BRADFORD Bulls are billing their Boxing Day friendly at home to York City Knights as "the Grand Final that never happened".

After Bulls chairman Andrew Chalmers revealed the festive fixture had been planned along with a new pre-season Yorkshire Cup competition, the game has now been confirmed as a 1.30pm kick off at Odsal on Wednesday, December 26

And it will see the League One champions and runners-up renew their fierce rivalry.

There was little to choose between the sides when they clashed last season - Bulls winning 22-20 in the opener at Bootham Crescent before York earned revenge 30-28 in Bradford.

When the leagues were being restructured back in September, the prospect of an extra title decider was mooted but didn’t materialise, with York going up as champions and Bulls doing likewise via the play-offs.

At the time, Bulls coach John Kear said: “I think a one v two play-off would be a great finale to the season because York and Bradford have been the best two teams and the most dominant as the league table indicates.

“It would be the best way to play each other in a championship play-off where winner takes all. They’ve beaten us once, we’ve beaten them once and both by two points. It would be a fitting way to decide it."

Knights head coach James Ford also said at the time: “We’ve had two great games and I’ve really enjoyed being involved in them.

“It would be great to have another one and I’m sure the supporters would love it.”

Prices for the match when both teams will showcase new-look squads are:

Provident Stand, Pre-Game Day purchase: Adults £18/Concessions £13/Juniors £5 (Under-5s free); On the day purchase: Adults £20/Concessions £15/Juniors £5 (Under-5s free)

Terraces. Pre-Game Day purchase: Adults £13/Concessions £8/ Juniors free; On the Day purchase: Adults £15/Concessions £10/Juniors - free. Upgrade on Day to Provident Stand - £5.