Robbie Paul said his goodbyes to the Bulls last night but admitted: 'You will always have a place in my heart.'

The Bradford phenomenon was saluted by 5,800 fans in his testimonial at a rain-soaked Odsal.

He teamed up with pals Steve McNamara and Jimmy Lowes for the first half against Hull KR and showed glimpses of his magic before making way for Brian Noble's first team.

The Bulls ran out 28-12 victors but the score was irrelevant as the club and their supporters paid tribute to a "living legend."

"It was great to get out there with everyone for one last time," said Paul, back for one game only after joining Huddersfield Giants.

"I enjoyed it, although it was a lot like my first game here all those years ago. It was raining back then - and on my first two carries I dropped the ball twice as well!"

The Kiwi suffered a couple of knock-ons early doors but quickly overcame the embarrassment to make the most of his final fling.

"He was only supposed to have 20 minutes but he sent the call out 'Let me do 40!'," admitted Noble.

"We owed him that much. It was important he left the club in the right way and I think he did that last night.

"I spoke to both teams beforehand - the firsts and seconds if you like - and told them they needed to go out there and make a reflection of what Robbie has done for this club. He has been a real iconic figure and a Bulls legend."

At the end of the game, the soon-to-depart Bulls chairman Chris Caisley addressed the crowd and said: "Recently, I've said that Robbie has been the face of Bradford Bulls and the shop window of Bradford Bulls for more than a decade.

"In truth he was more than that. He epitomised the heart and soul of the Bradofrd Bulls and we thank him very, very much."

Paul had the supporters in a frenzy as he picked up the mike.

"One of the reasons I said I

wouldn't talk too long is because I promised myself I wouldn't cry!

"I didn't want it to be a sad occasion. It's a happy one and we came here to celebrate the success we've had since the start of Super League.

"The way I left last year I didn't get a chance to say thank you to the people who I need to say thank you to the most, and that's you guys.

"It doesn't matter who I play for for the rest of my career, Bradford is always going to be inside me."