KURTIS Guthrie wants to make his name at Valley Parade as one of the few Jersey boys in the EFL.

The striker hopes to lead the line in today’s League Two kick-off against former club Colchester after a hard-working display at Bolton.

Guthrie partnered Lee Novak in City’s Carabao Cup win on opening day and then came off the bench to score the only successful penalty in the EFL Trophy at Doncaster.

The 28-year-old is among a small band of Channel Islanders currently in the pro game and is eager to make his mark.

He said: “There are a few (from Jersey) who have been snapped up from a really young age but not that many.

“Obviously I went when I was 18, Brett Pitman went away at 16. You’ve got Peter Vincenti (at Macclesfield) who signed for Millwall and a lad a couple of years below me, Cavanagh Miley, playing at Eastleigh.

“Other than that, there hasn’t been many. It’s always quite tough to get out.”

Guthrie was first spotted when he was playing men’s football as a teenager.

“I was 15 at the time and up against people from all over the UK when they came to Jersey. I was lucky enough that I found someone at the right time who thought that I could have a go.

“It was a big move to leave the island because I’d only train once a week.

“It wasn’t serious football. It was more like playing on the park with your pals.”

The former trainee electrician had a tough start at Accrington before dropping into non-league with Bath, Welling and Forest Green – where the Bantams are headed next weekend. He returned to the fourth tier in 2016 with Colchester, scoring 13 goals in 49 appearances.

Guthrie added: “This club has got the potential, it’s like a sleeping giant. Bradford shouldn’t be where they are.

“But that’s the position now so for people like myself who’ve got the opportunity to be here, you’ve got to try and relish it and take it with both hands.”

Stuart McCall still wants to add another striker before the deadline but Guthrie appreciates the know-how and experience the frontline already possesses.

“These boys have had fantastic careers,” he said. “We’ve got great experience in attacking areas to learn the tricks of the trade from.”