ROSS Peltier has hailed the huge impact that Steve Crossley has had on the Bulls.

The experienced warhorse returned to Odsal this year to help his home-town club to promotion back to the Championship.

Crossley recently signed an extension to his contract to tie him to Odsal to the end of the 2020 campaign.

And while he remains on a part-time deal, because of his job as a financial protection advisor, team-mate Peltier knows he will continue to play a major role in the team’s progress.

The pair’s association goes back to playing amateur rugby together and Peltier believes there has been no better leader in John Kear’s squad.

He said: “Steve has been a massive influence. As soon as he took that captaincy, he’s calmed everything down.

“We both played for Clayton as kids. He’s a few years older than me so I’ve always looked up to him.

“He’s a player who leads from the front week in, week out.

“He’s been back and forth at this club. He’s a local lad like me and you can see that this club’s in him.

“He’s led us very well since he took the armband.

“This year has taught the young lads a lot and this experience will do them so much good. And having someone like Steve leading you makes such a difference.”

Crossley played 28 times last season, scoring six tries, but regularly stayed on for big minutes at the centre of the pack.

Having won back-to-back League One promotions with Toronto and the Bulls, Crossley cannot wait to get his teeth into the Championship again.

He said: “It’s going to be a tough ask because you look at some of the teams that are in the division this year and there are a lot more full-time teams included.

“But we will more than hold our own this year and do well.”

He is currently recovering from minor surgery on his left shoulder after undergoing an operation the week after the Bulls’ play-off final win.