THE extra loud cheer when his name was announced last night reminded Jay Benn that this isn’t just any loan move.

As a local lad, Benn’s progress at Bradford City will be scrutinised by plenty of people.

“That was definitely my mum,” laughed the defender. “I could hear it from the other side of the stadium!

“I’ve got a lot of friends and family that come to these games and this club means a lot to me already.

“It probably adds a little bit of pressure because you want to impress friends and family and your close ones.

“But I want to impress regardless. Even the fans I don’t know, I want them to give a good report of me when they see me play.

“The opportunity’s there and I just want to take it.”

Benn was among the flurry of second-half changes in the EFL Trophy tie against Newcastle under-21s, replacing Brad Halliday at right wing-back.

And the Lincoln loanee weighed in with an assist for Andy Cook’s goal – even though the gloss was knocked off when the Premier League youngsters hit back late to draw before winning the shoot-out bonus point.

Benn added: “I’ll probably need a few more days to get settled properly. I did a small training session on Monday and then got thrown in.

“But you want to get that first game out the way as soon as you can and get in with the lads. There’s nothing better than a game to do that.

“Playing in the stadium was a joy. I loved it.

“We should have won that 100 per cent and it was a silly goal to give away.

“That meant we drew and then it went to penalties so it feels like a loss. There are always lessons to learn and we’ll take those on board.”

Benn was the last of the 10 City signings in the summer transfer window. His arrival from League One went close to the wire and was announced by the club right on the 11pm deadline.

“There was a lot of waiting and back and forth. Is it going to happen or not?

“I got a call at 9pm saying get yourself down here and then it was about getting the deal done.

“As a kid, you watch deadline day and get excited when there’s a bit of movement in the last couple of hours.

“But to be part of it was a bit mad and I was just happy to get it sorted.”

Having enjoyed a first taste of Valley Parade, albeit in front of a crowd of just 1,790, Benn is excited by the prospect of being involved with the largest audiences in the division.

“You see how big it is and then imagine how it will be like full of fans.

“Thanks to the ones who came out last night. It was lovely to play in front of them and I can’t wait to play in front of many more.”

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