ELLIOT Minchella made his Bradford Bulls debut in last year’s trip to Bootham Crescent in the opening round of Betfred League One and he is anticipating another close-fought encounter this weekend.

The 23-year-old joined his hometown club prior to the 2018 season and featured as Joe Keyes’ late penalty secured a 22-20 win at York in that thriller.

Former West Bowling amateur Minchella has gone from strength to strength in the red, amber and black and is approaching the 250-point mark as a Bull.

Admitting a win on tomorrow is pivotal to the club’s play-off hopes, Bradford’s number 12 is all too aware of the threat the second-placed Knights will pose.

Minchella said: “It was a great day, it went down to the wire and it was my first experience of playing in front of the famous Bradford Bulls fans.

“Games are always tough against York – last year we were going against them and they pipped us to the title and that ignited a rivalry between us.

“They beat us at Odsal in February so we need to get one back on them – they are above us in the league too so we need to win and stay in the hunt for the play-offs.

“If we lose things will be even tougher but they are a great team who are not where they are for no reason – they will be up for it just as much as we are.

“They play a really good style of rugby but we are going there hoping to overturn them and close that gap.

“It looks like another big crowd will be there and hopefully we can make it a good spectacle.”

Meanwhile, Bradford Bulls Foundation are seeking Under-7s, u8s and u9s to take part in a pre-match festival on Sunday, August 4 - prior to John Kear's side doing battle with Toronto Wolfpack.

The day starts at 12.30pm with a junior rugby league festival as the afternoon's curtain-raiser - with the main event screened live on Sky Sports on the Bradford Bulls' Foundation Takeover Day.

The players will then walk out with the first-team stars of the Bulls and their Canadian counterparts ahead of kick-off - as well as taking part in Bullman's Parade and acting as flag bearers.

Post-match, there will be a party on the pitch with bouncy castles, a DJ and a barbecue for all the family to enjoy.

To book your team. email ryan.hunkin@bullsfoundation.org.