Nahki Wells recalls his favourite things at Bradford City

FAVOURITE GOAL

“I’d have to say the Rochdale goal in the FA Cup in terms of the best finish. I can vividly remember it being nominated for one of the best around the world for that year.

“It was one of my earliest fixtures for the club so I was absolutely unknown. I’d scored one goal before that but I didn’t have a name or any recognition at that stage.

“I had a desire to become a good player and that goal really helped me establish myself to where I’ve come to today.

“I remember picking the ball up quite deep in our half and the opposition backed off. Ritchie (Jones) was running to my right, somebody else to my left and I probably could have passed it.

“I was far out but I got a good touch out of my feet. I’ve always been a player who likes to take the risk and once it left my boot, I knew it was a goal.

“I didn’t need to see where it was going. It’s that split moment when you just know.

“I hit the shot flush and it went in off the bar from 35 yards. It was destined to find the top corner.”

FAVOURITE GAME

“The play-off final was probably the most influential game getting promoted in such a confident style.

“But the one for me has to be Aston Villa at home. That was special.

“They were a very good Premier League side, we beat them 3-1 and I scored the first goal, which allowed me to pay tribute to one of my mates that I lost early in that year.

“We were able to ride our luck at times against Arsenal in the quarter-finals but nobody thought we could get the better of another Premier League team over two legs.

“But we totally stood up to them and went for it from the start of the game.

“We might have missed a few chances but we were the deserved winners.

“I don’t recall any atmospheres that I’ve played in for any of the clubs in my career were like that night at Valley Parade.

“I’ve done the Huddersfield Leeds games when we were getting promoted, which meant so much at the time, but that one just stands out to me. It pops straight into my head.”

FAVOURITE MANAGER

“I always give a lot of credit to Phil Parkinson. One of the biggest things was his demand for me to never really get complacent or be content with where I was at.

“I had a lot of individual accolades during that period at Bradford, back-to-back golden boots and tying a record for most consecutive goals. I wasn’t necessarily the face of the team but I got plenty of recognition for my goals.

“But don’t forget I also went through some tough spells that season. I got 26 goals but still had a period of 10 or 11 games without scoring and five or six without a start.

“Phil was always on top of me to keep improving and identified the areas in my game which he continuously reminded I needed to work on.

“I had the natural ability but it was the other parts of learning the English game, like using my body. Small things like that had a big part to play for me.

“Sometimes I felt he was a bit too hard on me and we had arguments and little spats.

It might have been a different story with the 31-year-old Nahki rather than at 22 with the ego and confidence in what’s got me here. I’m not sure I would have allowed someone to be so overpowering.

“But I’m happy to sit back and take it on the chin. He’s probably been the most influential person to me.

“He wasn’t a big fan of me being laid-back and very chilled but that’s just who I am as a person.

"But in terms of my work ethic and desire to always get better that was where he was able to really help me kick on.”

FAVOURITE TEAMMATES

“I’ll give a lot of credit to James Hanson. I wouldn’t say we had an unbelievable friendship off the pitch but on it he would always look out for me.

“It would be like, ‘I’ll win this header Nahks, you make sure you get on the flick-on’ or I’d be telling him, ‘you hold your legs, I’ll make this run’. We just complemented each other so well.

“In League Two, it didn’t take rocket science to be an effective strike pairing. It wasn’t like we had a link-up that could thrive in the Premiership.

“But we had this understanding of what we could do to help each other and the team.

“He never got the credit he deserved because he was a very good player. He had a lot more than just someone who could run and head the ball.

“If they had the numbers and the science then, you’d see the numbers of runs of high intensity, the numbers of duels and tackles that he’d win and the defensive headers. He did it all.

“He wasn’t the prettiest on the eye but I’d say one of the most effective players. He knew what he was good at.

“I’d also mention Alan Connell. I speak to him to this day and he’s one of the nicest, most genuine men I’ve ever met in football.

“I was probably someone who affected a lot of how much he played. There was more of a competition between me and him.

“At times, he was very supportive. He was a very good finisher as well and always had a lot of tips to try and help.

“I think that was the recipe for success. Everyone knew their part to play.

“He got a few important penalties and cup goals when he did play. He was another very good teammate.

“I also struck up a good friendship with Kyel Reid and Zavon (Hines), two very talented players, and we were close off the pitch.”