Bull Masters - Brian McDermott
No one in Rugby League should condone ‘violent' behavier on the playing field, although we often view various incidents from differing perspectives. One such episode that sticks in the mind of most Bulls fans was in April 1997 at a sunny McAlpine Stadium where the Bulls were playing Leeds in the Challenge Cup Semi-final. The game was won; the Bulls were on their way to Wembley for the second successive season. The match had been a typical derby between two tough teams whose determination to be top dog occasionally over spilt. A Leeds player punched Brian who naturally retaliated dropping his assailant to the ground, in came two more Leeds colleagues who also found themselves on the floor. McDermott looked like a champion boxer who had just knocked out his latest challenger; naturally the referee only had one choice, to send off the Bradford pugilist. A shame really as Brian was the form prop in British Rugby League at the time and a serious contender for the Man of the Match award.
In reality there was a whole lot more to Brian than violence. A former Royal Marine who nearly chose professional boxing as a career, he signed as a part-time professional for Bradford Northern from Eastmoor ARLFC in 1992 and, by his own admission, he hadn't exactly set the world on fire in his first few years at the club. In what is virtually the norm for forwards today he found himself loaned out to another club, in his case Doncaster as part of his Rugby League development and, after learning his trade, the following season he became a first team regular for Northern.
When Brian Smith arrived to rebuild the club under the Bulls banner McDermott wasn't part of his plans but fortunately Brian had three months left on his contract. During the RL Centenary season, Coach Brian Smith utilised the competition for trialling players and building a side for the first Super League season. On a wintry Wednesday at Wilderspool Warrington, a make shift Bulls outfit over turned the form book and came away with the spoils after a magnificent performance. One player stood head and shoulders above the rest, a young raw aggressive forward; Brian McDermott. Brian Smith immediately offered him a full time contract, which no one can deny, proved to be a shrewd signing by the Australian.
Collectively with Paul Anderson, Stuart Fielden and Joe Vagana they were known as the ‘awesome foursome', which dominated forward play during the early years of the new millennium. His determination, drive and ability to take the ball up and a general hunger for hard work proved a great asset for the club. His sheer will to win coupled with the fact he never took a backward step, was an inspiration to others. Brian's 100% attitude brought him adulation from the fans, admiration from his peers and international recognition from Great Britain and England. He toured with the GB Lions in 1996 and after being an integral part of the Bulls Championship winning team in 1997 he faced the Aussies in a tight three match series, sadly loosing two-one.
Brian was always a fans favourite especially when putting one over Leeds or when leading the teams celebrations with his famous vertical clapping, which inspired supporters and players to do like wise and join in the fun. Before retiring from playing at the end of 2002 season with a World Club Championship medal in his pocket, which completed his set of all major competition winner's medals, he played a crucial part in the 2000 Challenge Cup Final win in Edinburgh over Leeds. He was also instrumental in the victory over Wigan in the 2001 Old Trafford Grand Final and he'd already collected a Super League medal in 1997 before the play-offs were introduced. On the other side Brian had experienced the despair of losing three Challenge Cup finals and two Grand final defeats all against St Helens.
Away from the rugby environment Brian would spend his spare time in the peace and quiet of the country side out, on the fells of the Lake District or the Dales with his wife and children. After leaving Odsal Brian moved to Huddersfield to start his coaching apprenticeship under Tony Smith and then followed his mentor to Headingley to further his schooling before taking the Head Coach's role at Harlequins RL