Should City beat Macclesfield at Valley Parade this week, Peter Taylor will say thanks to Stuart McCall.

The Bantams legend has done his bit for Taylor’s pre-match preparations after running the rule over the opposition.

McCall is currently scouting for Norwich and can watch up to four different games a week. And having watched Macclesfield’s recent meetings with Burton and Rotherham, he was keen to pass on any information that might help.

“I’ve offered Jakes (Wayne Jacobs) and Peter a little insight into them,” said McCall. “I know that game’s coming up and I’ve seen them play twice.

“I mainly watch Championship sides but I’ve seen a few others as well. Newcastle and Blackpool was a fantastic game of football and I went to Liverpool for a Europa League game.

“The little lad and I were sat behind Dalglish, Hansen and Rush and it was great. Then Bruce Grobbelaar grabbed me and wanted to know what I was doing there as a blue!

“I was also lucky to see Man City and Juventus. But at the other end of the scale, I went to York just before the boy Brodie went for an unbelievable amount of money.

“Watching games gets me out the house and it’s better than sitting at home on a Saturday watching Deano’s face on Sky! It’s something to do while I’m having time out.”

Former Rangers chief scout Ewan Chester got McCall the work after he moved to Carrow Road in the summer. But the former City boss admits the lack of emotional attachment means there is something missing.

“When I was at Bradford, I’d watch other games and always be planning what we were going to do. We were either playing that team next week or specifically looking at a player.

“Don’t get me wrong, I still love watching football. But it’s not the same buzz going to different places when you’re not supporting a team.”

Nine months on from leaving Valley Parade, McCall would love to get back into management. Other jobs have cropped up – some like York and Lincoln in proximity to his Harrogate home – but none appeal.

He added: “I wouldn’t be frightened if the right job came around but I’ve not applied for anything.

“I know I can’t be out too long – I’ve seen the stat that one in two managers don’t get back in after their first job – but it’s got to be something I passionately want to go and do.

“Without being disrespectful, I saw Paul Simpson come out of the Shrewsbury job and take over at Stockport straight away.

“That was always going to be tough. I read that him and his missus had to clean the ground and all the kit and everything; then they lose two 5-0s in a row.

“With all the effort and hours you put into everything, you’ve got to have that passion to do it. It’s got to feel right.

“I came out of the Premier straight into League Two. People said I didn’t know anything about it but because it was this club I wanted to do it.

“I don’t regret that. But when you haven’t been a great success in League Two, it’s not like losing a job in the Championship – you can’t go down the divisions.

“I wouldn’t go into non-league. It took me almost a season to find out what League Two was like and going into the Conference would be even longer because you need to know all the players and contacts.”

Another stint as a number two, as he did with Neil Warnock at Sheffield United, could be a more realistic option. But for now, McCall will keep his hand in by coaching City’s under-14s.

“It’s something that I love doing,” he said. “John Hendrie’s up there a lot, Jakes’s lads are in the scheme and Deano’s boy is on trial at the minute.

“The other day we only had 11 and we needed three fours so I joined in for an hour. It was fantastic.

“I enjoy the coaching and it’s something I’d love to do.

“I want to get back in the game but not at any cost. I know that another manager’s not going to get the chance I got.”