The Bradford City Onion

A light hearted look at the goings on at Bradford City Football Club in England. I sometimes just larf at the non-news items that is posted between game on the City web site. Typical comments are "if we had scored more goal than the opposition we would have won. We didn't so we lost". DUH! Coupled with the sarcastic news on "theonion.com" this is my blog. Want real BCFC news? Sign up for the City Forward! Email List I edit by sending a blank email to bantams-cfml-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.

Monday, June 29, 2009

New kit announced / Other news, signings

***
Help the CFML help others

I ask for your support for the daughter of a long time Bradford City fan and CFML subscriber as she prepares for a

London-Paris charity bike ride. Emily has also produced a wonderful recipe book which is available to buy from Ebay

(link below). It is a perfect (late) Mothers Day present, birthday present or a stocking filler (admit it -

Christmas is just around the corner).

Please forward this information to your friends, post on your myspace, twitter or facebook page and lets all help

Emily raise money for this excellent cause.

About Emily
http://www.justgiving.com/emilybeardall

The Recipe Book (Over 100 copies sold!)
http://bcfc.gregshepherd.com/link.php?id=28

Emily's facebook page
http://bcfc.gregshepherd.com/link.php?id=29

Whether your support is vocal, promotional or monetary the CFML Thanks You!

***

League Fixtures

http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/News/0,,10266~1690612,00.html

CFML editors note - generally many fixtures are redated by Clubs so a summary of changes will be compiled in the

upcoming weeks.

********************

Official news

*** HOT ****
Seat Reservation Deadline June 30th
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/News/0,,10266~1704845,00.html

New Kit
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/News/0,,10266~1698742,00.html
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/News/0,,10266~1704872,00.html

O'Brien and Colbeck
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/News/0,,10266~1697376,00.html

Another Charity do!
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/News/0,,10266~1704557,00.html

===========================
Rehman: City move felt right

Zesh Rehman signed a two-year deal with City last night after snubbing
higher-division interest.

Luke O'Brien, Joe Colbeck and Leon Osborne are also putting pen to paper
as Stuart McCall's squad continues to take shape.

Rehman said: "There were a couple of other clubs from a higher league
but this just felt right.

"My gut feeling told me to sign for Bradford and I've absolutely no
regrets.From day one, I felt at home here. I'm fortunate enough to have
played in all the divisions and I see this as the next step of my journey.

"I'm 25 now and still feel the best years are ahead of me."

McCall revealed that Rehman, like Peter Thorne, has taken a hefty pay
cut to commit to the club where he spent the second half of last season
on loan.

Rehman was believed to have been targeted by Oldham, who have been
linked with many out-of-contract players this summer, including Dean
Furman.

McCall said: "We know the differential from what Zesh was getting paid
last season and this season is huge. And I know he could have got more
money from a club at a higher division.

"When that's the case you're never sure you're going to get the player
but Zesh has shown great commitment to us and he is desperate to do well
here.

"He's settled into the place and enjoys everything about it. Zesh is
certainly not signing for Bradford for money – he wants to be a success
here and it will be great to have him on board."

Rehman made 17 appearances last term right across the back four but
McCall intends to utilise the Pakistan international in his favoured
central-defensive role.

The City boss added: "He is versatile and played full back and centre
back last season. I thought Zesh was outstanding at left back against
Gillingham and had some good games on the right but we're looking at him
to be a centre half.

"Simon Ramsden is adept at playing right back and centre back but we
definitely see Zesh playing in the middle."

===========================

Evans opts for City over Lincoln

Striker Gareth Evans today became City's third summer capture.

The 21-year-old chose Stuart McCall's side over Lincoln and has joined
on a two-year deal, subject to a medical.

McCall believes the frontman's all-round ability and youthful enthusiasm
will work well alongside the experience of top scorer Peter Thorne.

