RECRUITMENT and the return of a "never-say-die" attitude for Bradford City will be key to success in League Two, says Steve Parkin.

The former Bantams assistant manager, who is taking on the coast to coast cycle ride to raise funds for the Stephen Darby Foundation this weekend, hopes the Bantams can bounce straight back next season.

Parkin himself has experienced testing times over this campaign with boss Phil Parkinson at Bolton, as the club were demoted from the Championship and are struggling financially.

But the duo took City to promotion into League One and an unheralded League Cup final appearance during their tenure at Valley Parade.

Parkin, who is joined by Parkinson among others on the cycle ride for Darby, said: "We can only talk about the great times we had there really, because we were fortunate enough to do very well.

"We had the whole city united right behind us and it was worth its weight in gold.

"Every club goes through bad times and good times, the important thing is how you come through the bad times.

"Bradford have done it before - they've shown resilience before and I'm sure they'll do it again.

"They've got a good manager, it's a big club as far as I'm concerned.

"The division is a division where, if they get it right in terms of recruitment and make sure that they have a good pre-season, then they'll be right up there as one of the ones that should do well really.

"Certainly me, Phil and Tim (Breaker) would love to see that, because we had some very fond memories at the football club and it's a club that's very dear to our heart."

Bantams fans have took exception throughout the season to an apparent lack of desire from some players.

Parkin believes City supporters like to see players putting sweat on the shirt and says that was a hallmark of the Parkinson era.

He added: "There were no major stars. They were just a really good, hard-working bunch of lads, who gave everything for each other and for the crowd and for the club.

"I'm sure, if they get back to that, then there's no reason why next season they can't have some success."

"It's a never-die attitude, never-give-in attitude, always believe that you can achieve something, win even sometimes from not great positions.

"That ability to comeback from behind and get a victory, that kind of team spirit can be bonded over the summer when I'm sure the manager will get some new players in.

"It's a bond that can be used and grown together over the period of pre-season, so they can get off to a great start and hit the season head on."

Former City full back Darby retired from football last year following his diagnosis of motor neurone disease.

To donate money to the cycle ride, visit justgiving.com/crowdfunding/c2cstephendarby