BULLS veteran George Flanagan knows there is no room for sentiment in rugby league, but he admits the incredible player turnover at the club in recent weeks has hit him hard.

While some of Bradford’s signings have impressed, notably that of former Warrington half-back Dec Patton, plenty of first team regulars have departed.

Brandon Pickersgill, Joe Brown and Sam Hallas are three of the biggest names to have moved elsewhere, with the loss of the latter a particular blow on a personal level to Flanagan.

The 35-year-old explained: “A lot of my good friends have left, so it is strange and it hasn’t been easy.

“Sam is one of those good mates, and the loss of him in particular is a real shame.

“When I joined in 2018, it was the two of us sharing the role at hooker alongside Vila Halafihi, so we’ve been through a lot together over the last few years.

“It was a bit of a sucker punch when he rang me up and told me he was going to Newcastle, but I wish him all the best up there, though I hope he has a shocker when they play us.

“We’ll stay in contact though, and I hope we’ll always be close.”

After being released from his contract last month by Bulls, second-row Brad Gallagher has joined Hallas up in Newcastle.

They are just two of the 20 or so signings that have been made by the ambitious North-East side, and Flanagan mused: “I’ve played them a few times, and I’ve been impressed at how far they’ve come since we were in League 1 with them in 2018.

“It’s a great game day experience up there, with good facilities, and with them having a full-time environment now, that’s only going to help them.

“They’ve signed those 20-odd players in the off-season and it’s becoming a great story up there.

“I’m all for expansion in the sport, so I hope they continue to progress.”

Clubs like Bradford and Newcastle are starting to return for pre-season, with Bulls’ first session taking place last Monday.

Flanagan said: “It was a good first week, but a tough one all the same.

“On that Monday, it was just a case of seeing who had kept up with their off-season fitness programmes, and we know it’s going to be gruelling now we’re back properly.

“But it was great to see all the lads again, as well as John Kear and the coaching staff.

“Even beyond that, it was great to see all the staff around Tong, who’ve put in some fantastic work over the off-season.

“The place has had a lick of paint in the last couple of months and it’s looking really impressive.”