He said: "Gareth is a really good signing with a lot of promise and I'm
delighted the club have come to an agreement with Macclesfield. I know
he had a choice of clubs to go to but once he'd come down to the ground
that virtually made his mind up.

"He's at a great age and has a lot of ability. He's decent in the air,
can run the channels, holds the ball up well and has good energy.

"No disrespect to Macclesfield but he got 13 goals last season playing
in a struggling side. He played on the left and right as well as central
striker so the stats can be misleading but he wants to play up front in
a two and that's how we see him.

"We finished third top scorers last season and do create lots of
chances, so hopefully his goal ratio will improve. And if he's playing
up there with Thorney, he can do his running!"

Meanwhile, McCall has revealed that it was Luke O'Brien's call to sign
only a one-year contract after the club had made him a longer offer.

McCall said: "If I was his age, I'd look for the security and go for two
years. That's not me talking as the manager but just my opinion.

"You never know what can happen because a year's a long time in football
but hopefully he'll do as well next season as in the last one and we'll
be sitting down again this time next year looking at something longer."

McCall also insisted there was nothing sinister in the delay in Joe
Colbeck signing his new contract. The winger, just back from holiday,
met with the manager yesterday.

McCall added: "It's only a few minor things and not a case that he's
hanging on.

"It's just the length of the contract, because Joe comes up to 24 in a
couple of years' time and the club have got to safeguard that he doesn't
walk away for nothing.

"He loves this club and likes playing here so I don't foresee a problem."

===========================

Furman set to shun City pursuit

Stuart McCall will reluctantly call off City's chase for Dean Furman.

McCall has been desperate to bring back the all-action midfielder, who
was a storming success during his season-long loan from Rangers.

Furman played 33 times, scoring four goals, and quickly became a firm
favourite with the fans for his non-stop performances in the middle of
the pitch.

But McCall expects the young South African to opt for a League One club
instead, with Oldham strongly tipped as his destination.

McCall said: "We've been very good for Deano and he's been terrific for
us. I know he loved his time here and would like to come back but, in
fairness, he wants to play at the highest level possible.

"As much as we've done everything we can to get him back, I think he'll
be joining a League One club if they can come up with the (compensation)
money that Rangers are looking for.

"We've waited a little while to try to get him and I'm disappointed but
I can see that he wants to play at a higher level if the chance is there."

Having missed out on top targets Furman and Nicky Law, McCall is still
after one more central midfielder this summer.

He has brought in three recruits so far but the wage budget is now full
up with the high earners still on the books.

And unless circumstances suddenly change, McCall expects to see Graeme
Lee, Michael Boulding and Paul McLaren back for the start of pre-season
on July 1.

He said: "I've not heard anything otherwise. There are a lot of players
out there in the market these days and everyone knows that, apart from a
few clubs, finances are being cut.

"Whether anyone can match their wages, and whether the lads want to go
to these clubs, we'll have to wait and see.

"At the moment I expect to see the lads back for pre-season and we'll
take it from there. It's a difficult position."

===========================

It's payback time for Bullock
7:30am Wednesday 24th June 2009

Lee Bullock did not think twice about accepting a City pay cut, insisting: I owe THEM.

The combative midfielder signed a new one-year deal at Valley Parade on less money than last term but maintains the

drop in wages was never an issue.

Having missed much of last season due to a serious knee injury, Bullock has taken the refreshing stance of

believing he is actually still in debt to the club.

"There's been a lot reported about pay cuts and all this carry on," said the former York battler.

"But I missed three-and-a-half months of the season, so in a way I need to give a bit back.

"It was an unfortunate, rubbish and horrible injury but these things happen and the club still have to pay you

while you're doing nothing.

"They looked after me and I'm more than happy to pay them back."

Indeed, Bullock says he would have gone public sooner had circumstances been different.

He explained: "It was never in doubt I was going to sign again. As soon as the manager offered me a new contract, I

told him I wanted to stay.

