JOHN Kear has revealed his own very personal Odsal connection as the Bulls prepare to say goodbye this weekend.

Sunday’s final home game of the season against Sheffield will be a poignant occasion ahead of the club’s proposed switch to Dewsbury next year.

Kear knows full well what it will mean to the fans who have grown up watching their rugby at Bradford’s spiritual home.

The Bulls coach also has one particularly private link with one of rugby league’s great landmarks.

He said: “The last time I saw my dad (Herbert) was prior to Castleford playing Bradford in 1989.

“He had a heart attack on the way travelling back from Odsal and passed away. So there is a very emotional memory for me.

“I can understand the emotional attachment but it’s a business decision to leave.

“Do the fans want the club to be in a progressive situation or do they want us to constantly struggle simply to survive?

“If you look at the distribution from the RFL in League One, it was £75k – and £72,000 went on rent.

“So, we had three grand to run Odsal and get a team together to get out of that division. I think we did a pretty good job.

“But that’s the equation. The club has been playing with one arm behind its back.”

The Bulls have signed up to play at Dewsbury’s Tetley’s Stadium for the next two years - though the RFL have only approved the move for one season at this stage. Chairman Andrew Chalmers has stated his intention to return to the city in a purpose-built new base.

Read more: Why the RFL have only approved Bulls' move for one season

Kear insists clubs having to move grounds on a temporary basis is nothing new in the sport.

“Let’s look at Sheffield who were playing in the 1895 Cup final at Wembley on Saturday.

“They’ve played at Wakefield and Doncaster and they’re not in a Sheffield postcode.

“I know it’s a vastly different support base but they are still batting along.

“Dewsbury played at Batley whilst their ground was redeveloped. They carried on.

“There are countless examples. It’s just a very tough decision.

“Yes, it will upset some people but it had to be made for the long-term benefit of the club.”

The biggest fear among fans is that once the club leave Bradford it will be years before they come back, despite Chalmer’s confidence.

“It’s bound to be a worry and I’m not a fortune teller,” added Kear. “I can’t see into the future.

“But I know full well the intention is to bring the club back.

“Whether that’s in two years, four years, I don’t know. But as far as I’m aware the intention is to come back.

“The only thing that’s certain in life is taxes, death and change - and this is one of them.”