Mark Lawn believes good old-fashioned northern grit has been a key factor in City’s recent form.

The joint-chairman is as chuffed as the fans with the way the team has been performing since the horrendous start to the campaign.

Lawn admires the never-say-die spirit that engendered the club’s longest unbeaten run for 25 years, which was ended by Crewe last weekend.

He said: “From being a Bradford City fan as a young lad, all you ever wanted was for your players to try. I knew you weren’t going to get a Zola or Gazza – you didn’t go to Valley Parade to see that. But what fans should expect is that northern working ethic.

“Supporters work hard all week and they expect to see that on the pitch.

“And you can’t decry this lot. They are certainly working their socks off.

“It’s not just one or two individuals; it’s starting to run right through the team. Even the fringe players now.

“Take Michael Boulding, who’s had to come in and work and he’s got three goals in three games. You can’t ask for more from a striker.

“I’m sure Gareth Evans is going to be upset about getting sent off because he’s going to have to fight to win his place back. But that’s what you want.”

After the trials and tribulations of last season, Lawn has noticed the close bond which is developing between the team and the fans.

“Zesh (Rehman) is very good at getting players to do stuff and get involved in community. I can see why Stuart gave him the club captaincy.

“He does lots with the players off the pitch as well, which is important. That breeds the team spirit and the supporters respond to that.

“Michael Flynn, for me, has looked better every game. His fitness levels weren’t there first game but you can see he’s a good player.

“Evans and James Hanson are panicking defenders by closing them down all the time – and they are doing it for 90 minutes.

“But everybody in the team has contributed, from young Jon Bateson to Simon East-wood, who got some horrible stick at first.

“It’s early days and we haven’t got the biggest squad but we have got people who can come in and do a job for us, as we’ve shown.”