"It's just he went away on holiday, then I got married and went away on honeymoon, so it couldn't be announced for

a few weeks. From the moment he told me though, I was always on board.

"When you play in the lower divisions like we do, there's no better place than Bradford City to be playing your

football and I can't wait for it all to start up again."

Newly-wed Bullock will swap the sunshine bliss of the Maldives and the Indian Ocean for some lung-busting training

in Apperley Bridge's less glamorous surroundings next week as pre-season kicks off.

But he is eager to get his fitness built up and fire into 2009-10 after being crocked for much of last term.

Bullock, 28, caught his studs in the turf at Shrewsbury last September, tearing knee ligaments and being sidelined

until January.

He found it tough winning his place back in the starting line-up upon his return, although he did finish the

campaign strongly.

And Bullock wore the captain's armband on the final day at Chesterfield, a sign of the respect Stuart McCall holds

for him.

He recalled: "It was quite a bad injury. Even though I was saying I was back fit, it did take a lot out of me and

it wasn't until that last month when I got back in the side that I felt strong again.

"Now I'm looking forward to getting a full pre-season under my belt and getting back to work. We've signed a few

new players, kept a few of the others on and it's all exciting."

===========================

Rangers youngster Dean Furman is still to sign a new deal at Ibrox as he craves regular first-team football next

season.

The 21-year-old midfielder is out of contract this summer but has been offered fresh terms to extend his stay with

the Scottish Premier League champions.

Having spent last season away from the club on a season-long loan with Bradford, Furman does not want to spend next

term in the Gers' reserves.

Bantams boss Stuart McCall recently admitted defeat in his bid to sign Furman on a permanent deal, claiming clubs

higher up the English league rankings were interested in his services.

Furman believes his future will be resolved in the coming fortnight and will only commit to a club where he is

confident of being involved regularly.

"I'm out of contract. There's an offer on the table from Rangers but as yet I've not accepted it. So much is up in

the air at the moment but hopefully in the next couple of weeks things will become clearer," he told the Daily

Record.
Best option

"I'm looking at my best option. I absolutely loved my time at Bradford and it was disappointing the last few weeks

of the season went downhill after we'd been in the play-off spot for most of the campaign.

"Regular football was the big thing. It was senior football as opposed to reserve outings. It was the next step in

my career and it has made me a better player.

"I want to be somewhere I can get the chance to play every week because the past season has given me a sniff of

that level and I've loved it.

"Rangers are a different level but I feel I can handle the pressure of playing in front of 50,000 fans every week.

"My best option is to go where I can get the chance to play and hopefully over the next couple of weeks that can be

resolved."

===========================

===========================

===========================

===========================
Facebook page:

http://bcfc.gregshepherd.com/link.php?id=30
or search for
"City Forward! Mailing List"

***
Texas Bantams Blog
http://texasbantam.blogspot.com/
***
CFML since February 1997 is edited by Greg S. in the suburbs of Dallas, Texas
***

Friday, June 19, 2009

League Fixtures and League Cup / Thorne stays / Rehman / Other news

Saturday, June 13, 2009

News June 13th 2009

***
Help the CFML help others

I ask for your support for the daughter of a long time Bradford City fan and CFML subscriber as she prepares for a London-Paris charity bike ride. Emily has also produced a wonderful recipe book which is available to buy from Ebay (link below). It is a perfect (late) Mothers Day present, birthday present or a stocking filler (admit it - Christmas is just around the corner).

Please forward this information to your friends, post on your myspace, twitter or facebook page and lets all help Emily raise money for this excellent cause.

About Emily
http://www.justgiving.com/emilybeardall

The Recipe Book (Over 100 copies sold!)
http://bcfc.gregshepherd.com/link.php?id=28

Emily's facebook page
http://bcfc.gregshepherd.com/link.php?id=29

Whether your support is vocal, promotional or monetary the CFML Thanks You!

