Bradford City are set to appear in front of one of the biggest crowds in their history next month when they travel to Macedonia.

The Bantams have been invited to face Vardar Skopje on Tuesday, October 13 and a capacity crowd of around 50,000 is expected.

City last played in front of a similar crowd in 1960 when 52,850 watched a 5-0 defeat in an FA Cup fifth round tie at Burnley.

Next month's clash has been organised to celebrate British Week in Macedonia with City invited as part of Bradford's twinning with Skopje.

Club secretary Jon Pollard said: "They first contacted us a few months ago and it is a big honour for us to be invited. Football is very, very popular in Macedonia and the British Embassy say a capacity 50,000 crowd is expected."

Skopje are past winners of the Macedonian championship and were the country's representatives in this season's European Cup Winners' Cup. They were knocked out by Spartak Trnava in the preliminary round last month.

As part of the agreement, all profits from the game, which kicks off at 6pm local time (7pm BST), will go to a children's home in Macedonia which was recently visited by the Duchess of Kent during a Voluntary Service Overseas mission and highlighted by ITN.

Meanwhile, Chris Wilder has warmed up for his first return to Valley Parade since re-joining Sheffield United last March by predicting that Paul Jewell will turn City's season around.

The 30-year-old defender has forced his way into the Blades' starting line-up in their last two games after starting the season on the sidelines under new manager Steve Bruce. He is hoping to retain his place in the Blades' side for their visit to City on Saturday.

And despite City losing four out of their first six league games this season, he firmly believes the results will start improving soon.

He said: "It is unfortunate in football these days that managers often don't get a decent spell in charge of a club before changes are made.

"It is all about instant success now or a case of 'see you later'. I always got on really well with Paul and I think, given time, he will do well for Bradford City."

Wilder made 31 appearances for the Bantams last season before his £150,000 move to Bramall Lane just before transfer deadline day.

City's reserves won 3-0 at York City last night thanks to two goals from Gareth Grant and another by Paul Bolland.

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