WHAT great news that the Bulls v Rhinos game on Sunday sold out earlier this week.

What an absolutely fitting tribute and a marvellous reflection upon the rugby league family and its collective response to the heart-breaking circumstances.

We at the Bulls are proud to be participating in what should be a marvellous celebration of everything that is good about rugby league and we hope and believe that the occasion will do the sport proud.

As has been reported that we have agreed with our friends at Leeds to vary the strict rules of the sport to allow some of the former great players who have played with and against Robbie Burrow to take the field in the last quarter, adding some glowing nostalgia to the occasion.

We are grateful to and thank those former players who have put their hands up, or more appropriately their boots back on, to give the sell-out crowd a rare treat.

Former players invariably keep themselves in great shape and it will be great to acknowledge their own contribution to the building of the Leeds/Bradford rivalry over the years. Let’s hope it is sensibly refereed!

Speaking of the Leeds/Bradford rivalry, this occasion once again reminds the rugby league world about the positive relationship between our two great clubs.

We can do no more than repeat the quote from Steve Smith, Sky Sports executive director, who said: “Fixtures between Leeds Rhinos and Bradford Bulls are always a highlight in the rugby league calendar.”

This quote was included in the press release announcing the unprecedented decision by the broadcaster to also cover the event and, what is more, to syndicate those pictures around the globe.

The walls of Odsal are adorned with the images of the halcyon days of balmy spring and summer evenings in front of crowds approaching and exceeding 20,000 from a decade plus ago. Quite rightly by the way.

Let’s remind the world that this is 2020 and our rivalry is still strong and respectful, not a concept simply from the annuls of history.

As John Kear said, it will be great for the players to see the red, amber and black jerseys, from across the generations, publicly demonstrating our club’s support and respect for the occasion and for the two individuals around which the whole event has been crafted.

The circumstances are, of course , very different from last season’s Challenge Cup tie but whatever the occasion, Leeds v Bradford is a fixture the whole sport should be proud of.

Speaking of being proud, how typical of this playing group to offer to pay for their own tickets. Congratulations and thanks to all concerned for another selfless gesture initiated by the leadership group with the squad. As indeed are those walkers who are making their way to Headingley step by step, literally, on Sunday morning. Well done to Mick Gledhill for initiating this very generous idea.

Can we also welcome home Danny Waite-Pullan, back at the Bulls from Leeds.

Danny was one of our leading Academy prospects some years ago and we are truly delighted he has chosen to renew his association with his home club, exactly the same as Joe Brown did when he returned last year from Wigan. I am sure he wants to make up for lost time and get stuck in.

On the subject of players and squad strength, we have had some questions on the 'Ask the Bulls' forum about future signings. Danny is one and there will be a further announcement next week.

The coaching staff remain of the view that the playing group are moulding into a really solid group. There is much to look forward to.

Which moves us onto next week at Dewsbury when we take a first look at our new temporary home. I say temporary simply to re-emphasise that everyone at this club sees our occupancy at Dewsbury as a transient necessity and one for which we are extremely grateful to Mark Sawyer and his colleagues.

We hope our loyal fans can be patient and stay with the club while we seek to progress our non-negotiable return to the city limits. Nothing is straight forward but that is the clear, unbendable objective.

Next weekend we play Dewsbury so we are going to have to have an arm wrestle over who gets the home changing room. First in, first served perhaps! Only joking; the club has already decided to use the away dressing room all season to build some familiarity and sense of continuity.

It will be strange for all concerned, but for this season at least this is our reality. However, let us remember it is the Bulls Army - the red, amber and black - that is the beating heart of the club, not the physical environment we play in, so we hope as many people as possible can join us at Dewsbury next Sunday.

Finally, the club has decided to introduce an honorary president position. Most clubs have such a role to represent the very best of what a club stands for. We hope to be in a position to announce this award next week to a very, very worthy recipient.

Come on you Bulls!