Mark Lawn wants City to plot a "steady" course through a tricky opening month to the new season.

The Bantams, ranked second favourites for the League Two title by the bookies, have been handed a testing start to the fixture list.

They kick off away to Shrewsbury before facing runaway Blue Square Premier winners Stevenage at Valley Parade.

A long hike to Torquay is followed by matches against three of the four sides relegated from League One. Port Vale, Northampton and play-off losing finalists Rotherham also feature in the first nine games.

Joint-chairman Lawn said: "It's important that we get off to a steady start. On too many occasions we've started off by winning all the time or losing all the time.

"Just look at the last two seasons. Two years ago we set off like a train - last year we looked like a train that had crashed off the rails!"

City romped to five wins in the first six league games in 2008. Twelve months on, they suffered a club record 5-0 defeat at Notts County on the opening day and failed to score a goal in over six hours of trying.

Lawn added: "Shrewsbury are going to be there or thereabouts with Graham Turner as manager and Stevenage had an excellent season to win the Conference.

"I'm sure Stevenage will enjoy coming here. Games like that are what they are in this league for.

"A lot of people underestimate them but they are a very good side. They are no mugs and I can see them doing well.

"Then you've got the trip to Torquay so it looks a hard start.

"But I don't think people will want to play Bradford City in their first game either."

The odds-makers have been impressed by Peter Taylor's efforts to remould a side that finished 14th. Only Gillingham are currently available at a shorter price to be crowned champions.

Lawn is well aware of the pitfalls that await but feels City will be ready to compete.

"Nobody is going to be easy. You've got to remember there are 23 other teams in the exact same position as us who want to win this league.

"Our squad is coming together and I'm sure Peter will have them all prepared and well drilled for when the season begins.

"We've got all the players back that Peter wanted from the run we went on at the end of last season with six games unbeaten. The only change is that (Adam) Bolder has been replaced by Tommy Doherty, who I think is a better midfielder.

"We just need a couple more now and then we'll be there for pre-season. The manager likes to get them in and work with them."