STUART McCall’s love affair with Bradford City is set for another chapter and everybody will be hoping that it doesn’t end in tears – just like the last one.

While nobody would ever doubt his iconic status as a Bantams player it’s his record as a manager which will be under scrutiny as he picks up the reins again.

Phil Parkinson will be a hard act to follow after his League Two promotion play-off success and the unforgettable cup giant killings.

It will guarantee that McCall, who was 52 on the day that Parkinson was confirmed as Bolton’s new manager, will be firmly in the spotlight.

There is no doubting that the Bantams faithful will be willing him to continue the club’s forward momentum and bury a past record which saw City win 46, draw 35 and lose 52 in the 133 league games under his command.

He was a managerial rookie and the playing squad he had to cobble together then bears no comparison to the one he inherits now.

There is just one survivor from McCall’s previous spell in charge, striker James Hanson who he plucked from non-league soccer with Guiseley.

McCall is now older and wiser after gaining valuable managerial experience north of the border both at domestic and international level.

He made a big impression at Motherwell when given the chance to revive his managerial career after his disappointment at failing to lift City out of League Two.

He has since had a short spell in charge of another of his former clubs, Rangers, after the departure of Ally McCoist, and he will have benefitted with his role working alongside Scotland boss Gordon Strachan.

McCall’s second coming as a player saw him captain the side which took City to the promised land of the Premier League – his adoring fans will be hoping that this time around he can steer the side into the Championship and build on the sound foundations left by his predecessor.

There’s no doubt that they would prefer to see tears of joy rather than the bitter ones of disappointment rolling down the cheeks of a man whose love affair with the club is an endearing one which deserves one more glorious chapter.