Bradford City's visit to Northern Ireland was today hailed as a "breakthrough" for football in the province.

The Bantams kick off their three-match tour against UEFA Cup qualifiers Glentoran in East Belfast tomorrow night.

And Glentoran chairman Stafford Reynolds described their arrival as a timely boost when other English clubs are tending to avoid the country.

Reynolds said: "Bradford playing us is a tremendous endorsement of what we are trying to do against the present political background.

"We don't get too many of the bigger English teams here now.

"Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea came over for special matches after the Omagh bombing but that was a one-off. Clubs are now going further afield and we tend to miss out.

"The trouble spots always make the news but while there are half a dozen involved in the difficulties, there are many thousands who want nothing to do with it.

"That is why soccer is so very important to us because it reaches across the community and the social strata.

"Its contribution to Belfast has been immense over the years and whatever happens the football will always go on.

"So it's superb news for everyone that Bradford are over. The chance to see players like Benito Carbone in the flesh is something that every Northern Ireland football fan will love."

Glentoran, who finished third in the Smirnoff Premier League, go into Europe in a fortnight when they face Danish club FC Midtjylland.

Reynolds added: "It's very important for us to have a quality build-up up to that and a team of Bradford's ability will certainly keep us on our toes.

"We've got a good young team with a few new players coming in and we'll promise Bradford a good work-out."

City boss Jim Jefferies said: "I've watched Glentoran a couple of times and they are a very competitive side."