In the return of his T&A column, Bantams legend John Hendrie breaks his silence on the club’s demise this year.

With Julian Rhodes back on board, he insists it’s not too late to turn the season round.

BRADFORD City have been in a worse position than this.

A few years ago they were nearly rock-bottom of League Two. Before that there were two administrations when we wondered if the club would survive.

I remember Dave Baldwin ringing me up at that time and asking for my help to try and get the club back on a positive footing again. He was speaking to everyone with City at heart to get them on board and pulling in the same direction.

I started doing the column in the Telegraph & Argus at that point and every time I’d try to be positive. I wanted to say good things about my club.

When Phil Parkinson’s team were having a wobble one time, I came out and said they’d make the play-offs. I left myself open to flak but I could see something there – and by the end of the season, they were in the top six.

I wouldn’t put my neck on the line if I didn’t believe it. I’ve always been honest and said what I’ve thought.

But since January, I’ve not done any columns. I’ve found it hard to talk favourably about the club.

Sadly, I’m not surprised with what’s gone on since the turn of the year and I’m not alone. A lot of people in football could see this coming.

I’m no hypocrite so hence the column stopped. Things are better left unsaid.

I’ve kept my counsel and this is the first time I have spoken about Bradford City since.

The club is in my family’s DNA. They are City fans and it hurts to see what’s gone on.

I feel the club have lost their identity.

You think of everything we’ve all been through together, the fire, the ups and downs along the way, there have been tears, there’s been glory at Wembley.

People work hard all week to see their team play on a Saturday. They go along to be entertained.

It’s special seeing the different generations at Valley Parade and that warm feeling of togetherness.

We’ve always been one big family and it’s as if that has suddenly been split up.

When you’re in the entertainment industry, you’ve got to hang on to your supporters, embrace them and treat them right. Make them feel part of it.

Treat them with respect – it’s the same with fans, players, sponsors. Everyone wants the same thing to be successful and the best chance of achieving that is through being together.

At this moment, it’s all fragmented and that makes it very hard for the team to perform.

Trust me I know. I played for Newcastle United while there was massive boardroom upheaval going on and I thought I was playing for “sack the board” on a Saturday afternoon.

It is poison and of course that will have an effect.

City fans aren’t happy with the situation and rightly so. Neither am I.

But do you lie down and accept what’s happened or do we all fight together?

I’m hoping that bringing Julian Rhodes back is the start of the turnaround. Because it’s clear to see that it wasn’t working.

Bradford City will always be here when we’re long gone. No individual is bigger than the club.

The Bradford fire changed me as a person. It made me mentally tougher. My thinking became ‘I’m here for a good time not a long time’.

Don’t look back became my motto – and that’s what we’ve got to do now. The damage has been done so what can we do going forward?

Is it too late? Well there are 29 games to play, that’s 87 points.

If City can cling on to January and not be too far from the pack, then the big question can be asked. How much is going to be invested in the transfer window to give them a fighting chance?

The target this season is fifth bottom, forget anything else. And with so long to go, it’s doable.

Between now and the end of the year, you’ve got Oxford, Plymouth, Scunthorpe and Rochdale to play. They are four huge games against teams just above City.

David Hopkin needs something to build on – a terrible 0-0 draw would be a start. A clean sheet to stop the rot.

Julian coming in is a cry for help because mistakes have been made.

He’s got no magic wand and there are a lot of bridges to rebuild. He’ll need help from as many contacts as possible in the game.

Football is a village. Coaches, players and agents all talk.

Players coming in, whether it’s permanent or on loan, have got to be looked after.

If you borrow your mate’s car or his jacket, you look after it. If that doesn’t happen, then word gets around.

I’ve no doubt Julian will have a realistic strategy but it’s so important that you be supportive to staff and players. He’s got to inspire and not deflate.

People have got to be left to do their jobs. If that doesn’t happen, I fear the worst.

We’ve all got to pull in one direction in the current predicament on and off the pitch.

It’s the manager’s job to coach and cajole the boys to get the best out of the team.

Players individually and collectively have got to strive for improvement, it’s their jobs!

They can’t always play well but as a bare minimum, they should be giving their absolute lot. If they do, I’m sure the supporters would appreciate it and encourage them all the way.

Confidence is clearly low being at the bottom of the league and you don’t want players going further into their shells.

I know it’s tough but the crowd is a big selling point for a player potentially coming in to the club.

If numbers are dropping and dropping, that attraction won’t be there anymore.

Winning a football game is hard enough anyway but that’s why everyone at the club has a part to play.

As soon as the players cross that white line, they need as much backing as possible from everyone.

If they’ve got that, they’ll give that extra 10 per cent, try that match-winning ball, try that shot because there is more belief around them.

It’s not too late to get out of this mess but we’ve all got to be pulling in the same direction.

Mentally and physically, fortune favours the brave.

Everyone, let’s give it a go. Surely, it’s better than doing nothing at all. C’mon City.