GRAHAM Alexander will tomorrow become the fifth City boss to stand opposite Mark Bower on the touchline in pre-season.

The former Bantams skipper has seen them off during his managerial time with Bradford (Park Avenue) and Guiseley, where he returned to the hot-seat in April.

Alexander follows in the footsteps of Stuart McCall, the brief Michael Collins, Derek Adams and Mark Hughes in facing Bower in warm-up action.

“There have been quite a few over the years,” he smiled, “and some very different styles.

“I remember Derek Adams coming here and I was really impressed with him. I thought that team would do really well but obviously they struggled.

“Graham had a good finish to last season and he’s been able to put his own stamp on it.

“He knows where he stands. It’s a big pre-season for them and I’m sure they’ll be fit, strong and well-equipped to handle League Two.”

The faces in the away dug-out may change but the Bantams mission statement remains the same. This will be the sixth time of asking for the club to escape the bottom tier.

Bower saw quite a bit of them last season on radio duty during his five months out of football after being sacked at Avenue. He fancies their chances of succeeding at long last.

“It was difficult at times last season with some of the injuries they had in key positions.

“But it was a good finish and I think they’ve recruited well. Obviously, the likes of Alex Pattison and Jake Young are back and you’d like to think Bobby Pointon will kick on again.

“I’m really optimistic about their chances and hopefully they can get themselves out of League Two.

“It’s not where the club or its supporters should be watching football for the length of time that they have been doing.”

Derek Adams was in charge of City at Guiseley in 2021Derek Adams was in charge of City at Guiseley in 2021 (Image: Thomas Gadd)

City had another double training session yesterday in Alexander’s plan to “fatigue” the players ahead of the Nethermoor game.

But Bower still expects a demanding test for the home team.

“I wouldn’t read too much into that. I’m sure they’ll be looking to split the minutes among the players.

“They are fit full-time professionals training twice a day five days a week. We’ve pushed our lads because they need to be ready for the start of the season.

“Ultimately, it’s about preparing for August 10. They were pushed to a level they wouldn’t normally be for a league game, so there will be a bit of fatigue in our playing legs as well.

“Obviously being part-time, that might affect them a little bit more.

“Whatever they put out, we’ll do our best to give them a good work-out and maybe we can get the same out of it.”

Guiseley only stepped in at the beginning of last week after City’s long-scheduled opponents Scunthorpe pulled out and left them in the lurch.

The Lions had their own friendly arranged but were quick to come to City’s rescue.

Bower added: “We wanted to get it sorted as soon as we could.

“We had a game booked in away to Park Gate, a team a couple of divisions below us.

“But we explained the situation to them and promised to sort something out next year.

“We really appreciated their help but this is good on two fronts for us. It’s a really good challenge against a team from a higher level and obviously the income it brings because there will hopefully be a decent crowd.”

Guiseley recorded a gate of 1,700 for City’s last visit three years ago. They will be looking for another bumper figure to boost their anticipated promotion push in the Northern Premier League.

For Bower, chasing the top end of the table makes a change from the slog for survival in his latter seasons at the Horsfall Stadium.

“When I stepped away from Park Avenue in November, you realised how it dragged you down with the low expectation of just survival in mind.

“You’ve gone from the first few years at Guiseley and Bradford always challenging at the right end of the table and there was an ambition there. But since Covid that changed.

Glyn Hodges and Mark Hughes at Bradford (Park Avenue) last yearGlyn Hodges and Mark Hughes at Bradford (Park Avenue) last year (Image: Thomas Gadd)

“The time away refreshed me a little bit and this opportunity probably came out the blue.

“I didn’t expect there to be a management change at the back end of the season. We spoke and the ambition of the club is to get back to Conference North level and kick on from there.

“It’s been exciting to be part of that and be able to fish in the pond for the best players you could possibly get at our level.

“We’re working with some really good players and good young players who’ve got ambitions to kick on and work back up the levels. They’ve got more chance of doing that in a winning team.

“I’m really pleased with the squad we’ve put together. If we’re not challenging in that top five, then I’m in trouble!”

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