Branded as a wild child for much of his career, Danny Sculthorpe believes it’s about time he was seen as a father figure.

After making Bradford his eighth club in a colourful 14-year career, the veteran prop has finally found somewhere he would be happy to settle down.

At 30, he’s had enough of the upheaval and has fully embraced his position as an ‘old head’ in Steve McNamara’s youthful Bulls squad.

Crucially, it was a role he never felt able to take on during a torrid three years under John Kear at Wakefield Trinity Wildcats.

“I didn’t enjoy my time there,” said Sculthorpe.

“I just think it’s because of the way John Kear is. He’s an ex-school teacher and that’s the way he treats the players.

“There’s no fun at all. It’s his way or no way and he doesn’t listen to what the players have to say.

"Steve Mac's not like that. He knows when to have a laugh but he knows when it's time for the serious work."

Sculthorpe feels he was hung out to dry by his former boss – ushered out of the club in May after an incident when he and Danny Brough broke an alcohol ban on the team bus after a game at Harlequins.

But a loan move to Huddersfield Giants proved to be just what was needed, the Leeds academy product rediscovering his form and enjoyment for the game at the tail-end of last season.

The option had been there to remain at the Galpharm but a gut feeling told Sculthorpe to head to Bradford.

He said: “I’m really enjoying it here so far.

“I don’t feel like I’ve got something to prove as such. I had a really good second half to last season with Huddersfield and got myself really fit, so I’ll just look to continue where I left off.

“I’m 30 now, so I’m an old head. I’m enjoying working with the Burgess twins and some of the other young lads – it’s nice to be in this position.

“You just try to pass on a few things, talk to them and encourage them. I love it.”

Sculthorpe is faced with a frustrating wait for his Bulls debut, ruled out of the club’s pre-season trial games with a niggling back injury.

Fitness has always been a fine balancing act for the Oldham-born star, who has had diabetes since 1995 after it was brought on by the trauma of a dislocated kneecap suffered playing for Waterhead’s under-16s.

Forced to do four insulin injections a day and regular blood-sugar tests, it is something he has simply learned to live with.

"They said the trauma of the injury brought it on," said Sculthorpe.

"But it was about three or four weeks before I knew I had it. I lost three stone and kept going to the toilet all the time so I went to the doctor's and that's when I found out I had diabetes.

“You just have to make sure you’re on top of it to be honest.

“I have to check my blood a lot more regularly and, especially after a long session, it tends to dip quite quickly so I have to take on more carbs than I usually do.

“All players really look after their diet, so that’s no problem, but it has been hard for me to control my weight.

“If other players want to shed a few pounds they can cut out the carbs but I can’t afford to do that.”