IT’S a popular football cliche for players to talk about the great camaraderie within a tight-knit dressing room.

Of course, they are unlikely to say otherwise and start lambasting their workmates.

But that doesn’t mean that it does not ring true at some clubs.

Anyone wondering about the bond between the present City squad only had to be at Valley Parade last weekend for the Liam Smiles charity dinner organised by Colin Doyle and his wife Becky.

The team were out in force to support their popular keeper and the fund-raising cause set up after his youngest son contracted meningitis.

The close connection among Stuart McCall’s players is clear to anyone – and not just to supporters.

Alex Jones was struck by that feeling the moment he first walked into the dressing room in January.

He believes that “all for one” attitude is a key reason behind City’s consistent presence in the top six throughout the entire campaign.

Jones said: “I noticed it straight away when I signed. There really is a great togetherness and team spirit here, not just on the pitch but off it as well.

“You can see it in the performances. The lads have been fantastic throughout the whole season to be where they have.

“They’ve never dropped off. That shows what a great effort it’s been from all the players and staff.”

City head to Bury tomorrow in fourth spot but still well aware there is no leeway in the chase for a play-off ticket.

Millwall’s midweek win at Shrewsbury cut their advantage in the top six to three points, although Bolton did the Bantams a favour by beating Southend.

Without sounding cocky, Jones is confident McCall’s men can see the job through without looking for any favours elsewhere.

“Keep doing what we have been all season and I don’t think we’ll be too far off,” said the striker.

“Sitting in the dressing room, you look to your left or right and you can see there’s great ability there and the right attitude.

“It’s a great feeling to have, knowing that the person next to you will always give 100 per cent.

“We know there is a lot of work to do but it breeds that confidence around the whole squad.”

Jones will be making his second trip to Gigg Lane this season – and will hope for a much better outcome this time around.

He made one of his earliest appearances for Port Vale at Bury in September but was subbed early in the second half as his loan team went down 4-1 on a pitch that was reduced to a lake in places because of a torrential downpour.

Yet he returns to the scene of that watery ‘crime’ in good form and excited by the prospect of having another massive travelling City army behind him.

Jones said: “My dad lives in Italy but came over for the Scunthorpe game and was in the away end.

“He said how much he enjoyed it and how good the atmosphere was. I told him it was like that every game, home or away.

“Our fans are always in good voice. We took 1,000 to Charlton in midweek and the noise they made was amazing.

“The support has been brilliant and hopefully we can repay them come the end of the season on April 30.”