WHAT’S in a number? Quite a lot when you are wearing a certain figure in claret and amber.

Think of a club and name the number – the seven shirts at Manchester United and Liverpool, the nine at Newcastle.

For the present wearer, there is the added weight of history and “doing justice” to a shirt worn with such distinction in previous times.

At Valley Parade, of course, that’s the number four. And the spotlight of carrying the number synonymous with Stuart McCall’s on-field leadership is even greater when the man himself is looking on from the dug-out.

“I’ve heard it’s a big number,” laughed Jake Reeves, the latest recipient of a shirt worn last season by Nicky Law.

“They are big shoes to fill from what I know about the gaffer!

“But I’m here to play my own game and hopefully the fans will like me because of that.”

Reeves apparently asked for eight at first but that had already been snapped up by Timothee Dieng. But he looks a good fit for the number with the special resonance with Bantams fans.

Some within the club have even whispered that there is a touch of the young McCall about the 24-year-old’s energy and ability to get round the park.

Certainly the fact he was one of only five League One players to be on the pitch for every minute of last season is an attractive selling point to fans.

“It’s not a bad engine,” he said. “But touch wood I’ll be all right this season and not get injured.

“But I’ve got to establish myself in the team first. You’re not just going to walk into the team, you’ve got to work hard and perform on the pitch.”

Reeves is keen to push himself with a club targeting promotion after the Wembley heartache of defeat in the play-off final.

He is also looking forward to the buzz of having to perform in front of a bumper Valley Parade crowd.

Reeves was in the Wimbledon side beaten 3-0 in City’s final home game of the league last season watched by 18,000 fans.

He is excited by the prospect of having that audience roaring him on every other week.

Reeves added: “The fan-base here is massive. I’ve obviously played here a couple of times before so I know it’s a great stadium.

“From what I’ve heard from lads, the fans are absolutely brilliant. They are always getting behind you whether you win, lose or draw as long as you give your all.

“Everyone wants to play in front of big crowds. It’s going to be a little bit different at the start but something I’m sure I’ll relish.

“I think this move is perfect for me. I’d always say, the best form of defence is attack and that’s exactly what this team does.

“I played against them twice last year and they pretty much did that both games.

“Of course, there are going to be big expectations. But that’s what you play football for.

“You don’t just want to sit there and go through the motions trying to stay up. You want to push on and be at a club that have got a bit of drive and want to go somewhere.”