JAMES Meredith reckons that familiarity breeds contentment as City’s rearguard prepare for their fourth season together.

The Aussie left back signed off an encouraging personal campaign by putting pen to paper on a new deal in April, which ties him down at Valley Parade until 2017.

Andrew Davies is the only member of the long-serving backline not currently contracted for the next couple of seasons but talks are ongoing to get him nailed down.

It is the same defensive unit that formed the cornerstone of promotion via the League Two play-offs two years ago.

While other departments have evolved in that time, the base remains unchanged.

Meredith, who saw off Alan Sheehan’s challenge to start 50 games last term, believes that solidity of back four personnel remains a major plus for Phil Parkinson.

He views more success in the future as “inevitable”.

He said: “It’s a positive thing because we all build good relationships, we all know how each other plays and it keeps that core character in the team.

“We’ve all got that same ethos and know what it’s all about and what you have to do to play for Bradford City.

“It has a knock-on effect with all the other players, especially the new ones or those coming in. It’s a really valuable thing that this club has.

“It’s the same with the manager being here so many years. Nowadays so many managers come and go.

“The fact he’s the sixth longest (serving manager) now shows the fantastic work he has done.

“The staff and the team we’re building, that’s one of the main reasons I stayed because I can see that inevitably there are going to be good things to come.”

Meredith’s fortunes have transformed since last summer when he looked to be on his way out.

But after securing a one-year deal on the eve of the season, he rediscovered his best form to take the starting shirt from Sheehan in October.

By the end, only defensive colleagues Stephen Darby and Rory McArdle started more games.

It was no surprise that Meredith was keen to get his own future sorted before the season was done.

He added: “There are quite a few players like Rory McArdle, Stephen Darby and James Hanson that have another two years remaining (on their contracts) as well.

“We’ve got a lot of good players in the team and I’m sure the gaffer will look to add for next season in the areas he thinks we need a bit more strength or depth.

“Players know what we’re about as a club and they’ve seen what we can achieve on the cup runs.

“With the crowd we get and the support of the fans, it’s a good place to be.”