Ian Sibbit admits the Bulls fans have a right to expect Super League success.

Since arriving from Salford last month, the experienced second-rower has quickly noticed a stark difference in attitude between the two clubs.

While fans at The Willows have become more accustomed to watching relegation scraps, Bradford have a strong history of success throughout the summer era, winning the title four times since 1997.

That tradition has made the past two seasons of relative struggle even more difficult to stomach, and Sibbit knows the pressure is on to bounce back after consecutive failures to reach the play-offs.

He said: “I think there is an expectation of success. Bradford have had success in the past and any club who’s had success want it again. Once you’ve tasted it, you just want to taste it again and hopefully we can do that this year.

“Odsal can be an intimidating place to play and the fans expect success but I’ve always loved playing there.

“It’s always been one of my favourite grounds, apart from the very first time I played there with Warrington Academy and I broke my ankle.

“Since then I’ve always enjoyed playing there and there is a really strong tradition at Bradford. I’ve been on the end of some hammerings but the crowd are always really good, really loud and I can’t wait to get out there in a Bradford kit.”

Anticipation for 2011 has been heightened by the success of the club’s Pledge 10,000 scheme, which saw 10,681 supporters promise to buy season tickets for next season.

That kind of commitment has not gone unnoticed by the players and Sibbit is thrilled about the prospect of playing in front of big crowds at Grattan Stadium, even considering the expectancy that will inevitably follow.

“It’s fantastic,” said Sibbit. “It’s a great idea and one that’s obviously paying off. To hear they had reached that pledge was very impressive so all credit to the fans.

“It builds up the anticipation ahead of our first game at Odsal knowing there’s going to be a big crowd there. It puts that pressure on us to perform but it’s a good pressure and one we want to fulfil. We want to set a standard and meet the standard the fans expect of us.

“Bradford were probably the first ones to really embrace Super League and they brought the crowds up. They have just kicked on from there with this scheme and hopefully we can get the success on the pitch now as well.”

* Two Bradford Bulls players - Adam O'Brien and Cain Southernwood - have been named in the England Academy squad to face the Australian Schoolboy tourists in Two Tests next month.