Image source, SWPix

There was a time where Brian Noble would not even set foot in Odsal Stadium.

He had played just short of 400 first-grade games for Bradford, won championships, captained the club, and notably coached the club to a period of unprecedented success.

After departing during the 2006 season, there was nothing. On the advice of a mentor he severed contact.

Until his epiphany.

"I went back and I looked at the ground where I'd played all those games from colts upwards and I thought 'this is where you live, this is your home, this is your turf'," Noble told BBC Sport.

It persuaded the 63-year-old to invest his time and years of expertise into his hometown club, first, in an advisory role.

Eamon O'Carroll's decision to step down and move to St Helens as part of Paul Wellens' staff prompted a decision to be made this past autumn, and led to Noble's startling return as head coach for the first time in 20 years.

"It was about time I put something back into it," Noble said.

"I was kind of pushing behind the scenes to go for it and let's establish ourselves a good team, we've made progress with lots done and there's lots to do, and with Eamon wanting to jump back into full-time at St Helens there was a chance the progress could have been de-stabilised."Read this in full on the BBC Sport website and app.

BBC Sport

It’s time for the Super League teams to enter the Challenge Cup this weekend as the 2025 competition reaches the third round, and BBC Sport will be bringing you coverage Castleford Tigers as they make the short trip to former Super League side Bradford Bulls this Sunday, with coverage live from 12:50pm.

Both clubs have a rich history in the competition, with the last of Bradford’s five Challenge Cup triumphs coming in 2003 at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. Castleford last won the cup at Wembley in 1986, but reached the final as recently as 2021.

Brian Noble, who was in charge of that last cup triumph for Bradford in 2003 against Leeds Rhinos, has returned to the Bulls as head coach as they plot a return to the Super League. Meanwhile the Tigers have appointed Danny McGuire, a member of the Leeds team beaten by Bradford in 2003, and a serial trophy winner himself.

The two sides haven’t faced each other since 2014 when the Bradford were last in the top flight, can the Bulls cause one of their renowned Challenge Cup upsets on Sunday?

BBC iPlayer

You can watch live coverage of the Challenge Cup first round match between London Broncos and Goole Vikings on BBC iPlayer, the Red Button and the BBC Sport website and app. You can also catch-up on the action for up to 30 days on BBC iPlayer.

Sunday 9th FebruaryBradford Bulls v Castleford Tigers, 12:50-14:40 GMT - BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app.

BBC Sport

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