JAMES Meredith reckons City's recruitment record shows they are capable of rebuilding from their play-off final heartache.

Meredith joined Wembley winners Millwall this week to make the jump to the Championship but admitted there was a "good chance" he would have stayed at Valley Parade if the result had gone the other way.

Yet speaking exclusively to the Telegraph & Argus, the defender backed Stuart McCall to lift his former club again – with the same quality of new faces.

Meredith said: "I'm not certain what their position is with keeping the senior players right now.

"But one thing I've noticed is how good the recruiting has been with Abbo (Greg Abbott). The players we've signed are all good young ones with something to prove.

"Stuart McCall is a really good manager. Everyone's got respect for him. He keeps a good dressing room and plays great football. I think he'll do well again but how well, I don't know.

"Phil Parkinson was a tough act to follow but while I wouldn't say it was easy, the way we played and the culture Stuart brought to the club, everyone really enjoyed themselves.

"It was just a shame we couldn't put the cherry on the cake and get the promotion – but hopefully Bradford will next season."

McCall spoke about the thin line between success and failure after Steve Morison's late winner ended City's promotion dream. Meredith is unlikely to have looked elsewhere if the Bantams had gone up instead.

The defender said: "Certainly, there would have been a good chance (of me staying). My main aim for the season was to get promoted with Bradford.

"I really believed that we were going to do it. Unfortunately it didn't happen. But (if they had gone up), it was certainly possible because Bradford are a great club.

"The morning of the final I was digging myself and saying 'I want to score today' even though I was playing full back. I was really hungry to make my mark.

"I think I had four shots and I should have done better with the header. I know you shouldn't make excuses but I got cramp as I jumped."

Meredith rejected a new deal from City for his first crack at the Championship. He made 220 appearances after Parkinson signed him from York five years ago and takes a host of memories away.

He said: "I've been at Bradford for a long time and loved being at the club. We've had some really good years – getting promoted from League Two, great cup runs and then the play-offs.

"We had a really good season this time and it was a real pity we didn't get promoted because Stuart McCall has been brilliant since he's been here.

"I still clearly remember all the York fans telling me it was a sideways step when I signed and that I'd made the wrong decision.

"But we hit the ground running in that first season under Phil Parkinson, reaching the League Cup final and promotion, and it went from there.

"My favourite game will always be Chelsea. It was just so unreal – you couldn't write it.

"The fans celebrating behind that goal after we got the fourth goal and knew we were going to win was my most memorable moment. Chelsea were storming the league at the time and it was just incredible."