JOHN Kear hopes the Odsal roar can help the Bulls continue their Challenge Cup fairytale today.

The experienced coach has twice lifted the famous trophy as a coach and admits steering a Championship club into the semi-finals would rank alongside that.

Whoever wins the clash with Halifax will become the first team from the second tier to get that far for 13 years.

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And having witnessed the difference a raucous home crowd made against Leeds in the last round, Kear insists the Bulls fans have another big role to play.

He said: “Getting through to the semi-finals would further invigorate this club and I want the occasion to be equally as big as the Leeds one.

“Not only on the field of play but I want as many people as possible here as well on the terraces.

“I want to hear that ‘c’mon you Bulls’ because it really helped us in the last round.

“We were fatigued and Leeds had us rocking on our heels. To hear that resounding around the stadium made them dig deeper than I’ve ever seen.

“We need a good following to get behind us to inspire us to that type of performance again.”

Hull KR were the last team from outside Super League to make it to the Challenge Cup last four in 2006 where they were beaten by eventual winners St Helens.

Kear added: “The fact it last happened 13 years ago so indicates how tough it is.

“You can get the cup shock in football. You can get a goal that goes in off somebody’s backside or an own goal and then do a Jose Mourinho and park the bus.

“You can’t do that in rugby league. You’ve got to play in a positive manner throughout the 80 minutes.

“That’s why shocks are fewer and far between.

“Obviously for a Championship team to get into the last four will be a shock for the competition.

“But obviously it will be the fairytale of the competition – and I just want it to be us as the central character.”

The Bulls are looking to make it a full set of West Yorkshire victims after knocking off Keighley, Featherstone and Leeds in previous rounds.

But having pulled off a major upset against the Rhinos, they will be seen by many as slight favourites with home advantage in the all-Championship duel.

“We’ve played the underdog card last time and it worked really well,” said Kear.

“I’m sure Halifax will be saying they are playing against the big city slickers at Odsal as well.

“I’m sure Simon Grix will play certain cards. Well we’ve got certain cards in our pack as well.

“Hopefully we’re energised, enthused and on point to play.

“To get a Championship team in the last four will be a massive achievement when you look at some of those who are out of the competition.

“Halifax have got to take great credit from beating London in the last round. That was a fantastic performance.

“And we can take great credit from putting a fellow top Championship team out in Featherstone as well as Super League Leeds.

“We’ve given ourselves the opportunity and it’s now a matter of seizing that.

“It’s a massive prize and the players are fully aware of that. You’ve got to make sure you let the emotion inspire you to great performance.”