Deacon hopes for a happy Odsal return (From The Bolton News)

Deacon hopes for a happy Odsal return

9:30am Friday 5th March 2010 in

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WIGAN new boy Paul Deacon is bracing himself for an emotional return to Odsal.

The scrum-half spent 12 successful seasons with Bradford before joining his home-town club this summer.

Deacon is still the Bull’s record points scorer and featured in six Grand Finals in his time there.

But despite his outstanding service, the 31-year-old is unsure what type of reception he will receive from Bradford fans — and admits he has been given the cold shoulder by his former team-mates ahead of tonight’s clash.

“Who knows with sports fans?” said Deacon. “I’d like to think I’ll get a warm welcome. I hope people understand why I left Bradford — I tried to make that clear at the time. The move came out of the blue and I didn’t really get a chance to say goodbye. It had to be done quickly and the timing of it all was complicated.

“It will be strange walking into the away dressing room. Part of me will always be with Bradford. I had 12 wonderful years there and loved every minute of it. It was the first game I looked for when the fixtures came out and I was glad to see it was early on to get it out of the way.

“I’ve not had any texts from any of the players and I don’t expect to — not because I’m not friends but because there’s nothing to say.

“My mind is on the game and winning it for Wigan and the Bradford lads will know that. And they will deel the same so I won’t be sending them any texts either.”

Deacon is relishing life at the DW Stadium after playing his part in Wigan’s surge to the top of Super League table after winning their opening four matches. Now he wants to help the club he supported as a boy end their eight-year wait for silverware.

“Winning a trophy with any club is brilliant but to do it with my home-town club would be a little bit more special,” said the former Great Britain star. “I feel comfortable here and to play in that stadium every week is brilliant. The fans have been fantastic. I used to be in that support as a kid and it’s just great to be playing in front of them now.”