Parkinson determined City players will hit the ground running

The Bantams have endured another miserable season with survival in the Football League only having been achieved in recent weeks.

Manager Phil Parkinson, who took charge in late August, is determined City will hit the ground running in League Two next term.

Joint-chairman Mark Lawn said: “It is the most professional pre-season schedule I have seen. The players are going to be given a two-week break but then they will be handed their own individual fitness programmes.

“At various stages, the players will then come in and their fitness levels assessed. Anyone who doesn’t meet the right standard will have to come in for the two weeks before pre-season gets under way.

“Next season is a big one for us and we want to hit the ground running. This season was difficult because Phil came in and his brief was to keep us up.

“Unfortunately, he had to bring in loan players, and beg and borrow to keep us safe. Next season, he gets the chance to put his own squad together and looking at the targets he has in mind then it should be an exciting season.”

Parkinson has a number of transfer targets to consider and Lawn added: “Phil knows the budget and that we have to stick to it.

“It is a long way from the worst budget in the division and if Phil can get the players he wants then we will be in with a shout of reaching the play-offs.”

Today’s game will be preceded by a minute’s silence in honour of the 56 supporters who died in the Bradford fire disaster on May 11, 1985.

Last six games: Bradford City LWLWWL, Swindon Town WWWLLW.

Referee: G Salisbury (Lancashire).

Last time: Bradford City 1 Swindon Town 1; February 11, 2006; League One.

SkyBet odds: Bradford to win 13-5, Swindon to win evens, Draw 5-2.