BetFred 2022 Summer Bash

2022 SUMER BASH | SATURDAY 30 & SUNDAY 31 JULY 2022 | HEADINGLEY STADIUM
family affair
It has been a difficult
period for Mark Dunning’s
Bradford Bulls and the
play-offs have begun
to fade from view.
But amid the doom and gloom at
Odsal has been a story to warm
the heart of every Bulls follower.
Two weeks ago, when Bradford
faced London Broncos at
home, 17-year-old academy
product George Flanagan
made a try-scoring firstteam
debut at full-back.
For a boyhood Bulls fans born
and bred in Bradford, it was
a special moment, but that
he lined up alongside his dad,
George senior, in the same team
made it the stuff of fairytales.
Bradford lost the game 30-
12, but the story of a father
and a son playing together
was a special moment for
the Flanagan family.
Teenager Flanagan was asked
to sign a professional contract
with Hull Kingston Rovers,
Castleford Tigers, Wakefield
Trinity and Huddersfield Giants
but instead chose Bradford.
He played 80 minutes at fullback
against the Broncos and
said: “Scoring at Odsal, in front
of all my family, friends and
community club Birkenshaw was
a proud and surreal moment
– it was a dream come true.
“It was a physical contest and
London have some big middles
and good outside backs,
but I thought I went well.
“To do it alongside my dad
was special – I’ve followed his
career since I was a kid and
went to my first game when I
was a couple of week’s old.
“I’ve always been there
watching him and his career
has inspired me to become
half the man he is.”
“George started playing rugby
when he was five, so it’s a
journey we’re really proud of as
a family,” said the 35-year-old.
“He’s shown great commitment
down the years and whenever
I’ve played he’s been there,
whether it be helping out the
kitman or the ballboys.
“The result was obviously
disappointing on Saturday,
but sometimes it’s got to
be about more than that.
“The feeling I got to play with my
son was absolutely unbelievable
– an unreal moment – and
I had goosebumps when we
were warming up and I heard
his name getting announced
in the starting line-up.
“I thought ‘wow, this is really
going to happen’ and he
was absolutely brilliant.
“But when he scored, the feeling
was amazing and all the boys,
who had been so supportive of
him all week, jumped on him.
“To have all my family and
friends there supporting was
really nice, but I have to credit
George because his attitude
and commitment has been
phenomenal down the years.
“He deserves everything he
gets does the kid. George had
a number of offers and we went
to all those clubs to have a
look around their facilities and
they were all really welcoming.
“We said ‘don’t just pick Bradford
because it’s your boyhood club
and on your doorstep, pick
the club that’s right for you’.
“He said ‘look dad, it’s always
been my dream for play for the
Bulls’ and he signed a twoyear
professional deal because
the club is in his heart.
“He’s got about 18 months
left and he’s enjoying
his rugby right now.
“He’s achieved his first goal of
playing first-team for Bradford
but the club will manage him
carefully and not throw him
into the limelight too much
because he is only 17.
“But the kid lives and breathes
the game, whether that’s
playing or watching.
“As a father, his ultimate
goal is to be at the top and
I’ve no doubt that he will get
there if he wants it because
his attitude is fantastic.
“I’ve tried to direct him with his
fitness levels and dedication,
but he’s already got a good
head on him and he’s a real
maverick with his skill set.
“He knows what he wants in
life and as a family we’ve just
got to applaud George and
support him as best we can.”
Flanagan junior began his
amateur career with Bradford
Dudley Hill before joining
Birkenshaw at Under-12 level.
He now works for the Bradford
Bulls Foundation delivering
rugby sessions in schools and
dreams of playing in Super
League and even the NRL.
“That’s the goal – to reach the
top and play in a Grand Final or a
Challenge Cup final,” added the
teenager, who has represented
Yorkshire this season.
“Kalyn Ponga is someone
I follow closely and I base
my game on him.
“John Bateman is a big
inspiration to me as a Bradford
lad who has played in Grand
Finals, Challenge Cup finals
and in the NRL too.
“To play in the NRL one day
is the dream because it’s the
best competition in the world.
“There is a lot of hard work
ahead of me before that, though,
and I need to keep my head down
and keep ticking off the boxes.”
ROSS HEPPENSTALL
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