Phil Parkinson today claimed Aussie James Meredith was always the top name on his list to be City’s left back.

The Bantams boss headed off higher-division interest to land the 24-year-old from York City.

While the league new boys voiced their “surprise” to lose Meredith to a team in the same division, Parkinson insisted he was the leading choice to fill the void left since the departure of Luke O’Brien and Robbie Threlfall.

Parkinson said: “I looked at a lot of left backs over the summer but can honestly say James was our first target.

“We faced a lot of competition to get him and it’s never easy to get those players who tick all the boxes.

“He had the play-offs and then went back to Australia. That complicated things but he came back last week and I’d obviously been liaising with him over the summer.

“He is very athletic and will give us good balance.

“Natural left footers are few and far between and he is a player who is going to keep improving.”

York faced plenty of competition to keep the out-of-contract Meredith with Burnley among the clubs reported to be eyeing his progress. But chairman Jason McGill did not expect him to go to another League Two side.

McGill said: “At the start of the close season, we all believed that we wouldn’t have a chance of signing James again.

“He had gone to other clubs in League One and apparently was offered significantly higher money than York could afford.

“I had a long conversation with James on Wednesday evening that went on until 11pm. I was made aware that Bradford City were interested.

“York City gave, what I believed, was a fair offer and an improved and enhanced one, which he indicated was comparable with Bradford City.

“James has been with us for three seasons and we have gone through the difficult stage of going to Forest Green Rovers on a Tuesday and Bath City. The journey in the Football League is going to be a fun, enjoyable journey with York and we wanted him to be a part of that.

“You want the players who had gone through those times to be motivated and wanting to be at the club.

“You would have to ask James Meredith the reason why he chose Bradford. It is quite a surprise to me.”

Meredith, who has signed a two-year deal, revealed he was convinced by the ambition shown by Parkinson during talks.

He played 131 times for York including three Wembley appearances. His last two games were the FA Trophy and play-off final wins.

“James has played in some big games for York,” added Parkinson. “He’s been to Wembley on several occasions and performed well in those two games last season.

“Whatever level you play at, certain requirements are needed to get promotion. York have had that in the team and James has made a big contribution with his character as well as footballing ability.”

* City’s home game with Southend has been moved forward a day to Good Friday for the second season running.