WHEN he first arrived at Craven Park on loan from Leigh Centurions on a season-long loan in 2014, Joe Bullock had little idea it would be the start of his road back to Super League.

Having been let go by Wigan Warriors and then finding himself languishing in Leigh’s reserve team before Barrow Raiders came calling, the prop could have been forgiven for thinking his chance of being a full-time rugby league player had gone.

But fast forward to the present day and Bullock is on the verge of doing just that, having agreed a three-year contract to join Wigan once the 2018 Betfred Championship season had concluded.

It is somewhat ironic the Warriors have only just now recognised his talent after allowing him to leave all those year ago, but for Bullock’s part he sees it as an example of how the rewards will eventually come if you are prepared to put in the hard work.

“It’s a really good story to show your career isn’t over if you don’t make it when you’re 19 years old,” said Bullock.

“I went to Leigh and that didn’t work out, then I came to Barrow and, apart from the year we got relegated, I’ve had some fantastic times here.

“We’ve won things, been promoted and stayed in the Championship. I’ve probably enjoyed my rugby more over the last three years than when I was a young kid trying to get in at academy level.

“It shows if you work hard in the lower divisions, you can get back up to where you want to be if you want to be in the top division.”

The past four years have seen Bullock front and centre for many of the Raiders’ stand-out moments, including helping them to a League One Cup and promotion double in 2017.

The hard work has not just been confined to the playing side either, with Bullock grateful to have had the opportunity to work in the club’s community department and help coach the Furness Raiders under-19s last season.

“Going into the schools, I’ve seen another side of it and doing the under-19s gives you an appreciation of how tough it is coaching,” said Bullock.

“It’s given me another avenue to look at and I’ve really enjoyed doing it, but I think I enjoy being on the field more than being on the sideline barking orders.”

In many ways though, the hard work really start now for the 25-year-old as he prepares to join the defending Super League champions for pre-season, but it is a challenge he is excited by.

“Coming from Barrow, I’m kind of a bigger fish in a small pond, but going there it’s the exact opposite,” said Bullock.

“I’m the little guy again, and I’ve got to look up to and learn from people again, and that’s good.

“Going into training and seeing these people I’ve been watching on TV who are another level away from you, I can finally get there and rub shoulders with them a bit, and it will be good to learn off their experience as well.”