Bradford send for Law to bring order

Nicky Law has been appointed the new manager of Bradford City in place of Jim Jefferies, after leaving the Second Division strugglers Chesterfield.

Jefferies resigned his post at Valley Parade on Christmas Eve and the club's chairman, Geoffrey Richmond, has acted quickly to bring in Law in time for today's match at First Division leaders, Burnley.

Law quit Chesterfield having guided the Spireites to promotion from the Third last season. He leaves Saltergate with the club just above the relegation zone and facing a crippling cash crisis.

Law, who has signed a two-and-a-half year contract at Valley Parade, said: "This is a great opportunity for me. I have always hoped that I would get the chance to take charge of a club like Bradford City and wondered if it would ever come along. It has taken two years but it has now arrived and I am absolutely delighted.

"I am looking forward to coming in with some fresh ideas. We will be doing plenty of hard work but with enthusiasm I am sure that we can turn things around and get the club back where it belongs.

"I had two great years at Chesterfield. Sure, we went through some difficult times, but we stuck together, buckled down and gained promotion against all the odds. The team are now ready to progress further. They are a great bunch of young players and I wish them well."

Bradford's caretaker manager Steve Smith will remain in charge for today's game at Turf Moor and Law's first match in charge will be Saturday's FA Cup third-round tie at Walsall's Bescot Stadium.

Richmond said: "There were a large number of applicants for the vacant managerial position. They basically fell into three categories – out-of-work managers, foreign coaches and first-time managers.

"After careful consideration I thought it in the best interests of the club to appoint an up-and-coming manager who had enjoyed some success rather than any of those categories. Nicky Law had an extremely difficult baptism as a league manager at Chesterfield where, despite off-the-field problems, he achieved promotion against all the odds. The qualities I believe he will bring to the post are his ambition, passion, work ethic and an outstanding ability to discover young talent."

Law ended his tenure at Saltergate with a 2-1 win over Notts County on Saturday. Chesterfield have moved swiftly to fill the gap by appointing their assistant manager Ian Banks as caretaker manager. The board will meet on Thursday to consider the long-term implications.

The Chesterfield chairman Ian Yeowart said: "We would not wish to stand in the way of Nicky Law's ambitions in the game but are sad to lose him. We thank him for his efforts at Chesterfield and wish him all the best in his new job.

"We have asked Ian Banks to take on the role as caretaker manager and he has agreed. We will be considering the longer-term situation later this week."