CHIEF operating officer James Mason paid tribute to Rory McArdle after the defender became the last "history-maker" to leave the Bantams yesterday.

The 30-year-old's widely-expected move to League One rivals Scunthorpe was confirmed yesterday on a three-year contract.

With Stephen Darby and James Meredith having also left Valley Parade in the close season, it means there are no players left on the books who were involved in the historic 2012-13 campaign – when City reached Wembley twice after making the Capital One Cup final before enjoying League Two play-off glory.

McArdle played 231 times for City and scored 15 goals, with Mason saying: "He has certainly been a great servant to the club and he will be well remembered by fans who have watched our progression over the last five years.

"He is one of the history makers, scoring some of the most important goals in the club's history – notably at Wembley, Aston Villa (pictured) and most recently against Fleetwood in the play-off semi-final.

"He will go down as a legend and we wish him well.

"It would have been great for him to be part of our team next season but things change in football and he will always be welcome back at Bradford City."

Mason admitted the defender's departure signalled the end of an era but said the club were intent on building a new period of success. He said: "Football is an ever-changing industry. We've built some great teams in the past that over time break up through the natural forces of football.

"This is the end of an era, we respect it and enjoy it for what it was and we now look forward to building a new era with hopefully the current and new players being heroes for the next generation."

McArdle rejected City's offer of a new deal and is understood to have been given better financial terms with the Iron. His exit comes on the back of Mark Marshall's departure to Charlton last week.

Mason said: "We have limits and a strategy in place and we'll stick with them."