STEVE Davies will make his move to City a family affair again – after banning them from watching Blackpool home games.

The striker became Phil Parkinson’s first signing of the summer and will be quickly followed by Blackburn winger Josh Morris.

Davies, whose arrival finally ended City’s interest in keeping Jon Stead, aims to use the one-year deal to “prove himself” again after admitting that his career had stagnated in two seasons with the troubled Seasiders.

He is also looking forward to taking his wife and young children to home matches again, having stopped them from attending Bloomfield Road because of the toxic atmosphere between the crowd and the board.

Davies said: “My wife and two kids go to the games, walk in the stadium and my four-year-old little girl is asking ‘why’s everyone shouting and booing dad?’

“It wasn’t a nice atmosphere with the protests kicking off from the start. It got to the point where I stopped my family coming.

“I didn’t think that’s fair because they are my kids and why can’t they watch their dad play football? When it gets to that stage it’s time to put your foot down and make a decision.

“You’d be going into home games and the fans were moaning before we’d even kicked off.

“With everything going on, the supporters probably had every right and that’s why a lot of lads who have left there haven’t got a bad word to say about them.

“It’s their club, they are great fans who pay their money and they deserve a lot considering what they put up with.

“As a footballer, you’re paid to go on the pitch and perform but I think it was a lot easier in away games.

“There wasn’t that atmosphere you had at home. It was just so negative from the minute you walked into the stadium.

“Football is an opportunity to enjoy myself and express what I’m good at and I don’t think I’m able to do that unless I bring my wife and kids.

“When you go home, whether you’ve won, drawn or lost, it’s them who pick you up. If they can’t share what you’re going through, it’s pointless.”

With City’s season-ticket sales already beating their 15,000 target, Davies is relishing the contrast of stepping out in front of a vibrant Valley Parade.

“I wasn’t aware they’d sold so many until the manager told me but I know the size of this club.

“I haven’t played at Bradford for a number of years since I was with Tranmere but it’s always had a great fan-base. It was an easy decision to come here.”

Davies admits his fitness needs building up after a disruptive pre-season schedule at Blackpool. But Parkinson is confident of knocking him into shape in time for the August 8 opener.

The City boss said: “It was important we got Steve in now after he missed a lot of pre-season last year with the interruptions at Blackpool.

“That didn’t help him even though he finished the season well with Sheffield United. We want to get him as fit as we can but we know he is a very technical player.

“Steve is a different type of player to James Hanson, he can come short and link the play or play at the top of the pitch with Billy Clarke.

“There’s work to be done in terms of forging partnerships but he is a very good footballer.”