Harrogate Town v Bradford City: Simon Weaver made big impression on Bantams boss Conor Sellars

Conor Sellars, joint manager of Bradford City. Picture: Getty Images

The Bantams travel to Yorkshire rivals Harrogate Town, the club whom Sellars spent the 2013-14 season playing for in Conference North.

In charge of the Sulphurites at that time was Simon Weaver the very same manager who will occupy the home dug-out this weekend and be looking to mastermind a league double over City.

Plenty has changed since Sellars last donned Harrogate colours, though Weaver has remained in situ and Bradford’s joint-manager admits that his former boss’s passion for the game rubbed off on him.

“They weren’t in League Two back then but obviously it’s the same manager in Simon Weaver. He’s a really good guy and has done a tremendous job there,” Sellars said.

“I thought he was a really good manager when I was there. I had some good discussions with him whilst I was a player and enjoyed working with him.

“I used to really like his desire and how committed he was.

“We were part-time in Conference North, but he lived and breathed it. His intensity in his work was great to see.

“They always spoke about moving forward, about trying to get into the EFL and they’ve done that and they deserve it.”

Though Sellars has seen first-hand how Weaver operates behind the scenes, almost seven years have passed since he played under the Town chief, and thus he doesn’t expect his personal experience to give him an extra edge this weekend.

“I guess it gives me a little bit of an insight into how they’re going to approach it, but obviously people evolve over time,” he added.

I’m sure Simon has changed and the people around the club have changed because the club is of a bigger stature now."

That said, Sellars is in no doubt as to what to expect from Weaver's men once the teams cross the white line.

“I’m sure they’ll be very hard-working, they’ll be honest and we’ve got to be prepared for a really big game," he continued.

“They offer you loads of threats, they’re very dynamic. It’s gonna be a tough game, they’ve got some really good players.

“I think it’s going to be entertaining, I think it’s probably going to be feisty.

“They’ll be up for it and wanting to beat us twice in a season.

“They are aggressive, on the front foot, up and at you, so we’ll being doing our prep to make sure that we can come out on top on the day.”

Kick-off at the EnviroVent Stadium on Saturday is at 12.30pm.