Colin Todd would love to see City turn Julian Rhodes' promotion dream into reality this season.

Todd believes it would be a fitting tribute to the efforts his former boss has put in keeping the club afloat over recent years.

With City chasing the likes of Chris Brandon and Luke Beckett, he thinks the next few weeks are crucial in shaping their fortunes for the campaign ahead.

"I know Julian wants success and he deserves it for everything," said the ex-Bantams chief.

"He's done so much during some very difficult times and it would be good if his hopes could come to fruition.

"But you have to be careful. A lot depends on what happens in the close season in terms of who Stuart McCall might bring in. If he can get his targets early, so much the better.

"The team started last season indifferently but finished well and the expectation levels for Stuart have obviously become greater.

"The club has a good fan-base and Julian is trying to please the supporters with the cheap season tickets. If he can generate that same enthusiasm this year, then hopefully the club can respond on the pitch."

Todd, sacked by City in February 2007, was back in Bradford yesterday to sign copies of his autobiography. He also took the opportunity to meet up with Rhodes - and insisted the manner of his dismissal has never affected their relationship.

Todd, now in charge at Randers FC in Denmark, said: "I thoroughly enjoyed my time at the club. There were difficult periods but through adversity we became strong and I always had a smile on my face.

"There has never been any bitterness on my part over what happened at the end. Sometimes chairmen get a little bit of fear put in them by a minority of supporters but that's just the nature of the beast.

"I've kept in touch with Julian over the course of time and that's why I want the club to do well again. After what he and his family have been through, it would be lovely to see them moving in the right direction."

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