[ad_pod ]

Bradford City manager Gary Bowyer hasn't been coy on his desire to bring Paudie O'Connor back to Valley Parade next season after his current loan spell comes to an end.

O'Connor has been a key player under Bowyer making 16 League One appearances since joining the club in January.

Preparing for League Two

O'Connor has proven to be a solid centre-back at League One level during his half a season at Bradford so he should thrive if he drops down a division next season.

Bowyer has worked with O'Connor previously at Blackpool and has been clearly impressed as he looks to continue working with him next season.

The Bantams will be hoping for nothing less than promotion at the first time of asking after their shock relegation from the third tier, and O'Connor would be a great player to keep hold of.

A new era

Bradford like many teams have been the victims of poor ownership and this move may signal that the club are moving into a new era where the manager is the boss once again.

This signing is clearly one that Bowyer has pushed for rather than any of the club's hierarchy, the two had worked together previously at Blackpool and it is no secret that Bowyer is a fan.

The Yorkshire club had previously been run by Edin Rahic, the German owner was too involved in day-to-day proceedings at the club going as far as picking the team himself and sanctioning signings on his own.

That era seems to be over and Bowyer seems to be the first manager since Stuart McCall to have control of his own destiny at Valley Parade without involvement from those above him.

Watch the best fails from the world of indoor football in the video below...

Although O'Connor may not be the most fashionable signing in the world the interest should fill Bradford fans with hope as the manager is finally calling the shots at the club after a poor few years being run by Rahic.