For a player who made just 18 appearances in his first season with Bradford City, Darren Moore enjoyed an amazing rapport with the Bantams fans.

The former Doncaster Rovers man had to wait until the end of September for his first start in the last campaign - the goalless draw with Oxford United.

However, his rugged, no-nonsense style, plus the ease with which his nickname Bruno could be chanted, made him an instant hit at Valley Parade.

After a string of impressive performances, Moore was injured in the victory over Bury in mid-December.

City missed the big defender's presence - something that was apparent when he returned to the first team later the following month when a superb display against Swindon emphasised just how important he was.

Unfortunately for both City and the player, he was injured yet again and, despite returning late in the season, it was clear he was only half-fit.

However, when he resumed training raring to go, hopes were high that the big man would lead a water-tight backline.

Alas, that was not the case. In the opening weeks of the season, the City defence was all over the place, and supporters were even starting to doubt Moore.

Last season, the coaching staff had worked with the 24-year-old to improve his distribution. However, the considerable progress he had made appeared to have been lost.

But just as the doubts were starting to set in, Moore hit form and the defence has not looked back since.

Moore is back to his domineering best, both in the air and on the floor, and he has played a full part in City's recovery.

In fact, since the Bantams' fine run of just one defeat in 11 league games started against Sheffield United, Moore has averaged 7.91 in the Telegraph & Argus' match marks - comfortably the highest rating.

Moore cuts a dominant figure at the heart of City's defence with his imposing frame, and with his distribution also improving remarkably, he is a player other managers cannot ignore.

When City earned a goalless draw at Sunderland in early October, the local North East press were enraptured with the Bantams' big central defender, and some even predicted international honours.

In the post-match press conference, Peter Beagrie gave his team-mate a glowing reference. He said: "The big thing about Darren is his willingness to learn. He stays back after training because he knows his distribution is not the best, and if he is to reach the very top, then he has to work on it. His attitude is first-class.

"He has all the attributes of an old-style centre half, being great in the air, and he has pace too."

It is this dedication to the job which is making Moore one of the hottest properties in the First Division.

And if the Birmingham-born defender can continue his impressive rate of progress in the coming months, then it will be City who will be the beneficiaries.

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