Simon is kindly sponsored by MITTON

Bradford City manager Stuart McCall swooped to snap up highly rated defender Simon Ramsden from League 2 rivals Rochdale in June 2009.

Ramsden predominately operates as a right back, but is more than comfortable in the position of centre back.

The defender started his career at Sunderland, but unfortunately did not feature in a senior fixture for the Black Cats.

After loan spell with Notts County during the 2002-03 season, Ramsden moved to Grimsby Town the following campaign.

He spent two years at Blundell Park before joining Rochdale in 2006.

At Rochdale, Ramsden bloomed into a composed and competent defender who quickly became a permanent fixture in the Dale line up.

Ramsden showed his versatility when he stepped into central midfield to replace the suspended David Perkins for Rochdale's visit to Wembley for the League 2 Play-Offs Final in 2008.

Like the rest of his team-mates, Ramsden moved on from the Bantams disastrous 5-0 opening day defeat at Meadow Lane, his full debut for the club, to blossom into Bradford first choice right back.

His calm and assured defending lends itself to even the most frantic and dangerous attack from any opposition, so much so, the North East lad has been used at centre half on more than one occasion.

Ramsden's first goal in Bradford colours came at the Abbey Business Stadium, as his header deflected in off Cheltenham defender Michael Townsend.

The goal was originally registered as an own goal by Townsend, but eventually awarded to Ramsden.

Amazingly, his second strike for the Bantams also took a healthy deflect off a home defender when City travelled to Northampton - a feat that ensured he received no little amount of ribbing from the rest of the Valley Parade dressing room!

The former Sunderland defender has shown his value to McCall on more than one occasion, filling in as defensive midfielder during the match at Sixfields and also captaining the side in Peter Thorne and Zesh Rehman's absence.