CITY have been warned about the size of the challenge facing them in League Two – by the former skipper plotting to escape from it tomorrow.

Michael Flynn is looking to continue Newport’s remarkable rise by leading them to promotion in the play-off final against Tranmere at Wembley.

But the Bantams remain close to his heart and he knows exactly what awaits Gary Bowyer’s men from August.

“League Two is going to be even harder again next season,” said Flynn.

“There are a lot of teams now who will be expecting to challenge. Not just the ones who came down or have gone up but those who just missed out on the play-offs.

“Exeter are strong and Colchester, for me, were the best team we played. They’ve got some very good players.

“But I feel Bradford have got the right manager in Gary. He’s got a proven track record and is a very intelligent man.

“He knows what it takes to get out of League Two because he’s done it with Blackpool. I just hope he gets the support he needs.”

Flynn’s three years at City were all spent in the basement division as they often struggled to cope with the expectations and pressure from being the biggest name with the largest fanbase.

City will face the same scenario in August where they will once again house the biggest crowds by far at that level.

He added: “I know more than anybody what it’s like playing at Valley Parade against so-called smaller clubs. They rise to the occasion because of the fantastic crowd.

“Ninety per cent of the time it was like walking out to a Championship game. The fact they’ve sold almost 14,000 season-tickets already goes to show the magnitude of the support.

“But that doesn’t count for anything when kick-off goes. Some teams might get nervous there but others will raise their game.

“It is a massive benefit as a player if you’re one of those who can handle it. If not, then it can be a daunting place.”

Flynn will be making his third Wembley appearance with the Exiles and his second as manager.

He admits there were more nerves as a player to win promotion back to the Football League in 2012.

Flynn added: “I didn’t enjoy that game at all, to be honest, because I knew what it meant to the club after all the turmoil. But it ended up as one of the best days of my career.

“We went back to Wembley last season against Tottenham and now we’re trying to get up to League One. It’s surreal.

“Win or lose, it’s a season to be proud of with what we’ve managed to do. But hand on heart, I think we can do it.

“We’ve had a lot of big games, not just this season and last but even in the ‘great escape’ year.

“We’ve still got six or seven players who were in the squad then and they are used to the pressure situations.

“That part is not worrying me at all. It’s just whether they perform on the day – we don’t want to leave with any regrets.”

If Newport do fall short, there is always the consolation for Flynn of a league visit to Valley Parade.

“You know my feelings for Bradford City, I love them.

“Even though there was a lot of cost-cutting in the time I was there and scaling back, I’ve got so many fond memories.

“I still keep in touch with the lads, Lee Bullock, Simon Ramsden, Steven Williams and even Kev Ellison who was there on loan. We’re really close from our time at Bradford.”