***

===========================

New kit on show
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/News/0,,10266~1691878,00.html

Tax changes and a bigger subs bench needed
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/News/0,,10266~1691431,00.html

===========================

McCall gives Guiseley ace his big break

City have handed a fortnight's trial to non-league hot-shot James Hanson.

Stuart McCall has invited the 21-year-old to join the Bantams for the
opening couple of weeks of their pre-season, which begins on July 1.

Hanson netted 44 goals in the last two seasons for Guiseley
and got one against McCall's men in a friendly at Nethermoor 11 months ago.

And now the City chief has given the former Eccleshill United striker
the opportunity to prove he is worth a crack at the bigger stage.

McCall said: "James has been on our radar for a while.

"Obviously he was contracted to Guiseley last season and we tried to
get him down to play in a reserve game but work commitments wouldn't
allow it.

"He scored against us last year and since Christmas has hit a good vein
of form. Guiseley went on a good run and I think he was a main part of
that.

"We're giving him the opportunity to come and make a good impression.
Maybe his dream could come true.

"He plays in a three on the left a la Ian Ormondroyd. He's a strongish
boy, finishes well and can play pretty much anywhere in a forward area.

"He's on our doorstep and we'd be crazy not to have a look at him."

With City's first friendly against Burnley just ten days into
pre-season, Hanson could also get some game time to press his chance.

Kyle Nix turned a similar trial into a permanent contract two years ago
with a busy display against the Clarets after catching the eye in training.

McCall said: "Nixy came in and his fitness levels and enthusiasm made an
impression. That's what James will look to have to do.

"In years gone by, you'd get people in for the first week or so of
pre-season and all you'd see is their fitness. And not coming from a
full-time background, you don't expect them to be at the same level.

"But we will get the balls out as early as we can this time and James
will get his opportunity in a couple of games. Hopefully it goes well
for him."

McCall was alerted to Hanson's potential by Mark Ellis, who recently
left his coaching post with the UniBond League club to concentrate on
running City's under-16s alongside John Hendrie.

With the squeeze on City's resources for this term, McCall is willing to
scour non-league talent – though he admits that even part-timers could
be hit in the pocket if they signed on.

"I'll be honest, for some semi-pros like Jon McLaughlin who we got from
Harrogate Town, financially they would be better off playing with them
and working three days a week than actually playing for us.

"From a financial point of view, people do have mortgages to pay and
it's a tough one coming out of non-league football effectively on less
money. It's down to if they've got the ambition to make a go of it here.

"Some people say there are nuggets out there in the non-league and you
only have to look at how well Peterborough have done. But they paid
£500,000 to get those nuggets.

"We're talking here about going down further and looking at the likes of
Guisely. But if we pick up a gem from there it would be great.

"We're open to everything and trying to spread ourselves with the
resources we have to see every game we can.

"Obviously we're going to be a man down next season with Chris Casper
having gone. There'll be me, Wayne Jacobs, David Wetherall and Peter
Horne all trying to get out and see as many games as possible but when
most are on a Saturday, it can be difficult."

===========================

http://www.clubfanzine.com/rochdale/v2.showNews.php?id=25122

Further news from Rochdale...

Simon Ramsden left the club [Rochdale] today after opting for a contract at
another club, believed to be Bradford City, which was "way out of our
financial restrictions."

The news comes as a blow, with Ramsden being one of the better players in
this Rochdale side since signing for Steve Parkin back in 2006.

Ramsden made 124 appearances for Dale, scoring six times, with most of his
goals coming against former club, Grimsby Town.

===========================

BULLOCK AGREES NEW BRADFORD DEAL

Bradford City midfielder Lee Bullock is to stay on at Valley Parade for
another season after agreeing to a pay cut.

The 28-year-old, who joined from Hartlepool in January 2008, made 24
appearances last season despite four months out with a serious knee injury.

