Bradford City captaincy would delight Smallwood

The 31-year-old defensive midfielder led Hull to promotion from League One in 2020/21 and skippered them in the Championship last season too.

Asked by the T&A if he wants to assume that role again under Mark Hughes, Smallwood said: "Obviously I would really like to be captain.

"It's out of my hands though, and it is the manager's decision. He'll see what we do in pre-season training then go with whoever he sees fit.

"You don't just need one captain as such, you need a core of lads with those leadership capabilities to help you overcome any difficult periods in the season.

"But saying that, I would love to be the Bradford City captain."

That leadership is something Smallwood sees as a key part of his make-up, saying: "I think tactically I'm good and I know my position well.

"I can be a leader too, and I want to guide the young lads, as we've got some real talent, like the Huddersfield loan lads and Harry Chapman.

"I'd say I've got a positive mindset on and off the pitch too, which can only help."

Smallwood name-checked Chapman specifically, and the pair have a lot in common. Both are from the North-East (Redcar and Hartlepool respectively), spent their formative years at nearby Middlesbrough, and were teammates at Blackburn, winning promotion from League One in 2017/18.

Richie Smallwood (right) won promotion with Blackburn alongside Harry Chapman. Picture: PA.

Talking about his friend, Smallwood said: "We're car-pooling together already and it's nice to have Harry here, someone I'm comfortable with when starting a new job.

"We know each other's talents and I know how good he can be at this level.

"If he can keep fit, he'll have the fans on the edge of their seats, and if gets 40 games next season, we'll be right up at the top end of the table."

Alex Gilliead and Andy Cook are another two North-East natives at Valley Parade, and Smallwood laughed: "We might need a bigger car-pool soon.

"It's nice to have other lads from the region. I'm just getting to know them now but I'm sure we'll get on well.

"It happens naturally at clubs that kind of thing. You'll see some of the southern lads come together and get on well for example, because they have stuff in common to talk about."

One obvious topic of conversation at the moment might be people asking Smallwood why he has decided to drop from the Championship into League Two.

But he insisted: "I just like the look of the full project.

"Being able to stay at home in Redcar was a factor, but the manager also sold me the style of play.

"I've played against Bradford before, and had friends who've played here, and I know how big a club it is.

"It felt right, it all came together, and I'm happy to be here."

He added: "I think I can bring my Championship experience to League Two.

"It is a step down, but I'm under no illusions. It'll be tough and it's a hard league to get out of.

"Hopefully I can use that experience to help out those younger lads with talent here who are just starting their careers."

Smallwood has a two-year contract at City, which could be extended to three, by which time he will be nearly 35.

He said: "I'm absolutely happy to commit the rest of my best years here.

"Normally when you're 31, clubs only really offer you a one-year option, but Bradford have seen my injury record is good and have given me a two-year deal.

"It's ideal because it gives me stability, which is nice to have, but it's just about focusing on this season for now, then thinking about whether I want to extend the deal even further."

Smallwood likes his first impressions of City, throwing himself into the start of pre-season this week.

He said: "I do enjoy them because it's a long time you're off.

"You know it's going to be hard work, but by the time of the last week off, you're just waiting for the day to arrive.

"You think you'll dread it, but when you're back in, you lose weight, you get fit, and there are some really enjoyable parts.

"The games are coming soon too and I'm looking forward to seeing the lads regularly and joining this new group."

Smallwood's first pre-season was a long time ago at boyhood club Middlesbrough.

Asked about leaving after years in their academy and first team, he said: "I couldn't say it was that hard, because once you get to the first team, you want to be playing games.

"So when I got the opportunity to go out on loan with Rotherham for some game time, I couldn't turn them down, and it worked well because we got promotion there.

"But Middlesbrough was a great club, with great people, and I had a great upbringing there.

"It was time to move on when I did though."

And after moving on, Smallwood helped Rotherham, Blackburn and Hull out of League One.

Can he make it a fourth career promotion with City?

Smallwood said: "I hope we can get promotion, and it's one of the reasons why I came here, to get this great club out of this division.

"I hope my League One experience can help. Time will tell but I think we're good enough, with the squad and coaches that we have.

"It's down to us players to do the business on the pitch now though."