Bradford Bulls fans' delight at return to Odsal Stadium

The club's return to their traditional home, after two years exiled in Dewsbury, was universally welcomed by their faithful when it was announced last week.

A restricted crowd of 4,000 were in the famous 88-year-old stadium for the club's return for a mouthwatering local derby with York City Knights in the Betfred Championship.

Before today's clash, Bulls had last played at Odsal in September 2019. But the stadium has since been used an outdoor cinema late last year and last month and for a stock car event earlier this month.

Odsal has opened its doors again to Bulls fans

Fans walking up to the turnstiles before kick-off were delighted the club had come back home.

Joe Carney, of Bowling, who has followed the Bulls for the last 73 years, said: "It's absolutely magic.

"This is just what we've been waiting for.

Bulls fan Joe Carney

"It's a relief to be back at Odsal. We don't know where we're going to end up playing in 18 months' time, though. We might end up at somebody else's ground."

Julie Ward, of Thackley, said: "It's fantastic, it's amazing. Dewsbury is a bit of a long trip, but they were very accommodating to us.

"Odsal is our home."

From left, Julie Ward, Shelia Kelly and Carla Simpson

Mark Cordingley, of Wakefield, said: "I've been coming here for 40 years, it's brilliant to be back.

"I think we were always going to come back to Odsal at some point."

From left, Craig Fulton and Mark Cordingley

Margaret McArdle, of Undercliffe, who returned to Odsal alongside her granddaughter, Maria Censani, and her great-granddaughter, Emilia Censani, aged six, said it was great to get back.

Margaret said: "My granddaughter rang me up and said 'what are you doing on Sunday?'

"I was so happy. Being back at Odsal came a bit out of the blue."

Maria added: "I don't drive so going to Dewsbury for games was harder, getting the bus. I'm excited, it's great to be back here."

Margaret McArdle, left, with her granddaughter Maria Censani and her great granddaughter Emilia Censani, aged six

Bob Ramsden, of Baildon, who has been a Bulls fan since 1978, said: "It's absolutely wonderful to be back at Odsal.

"I've watched us since 1978, winning Championships, playing in the Super League, then crash, crash, crash.

"This is the best thing that has happened to us for a long while.

"I just hope we have a good team behind the club, which I think we have."

Lesley Carlton, who has supported Bulls since 1964 and attended the match with his son Russell, said: "It's been a long time since we were here.

"Dewsbury was nice, but it wasn't home. It's lovely to be back.

"York is a tough game to come back to Odsal for.

"I've been counting down the sleeps until this game."

Great to have @OfficialBullsRL back at Odsal pic.twitter.com/S0nNHWzix9

— Judith Cummins (@JudithCummins) May 30, 2021

Bradford South MP Judith Cummins, who also attended the game, tweeted a picture from inside the stadium, writing: "Great to have Bradford Bulls back at Odsal."