Bradford Bulls hooker Flanagan puts 10-game ban behind him

The extrovert hooker is “chomping at the bit” to be involved for the Bulls against former club Batley on Sunday having served his 10-game ban.

Flanagan was slapped with the hefty punishment after being found guilty for the second time of “grabbing the testicles” in the Challenge Cup tie at Featherstone in March.

The 34-year-old, who still denies he did anything wrong, is desperate to pay back the Bulls for sticking by him.

And he revealed how tough some of the criticism has been for him and his family.

Flanagan said: “What’s happened has happened but I am still bitter about it. I had three or four weeks when I just didn’t want to play rugby anymore.

“I don’t like to be perceived as a bad person and I got a lot of negative reviews and comments.

“I came off social media for a bit. My little lad is coming up through the club as well and he was seeing certain stuff.

“That was the thing that hurt the most when it affects your family, especially because I knew deep down I was totally innocent.

“I told them not to read or listen to anything or report it back to me.

George Flanagan, left, is part of the Bulls' leadership group with captain Steve Crossley

“My family have always been there for me through thick and thin. My wife and kids are my main concern and they have been supportive.

“I want to go out and repay them – they’ve all told me to behave myself. I’m under strict orders from everyone.

“But I’m a player who plays on the edge and sometimes I let emotions get to me.

“All I want to do is win and do my best for Bradford as much as I can.”

Flanagan is hugely grateful for the backing he has had from the Bulls during his exile. He has been able to train throughout the ban and John Kear has kept him involved with different jobs.

“I can’t fault John Kear, Mark Dunning, everyone from Nigel Wood down to the players,” added Flanagan.

“Everybody at the club has been around me, supported me and kept me involved in things.

“I’m part of the leadership group and I’m in charge of the fines so I’ve been getting into it.

“The club have been absolutely tremendous. It would have been very easy for them to cut ties with me.

“It’s been a long slog. Initially it was going to be 10 weeks but with weekends off, Challenge Cup and stuff it’s been more like 14 or 15.

That was the thing that hurt the most when it affects your family, especially because I knew deep down I was totally innocent.

“I’m chomping at the bit and can’t wait to get going again and get back on the field, if selected, against my old club Batley on Sunday.”

Flanagan’s return will provide a timely lift as the Bulls head into the third versus fourth Championship clash on the back of successive losses to Featherstone and Widnes.

He has been a frustrated watcher this season but has been hugely impressed with Thomas Doyle’s performances in the nine role.

“Young Doyley has come on leaps and bounds this year. He’s been playing 70-80 minutes some games and that’s tough to do at any level.

“He’s taken it on the chin and he’s reaping his rewards. I think he’s been one of our best players so far.

“We want to beat teams in and around us and be cementing a play-off spot.

“Batley are going to be another tough test. I think they have been the surprise package this year.

“I’ve got total respect for them. They play some really good football which is pleasing to see and I’m close friends with the owner Kevin Nicholas - he runs the club how it should be.

“John Kear had a great four years there and I was with him for a couple. We had some good times but we need to be beating them this weekend.

“We’ve fallen off the wagon a bit but hopefully we can bounce back and I want to be out there doing as much as I can to help.”