IAN Ormondroyd earned cult status after his two spells with Bradford City at Valley Parade, but his son Jack is also doing the family proud.

The boyhood Bulls fan, 23, plays for Featherstone Rovers and should line up against his hometown club at Odsal tonight.

It will be a special occasion for the imposing prop, who like his father stands 6ft 5in but boasts a rather more muscular frame.

“It sounds a bit of a cliché, but it would be a dream come true to play against Bradford,” says Ormondroyd, who tips the scales at 17st.

“I used to go and watch the Bulls with my dad and Odsal is five or ten minutes away from my house in East Bierley.

“I never had a season ticket but I would go and watch the big derbies against Leeds.

“Paul Deacon was one of my heroes, even though he didn’t play in my position, and Stuart Fielden. It would be amazing to play there.”

Ormondroyd works with his dad at City’s Football in the Community department, which Ormondroyd senior heads up.

Jack began his rugby league career with Drighlington and trained briefly with the Bulls before opting to join Featherstone four years ago.

He has established himself in the first team this season after spending last year playing in Australia.

Ormondroyd explained: “My coach at Drig was Mark Robinson, who used to work at Bradford.

“I went training at the Bulls a couple of times but signed for Featherstone as I thought I probably had a better chance there as Bradford were in Super League at the time.

“I played for Featherstone’s reserves before going to Australia last year with the Thirlmere Roosters, a country rugby league team.

“While it wasn’t a high-profile competition, it toughened me up.

“I did a full season there and played about 20 games, plus the lifestyle was really good.

“I was working over there, doing pipe-laying, as the chairman of the club had his own company with Australian water.”

Ormondroyd was not sure what to expect when Featherstone appointed Andy Hay as head coach ahead of this season.

But he is approaching double figures in appearances this term and featured in Sunday’s win at Hunslet – Featherstone’s fourth victory in five games, which saw debutant Paul Cooke score twice.

Ormondroyd said: “This year has been good for me because I didn’t know where I would be.

“In pre-season, we had loads of props and I wasn’t too optimistic.

“But I’ve played a few games now and I’ve done alright, so it’s going well and hopefully I can get a new deal for next year.”

Ormondroyd, who went to Whitcliffe Mount School with former Bulls academy players Ben Hellewell and Tom Lillycrop, who he counts among his best friends, has found inspiration from his father’s sporting success.

Ormondroyd senior played for the Bantams, Aston Villa, Derby and Leicester and combines his community role at Valley Parade with commentary work on City matches for local radio.

Jack, whose brother Tom plays football for Farsley Celtic, added: “I speak to my dad a lot and would love to make a career out of professional sport like he did.

“That’s my aim and while rugby and football are different, there are similar qualities you need to succeed.

“I went to watch my dad play at Wembley a couple of times. I was only young, but I vaguely remember and I know what he achieved in football.

“I came back from Australia in November, had a week off and have been working in the community department at City with him ever since. I’m enjoying it.”