Manager Stuart McCall told the Telegraph & Argus: "He knows what we're after
and he's a good person to have around the squad."

"He won't dominate the middle of the park but he's effective at this level."

He added: "And if we're trying to go a little bit younger next season, his
experience of playing at this level and the one above will be invaluable."

Bullock was out of action from September to January last season with knee
ligament damage but returned towards the latter end of the campaign.

"We're really pleased that he's signing and believe he can have a good
season if he keeps clear of injury," McCall added.

The Bradford manager is also in discussions with defender Zesh Rehman over a
permanent transfer from QPR.

Rehman, the 25-year-old Pakistan captain, has already indicated he would
like to stay at Valley Parade after his loan there last season. He has since
been released from Loftus Road.

The club is also waiting on decisions from Matt Clarke, Joe Colbeck, Luke
O'Brien and Leon Osborne as to whether they will accept new terms.

McCall said: "Joe's on holiday but has indicated he wants to stay. I don't
think it's a financial thing with him so hopefully we can sort it out.

"Being the younger element, Joe, OB and Leon have been offered increases but
Clarke is another who would have to take a reduction.

"But hopefully they want to play here and are making those noises."

===========================

LEEDS DENY DELPH SWITCH REPORTS

Leeds have dismissed reports that teenage midfielder Fabian Delph is poised
to complete a £4million move to Premier League side Everton.

Delph, 19, linked with a host of Premier League clubs following an
impressive first season in Simon Grayson's side, is reported to have opted
for a switch to Goodison Park ahead of Manchester United, Fulham and
Sunderland.

But Leeds chief executive Shaun Harvey said: "Despite the speculation, there
have been no offers for Fab since the end of the season.

"At this stage of the year speculation is always rife, although it's never
helpful."

Delph, who made 51 appearances during his breakthrough season, signed a new
four-year contract at Elland Road in September.

He won his first England Under-21 cap against the Czech Republic in November
and scooped his club's players' player of the year, young player of the year
and goal of the season awards.

===========================
MATTHEW CLARKE SIGNS NEW DEAL

Giant defender Matthew Clarke has become the latest Bantam to commit his
future to the club by signing a new one year contract.

Clarke's decision to stay on comes fresh off the back of news that team mate
Lee Bullock is also staying at the Coral Windows Stadium next season.

Both players will now make up part of a Stuart McCall squad aiming for
promotion to Coca-Cola League 1 this forthcoming season.

At the heart of the Bantams defence last season Clarke was City's third
highest appearance maker, making 45 starts for McCall's side in all
competitions.

===========================

Law: 'No-one had ambition like Rotherham'
Posted on: Fri 12 Jun 2009

'No-one had ambition like Rotherham United' were the words of Nicky Law after he
spurned opportunities from other clubs to sign for the Millers.

Rotherham swooped for Law's signature yesterday with the 21-year-old signing a
two-year deal with the Millers after he was transfer listed by Sheffield United.

Law spent the majority of last season on loan with Yorkshire rivals Bradford
City and he revealed that the Bantams were one of several clubs who tried to
sign him:

"I have spoken to a few teams in this league and some in higher divisions but
no-one had ambition like Rotherham United," Law told www.themillers.co.uk.

"The Manager is very ambitious and he tells that me that the other players are
ambitious too. I want to play at a higher level and I think that I have the best
chance of doing that here."

Law added: "I had a really good season at Bradford but unfortunately from a team
perspective it petered out towards the end of the season. I said no to Bradford
which was a huge decision because I know how popular I was with the fans. The
Manager Stuart McCall was absolutely fantastic to me and I will be forever
grateful to him and that made the decision even harder but hopefully I made the
right choice."

Law graduated through the Blades Academy and made his first team breakthrough in
a League Cup tie in 2005, when he came on as a substitute against Reading. He
made a handful of appearances for the Blades in the Premier League, which
included a full first team debut against Manchester United.

