Jamie Peacock admits Bradford Bulls were still in his heart - even when he was preparing to inspire Leeds Rhinos to Grand Final glory.

There's no need to cue exaggerated headlines - the formidable prop doesn't want a return to Odsal, while no-one can question the world's finest forward's desire to his current employers.

Anyone having witnessed this man in action knows it's impossible for the ultra-committed powerhouse to do anything at less than 100 per cent - a fact re-inforced when reading his excellent autobiography No White Flag.

But the fact he still holds Bradford so close needs to be mentioned following some of the coverage resulting from the initial unveiling of his book a fortnight ago.

That came on the eve of the Rhinos v Bulls Easter clash at Headingley.

All the headlines were about Peacock's revelation he had left Bradford for their arch-rivals in 2005 because of Iestyn Harris' contentious move to Odsal.

The towering forward, one of the most respected players in world rugby, said he had been "lied to" about the amount of money available when heading into contract talks.

The pot was apparently dry but Harris later joined for more cash. "It hurt and there was no loyalty" while "the breakdown in trust proved terminal."

It was a massive story - he had kept tight-lipped about reasons for moving to Leeds for almost three years - so the headlines wrote themselves.

But Peacock admits he feared some of those Bulls fans who once cheered his every drive would now despise him for criticising their club after one small segment of the autobiography was blown up and typically sensationalised.

"It was a negative spin on the book," he says. "I'm sure it grabbed some headlines, especially just before the derby, but that's not how I wanted it all to be viewed.

"Anyone who reads it will see I had my reasons for leaving but also soon realise that I also have the utmost gratitude to everyone involved in my career at Bradford.

"I know I would not have made it on my own - I wasn't that good a player - and the people who have coached me, all the backroom staff and everyone concerned were so helpful.

"There are so many good people there. They were vital for me but I don't think that came across in some of the initial coverage about the book." You don't have to dig deep into the text to see just how thankful Peacock is to Bradford and it is a fascinating read, charting the life and times of one of the game's true leading lights.

All RL fans will enjoy the remarkably candid account, but especially Bulls supporters who get a first inside look at how their club became one of the most successful of the Super League era.

No player from this vintage, apart from Harris who only arrived in 2004, has yet penned memoirs so Peacock's tale - he signed in 1996 - is not only an account of his own journey but the club's too.

It's packed full of amusing anecdotes, no holds-barred views on team-mates and opponents and the truth about his initial struggle to make it as a pro' before eventually leading his country to their first series win in 14 years.

But there's also the working-class hero's personal battle at beating innate shyness, twice almost losing his hand and overcoming a near-fatal disease to become a modern-day legend.

Meanwhile, Peacock explains how, ahead of Leeds' Grand Final win over Saints last October, the whole squad was asked by boss Tony Smith what it was that was fuelling their desire for victory.

He cited his former Bulls team-mates, with Peacock now expanding, saying: "People at Bradford taught me how to play.

"I picked up good habits from them and I won it (the Grand Final) as much for them - Brian McDermott, Jimmy Lowes, Scott Naylor and Mike Forshaw - as anyone else.

"They all gave me so much but none of them ever got to beat St Helens in a final. I could do that with Leeds and that's who I was thinking about - particularly Brian Mac.

"He finished his career by losing a Grand Final to a single point from Longy's drop goal. That was no way for him to go.

"I still carry a lot of feeling for them. I'm not a religious person but I am spiritual and I go around in life trying to take a little piece of those I meet.

"I hope I carry a bit of them all - players and coaching staff - when I go out on to the field, and it was certainly the case at Old Trafford."

Peacock, 30, admits writing the book was difficult. "It was strange," he said.

"I found it hard opening up to do it but I wanted to get it down on paper and have something for my family to look back on.

"It's all a bit of a paradox really because I am quite shy.

"What did it for me though was my granddad, who rang up just the other day.

"We've always been close but he told me - having read the book and realising fully the stuff I went through - that he would now die a happy and proud man.

"Hearing that made it all worthwhile."

His grandfather isn't the only person made happy and proud; anyone reading Peacock's amazing life-story will be hard-pressed not to feel those very same emotions.

* Jamie Peacock will be signing copies of his book at Asda Pudsey on Tuesday (4pm), and also at Waterstones in Bradford on Monday, April 14 (1pm).

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