THE new season is here at last and I am extremely excited.

It has felt like a long summer which has gone on forever but everyone has had a really good pre-season.

We have all been put through our paces and worked hard, so we are all ready to go now.

I have been impressed with the new signings we have made and I am sure they will get a chance to show what they can do because the start of the season is always a hectic time.

The games come thick and fast and fingers crossed everything goes according to plan.

I think we could do with a few more numbers and I am sure the gaffer is doing his best to strengthen us further.

I have been asked a couple of times recently – what is a realistic target for Bradford City this season?

I think it would be good to improve on where we finished last season and if we did not better that, it would be quite disappointing.

You can’t take two steps forward and four steps back.

We must really push on this year and I’m sure with the players we have brought, coupled with the drive of the manager, who is obviously a very determined character, we must aim for the play-offs.

That has to be our aim because there is no shortage of quality to have arrived.

Gary Liddle is someone I knew from Middlesbrough and he always had ability.

He had a couple of injuries which cut his Boro career short and he never played for the first team but he then went on to play a lot of games for Hartlepool and Notts County.

I’m sure he will be a big hit with the fans because he’s a really down-to-earth lad and someone who I like a lot.

On another note, I am growing a beard for charity until December 17 – the date of my 30th birthday.

I sat down with Graham Duckworth, our kitman, and I asked what I could do for charity.

He suggested going for a run, a bike ride or growing my hair… but I didn’t want to grow my hair because it will get in my eyes when I’m playing!

So I’m growing a beard and all funds raised will go to the Macmillan Charity and the Bradford City Burns Unit Appeal – two great causes.