Shane Duff believes it was the right time to step out of his comfort zone by joining City.

The no-nonsense centre half ended a long association with Cheltenham to add his considerable experience to Peter Taylor’s Bantams.

Duff is ready to prove himself all over again at Valley Parade after a decade as a one-club man.

He said: “They were surroundings that were very comfortable to me. And I didn’t want to be comfortable.

“I thought a change was what was needed. I’m only 28 and I’ve got ambitions in football, which have been hindered a little bit in the last couple of years (through injury).

“Fingers crossed, the operation last season has put all that behind me and I needed a new challenge to dig my teeth into. Coming to Bradford was a no brainer really.”

Duff missed six months last season after an operation on a long-standing Achilles problem which restricted him to just 33 starts in his last two terms at Whaddon Road. But he insists there is no danger that City have signed a crock.

“It was something I managed the season before last,” he added. “Then last year we’d exhausted all the options so it required surgery.

“The surgeon at the time said I would never have another problem with it but I was obviously a little bit more hesitant.

“But true to his word, since I got back running again in February I’ve not had as much as an ache or pain.

“It was difficult because they didn’t have a reserve team down at Cheltenham where I could get back fit gradually. I was literally thrown in at the deep end and they were in a relegation battle.

“But it was good to get back at the end of the season and play seven games. We never experienced defeat in any of them and I like to think that I played my part in keeping them in the division.”

Taylor sees Duff as a strong character needed to marshall his back four. And the defender is ready to handle the loftier expectations of performing in front of home crowds three times bigger than the ones he left behind in Gloucestershire.

Duff said: “There is no comparison regards the stature and history of the two clubs.

“Cheltenham are more family-orientated but you still get a few people who dislike you. I’m sure at Bradford there will be a hell of a lot more – but more that back you as well!

“That’s why we love football. This is a proper club and I want to be out there playing in front of all those fans and hopefully pleasing them.

“If I make mistakes I expect some people to get on my back but that’s part and parcel of the game. They are entitled to their opinion.

“But hopefully they will be cheering a lot more. I want to be part of a team that’s successful.”