(Image: T&A)
BRADFORD City had suffered immediate relegation back into Division Four in 1978, following that up with a poor campaign.
But they appeared to have a bit more about them in the 1979-80 season.
With former Leeds United forward David McNiven leading the line and banging in the goals, the Bantams made a lightning start to the league campaign.
That was particularly evident on this day 47 years ago, when they welcomed Stockport County to Valley Parade.
The Hatters made the mistake of taking an early lead, which seemed to spur City into action.
Dave Staniforth and Terry Cooper, the latter with his first goal for the club, put the Bantams into a 2-1 lead at the break.
And after the interval, George Mulhall’s side ran riot.
Terry Dolan scored from the penalty spot after Mick Wood had been brought down, before Wood himself found the net moments later.
The prolific McNiven headed home Dolan’s corner after 69 minutes, with Eugene Martinez scoring late on to wrap up a fantastic 6-1 win for City.
The result left the Bantams a point off top spot, with 10 wins from their opening 13 games.
Portsmouth were the side leading the way at the time, but both they and City could not quite keep up their early season momentum.
Instead, it went down to the two teams for the final promotion place.
The Bantams were in pole position, but they lost on the last day at Peterborough, whereas Pompey beat Northampton to go up on goal difference instead.