Two former Bulls players, who learned their trade at two of Bradford’s most storied amateur rugby league clubs, are looking to make history with Hull KR at Old Trafford tonight.

Bradford native Elliot Minchella is Rovers’ captain, while Keighley-born Matty Storton is likely to be part of Willie Peters’ matchday squad, as the underdogs look to down the mighty Wigan Warriors in the Super League Grand Final.

Wigan won last year’s showpiece against Catalans Dragons, while they are also currently in possession of the League Leaders’ Shield, the Challenge Cup and the World Club Challenge.

Conversely, Hull KR have never won Super League, last winning the Championship in 1985.

Minchella and Storton came agonisingly close to helping Rovers to just their second-ever Challenge Cup last year, but they failed to replicate the club’s 1980 achievement, after an agonising 17-16 defeat to Leigh Leopards.

Elliot Minchella helped Bulls to a famous Challenge Cup win over Leeds in 2019, but the competition broke his heart last season.Elliot Minchella helped Bulls to a famous Challenge Cup win over Leeds in 2019, but the competition broke his heart last season. (Image: Tom Pearson.)

There was a real Bulls theme to the side that day, as Bradford academy products Ethan Ryan and Rowan Milnes were also playing for Hull KR that day, but they have since moved to Salford Red Devils and Castleford Tigers respectively.

But Minchella and Storton are still around, with both making their early steps in rugby league as juniors at West Bowling.

Storton was also part of the set up at Bradford Dudley Hill for a period, just like another former Bulls back row from the district, John Bateman.

Having done the hard yards as a youngster with Bowling and Dudley Hill, Storton joined Bulls’ academy set-up, before signing a professional contract with the club ahead of the 2018 season.

He was a key part of the side that almost reached the Championship play-offs in 2019, before leaving with Ryan, Milnes and Minchella and Anesu Mudoti to join Hull KR at the end of that year.

Matty Storton gives out instructions during a game against York in his breakthrough 2019 season with Bulls.Matty Storton gives out instructions during a game against York in his breakthrough 2019 season with Bulls. (Image: Tom Pearson.)

Conversely, despite being from Bradford and coming through at West Bowling, Minchella’s first professional club was actually Leeds Rhinos, and he made his Super League debut for them in 2013.

He eventually did join hometown club Bulls ahead of the 2018 season, before leaving at the end of 2019, mirroring Storton’s time at the club.

Minchella scored 45 tries in 59 appearances for Bradford, with Storton managing eight in 29 games for the club.