CITY'S pre-season schedule was finalised last week, with the confirmation that Derby would be coming to Valley Parade on Saturday, July 9.

The friendlies follow a similar pattern to last season, with games against local opponents like Bradford (Park Avenue) and York, as well as a couple against higher-tier opposition.

Derby and Sunderland are the glamour ties at Valley Parade this term, with the former having just gone down to League One, after suffering crippling financial problems.

Sunderland are on the up though, having just won promotion from the third tier by beating Wycombe 2-0 last month in the play-off final.

The Mackems last played City a few months ago, with the pair facing off in the much-maligned Football League Trophy.

But it has been 18 long years since the Bantams faced Derby, in a competitive game at least.

A welcome reunion then, as we look back at some classic matches between the pair, as well as a couple against the Black Cats.

APRIL 2000 (CITY 4 DERBY 4)

A crazy game at Valley Parade, as this Good Friday clash provided a real treat for the fans.

The Bantams were desperately clinging on for survival in the Premier League and could really have done with all three points, but had to settle for one in this eight-goal thriller.

It was a disastrous start for City, who found themselves two goals down in six minutes courtesy of Rory Delap and Branko Strupar.

But Dean Windass was in scintillating form that day, and he squeezed an effort beyond Mart Poom to quickly halve the deficit.

The striker then pounced on a poor clearing header to thunder home an equaliser from miles out.

City were then awarded a penalty following a deliberate handball from Delap (for which he was red carded), and Peter Beagrie converted.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Peter Beagrie, who netted from the spot in the 4-4 draw with Derby, is brought down by Horacio Carbonari in that game.Peter Beagrie, who netted from the spot in the 4-4 draw with Derby, is brought down by Horacio Carbonari in that game.

An Ashley Westwood foul allowed Craig Burley to equalise from the spot, before Robbie Blake set up Windass for a remarkable first-half hat-trick.

The second half was understandably more sedate, but Burley equalised with another spot-kick following a John Dreyer handball.

But Matt Clarke at least ensured City earned a point, saving Burley's third penalty after a foul by Blake.

The Bantams won three of their last four games after this one to ensure survival.

APRIL 2000 (SUNDERLAND 0 CITY 1)

And one of those four games, in fact where it all began, was at the Stadium of Light.

Taking place on Easter Monday, three days after that Derby clash, it was now getting to the stage where matches were "must-win" for City, after 10 without one.

But they gritted their teeth and pulled it off on Wearside, with John Dreyer grabbing his one and only Premiership goal, heading home Beagrie's cross on the hour mark.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: John Dreyer netted his only Premiership goal for City in a vital win over Sunderland.John Dreyer netted his only Premiership goal for City in a vital win over Sunderland.

David Wetherall and Andy O'Brien proved rock-solid in defence, while Gunnar Halle made a stunning block to deny Niall Quinn when it was still 0-0.

But City had plenty of chances of their own, with Thomas Sorensen saving from Wetherall and Dean Saunders, and Blake rattling the crossbar.

City saw out some late pressure, and further wins over Wimbledon and Liverpool saw them stay up by three points.

APRIL 2004 (DERBY 3 CITY 2)

An awful season for City, who were relegated from the First Division by a considerable margin under Bryan Robson.

Windass and Michael Branch were their top league goalscorers with just six apiece, as the Bantams found the net just 38 times in 46 games, the lowest total in the division.

They were involved in a humdinger at Pride Park towards the end of that season though, the last time these two faced off in a competitive game.

Derby established a 2-0 lead courtesy of Leon Osman and Ian Taylor, but Peter Atherton and Robert Wolleaston scored twice in quick succession in the second half to level the scores.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Peter Atherton (left) scored in City's dramatic defeat to Derby back in 2004, the last competitive game between the pair. Picture: PA.Peter Atherton (left) scored in City's dramatic defeat to Derby back in 2004, the last competitive game between the pair. Picture: PA.

But with the game heading towards a draw, a late scramble saw the luckless City keeper Alan Combe deflect the ball into his own net to hand Derby victory.

And that proved crucial for the hosts, who stayed up by just one point that season.

FEBRUARY 2015 (CITY 2 SUNDERLAND 0)

City's FA Cup run had already seen them eviscerate Millwall in a replay and stun soon-to-be Premier League champions Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

And the good times rolled on when Sunderland visited Valley Parade in the fifth round.

A dream start from the Bantams saw them go ahead after just three minutes, when Billy Clarke's misdirected shot was turned into his own net by Sunderland skipper John O'Shea.

In heavy conditions, Jon Stead and Clarke went close, while Sunderland had a penalty appeal turned down and saw Patrick van Aanholt denied by Ben Williams.

James Meredith intervened to prevent an Adam Johnson equaliser, before Johnson's error allowed James Hanson to head down for Stead to sidestep Wes Brown and fire home to make it 2-0.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Jon Stead scores City's second in their FA Cup win over Sunderland at Valley Parade. Picture: PA.Jon Stead scores City's second in their FA Cup win over Sunderland at Valley Parade. Picture: PA.

Williams repelled a Wickham header late on, as City made the FA Cup quarter-finals for the first time in 39 years, which is where they bowed out to Reading.

Whatever happens in next month's friendlies between the pair, it won't be as dramatic as that, but here's to a couple of cracking contests against higher-tier opposition.