THE FOOTBALL famine finally ends tomorrow night with the latest instalment of the Bradford derby.

Fifty-five days after the Bantams brought the League Two curtain down with a win over Carlisle, Mark Hughes will take a considerably-enhanced squad to the Horsfall Stadium to renew a cross-city rivalry that began well over a century ago.

There were 56 competitive meetings between the neighbours – the last on January 25, 1969 when they battled out a scrappy goalless draw at Avenue.

The home side’s subsequent slump out of the league meant games since have been limited to friendlies – with the Tom Banks memorial trophy up for grabs in pre-season since 1994.

WHO WAS TOM BANKS?

Tom Banks was a die-hard Bradford (Park Avenue) fan for 54 years up to their demise in 1974. He was a keen fund-raiser who helped when the club reformed.

His son Roger, another long-standing supporter, and his brother approached Avenue with the idea of a trophy commemorating their father. Twenty-eight years on, the silverware will once again be handed over to this evening’s winner.

LAST TIME OUT

Four second-half goals saw City cruise to a 5-0 win a year ago.

But the game was most memorable for the fact that it was the first in Bradford to be played in front of a crowd again after a year of playing behind closed doors.

An audience of 1,106 saw goals from Niall Canavan, Kian Scales, Andy Cook, Oli Crankshaw and Abo Eisa win it for Derek Adams’ men.

SPOT OF BOTHER

The teams did not play in 2020 because of the pandemic but a year earlier the game went to a penalty shoot-out – which saw five missed.

After a goalless 90 minutes, during which Zeli Ismail fire a penalty against the post, five of the first seven kicks were unsuccessful. Ismail was one of those with his second fluffed effort.

Reece Staunton did eventually get it right to see City to a 3-2 verdict.

Garry Thompson was one of the successful takers against his old club during his brief spell as Avenue boss – but he was sacked a week into the season after back-to-back 5-0 losses.

LUCA AT THAT!

Trialist Luca Colville scored a sensational strike as City came from behind to grab a last-minute 2-1 win in 2018.

Colville, who would earn himself a short-term contract, levelled with a 35-yard rocket into the top corner before Tom Clare grabbed the late decider.

FAST STARTERS

Avenue’s only win in recent years was a 3-0 victory in 2017 – all the goals coming before half-time.

Colin Doyle, now back with the Bantams, was in a strong starting line-up that included the likes of Charlie Wyke, Romain Vincelot and Matt Kilgallon.

But Avenue gave Stuart McCall’s side a pre-season slap with goals from Nicky Clee, a Nicky Wroe penalty and Adam Boyes.

SPOILS SHARED

The clubs decided against the lottery of penalties in 2016 after a 2-2 draw.

Polish trialist Vincent Rabiega netted twice in the first half to give City a commanding lead – only for Chris Sharp and Wroe to hit back in a four-minute burst after the break.

Rather than taking it to spot-kicks, the teams shook hands to share the trophy.

ACHILLE’S HAUL

Phil Parkinson named eight trialists in his starting XI in 2014 – there was no game in 2015 – and one stood out with a match-winning hat-trick.

Frenchman Achille Campion had already been on trial at three different clubs as he hawked his way around pre-season for a contract.

City were his next stop-off to play in a side where the only familiar faces for supporters were James Meredith and Jason Kennedy.

Avenue’s side included 2008 player of the year Joe Colbeck as well as former Bantams Scott Kerr and Chib Chilaka.

But it was Campion who stole the show by helping himself to a treble, all from close range, in a 3-0 win.

Parkinson was still not convinced, though, and the Frenchman would have to wait until Port Vale took a punt for his league chance. Ironically, he would later score against the Bantams.

HINES FULL OF BEANS

Rafa De Vita’s first-half penalty ensured City had regained the trophy 12 months earlier after Avenue’s 3-1 win in 2012.

Spectacular goals from Rob O’Brien and Matty James helped Avenue to victory, Jordan Deacey adding a third after Thompson had equalised from the spot.

But it was the 66-minute appearance from an unnamed trialist on City’s wing that really caught the eye.

Parkinson was reluctant to reveal his identity – but Zavon Hines showed more than enough to clinch a deal and a place in the club’s history-making Wembley season.