Steve McNamara has paid tribute to testimonial man Paul Deacon - despite recalling how the Bulls skipper helped end his own playing career at Odsal!

The record-breaking scrum half celebrates a decade of service against Wigan on Sunday when boss McNamara sends out all his big guns to mark the occasion.

But the Bulls chief was a team-mate when 19-year-old Deacon made his try-scoring debut against Huddersfield ten years ago.

He remembers how the Great Britain star showed his class right from the start.

"I played in the same side as Deacs when he first started out back in '98 and '99," said McNamara, before adding tongue-in-cheek: "In fact, he was probably one of the reasons they gave me the boot!

"He was a young, organising scrum half who helped take the side around the field, which was one of my jobs.

"He was a pretty good goal-kicker too - who turned in to an excellent goal-kicker - which was another of my jobs, so Deacs was a success.

"The management team at the time probably thought he could come in and do the stuff I did and they didn't need both of us so thanks to Deacs I probably got shown the door!"

McNamara was released a year later when he moved on to an ill-fated spell at Wakefield but the duo are now back in tandem as player and coach.

McNamara, who made Deacon his skipper last season, admits it is hard to comprehend that a decade has already passed in the career of the man they call Babyface'.

"It does seem strange but this testimonial is thoroughly deserved," he said.

"Deacs has been at Bradford when it's been a really good time to be a Bradford player and he is the ultimate professional.

"He's been a big part of the club's success and he's got a lot of years left in him still; Deacs certainly isn't a veteran' of ten years.

"He's one of the young boys still and someone who has given a lot to the club.

"Hopefully the Bulls fans will turn out in force to show their support for him and give him a fitting tribute."

All six new Bradford signings will feature at Odsal on Sunday as record-points scorer Deacon makes an incredible 283rd appearance.

Former Wigan hooker Wayne Godwin, Ben Jeffries, Chris Nero and Simon Finnigan make their debuts while Semi Tadulala racks up his third pre-season outing and Paul Sykes his second.

Prop Chris Feather (back) is injured while Glenn Morrison is still recovering from shoulder surgery.

James Evans, Matt James and Shontayne Hape are the only other first-team players who may not figure.

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