Wednesday 26 December 2007
Coca-Cola Football League 2
Bradford City vs Lincoln City

I would like to wish a warm welcome to Peter Jackson, his players and the supporters of Lincoln City for this afternoon's game.

This fixture was always going to be a particularly poignant one and even more so as it falls on Boxing Day.

And, of course, Peter was our captain on the day of the fire so I'm sure he feels the same.

The game over at Lincoln was emotional so I can imagine what today will be like.

I thought the minute's silence and the tributes before the first game were very touching, especially when the teams came out on the pitch to You'll Never Walk Alone. We had a lot of support that night which made it even more special.

It will be very emotional before this afternoon's kick-off and no doubt people who were at the game in 1985 will visualise maybe where they were that day and what's gone on since.

As much as you say it's just a game of football, there are so many other factors beforehand which mean that it is anything but. Once you kick-off then it becomes a game but the build-up is obviously very different to any other.

I've got a lot of people who wanted to come today with it being Lincoln as well as Boxing Day and I know that everybody here will treat the day with utmost respect.

Of course, once that whistle goes I know the players will get on with the job in hand of trying to win three points.

I wasn't surprised to see Peter get back into management and after a sticky start he seems to have turned things round alongside another former team-mate of mine Neil McDonald.

I was at Jacko's first game against Chester when they got beaten at home and were really unfortunate with a couple of decisions that night.

Then they got another defeat but they have bounced back well and had some terrific results like their win at Stockport. They are scoring goals now and have that bit of confidence that comes from getting results.

You suddenly find some freedom about your play and we know it's going to be a very tough game.

Jacko's teams are always up for it when they come here. I remember when he was in charge of Huddersfield and they beat us here in the third last game of the season when we got promotion.

He's had a decent record here and it's down to our players on the pitch to make sure he doesn't have another happy day.

Get behind the lads and enjoy the game

Stuart