By Pete Oliver

Todd is confident of returning to the Championship

It has been a long road back for Bradford City, but manager Colin Todd believes the Bantams are stepping firmly in the right direction.

Few clubs have enjoyed such a spectacular fall from grace as Bradford, following their ill-fated dalliance with the Premiership.

Relegation at the end of their second season in the top flight in 2001 sparked financial collapse and a slide down the league ladder.

Twice City went into administration as money ebbed away at a similar rate to managers.

Following the departure of Paul Jewell, who had taken Bradford into the Premiership and against the odds kept them there at the first time of asking, four more bosses followed in as many years.

Bryan Robson was among those to try his luck but he could not reverse the trend, and he left in June 2004 after failing to keep City in the Championship.

Financially bereft and in free-fall on the pitch, Bradford were kept alive by chairman Julian Rhodes - and in former Middlesbrough and Bolton boss Todd, found a manager able to start producing results.

"It's always been difficult," Todd told BBC Sport.

"In the first season when we came out of administration I think everybody tipped us to be relegated.

We have brought in new players and done remarkably well Colin Todd

"But we surpassed that and nearly got in the play-offs and last season we had a little bad spell that cost dearly.

"We weren't far away but this time we have brought in new players and we have done remarkably well."

Nowadays, bringing in new players does not mean major transfer fees and crippling wages.

In the summer Todd relied on free transfers with former Bolton winger Jermaine Johnson, who has been a major success, and ex-Manchester United striker Eddie Johnson among his captures.

He has also used the loan market to bring in four players from Championship clubs, including Sheffield Wednesday striker David Graham.

Todd wants to further strengthen with two more players but will probably have to move two out as part of the ongoing battle to try and balance the books.

Johnson has made a big impact since joining in the summer

He added: "It takes time, but there has been good progress made on the park.

"I think behind the scenes it is still very slow and very difficult. You cannot survive just with football alone.

"This stadium lends itself to other avenues to bring in extra revenue, and that's what they are trying to do behind the scenes."

Valley Parade is a huge venue for League One football and after finishing in 11th place in Todd's first two seasons in charge, the Yorkshire club hopes to stay in the promotion frame this time.

The early signs are encouraging with just four defeats in their first 14 games placing them in the play-off places.

Todd said: "We've shown a lot of consistency in the manner in which we've played and that's due to the fact that we've had a very settled side.

The spirit in the dressing-room is the best we've had Colin Todd

"I've got a very small squad but there is quality in that squad and the people who have been playing have given us consistency and continuity and formed an understanding.

"We have shown a different dimension this season to the two previous seasons. We are a very attack-minded side.

"And we've got a tremendous spirit in the dressing room. I think it's the best we've had."

Like most managers, Todd has strived for the combination of youth and experience but nowhere is it more evident that at Bradford.

Alongside teenagers like Nathan Doyle and Ben Parker are the veteran duo of Dean Windass and David Wetherall.

At 37, Windass is again City's leading scorer, while Wetherall, 35, has just signed a new long-term contract.

The pair both played in Bradford's Premiership days and having seen plenty of water flow under the bridge since, are now reunited in the quest to help Todd bring back some cheer.

"Overall we're pleased and I'm convinced we can sustain it provided we stay free of injuries and suspensions, which is very difficult to do," Todd added.

"Overall we are as good as anybody in the division. We just have to sustain it. If we can do it this season it would be tremendous."