Now that the dust is starting to settle on Stuart McCall's decision to step down as manager of Bradford City, it's time for a little reflection on his period of tenure.

Stuart, we're sure, will forgive us for saying that his time in charge will not go down as one of the most successful in the club's history.

It will, however, go down as one of the most hopeful: the returning hero came along to lift the spirits of fans when they needed it most and, at times, looked like coming tantalisingly close to making the vital play-offs spot that would surely have seen City hauled into the next division.

But, at this level, much of football is about luck. Any game can turn on a bad pass from a normally consistent player, a refereeing error from an unsighted official or a niggling injury that slows a key team member or keeps him off the pitch for a crucial game. And, of course, any manager is only as good as the resources available to him.

Stuart McCall knows that – and so do the real fans.

What he also needs to know is that he can walk away from the club with his chest puffed out and his head held high. No-one has been a better servant to the Bantams. No-one has played for, led or coached the team with more pride, more passion or more commitment.

No-one could have been a nicer, more honest or more thoroughly decent bloke throughout it all.

The best wishes and grateful thanks of every true City fan should go with him.