Bantams keeper Harry Lewis discusses Barnsley talk

City claimed they turned down two bids for the keeper as the League One side made their move.

Lewis admitted he found the training camp in Spain tough because of the uncertainty over his situation - and he was grateful for the support of Mark Hughes.

“I got a phone call the weekend before when we were playing Bury and I wasn’t sure if I was going to fly out to Spain,” said Lewis.

“Then this was all going on and we’re on foreign soil. I’m getting a phone call here and a bit of a whisper there.

“Nobody had really told me exactly what was happening. As a guy who sees himself as quite black or white, I’m either all in or all out, and I found it really tough to be in a bit of limbo.

“When it all came out the morning of the Getafe game, I found it emotionally difficult to deal with.”

Hughes confirmed after that friendly at Oliva Nova that the offers had not matched City’s valuation and that was the end of the matter.

Lewis is relieved to put the episode behind him - and promised it has not affected his determination to succeed at Valley Parade.

“I’m just a guy who wants to give his all for this football club and I felt that I was being pulled from pillar to post,” he added.

“I felt a lot of exposure and pressure and a lot of conversation round me during that Getafe game.

“I just want to kick a bag of wind around with my mates and there were these external factors that I couldn’t control.

“At the end of the day, the offer put on the table wasn’t right for Bradford City.

“I made my feelings very clear that unless it was right for everybody, I’m not going.

“I’m not going to throw my toys out the pram and sulk or hand in a transfer request. That’s not me at all.

“I made my feelings very clear that if there was no deal to be done, then I’m more than happy to continue my career here where I’ve been welcomed so well by the fans, the lads and the staff.”

Harry Lewis was all smiles again at Valley Parade on Saturday (Image: Tom Pearson)

Lewis appreciated his manager’s human touch while the transfer talk was going on.

“He pulled me in and asked how I was feeling. It was the first time in the whole process.

“As a footballer, you’re aware you are a piece of meat at times. Out in Spain I was spoken of like that, in terms of there’s a number on your head.

“The gaffer asked how I was and if I was okay. That meant an awful lot to somebody like me and I really appreciated the way he made it make sense.

“Since we’ve had that conversation, I’m back. The other players didn’t really like Spanish Lewis.”

As Lewis prepares for City’s penultimate pre-season test against Middlesbrough at Valley Parade tonight, his team-mates can be sure they have their happy keeper back again.

“For a week, eight, nine days I was a bit up and down and a bit quiet in training.

“The lads noticed that and a few were aware of the situation once it got leaked.

“That was hard because these are lads I really care about and would go to war with.

“Once it was all done, we could all laugh and joke about everything that had gone on.

“My commitment never wavered. Just mentally, it was tough to deal with.”

And Lewis laughed that a sticker on a lamppost near the training ground helped him put everything to bed.

“I wasn’t involved against Bolton last week and went for a coffee round here,” he said. “As I Got out the car, I saw one of those stickers on a bollard with my face on!

“The way I work, I saw that as a sign that I’m staying and it’s done.

“I’ve been told by members of staff they were very proud with how I conducted myself.

“It was never a question of shouting and screaming to push it through. I would never do that to this club.

“As long as I am here, I will continue to conduct myself the way I have on and off the pitch and try and be a player that fans can be proud of.”