LEON Pryce may still be a rookie in the coaching stakes but he would love to go the distance like John Kear.

Pryce has taken impressively to his new role at the Workington helm as he steers the Cumbrians towards a play-off spot.

That journey takes him to Odsal on Sunday where he will lock horns with the “professor” Kear.

It will be an occasion to remember for Pryce, who could never have imagined that the boy who used to stand on the terraces supporting his heroes would one day find himself coaching from the sidelines against them.

But the 36-year-old is loving the latest chapter in his illustrious career – and wants to follow in the footsteps of the man who will be opposing him.

“I’d love to still be doing this at 63,” Pryce told the T&A. “That’s what I hope.

“Being around younger people keeps you young and that’s what I enjoy.

“I’ve always liked John a hell of a lot and got loads of respect for him.

“He gave me my England debut and I’m grateful for that. He’s had a good career and always done well, looking back to when he worked miracles at Sheffield to beat Wigan and Hull FC beating Leeds in the Challenge Cup finals.

“There’s no better coach for the Bulls to have at the helm and hopefully he’ll be there for the next three or four years to help move them back up the leagues.”

Pryce’s own ambitions are focused on maintaining Workington’s play-off push. With seven wins in the last eight games, they come to Odsal full of confidence.

For the coach, it’s been a steep learning curve after his success as a player. But a challenge that he has enjoyed getting his teeth into.

“I’m learning from the very bottom of the game. We’re in the lowest league with one of the lowest resources and money.

“I’m having to deal with things that I never had in my career because I was full-time.

“We struggle to get 13-14 training most times because some of our guys work at Sellafield on shifts. I can’t do the video until Thursdays because there are not enough in.

“I’m having to deal with the budget, not having enough facilities and things like having to loan players to balance the squad. There’s so much more than just picking up a ball.

“The onus is on me all the time but I enjoy that. I’ve got nobody else to worry about but myself.

“I pick the team and win or lose, it’s my players and selection. I’d rather live and die by my own decision than go with what other people say.”

Being a relative novice in the coaching trade, Pryce still values the input of others. Good mate Lee Radford at Hull is a regular port of call for advice and he also values the opinions of Brian Noble and the likes of York boss James Ford.

Pryce said: “While it’s good to play against teams and have that rivalry, it’s also useful to seek advice and help. I’m on to Radders all the time and we’ll message each other.

“I’ve tried to take the best bits from all the coaches I’ve worked under.

“I try to hold my fire in during games – but the best coaches I’ve had were fiery like Trent Robinson.

“I’ve always been really vocal on the field and played in a position where I move the team around and organise them, so this has come naturally.

“It is challenging. But I never thought at 36 I’d be coaching a semi-professional team against Bradford Bulls in my wildest dreams. It’s exciting to be testing yourself like that.”

Pryce will welcome the break from the commute up to Cumbria tomorrow. But even that motorway haul on such a regular basis has not become a chore.

“People ask me about that but I’d rather be driving to a job that I love than having to work behind a desk or labouring. A two-hour drive to do something you’re really passionate about becomes easy.”

And whatever the outcome tomorrow, Pryce is convinced that the Bulls are finally on the right road again.

“As a Bradford lad, we’re not a Championship team – we’re a Super League team.

“It’s easy saying that and it’s hard to get back up there. But hopefully in the next four years, they’ll be Super League again.

“They are keeping the same players, same coach and being stable. It’s not having teams broken up through administration.

“And in John, they’ve got the right coach to get them back to winning ways and reward the fans.”