Jake Speight has vowed to prove City were right for not showing him the door.

In his first interview since coming out of prison, the striker publicly said sorry to the club and the fans.

And Speight stressed that he can win over the doubters who have questioned the club’s decision to back him after he kept everyone in the dark about his assault case.

Speaking on City’s southern tour, he told the T&A: “Of course I regret not telling the club and it was not something I did lightly.

“But this was a massive move for me. I was in a Catch-22 situation and didn’t know what to do for the best.

“I’ve apologised to everyone for not letting the club know and putting people in a difficult situation.

“I did worry I’d blown it. But it was a weird situation because the incident happened a while ago and nobody expected it to come to a prison sentence.

“Now I’m hoping to put everything behind me and move on by getting off to a good start to the season.

“I really want the fans to support me. That’s why I’m desperate to start well and show them that I was worth keeping. I hope they all get behind me and then there’s nothing more said about it.”

Speight was released a week ago after an appeal judge overturned his original sentence. He had served eight days behind bars.

The former Mansfield frontman, who joined the Bantams on a two-year contract, has been disciplined by the club. He is also expected to face joint-chairman Mark Lawn when City return to Valley Parade next week.

But Speight has appreciated the reception he got from the management team and squad when he joined up with them again in Essex.

He said: “I thought it would be a little bit strange but Jakes (Wayne Jacobs), the gaffer (Peter Taylor) and Junior (Lewis) have all made me feel welcome and the players have been class. It’s just good to be among all the lads again.

“I’m going to work hard now. I’m pretty much up to speed with fitness but I just want to get my sharpness back, which everyone tries to do in pre-season, and then start banging some goals in.

“There is probably a bit more expectation on me now but I don’t feel under any extra pressure. I was hungry to start with just coming here. This is a massive club and I really want to go out there and do well for them.”

City are back in friendly action tonight, making a 150-mile round trip from their hotel base near Colchester to West London where they take on Jamie Lawrence’s Ashford Town (Middlesex).