JOHN Kear wants the Bulls to embrace his lifelong love affair with the Challenge Cup and keep their run going.

They travel to Hunslet tomorrow for a testing tie against another League One rival who have made a 100 per cent start.

At stake is a place in the fifth-round draw when the bottom four teams in the Super League join the hat.

Kear remains a huge fan of the competition after lifting the trophy twice as a coach.

He oversaw Sheffield’s famous upset victory over Wigan in 1998 and was in charge of Hull FC when they knocked off a string of big names before edging Leeds in a one-point thriller seven years later.

Kear insists the Challenge Cup’s magic is still as strong for him as ever – and is why he wants the Bulls to progress as far as they can.

He said: “It’s always appealed from when I was at school and I used to watch it on TV.

“I just think it’s a fantastic competition and epitomises, for me, the tradition of rugby league.

“That’s why you’ve got to pay the opposition respect and the competition you are playing in.

“I’m a massive supporter of the Challenge Cup.”

Kear, who yesterday brought in Toronto utility back Jake Butler-Fleming on a one-month loan, still savours his two triumphs for different reasons.

Asked which victory he looks back on as the best, he added: “For a one-off occasion on the day it’s got to be Sheffield.

“It really was David v Goliath – and David came out on top.

“But for the whole Challenge Cup campaign, it has to be Hull in 2005.

“We beat a Super League team in every round. Bradford were in their pomp then, St Helens were a tidy team in the semi and then Leeds had only lost three games all season.

“They really had bossed the Super League and went on to win the Grand Final as well, so we did a pretty good job there.

“We earned that trophy because we’d done it the hard way.

“It’s why the Challenge Cup is so fascinating and that’s why you’ve got to respect Hunslet, who people may well perceive as underdogs.

“I know full well on any given day, the underdogs could come out on top.”

While promotion is priority, the Bulls would relish the opportunity of drawing one of the big boys in a potential money-spinner further into the competition.

“We could get a big Super League team at Odsal and get a great crowd,” said Kear. “There’s obviously that enticement.

“From a playing and coaching perspective, we’re competitors and we want to win whatever we do.

“Our mood is very intense for the league and anyone who has seen the two performances will realise that. It’s got to be a similar focus for tomorrow.

“Travelling to Hunslet poses its own problems. It’s a heavy pitch and a small one and does alter the type of game you can play.”

Butler-Fleming, who is not involved, has had a hectic time since finishing last season on loan at York from Hull KR.

He then signed a one-year deal with the Knights before Toronto came in with the offer of a permanent contract on the eve of the new campaign.

Now after just one appearance, when he scored two tries at Swinton, the 26-year-old is on the move again to Odsal.

He admitted: “It’s been a whirlwind few months. Moving all over the country, it’s hard to plan everything in my life at the moment.

“But I’m just looking forward to getting some games under my belt and go from there.

“I enjoyed my time at York last season. The Championship may be a bit quicker but it is just as physical in this league and you have to be willing to take a few knocks.

“Bradford have got the team to go up and stay in the Championship and I’m looking forward to helping them.

“You have to have the right attitude. Everyone’s going to bring their best game because Bradford are the biggest team in League One and you have to be mentally ready.”