Dean Richards is back at City.

The former Bantams ace, who went on to star with Tottenham, Southampton and Wolves, has returned to work with his hometown's youth team.

Centre-half Richards, 33, retired in 2005 but has recently taken his coaching badges and is now working part-time at the Coral Windows Stadium.

City's Head of Youth Development Peter Horne admits his arrival is a real coup.

"It's great for the club - another Bradford City legend returning," he said.

"To get Dean working with our young defenders, passing on the experience he's gained in the Premiership, well, I don't think you can buy that. We're really lucky to have him here."

Horne explained: "I had quite a few chats with Dean through last season when he'd been doing his hours for his coaching badges at our Centre of Excellence.

"I kept talking to him afterwards and got the impression he really wanted to get into coaching.

"He's got so much experience, playing against Thierry Henry and Michael Owen to name a few, and he was up for coming down.

"The first intention was to bring him in to work with the Under-16s but having spoken to Stuart (McCall) and Wayne (Jacobs) we felt he could do a job helping the first-year pros and second-year apprentices."

The news - after the return of hero McCall, new investment from joint chairman Mark Lawn and massive season-ticket sales - continues the feel-good factor currently enrapturing City.

Horne revealed: "I can't tell you enough what the spirit is like around the club at the minute. It's been like a breath of fresh air.

"I've been here nine years and there's never been such a pleasant, happy feel to the place."

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