Geoffrey Richmond reckons he left City with a "superstar" manager in Nicky Law.

The former Valley Parade chairman believes Law has performed miracles in the dressing room during the club's financial crisis.

Richmond said: "Nicky's man-management is absolutely unbelievable with players who still haven't been paid since the end of April. I've a lot of faith and confidence in his ability.

"He finds grounds for optimism when really there is none, with him the glass is always half full.

"We had a fantastic relationship and if anything the troubles brought us closer together. I almost feel cheated that I don't have the opportunity to work and go forward with him.

"I'm absolutely 100 per cent certain that Nicky is a winner, a real superstar. That isn't a PR spin, the evidence was there for the world to see with the performances against Wolves and Crystal Palace."

Richmond has been bowled over by the commitment of the boss he appointed on New Year's Eve to replace Jim Jefferies.

"Nicky is fiercely ambitious and the hardest working manager that I've ever experienced. There was no such thing as a night off for him - he wouldn't know the meaning of it.

"He had a great eye for talent and in other circumstances this summer we would have signed Thomas Hitzelberger from Aston Villa just before John Gregory left, got Alan Combe of course, Chris Greenacre and a young Australian called Paul Reid.

"Nicky also spotted Michael Boulding at Grimsby and was raving about him long before he started banging in the goals and getting noticed elsewhere. Of course he ended up joining Aston Villa with another three or four Premier League clubs also after him.

"Even with the very limited resources available he has brought in quality. Tom Kearney has looked fantastic, we haven't seen a lot of Michael Standing but there's no doubting his ability, and Paul Evans, Andy Gray and Gus Uhlenbeek have impressed already."