BULLS hooker George Flanagan spent his first season at his hometown club playing teams like Hemel Stags “in the middle of a park”, yet five years on, the veteran stands on the brink of Super League.

Despite admitting he is unlikely to feature in the top-flight if he helps Bradford reach the promised land, he is proud to have played an integral part in Bulls’ journey over the last half-a-decade.

Ahead of tomorrow’s Betfred Championship play-off semi-final away to Toulouse, Flanagan told the T&A: “It’s definitely been a long road.

“It’s a long time since that League 1 success, and since we’ve been promoted, we’ve had a rough dig in the Championship over the last three or four years.

“But we’ve made massive strides, brought in some good signings and the club is in a good place now.

“We’re growing in confidence and we’ve earned the reward of a semi-final.”

Raucous post-match scenes, invariably led by Flanagan, have accompanied Bulls’ last three wins, which have put them into this play-off with Toulouse.

The hooker said: “We’re massive on having those scenes at full-time, and as a member of the leadership group, and being a bit of a lunatic myself, I like to lead the singing and dancing.

“You can’t beat team spirit and it drives you to success. You’ve got to enjoy the good times, because you don’t get them too often in rugby league.”

And Flanagan will be looking to continue the good times tomorrow, fully recovered from his injury scare at London Broncos last month.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: George Flanagan (left) hurt his hamstring against London, but recovered to play against York last weekend.George Flanagan (left) hurt his hamstring against London, but recovered to play against York last weekend. (Image: Tom Pearson.)

He said: “We’d had a long trip down on the bus and I cramped up on there.

“I did the warm up okay but then I only played about 10 minutes in the second half before I felt the hamstring go a bit and tighten.

“I couldn’t get up to full speed so I was brought off and I feared I would miss those big games at the end of our season.”

Laughing, he added: “Fortunately it was just a strain and I’m a young spring chicken, so I’ve shook it off.”

Bulls were thumped at Toulouse in June, but got in their faces to secure a famous home win over them at Odsal back in February.

Flanagan led the on-field aggression that day, but said: “They’re a formidable side who play really well, especially on their home ground, which is a big venue with full dimensions.

“It’ll be a tough task, but we had that good result against them at home, where we completed high and looked after the ball.

“It’s a different climate out there, and the fact it’ll be 30 degrees means the heat will be a factor.

“But if we look after the ball, who knows what could happen?”

He added: “We’re all flying out together first thing Friday and we’ve got a few things planned.

“We’ll have the team run, but also some team bonding, because we want to relish this trip and enjoy ourselves.

“We’ve showed we can perform in big games of late and with the club having been starved of success in recent years, we want to repay the loyal fans making it out there with a decent performance.”

Win at Toulouse, and Bulls will face Featherstone or London in the Million Pound Game to get into Super League.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Bulls have run Featherstone close twice this season, and the pair could easily meet for a third time in the Million Pound Game.Bulls have run Featherstone close twice this season, and the pair could easily meet for a third time in the Million Pound Game. (Image: Tom Pearson.)

Flanagan has just signed a one-year deal at Bulls, but said: “It’s something to think about, playing in Super League.

“It would be great if we got back there, and there’d be no prouder Bradfordian than me if I played my part in helping us achieve that.

“Whether I would play a part if we get there though, probably not.

“But I’m just looking forward to this weekend and trying to get us only 80 minutes from Super League.

“We can’t look past Toulouse for now.”

That being said, Flanagan admits to being buoyed by some other Bulls news this week, with close friend Sam Hallas rejoining the club on a two-year deal.

The 36-year-old said: “He’s a good mate of mine and we’ve been chatting over the last few weeks, when he told me he was coming back in.

“Like me, he’s fully committed on the field and he’s great in the dressing room too.

“He brings experience and leadership and I look forward to hopefully playing with him again.”