Matty Dawson-Jones extends Bradford stay

Matty Dawson-Jones has signed a new one-year deal with Bradford.

Matty Dawson-Jones, 31, joined the Bulls prior to the start of the 2020 season, scoring four tries in six appearances before the pandemic curtailed the season.

The winger scored and assisted in the first game back in 2021 – a pre-season clash with Swinton, but a broken arm stopped him making any competitive appearances until August. He soon after suffered a broken thumb at York.

“I cannot put into words how pleased I am to be staying,” he said.

“Everybody knows I have been through a lot this year with the injuries – it has probably been the worst year of my career.

“For the club to stand by me, I couldn’t say no – in the back of my mind I thought is it every going to happen, I didn’t think I’d get another chance.

“I spoke to John [Kear] and Mark [Dunning] and it was more of me saying I want to repay them for the faith they have shown in me.

“The fans as well, all I can say is I will do my best to repay them as they have shown me some great support and they have always been behind me, it means a lot to me and it just shows how good a fanbase they are.

“It has been a tough year and there were times when I thought that was it and if I didn’t love the game as much as I did then it could’ve been easy to walk away.

“But going into pre-season I can look to reset, kickstart my career again and I am hungrier than I have ever been – I am looking forward to getting back.”

 “We have shown faith in him and I am sure he will repay that faith on the field”

Head coach Kear added: “What has happened with Matty over the last two years is he has been seriously affected by injury and we haven’t seen the best of him but when he does play, he is quality.

“We feel from a medical perspective he is in very good nick. On the back of that we have managed to return a very good player for another year.

“Matty is still a relatively young man, with many years at the top end of the Championship and Super League still in him.

“We have shown faith in him and I am sure he will repay that faith on the field; if he does then we have a bargain.”

BRADFORD MOVES

The club recently confirmed the departure of full-back Brandon Pickersgill, who links up with Championship rivals Featherstone for 2022.

MORE MOVES: Barrow add international forward for return to Championship