Peter Taylor has handed City his own festive gift by giving them Christmas Day off.

While some clubs will still come in for training on Saturday, the Bantams have been told to put their feet up and enjoy the extra time at home with the family.

Taylor hopes he will reap the benefits of a happy camp when they return fired up for action – weather permitting – against leaders Chesterfield at Valley Parade on Boxing Day.

It is a policy that the vastly-experienced boss has employed throughout his management career and has generally served him well.

He said: “I think Christmas is a time to be with your family, especially if there are little children around when it’s great. I’ve never had players in on Christmas Day.

“When I was at (Crystal) Palace once, we had them in Christmas night because we had to travel a bit of a distance. But apart from that, I’ve not done it.

“And over the last half a dozen Boxing Days, I’ve had more successes than not.

“We’ll be training here tomorrow, have Christmas Day off and then reporting as normal on Boxing Day morning and getting on with it.”

With the arctic blast continuing to make travel difficult, Taylor’s decision will be appreciated by those players who live a fair distance away from the club.

He added: “Don’t forget these days that we’ve got certain players who don’t live close. But it’s like that with most clubs.

“Not every Bradford City player lives in Bradford. Some will be an hour and a half or two hours away.

“It’s not an easy situation and I think they would prefer to be at home.”

With Chesterfield kicking off a run of four games in nine days, Taylor has no concerns about anyone getting too carried away with the festivities.

“I trust them and if they want to let the football club down, there’s only one person that’s going to suffer.

“I can see it in their eyes on Boxing Day morning if I feel they are not right.

“It’s down to us at times to trust our players and treat them as adults and I’ve got no problem with that.

“They will, of course, come in and do it right and professionally without a doubt.”

The club are keeping a very close eye on the weather forecast over the weekend. There had been hopes of a thaw but night-time temperatures are again tipped to plummet tomorrow and Saturday, which could throw the game in doubt.

* City’s FA Youth Cup fourth-round tie at Preston will take place on Wednesday, January 19.