The Bantams will be hoping to get off to the perfect start in Sky Bet League Two when they begin their 2021/22 campaign away to Exeter City tomorrow afternoon (3.00pm).
This is set to be the Grecians’ tenth-consecutive season in the fourth tier of English football.
We have created an Opposition Guide to give you all the information you need about the Bantams’ opening-day opponents.
TRANSFER ACTIVITY
Matt Taylor’s side have had a busy summer without actually spending a single penny.
The Devonshire-based club have seen a total of eight incomings, with 15 players departing St James Park.
INCOMINGS: Scott Brown (Port Vale), Cameron Dawson (Sheffield Wednesday, on loan), Jonathan Grounds (Swindon Town), Pierce Sweeney (Swindon Town), George Ray (Tranmere Rovers), Callum Rowe (Aston Villa under-23s), Timothee Dieng (Southend United), Josh Coley (Maidenhead United), Sam Nombe (MK Dons), Jevani Brown (Colchester United).
OUTGOINGS: Jonny Maxted (Northampton Town), Lewis Ward (Swindon Town), Jack Arthur (Biedford AFC, loan), Rory McArdle (Harrogate Town), Will Dean (Truro City), Cheik Diabate (Turo City, loan), Jack Athur (Biedford AFC, loan), Noah Smerdon (Released), Tom Parkes (Livingston), Lewis Page (Harrogate Town), Louis Morison (Tiverton), Jake Taylor (Stevenage), Joel Randall (Peterborough United), Lewis Wilson (Biedford AFC), Alex Fisher (Released), Nick Ajose (Released), Ryan Bowman (Shrewsbury Town).
ONES TO WATCH
Joshua Key
The 21-year-old has been contracted to the Grecians since 2015. He spent three years in the club’s academy, before being called up to the senior ranks in 2018.
The highly-rated right-back made 43 league appearances last season, scoring once and providing five assists.
Timothee Dieng
The 29-year-old utility man can operate in both defence and midfield. He spent two seasons at the Utilita Energy Stadium - between 2016 and 2018 - where he made 78 appearances in all competitions.
Dieng joined the Devonshire outfit on a free transfer from Southend United in the summer, meaning he is now likely to make his debut against his former team.
Matt Jay
The 25-year-old forward has been with the Grecians since 2003 and he spent ten years in their academy before making his senior debut in September 2013.
Jay was the division’s fourth-top goal-scorer last season, netting 18 in total, including the winner in two sides' most recent meeting back in February.
NEW CAPTAIN
After former skipper Jake Taylor moved to Stevenage over the summer, Exeter forward Matt Jay was announced as the club’s new captain for the 2021/22 season.
Despite three loan moves, Jay has been with the club for close to two decades - having started in the academy in 2003 - and has made 134 appearances for the senior team.
MANAGER
Matt Taylor took charge of the club in June 2018 - aged just 36 years old.
He has so far overseen 159 matches in charge of the Grecians, winning 69, drawing 45 and losing 45, giving him an overall win percentage of 43%.
In his playing days, Taylor started out as a goalkeeper, but then went on to become a centre-back.
He spent the majority of the 2013/14 season with the Bantams, however his time in West Yorkshire was hampered by injuries and he only managed to make four appearances in all competitions for the club.
LAST MATCH
A much-changed Grecians side fell to a narrow defeat in their final pre-season outing against local opponents Truro City.
Truro City 1 (Tyler Harvey 22’).
Exeter City 0
Pre-Season Friendly
EXETER: Harry Lee; Jack Caprice, Ellis Johnson, Jordan Dyer, Jonathan Grounds (Toby Neville 58’), (Mitch Beardmore 78’); Callum Rowe, Harry Kite, Trialist (Jack Veale 58’), Tim Dieng (Charlie Hanson 65’), James Dodd, Ben Seymour.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Meetings: 44
City Wins: 16
Draws: 12
Exeter Wins: 16
Tickets for tomorrow's clash can be purchased at St James Park. Please CLICK HERE for full details.