Bantams boss Phil Parkinson has backed influential midfielder Gary Jones to make an impact in League 1 this coming season after confirming that the thirty-six year-old will remain as City captain for the new campaign.
Always eager to lead by example, Jones was the driving force on the pitch behind City's remarkable run to the Capital One Cup Final and their Play-Off Final victory over Northampton Town last season.
Jones' commendable performances in his first season at the Coral Windows Stadium also earned the City skipper the club's Player of the Year award last May.
After signing a one year deal when joining City from Rochdale last June, Jones was out of contract this summer but decided to pen another year extension to stay with the Bantams.
Jones, who enjoyed two seasons in League 1 with Rochdale during his long association with the Lancashire club, will now lead out the Bantams at Ashton Gate this Saturday as they kick off their Sky Bet League 1 campaign at Bristol City.
Parkinson reckons keeping hold of his skipper was one of his best bits of business of the summer, and the City chief is sure Jones will go on to prove his worth again despite the Bantams stepping up a division.
The Bantams boss said: "Gary has come back from the summer break with his appetite for the game firmly intact.
"I have been around this level for a number of years as a player and a manager and I haven't seen many better midfield players for this division than Gary Jones.
"In terms of what he can offer a team, not just on the pitch but around the training ground as well, it is invaluable.
"Gary's contract was up in the summer, so that was a big signing for us to renew his contract.
"His age is an irrelevance because he looks after himself so well.
"There were other clubs who would have loved to have taken Gary, so to get him on board for another year, I'm really pleased."