THERE may be a sense of unfinished business about David Hopkin’s return to Valley Parade.

Eighteen years on and the Scot remains the club’s £2.5 million record signing.

But a reckless two-footed tackle from Darlington’s Martin Gray restricted the Scottish international to just 16 appearances in City’s midfield – and he was back with former club Crystal Palace just seven months after arriving from Leeds United.

Former team-mate David Wetherall can recall Hopkin’s frustration from the 2000-2001 campaign – and knows the strong character that will be looking to lead the club out of their present problems.

He said: “It was extremely tough for Hoppy when he signed because he never really got going.

“I knew what he was capable of from playing with him at Leeds.

"If he’d been able to reproduce that at Valley Parade, he would have been one heck of a signing.

“But he got that bad ankle injury in the League Cup at Darlington and it just set him back.

“Like myself, he probably wasn’t one of these natural athletes. He needed to be fit and at it, get a few games under his belt to really hit his top form.

“But he was never really able to reach that level in a Bradford shirt which was frustrating for all of us. He would have been a top player.”

Wetherall views Hopkin’s appointment as successor to the ill-fated reign of Michael Collins as a good fit for City.

The 48-year-old has taken up his first management job in England after leading Livingston to the Scottish Premier League on the back of two straight promotions.

Wetherall added: “Hoppy did very well up in Scotland so the pieces seem to fit together pretty well.

“He’s a former player at the club and has started his managerial career very successfully.

“Everybody like myself who cares for the football club are desperately hoping that it works out.

“Looking back from when I played with him and we were in the same dressing room, Hoppy is a really forthright character.

“He’s very straight and upfront and I don’t think he’ll leave the players in any doubt as to what he’s feeling.

“You can see if he’s taken those traits into his management then the team will be very clear on what he wants. He will demand high standards.

“Any managerial appointment is a gamble, no matter how experienced people are.

"Some things fit and others don’t but I’m sure Hoppy can shape a winning team again.”