STEVE Claridge scored twice in a 3-2 win against Swindon at the County Ground in September 2005.

Not much has gone right against the Robins since.

The much-travelled striker, who as the saying goes had more clubs than Jack Nicklaus, arrived at Valley Parade in the twilight of his career.

He was 39 but came off the bench to score twice and inspire the Bantams to a first win in four matches.

Rory Fallon put Swindon in front with a header past Russell Howarth before Dean Windass equalised for City with a neat chip.

Claridge, who replaced Danny Cadamarteri at the break, then struck twice in eight second-half minutes.

He fired home from close range before turning and shooting from the edge of the area to ensure Fallon’s second was no more than a consolation.

Since that victory at the County Ground, City have played Swindon seven times and failed to win any of them.

The Robins did the double over Phil Parkinson’s side last season, winning both games 2-1 as they reached the play-off final, where they suffered a thumping 4-0 Wembley defeat to Preston.

After the opening-day trek to Wiltshire, the Bantams travel to York City in the Capital One Cup before hosting newly-promoted Shrewsbury Town at Valley Parade on August 15.

Gillingham are the visitors for another midweek game on Tuesday, August 18 before City head to Barnsley for a Yorkshire derby at Oakwell on Saturday, August 22.

The division has a distinctly northern flavour to it this coming season with Blackpool and Wigan’s relegation to the Championship coupled with Bury’s promotion from League Two.

There will be Yorkshire derbies with Sheffield United, Doncaster, Barnsley and trips across the Pennines to Rochdale, Bury, Fleetwood, Wigan and Blackpool.

Other notable dates include the home clash with Nigel Adkins’ Blades on Saturday, September 19 before a short trip to Rochdale on Saturday, October 3.

Blackpool and Wigan come to Bradford on October 10 and 24 respectively either side of a midweek visit from Bury on Tuesday, October 20.

On Boxing Day, City are at home to Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink’s newly-promoted Burton Albion, a side the Bantams have not faced since clinching a dramatic 3-1 play-off semi-final win in May 2013 at the Pirelli Stadium.

The festive fixture could see former City keeper Jon McLaughlin, now with Albion, make his first return to Valley Parade.

There is a Yorkshire derby at Bramall Lane on December 28 before another away game at Gillingham on January 2.

Other notable fixtures include the short journey to Oldham on Saturday, September 5, the away match at Millwall on Saturday, October 31 and the trip to Blackpool on Saturday, February 27.

City end their campaign with a visit to Southend on April 30 before a final-day home game against Chesterfield on Sunday, May 8.

LEEDS UNITED open their Championship campaign with a mouthwatering home clash against Burnley.

The Whites will be playing under new boss Uwe Rosler for the first time and a bumper crowd at Elland Road looks guaranteed.