Testing times for former Bantam Paul

Last season was a frustrating campaign for Bradford full back Paul Heckingbottom, with the 31-year-old sidelined since November with a hamstring injury. The former Darlington, Norwich, Sheffield Wednesday and Barnsley player had no less than six scans on the problem before it was finally diagnosed that he had tendonitis in the hamstring muscle.

Heckingbottom will now spend the summer regaining his fitness hoping to return for pre-season, although he will be seeking a fresh challenge at a new club after not being offered a contract extension by the Bantams. Givemefootball’s Mark Shail spoke exclusively to Heckingbottom to reflect on what was a difficult season for him at Valley Parade.

WHAT IS THE LATEST ON YOUR INJURY?

It seems to be coming along fine now and I’m in the middle of my rehab programme at the moment. It was frustrating that it took seven scans to actually identify the problem but at least it has finally been resolved and I can concentrate on getting fit for the start of next season. I’ve been doing plenty of cycling and swimming and soon I should be able to progress to running, then twisting and turning and starting some ball work.

IT WAS A DISAPPOINTING LAST THIRD OF THE SEASON FOR BRADORD, WASN’T IT?

It was a difficult time, I think we went ten or11 games without a win. It’s hard to put your finger on exactly what the problems were but we just couldn’t seem to produce consistent performances but as well as that we did have some bad luck at times. But we did manage to win the last two games of the season so that should give the fans a bit more reason to be positive for the start of next season.

AND YOU NOW LOOK SET TO LEAVE BRADFORD?

Yes, I haven’t been offered a new deal as yet so it looks like I’ll be moving on. The club have made the decision to cut the budget and there will be quite a few players leaving I think. You never know it may help the team because there will be less expectation amongst the supporters. But as far as I’m concerned, all I can do is focus on getting myself fit again and finding a new club.

WERE YOU PLEASED TO SEE YOUR OLD CLUB BARNSLEY STAY UP?

Yes I was delighted. I’m from Barnsley and as well as playing for the club I actually used to watch them on the terraces as a season-ticket holder when I was a young boy. In fact I can see the stadium from my back garden. It was a struggle for them for much of the season but the most important thing was that they managed to stay up.

YOU’VE BEEN IN THE PLAY-OFF BEFORE WITH THE TYKES, WHAT DID YOU MAKE OF LAST NIGHT’S CHAMPIONSHIP PLAY-OFF GAME BETWEEN SHEFFIELD UNITED AND PRESTON?

It was a difficult one for me because I’ve got close friends on both sides – namely Brian Howard at Sheffield United, who I used to play alongside at Barnsley and Preston striker Jon Parkin. But now Sheffield United are through I’ll be cheering them on and hoping they get back in the Premiership.