BULLS winger Joe Brown is finally set to make his first-team bow at Odsal today against York, but the scholarship and academy star, who has been with the club for years, has a big confession to make.

He admitted: "I'm actually from Leeds originally, and me and my whole family were all Rhinos fans.

"So my main memories of Odsal as a kid were watching a lot of Leeds and Bradford derbies there.

"But with all the time I've spent at Bradford, they all follow the Bulls for me now."

Brown appeared in two first-team games while Bulls were still at Odsal back in 2019, but both were away, at Barrow and York.

So on finally getting the chance to run out at Odsal under John Kear, Brown said: "I can't wait.

"It's been a long time away from Odsal, as obviously we left even before Covid hit, so I just want to get out there.

"I played at Odsal quite a bit with the scholarship and academy, but never a first-team game, so this is a real box-ticker for me.

"It (returning) particularly means a lot for the boys from Bradford, and a lot of them came through the academy like me.

"I've known a lot of my team-mates since we were young lads, so the chance to walk out with them at Odsal will be special."

Brown does not view this week's loan signing of utility back Ashton Golding as a concern, and instead enthused: "If you look at Ashton's record in Super League and the games he's played there it's impressive.

"He has that experience at the top end of the Championship with Featherstone too, and I'm sure he'll help me out in any way he can.

"He can step in anywhere across that back row which is a big plus for us."

Bulls are building an impressive squad, but York have some stars of their own, setting up a mouthwatering clash this afternoon.

Brown mused: "It's a massive game. You've only got to look at who they signed before the season, like Adam Cuthbertson, Ryan Atkins and Ben Jones-Bishop from Super League.

"They've got quality all over and plenty of style.

"But they can spar too, so I think it'll be a tough clash where we have to work hard. We'll go into the game with the mindset that we'll have to grind it out with them.

"I'm excited by the challenge, as they're one of the best teams in the league, who are well-coached by James Ford."

This York clash is part of a tricky run for Bulls, which they kicked off with a bang in the 33-8 win at London Broncos last Sunday.

Brown said: "We'd been looking for that 80-minute performance, as we'd been having 10/15 minute lapses and letting ourselves down.

"If you're being picky, it was maybe not the best start, but we hung in there, stayed patient and put ourselves in position to go on and win, which we did really well.

"We made a statement of intent with that, and the signings we've been making, and we've got five really big games coming up.

"We'll continue building and try and pick up a few wins."