Bantams look to Scotland as Jackson aims to make mark

The Bantams are looking for a permanent successor to Peter Taylor and have been inundated with applications since news first broke last week of the 58-year-old’s decision to stand down.

Peter Jackson has been placed in temporary charge with joint- chairmen Mark Lawn and Julian Rhodes already having stated that the former City captain will remain in charge for at least the next two games – the weekend trip to Gillingham and the following Tuesday’s derby at home to Rotherham United.

Due to the City board being determined to take their time in appointing a new manager, Jackson’s stint may be extended with City, who are seven points clear of the relegation zone in League Two following Burton Albion’s win at Northampton Town on Tuesday night, being due to visit Morecambe a week on Saturday.

That would allow more time for the club to sift through the applications and draw up a shortlist for interview.

Hughes, who left Hibs last October after 16 months in charge, is understood to be on the club’s radar.

He had a successful spell in charge of Falkirk before moving to Easter Road, leading the Bairns to promotion and an appearance in the 2009 Scottish Cup final against Rangers.

Jackson continues to build towards his bow in charge of Bradford after watching an experienced reserve side beat Port Vale 6-2.

Among the first-team players on show at Eccleshill United’s Plumpton Park were Jon McLaughlin, Gareth Evans, Scott Dobie, Tom Adeyemi and Jake Speight.

Football fans from across the country will tonight descend on Sheffield Wednesday’s Hillsborough ground to question an expert panel of police, Home Office staff, academics and journalists at a conference entitled ‘Watching Football Is Not A Crime!’

Staged by the Football Supporters’ Federation, the free event aims to air concerns over how matches are policed and the application of some football banning orders.

A spokesman said: “During the 2009-10 season, football-related arrests fell by 10 per cent and seven out of 10 games saw no arrests whatsoever.

“Out of 37 million fans who attended matches last season, only 0.01 per cent were arrested – one in every 10,000 fans.

“Despite this, many fans feel the police and media still overplay the significance of football hooliganism and, as a result, tar all fans with the same brush.

“The end result is often over-zealous policing and stewarding, which only serves to alienate many law-abiding supporters.”

The event starts at 7.00pm in the Sheridan Suite at Hillsborough and is open to fans of all clubs.