Phil Parkinson has become the first City boss in over seven years to be named manager of the month.

Parkinson won the League Two prize for December after masterminding a run of ten points out of a possible 12.

The Bantams hauled themselves out of trouble on the back of three straight wins against Southend, Crewe and Shrewsbury.

Two of those teams are in the chase for automatic promotion but City swept both aside, as well as easing past Wimbledon in the FA Cup to reach the third round for the first time in eight years.

Parkinson said: "It's terrific to get the award and I'm really pleased.

"It's an award for the hard work of all the staff and team. I would class it as a joint prize and I'm picking it up on behalf of the club.

"We had a good month and now let's keep building on it."

It is a sign of City's long decline that the last Valley Parade winner was Colin Todd. He picked up the League One award in October 2004 after steering his side to five wins on the bounce.