Tom Penford today admitted the fear of not getting a City contract had kept him awake at night.

Penford was terrified that a knee ligament injury, which ruled him out of the final seven games, could have cost him his dream.

But the midfielder had no need to worry after Colin Todd broke the good news that he would be offered his first senior deal.

Penford said: "I can't stop smiling since the gaffer told me. It was all I wanted to hear and I'm over the moon.

"It's been a difficult time, worrying about it. I've been nervous ever since I got injured and I've had butterflies in my stomach all the time.

"I just hoped that I'd done enough to take the manager's eye when I was playing because you can't really improve on that when you're stuck watching from the sidelines."

The one-year contract tops off a rem-arkable few months for the youngster, who had begun last season without his own squad number.

Penford, who had made his City debut under Nicky Law in April 2003, nearly joined Danish club Skjold in September but a three-month loan move fell down because of red tape.

The 21-year-old was determined to crack it at Valley Parade and was finally given his chance against Swansea in January his first appearance for 16 months.

His positive approach as a substitute changed the course of that game and earned him nine starts before the injury at Bescot.

Despite that setback, he had done enough to impress Todd and said: "I had one aim as soon as I got in the team. I just wanted to get that new contract by performing to the best of my ability.

"I want to play for Bradford City and now I've got a contract I want to play every game next year if it's possible and put 100 per cent into every performance."

Penford has a scrap on his hands, with Steve Schumacher and good pal Craig Bentham, who has also been awarded a new deal, chasing the central-midfield role alongside Marc Bridge-Wilkinson.

And Todd, having released Tom Kearney, wants to bring in two more players in that position.

Penford relishes the challenge and said: "Every position has got to be competitive, otherwise you just get into a routine and go through the motions.

"I try to create and go forward at every opportunity I can do. Hopefully I'll do the best I can but if the other lads come in, then it's what is best for Bradford City that matters.

"But I want to go in every day and look to push on and improve. I'll try to get something out of every training session to make me a better player and hopefully help with the goal of getting Bradford City promoted once again."

Meanwhile, winger Bobby Petta has been linked with a possible move Down Under to Australia. The Dutchman has a year left on his City contract but was told by Todd to try to find another club.