RORY McArdle has been hailed as a “proper defender” after being named the Telegraph & Argus/JCT600 Bradford City player of the year.

The centre half pipped Gary Liddle and Billy Clarke for the prestigious accolade from the fans at a sell-out prize night at Valley Parade.

McArdle also lifted the T&A most consistent player award, based on the individual ratings in the newspaper for each match.

And he was voted the players' player of the year by his team-mates, who joined him on stage for the main award presentation from Phil Parkinson.

McArdle, who is one short of 150 starts for City, has been a mainstay in the team in his three years at the club. But Parkinson believes he has stepped up a notch this season.

The City boss said: “He wins important headers and gets blocks in and plays with great commitment.

“He is good at what his job is and that’s to defend.

“In this era, true defending is becoming a bit of a dying art.

“But you only have to look at the Chelsea back four and how good they are. We talk with our lads a lot about defending properly with that John Terry mentality and Rory does that.

“Defenders should pride themselves on keeping people out of their goal. That’s got to be the first requirement and that’s what he is about.

“Rory has got a really good character and he’s also a good lad to have around the squad.” McArdle has missed the last two games through suspension following his red card at Sheffield United – his second dismissal of the campaign.

But he has still made 53 starts – only skipper Stephen Darby has played more – and chipped in with three goals.

Parkinson added: “He’s had a couple of sendings off this year and the second one was unfortunate.

“But he is a very good athlete and having that athleticism in your back four has helped us a lot.

“Last year was his first season at League One level, although he had played in Scotland, and I think his concentration levels have improved this time.

“He has also had to play with a number of different partners again.

“Rory has got the attributes and he is really focused on every minute of every game. Defending is about mentality and concentration.

“Rory’s got a good right foot and can distribute the ball. But his first job is to defend.”

McArdle has averaged 6.97 out of ten in the T&A match marks to top the pile. Jon Stead, who City hope to sign permanently in the summer, was second on 6.80 with Andrew Davies (6.78) just edging Liddle for third.

McArdle admitted: "I’m quite gob-smacked, to be honest. I never expected to get all these accolades.

"There have been numerous people who have had good seasons. There have been some outstanding performances as well as some consistent ones - I'm over the moon."