MARK Hughes' shock appointment as Bradford City manager is 'good news for the club and the city', according to its supporters.

The announcement of the former Manchester City and Wales manager being installed as the Bantams' new boss yesterday came as a surprise to the club's fanbase.

The Bantams' faithful widely welcomed the high-profile capture of the former Manchester United and Barcelona player, who has never managed below Premier League level before.

A bumper crowd could be expected for Hughes' first City game in charge when they host Mansfield Town at Valley Parade on Saturday. 

It has also been seen as a major coup for the club, who lie 15th in the fourth tier and 10 points off the play-off places.

Bantams chief executive Ryan Sparks called it a proud and great day for the club in appointing Hughes. Mr Sparks also revealed it was Hughes himself who initially contacted the club expressing an interest in taking the manager's job.

Hughes replaces Derek Adams, who was sacked after eight months and 37 games in charge of the Bantams. Adams rejoined League 1 Morecambe as manager, the club he left City for, yesterday.

City supporters spoke of their shock at Hughes, nicknamed Sparky, joining the club, urging fellow fans to give him a 'big old Bradford welcome' for his debut in the dugout on Saturday.

Steve Gorringe, of the Shipley Bantams supporters' group, was shocked at the appointment of Hughes.

Mr Gorringe said: "I'm speechless with that one. I never saw that one coming at all.

"They don't do things by halves at Bradford City.

"I hope he knows what the lower leagues are going to be like.

Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Manchester United and now he has Bradford City on his CV

"When people were talking about who the new manager would be, I was thinking someone who has already managed in League 2 and then, all of a sudden, Mark Hughes springs up from nowhere.

"It's a shock and I obviously hope it works."

 

Councillor Richard Dunbar (Lab, Thornton and Allerton), who is also a Bantams season ticket holder, says Hughes will have a host of high-level connections in the game which could benefit his new side.

He said: "It's good news for the club and for the city.

I hope on Saturday that it will encourage some more people to come along and get behind the lads and give Mark a big old Bradford welcome

"I think it's a massively good appointment. It's exciting times.

"We feel a bit stuck as a club at the minute.

"The good thing about him are his connections, the scouting and the clubs he will have access to.

"He can pick up the phone to high-profile managers, so we could get a better standard of loan players."

Mike Harrison, editor of the City Gent fanzine, has welcomed the managerial capture, adding Hughes has a high standing in the game.

He said: "Mark Hughes has such a good pedigree and is a big name in football.

"It's a coup for chief executive Ryan Sparks.

"Someone coming in of Mark Hughes' calibre is a more than pleasant surprise.

"It shows we can still attract someone like Mark Hughes.

"Bradford City is the biggest challenge in League 2 and it shows that there are people who still want to take it on.

"With his contacts in the game, that bodes well.

"I wish him all the best."

Mr Harrison added the players will have to earn their place in the team and new contracts for beyond the end of this season as Hughes assesses his squad over the coming weeks.

Meanwhile, a former Bradford City chief executive backed Hughes to get Valley Parade 'rocking'.

James Mason tweeted: "Welcome Mark Hughes to the Bantams and the City of Bradford.

"A place full of potential, in need of a lift but when its proud people pull together can be a force again.

"An opportunity to get the place rocking again."

Other Bantams fans reacted positively to Hughes' appointment on social media.

Posting on the Telegraph & Argus Facebook page, Carl McGreggs wrote: Sparky! I’ll be down at VP supporting him."

Diane Binns posted: "Omd sparky my heart throb coming to city a season ticket it is for me."