JAMES Hanson is adamant that City can win promotion this season as they bid to maintain their League One ascent at home to basement outfit Crewe tomorrow.

After a sluggish start to the season, the Bantams are unbeaten in six league outings and in touching distance of the play-off places.

Their recent run has encouraged Hanson that a serious promotion push is possible as Phil Parkinson’s men seek to better the seventh-placed finish they achieved last term.

Hanson, a key figure when City went up during the unforgettable 2012-13 campaign, said: “We can definitely push hard for promotion this season.

“If you look at last year and how unlucky we were to miss out on the play-offs, without being disrespectful I think the league is a little bit weaker this season.

“We know that if we approach every game in the right manner, and if we’re on it for the majority of the time, then yes, I think we can get promoted.”

Hanson has scored twice in his last four games, including the winner against Blackpool in City’s last home match at Valley Parade.

The imposing striker added: “I’m delighted with how it’s going at the moment.

“As a team we have to keep building momentum and extend our unbeaten run.

“Saturday will be tough but hopefully if we score first then Crewe will crumble.

“Anyone can beat anyone in this league and we’ve got to approach it in the right manner and make sure we are fully on it.

“As you’ve seen this season, when we’ve not been on our game we have been lucky to get a point.

“It would be great to go into the Aldershot game on the back of another good league win.”

Hanson’s story has been well documented.

He stacked shelves in his local Co-op store in Idle and played for Eccleshill United before heading to Guiseley and then being snapped up by City.

The 28-year-old dreams of playing at a higher level, especially after playing a key role in a number of City’s giantkilling exploits in recent seasons.

Hanson added: “I remember playing against Jamie Vardy when he was at Stocksbridge and now he’s representing England, so it’s remarkable what he has achieved.

“I’m no different to any other footballer in that I want to play at the highest level I possibly can.

“Once you’ve had the taste of it in the cup games, you want to be playing at that level week in and week out.

“It would be better if Bradford went and got promoted this season because that’s where we want to play our football.

“We’re just taking it one game at a time but we’re slowly creeping up the table now after a slow start.

“We like to think that we’re getting a bit of momentum now and hopefully we can continue pushing up the league."

Greg Leigh is set to make his City debut tomorrow against the club where he enjoyed a successful loan spell last season.

The 21-year-old left back played nearly forty games for Crewe during a loan spell from Manchester City.

He was then snapped up by the Bantams during the summer and should start tomorrow with James Meredith still away on Australia duty.

Meredith enjoyed a dream debut yesterday as the Socceroos’ 3-0 Socceroos crushed Kyrgyzstan 3-0 in a World Cup qualifier in Canberra.

The win moved the Socceroos into first place in Group B, a point ahead of Jordan, after five matches.

Hanson said: “Meredith has been outstanding since he came here and he should maybe have had the call earlier for the way he has conducted himself on and off the field.

“Players have been waiting for their chance and this is the time they can step up and prove to the gaffer that they are worthy of the shirt.

“With Greg being on loan at Crewe last season, you couldn’t really write the script any better that he will be making his league debut for us against them.

“He was brilliant against Barnsley in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy and has been unfortunate that he has come up against an Australia international in Meredith, who has been brilliant.”

Meanwhile, rookie striker Reece Webb-Foster has signed a professional contract with the Bantams, keeping him at the club until July 2018.

The 17-year-old became one of the youngest ever players to represent City during a Capital One Cup tie at MK Dons last season.

Meanwhile, the Football League will be rebranded as the English Football League from the start of next season.