JULIAN Rhodes has tipped former Valley Parade colleague David Baldwin to be a success with the EFL because he has experienced football at all levels.

Baldwin was yesterday announced as the new EFL chief executive and will take up the post after the end of the season when he leaves his current job at Burnley.

Rhodes, who along with Mark Lawn gave Baldwin his first football post with City in 2007, feels he ideally suited for such a demanding position.

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City’s chief executive said: “He’s got his work cut out but the good thing about David is that he’s got 12 and a half years of experience and he’s seen all sorts.

“He’s been with us when we were struggling and he’s been in the Premier League with Burnley.

“It will be good to have the top man in the job not having any knee-jerk reactions to things like the Bury situation.

“David understands it from a club’s point of view, and a struggling club’s point of view.

“A lot of politicians have jumped in on it who, with the greatest respect, won’t understand.

“He’s got great links with the Premier League as well and that is a big issue.

“The relationship between the Premier League and the EFL needs to be as strong as possible. You’ve got somebody there who has got experience in both.”

City fan Baldwin spent seven years with the club after being appointed as director of operations in 2007. He left for Burnley in November 2014.

Rhodes added: “It’s great that he started his football administrative career at Bradford and has gone to progress to the top job in the Football League.

“It’s thoroughly deserved. I wish him nothing but the best and hope he does a great job.”