IT WAS a decade that began quietly for City with an uninspiring home draw against Cheltenham.

James O’Brien scored the first goal of the ‘10s for the 15th-placed Bantams before Steve Williams’ red card teed up the penalty equaliser.

Nearly 10 years on, Gary Bowyer’s side are back in the bottom tier but thankfully making a better fist of it in the bid to bounce straight back up.

It’s fair to say plenty has happened in the mean time with so many ups and downs – three Wembley appearances, two play-off finals, a cup final, promotion, Chelsea, Arsenal, Villa, relegation and Edin Rahic. It’s not been dull.

Thanks to the fine research of Bantams Heritage for working out that 237 different players have represented the first team in all competitions.

Of those, 222 have been in the league with James Hanson leading the way with 310 games and 83 goals.

His place in any team of the decade is assured – but, with four games to go before we hit 2020, who should make the cut with him?

City’s last 10 years have peaked in three moments, Phil Parkinson’s history makers of 2012-2013, his FA Cup quarter-finalists from two years later and the 2017 side that Stuart McCall steered to Wembley.

It’s hard to put a case for anybody outside of those teams to feature in any best 11.

In fact, it would be easy just to stick with the entire line-up that took the Bantams to the national stadium twice in a couple of months during that first campaign that will never, ever be forgotten.

That side provided memories that will forever stay with fans – and journalists lucky enough to be reporting on the journey.

But in the week of yet another General Election, it’s only fair to consider all the candidates when making the choice.

Here’s my City team of the decade but feel free to refuse to respect the result.

GOALKEEPER: Jon McLaughlin

He was between the sticks for that low-key opener against Cheltenham and would be a mainstay of Phil Parkinson’s promotion team.

While Matt Duke was in goal for all but one of the League Cup run - and produced the single most impressive keeping display I have seen in the first semi-final with Aston Villa – McLaughlin’s overall consistency just shades it for me. And he was very good at stopping penalties.

An honourable nod as well to Ben Williams for his club record 27 clean sheets in 2015-16 and Colin Doyle, who memorably played for the Republic of Ireland and City in the space of 24 hours.

DEFENCE: Stephen Darby, Rory McArdle, Andrew Davies, James Meredith

Nobody epitomised the spirit and team ethic under Parkinson more than Darby. A constant, consistent presence who shunned the spotlight to do everything for the greater good.

An absolute model pro on and off the pitch – which makes what has hit him since so impossibly cruel to accept.

McArdle and Davies were the no-nonsense double act in the middle, the defensive corner stones of what City were able to achieve.

At their peak together, you could not find a better central pairing in the lower leagues. Not to mention the number of priceless goals McArdle would pop up with from corners, usually at the near post.

Meredith’s time with City included two lengthy absences through illness and injury but in full flow he was an athletic figure on the left and formed a great understanding with Kyel Reid in front of him.

MIDFIELD: Mark Marshall, Gary Jones, Josh Cullen, Kyel Reid

Here’s the first deviation from the history makers as Garry Thompson is edged out on right midfield for Mark Marshall.

Thompson certainly played his part and weighed in famously with goals against Arsenal and Burton. But Marshall’s ability, like that of Reid on the other flank, to quickly whisk the ball from one end to the other was a huge asset.

There “ain’t nobody” like him on the wing, although the real magician was the captain of this side – and the stand-out City player of the last decade.

Gary Jones made exactly 100 appearances in two seasons and was the driving force. Think back to that day at Bramall Lane when he single-handedly dragged them back from two down to grab a point – that was Jones.

Nathan Doyle was his partner in promotion but my team includes Josh Cullen, whose two spells proved that you don’t have to be a permanent player to give your all. The ultimate loan signing, strong in the tackle and so comfortable on the ball.

Kyel Reid was the archetypal winger, capable of bringing fans to their feet one minute and tearing their hair out the next. Always playing with a smile on his face, Reid brought the excitement to Parkinson’s team and gave defenders nightmares.

ATTACK: James Hanson, Nahki Wells

Up front was the easiest pick. Charlie Wyke, Jon Stead and Billy Clarke had their moments but it has to be Hanson and Wells.

Dominant in the air, elusive in behind the defence – a strike duo that struck fear into many a lower-league opponent.

My City team 2010-19: McLaughlin, Darby, McArdle, Davies, Meredith, Marshall, Jones, Cullen, Reid, Wells, Hanson. Subs: Doyle, Thompson, Burke, Clarke, Morais, Yeates, Duke.

Do you agree with our selection? Let us know your Bantams team of the decade in our comments section.