Bradford City v Stockport County: Victory is all that counts says departing Taylor

The 58-year-old will take charge of the Bantams for the final time today and with second-bottom County being just six points behind Bradford, a win is paramount to ease any fears that the club could be dragged into the relegation scrap.

Taylor said: “What matters now is what happens on the pitch against Stockport. The players listened to what I said (when telling the squad of the news of his departure on Thursday morning) and they are determined to get the win.

“It is disappointing that I haven’t been able to bring success to Bradford City because this is a smashing club. But I want to end with a win.”

City’s search for a new manager will be stepped up after today’s game with the club understood to have been inundated with applications.

Joint chairman Julian Rhodes said: “It is a mystery as I doubt we could have made a more qualified appointment a year ago. Peter has always been successful at this level.

“Results have not been good enough. We hoped the corner had been turned after beating Wycombe but that hasn’t turned out to be the case.”

All eyes are likely to be on the directors box and executive areas today as supporters try to spot any potential new managers taking the chance to watch City in action.

Last year, for instance, Russell Slade and Martin Allen watched the Grimsby Town game – the first following Stuart McCall’s departure – from the 1911 Club.