WHEN he steps out in front of a packed-out Valley Parade for Bradford City's marquee derby of the 2025-26 season, Tommy Leigh may just pause for a moment and think about his journey.

Rejected as a youngster at hometown club Portsmouth, Leigh was entitled to wonder if he was destined to crack it in the professional realm.

For a spell, he tried his hand as a plasterboarder, while rebuilding his football career in non-league circles at Bognor.

Following a circuitous route, he now finds himself at City, preparing for the club's first home derby with Huddersfield Town in almost 19 years.

Bradford City's Tommy Leigh, pictured in action in last weekend's derby at Doncaster Rovers.

placeholder image — Bradford City's Tommy Leigh, pictured in action in last weekend's derby at Doncaster Rovers.

It is certainly a big weekend for the 25-year-old, who would dearly relish his own derby 'double'. Pompey, his boyhood club, face bitter Solent rivals Southampton on Sunday lunch-time.

Leigh, who has found a positional home in midfield, said: "When you get released at a young age, you think that's it. But you never give up.

"Something's out there for you and that what I've found now. I never look back now and I can hopefully just progress as a footballer.

"It's been a mad journey and I never thought I'd be here now to be honest when I look back.

Tommy Leigh, pictured in Bradford City's pre-season friendly against Middlesbrough. Photo by George Wood/Getty Images.

"But I am now and am determined to carry on.

"I got released when I was about 16 and went into work and have just worked hard in football really.

"I (actually) gave up for a year, but carried on going and playing football and enjoying it with my mates and turned pro at the age of 21 and never looked back since.

"I was learning a trade (before) – plasterboarding – and was doing that for maybe two years and turned pro."

On Saturday's mouth-watering fixture, where a sell-out derby crowd is expected, he added: "Obviously, it will be massive. I've not been brought up in professional football, I was brought up playing non-league, so this will be massive for me.

"Hopefully if I am playing, I can go and show what I can do, really.

"For the fans, it's massive. But I think it's bigger for us as players as we're the ones on the pitch.

"We need to make everything right for us on Saturday, really.”

Former City defender Luke Hendrie has returned to the club as their new lead youth development phase (YDP) coach.

Hendrie, 31, featured 40 times in three playing spells for the Bantams.