Paul Deacon admits his testimonial game against Wigan can't be a walk in the park.

The skipper leads the Bulls out against his hometown club on Sunday in a match that salutes his glittering ten-year career so far at Grattan Stadium.

It promises to be an emotional occasion for the scrum half but he insists the team comes first and it is going to be a full-blooded affair.

"It's a funny feeling," Deacon said. "I'm really looking forward to the whole day and the fact it is actually my testimonial game.

"It's going to be a special occasion but there is a serious point to it all too.

"It's probably going to be our one main hit-out and our main practice game before the season starts proper.

"I'll have to concentrate on that and try and put all the other things to the back of my mind. It is a very important match for our preparation for Super League and I know Wigan are taking it just as seriously."

Both Steve McNamara and Brian Noble plan to field sides as strong as possible for the Odsal clash.

Deacon, meanwhile, struggles to believe a full decade has passed since he signed with Bradford as a starry-eyed teenager from Oldham Bears.

"It's gone so quick," said the club's record scorer, with more than 2,000 points under his belt.

"I still have to pinch myself that I'm about to run out for a testimonial game here.

"It only feels like two or three years since I first played for the club but having said that, the improvement in the game and the teams playing in the competition has been immense.

"Thinking back, Bradford have always had a good side but other teams have now stepped up to the plate.

"It's a great competition now and I'm enjoying my rugby more than ever."

Deacon got his first shot when legendary No 7 Shaun Edwards upped and left for London Broncos in 1998 following a controversial short stint at Odsal.

He hasn't looked back since and become an integral part of victorious Grand Final, Challenge Cup and World Club Challenge sides as the Bulls turned into the most successful club of the summer era.

Deacon, 29 next month, has played alongside true legends during the last ten years and admits he can't single one out as the best.

"There's been so many it's hard to pick," he said.

"There's been countless international players and some real greats.

"I definitely enjoyed playing with Jimmy Lowes and I sort of missed him that season he left.

"The whole team missed him and I know I certainly did; the service he gave me from dummy half was just awesome.

"There's people like Henry Paul. He was a fantastic player for Bradford when he came here and one of many great Australian and Kiwi imports the Bulls have had.

"Quite a lot came from the NRL, people like Brad Mackay and Daniel Gartner, and then obviously in the more modern era Les (Vainikolo) and Shonny (Hape) but there's so many."

The goal-kicking star is out of contract at the end of this season but wants to carry on his long association with the Bulls.

"It would be really nice to finish my career here and a good thing to look back on as a one-club man," Deacon said.

"We'll have to see how it goes and it depends whether Bradford will still want me but I'd loved to stay.

"Bradford have shown great loyalty to me over the last ten years and I'd like to repay that as well."

But first comes Sunday's showpiece, with the Great Britain man saying : "I want to give a big thank you to the club's fans for their support over these last ten years.

"They've treated me great, been really good to me but given the club great support as well.

"We've had some success and some disappointments over my time here but they have always stuck by us and been really good to me.

"Hopefully we'll see them all on Sunday and we can put on a good show."

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