ETHAN RYAN is hoping to help create some special memories for a new generation of Bulls supporters when the Bradford v Leeds Super League derby returns for the first time since 2014.
Bradford will be looking to bounce back from Thursday’s disappointing 40-28 defeat to Castleford when the Rhinos travel to Odsal on Friday for the first of three league meetings between the sides this season.
The Bulls are currently unbeaten at Odsal this season, and while they will have a task on their hands to keep that run going, Ryan knows it will still be a special event for all involved.
“It’s a great occasion for Super League to have the Bradford v Leeds derby back,” Ryan told League Express.
“Through the years there have been some really good games between the sides, but we’ve not seen it for many years now, so it’s good to have it back and hopefully we can produce something special.
“We’ve been putting on a good show at Odsal so far this year and the fans have been turning out to watch us. So we know we’ll be playing at a packed out Odsal Stadium and it will be a really good day to be a part of.
“I have some great memories of watching these games from the stands as I was growing up and now it’s about giving the fans now some similar memories. This is a new generation of the club and with that we have new fans coming in. So for them to experience a game like this will be pretty special.”
While it might be his first Super League taste of the derby fixture, Ryan was part of the Bulls team that beat Leeds 24-22 in the Challenge Cup fourth round tie in 2019. Only he, Rowan Milnes and Sam Hallas remain at the club from that squad – even though they have all had a spell away from Odsal in between times.
And after finally fulfilling a boyhood dream of playing in Super League for Bradford, Friday night gives Ryan the chance to chalk off another first.
“I was actually talking about that cup game before we kicked off against Huddersfield (the last game at Odsal) because all the dancers that were there to try and break the World Record were sat up in that end terrace,” added Ryan, who left the Bulls for Hull KR at the end of the 2019 season.
“I was saying that when Leeds come that’s likely to be open again and packed out. The last time I can remember it being open was for that Leeds game, it was really busy and noisy that day, and Friday won’t be any different.”