STEVE Crossley insists while tomorrow’s clash with Sheffield Eagles promises to be an emotional occasion before Odsal shuts its doors – his side ‘will not stop fighting’ for a play-off spot.

The Bradford-born prop grew up on the terraces at Odsal Stadium before graduating through the club’s academy to a first-team berth.

Now in his third spell, Crossley is now captain of his boyhood club and made his 100th appearance in the red, amber and black earlier this Betfred Championship season.

Speaking of the heartbreak at saying goodbye to a place that has brought him so many memories, the 29-year-old says the players are still focused on the task at hand.

“It is a disappointing as a Bradford lad, progressing through the club to now being captain, having to leave where we have grown massively as a brand is heartbreaking,” said Crossley.

“But we are professional rugby league players and we will do our job to the best of our ability, at Dewsbury in the first half we produced what I feel was one of our best performances of the season.

“We care about each other as a team and as blokes, there is no other team who have as many homegrown players so obviously there will be emotion around the game.

“We still have a chance of the play-offs, it has been an up and down season at times but we can be happy with how we have consolidated ourselves, whilst still being in with a shot mathematically.

“We are professionals so we need to get the job done – we won't stop fighting until it is over.

“The emotion comes into it and adds to our motivation – the game is massive and the occasion is also massive and I am excited to see what atmosphere we can produce one last time.”

Crossley recalls his memories of attending Bradford fixtures at Odsal with his father and uncle, watching his idols in action.

Having supported the club through its golden generation in the early noughties, the forward has many fond memories.

But becoming captain of the club and fulfilling a childhood dream, he admits there is one memory that sticks out more than most.

“I remember bright lights on a Friday night, I used to come with my dad and uncle as a six-year-old and James Lowes throwing a few punches in the scrum!” said Crossley.

“I had loads of great idols coming through from Joe Vagana to Paul Anderson to Stuart Fielden – then there was Andy Lynch who I ended up playing alongside.

“But I had never played against Leeds, so to captain them and beat them in the cup and the atmosphere in the ground – that will always live long with me.”