City will have a real fan at the helm when Stuart McCall takes up his new job next week.

His former Valley Parade team-mate and best pal Mark Ellis reckons the appointment will bring players and supporters closer together as the club aim to jump back up from League Two at the first attempt.

Ellis, who emerged through the City ranks with McCall, never doubted that he would come back for a third time.

"A lot of people might be surprised but I spoke to Stuart a lot and had a little idea this might happen.

"It's a fantastic coup for the club because he is one of the fans - as big a fan as anyone I know.

"You see all these people kissing the badge and it means nothing but he genuinely loves Bradford City and people see that."

Ellis, a flying left winger in his time, played alongside McCall during the 1980s when City won the Third Division and only missed out on promotion to the top flight after losing in the play-offs three years later.

Now he is backing his old mate to bring the smiles back to the club again after their barren recent history.

"The last few years have been horrible," said Ellis. "Even when Bradford went to the Premier League you knew it wasn't going to last and could see what was going on behind the scenes.

"Whenever I've been to games there, it's been so quiet and there is no buzz in the crowd. That's why I'm so pleased that Stuart has come back.

"He never wanted to leave the second time but circumstances happen. But now he's back, the only way the club can go is up.

"I don't know what Sheffield United were thinking by not giving him the job."

Although McCall has not yet officially begun his duties, Ellis reckons the new boss will have a good idea of the pool of players he is looking to bring in.

"He will want people who are like himself, with a lot of passion and commitment. Stuart won't stand for anything less.

"And there will be plenty of people willing to help him. You mention any footballer and there will always be someone somewhere with a bad word to say about them but I've never heard anything nasty against Stuart.

"You will see a massive change next season. He will give the club a lift and the fans will see that on the pitch."

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