Peter Jackson set to work with City today and declared: This is a huge honour.

The former Bantams skipper has been handed the home-town job he has long coveted on a temporary basis.

And Jackson is ready to give it everything to push City back up the table – and earn the hot-seat post for keeps.

City have had over 40 applications to succeed Peter Taylor and will whittle that down to a shortlist of around a dozen.

Jackson, who watched Saturday’s win over Stockport from the 1911 Club, cannot wait for the chance to stake his claim.

He said: “I spoke to Mark Lawn late last week and I know the position. I’m coming in on a week-to-week basis but I’m hopeful it will lead to a longer deal.

“Mark and the board have got a lot of confidence in me and I’m really looking forward to it.

“When you are born in Bradford and have captained the team, you want to be manager as well. It’s a really big honour.

“It has been frustrating being out of football. I’ve set up my own business in the meantime but as soon as this became available, I was straight on the phone.”

David Wetherall will help Jackson at training this morning but a new assistant could be announced quickly.

The players were called in to Valley Parade yesterday to meet their new boss, who has been out of management since being sacked by Lincoln in September 2009.

Jackson added: “Saturday’s result was a major boost. It was a must-win game and to come back like they did in the second half showed tremendous spirit.

“Stockport played extremely well but it was so important that we won the game, especially with two of the hardest back-to-back matches against Gillingham and Rotherham coming up in the space of four days.

“It could have been a disaster if we’d lost but we got the victory in the end.

“We’re not out of the relegation situation yet but hopefully we can rise to the challenge of facing two sides in the play-offs.”

Jackson has no plans to add any fresh faces to a squad he admits is “top heavy”.

He added: “I’m hoping to liven them up. I’m not saying we need to bring three or four players in – there will be no wholesale changes.

“It’s just getting them to stick together and perform to pull ourselves away from where we are at the moment.

“I think the players have under-achieved this season with the quality there in the side. You’ve got a group of players in the bottom seven when they probably should be in the top seven.”

Wayne Jacobs and Junior Lewis have both been placed on gardening leave following Taylor’s departure.

Lawn said: “Peter seems to get the best out of his players wherever he has been.

“If he keeps winning then he will have a good chance. He’s in the seat now so it’s up to him.”