ready to return to the game he loves.

He explained: “It is kind of sadistic really because you don’t miss playing when you’re watching games but then you realise you could do it again it makes you want to get back out there. It’s quite twisted.”

Given the deal is for this season only, is Mathers thinking about retirement at the end of 2016 or could he look to continue playing?

“Steve and I have been really open and honest with each other about where we are at,” said Mathers, who should make his debut in Sunday’s Championship opener at home to Featherstone.

“If it fits for Bradford and it fits for me, then I’m sure we’ll come to some arrangement.

“But that’s 10 months down the line and I would have to earn it.

“It’s a classic case of me sitting here and saying ‘you never say never’ because I never thought I’d be sat here.

“A week ago, if you told me I would be sat here as a Bradford Bulls player I’d have said you were crazy.

“Therefore I’m really open-minded about it and I’m really looking forward to this year and everything that comes with it – training, the smell of the changing room, the atmosphere.

“These are things you take for granted. At Warrington, I’ve been sat behind a desk, meeting players and helping them with their futures.

“Signing for Bradford came out of the blue and it took some work to get it over the line. Now I’m here, I can’t wait to get playing.”