In February 2006 he moved out on loan to Yeovil Town where he made six
appearances before signing for Bradford for his first loan stint in October 2007.

He moved to Valley Parade again in October 2008 and played over 30 games as the
Bantams narrowly missed out on the League Two play-offs.

===========================
Facebook page:

http://bcfc.gregshepherd.com/link.php?id=30
or search for
"City Forward! Mailing List"

***
Texas Bantams Blog
http://texasbantam.blogspot.com/
***
CFML since February 1997 is edited by Greg S. in the suburbs of Dallas, Te

Tuesday, June 09, 2009

News June 9th

From the official site

Wolves '99 - where are they now?
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/News/0,,10266~1686556,00.html
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/News/0,,10266~1687922,00.html

U19's summary
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/News/0,,10266~1679531,00.html

Match balls show City colours
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/News/0,,10266~1685540,00.html

Quote "2008/2009 is nothing more than a memory..."
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/News/0,,10266~1687676,00.html

but, quote "the season table never lies" and you can give your memory a help by remember everything in statistics
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/News/0,,10266~1687125,00.html

And sign up for the City weekly newsletter here
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/Newsletter/

***

===========================
HECKINGBOTTOM SIGNS FOR MANSFIELD

Mansfield Town have signed defender Paul Heckingbottom, who has spent the
last two seasons at Bradford City, although a hamstring injury kept him out
for most of last season

The 31-year-old left-back has amassed over 350 appearances in a career which
has taken him to Norwich, Darlington, Sheffield Wednesday and Barnsley.

Mansfield manager David Holdsworth said: "Paul's a class act, an
accomplished player. He's played at a high level and we're lucky to get
him."

Heckingbottom becomes Mansfield's sixth new signing of the summer.

=============================
Key Fixture Notes
Posted on: Tue 02 Jun 2009

With the club's 2009/10 fixture list being released on 17th June,
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk can bring you some of the key provisional
dates those fixtures will be played on next season.

2009/10 Key Dates
AUGUST 2009
8th - First match of Coca- Cola League 2 season
11/12th - Carling Cup 1st Round
15th - Second match of Coca-Cola League 2 season
25/26th - Carling Cup 2nd Round

SEPTEMBER 2009
1st/2nd - Johnstone's Paint Trophy 1st Round
22nd/23rd - Carling Cup 3rd Round

OCTOBER 2009
6/7th - Johnstone's Paint Trophy 2nd Round
27/28th - Carling Cup 4th Round

NOVEMBER 2009
7th - F.A Cup 1st Round
10/11th - Johnstone's Area Quarter Final
28th F.A Cup 2nd Round

DECEMBER 2009
1st/2nd - Carling Cup 5th Round
15/16th - Johnstone's Paint Trophy Area Semi-Final
26th - Coca-Cola League 2 fixture (Boxing Day)
28th - Coca-Cola League 2 fixture
31st - No scheduled fixture

JANUARY 2010
1st - No scheduled fixture
2nd - F.A Cup 3rd Round
5/6th - Carling Cup Semi-Final 1st Leg
19/20th - Carling Cup Semi-Final 2nd Leg, Johnstone's Paint Trophy Area
Final 1st Leg
23rd F.A Cup 4th Round

FEBRUARY 2010
13th - F.A Cup 5th Round
16/17th - Johnstone's Paint Trophy Area Final 2nd Leg
28th - Carling Cup Final

MARCH 2010
6th - F.A Cup 6th Round
28th - Johnstone's Paint Trophy Final

APRIL 2010
2nd - No scheduled fixture (Good Friday)
3rd - Coca-Cola League 2 fixture
5th - Coca-Cola League 2 fixture (Easter Monday)
10th/11th - F.A Cup Semi-Finals

MAY 2010
8th May - Final day of the Coca-Cola League 2 regular league season
15/16th May F.A Cup Final - Coca-Cola League 2 Play-Offs Semi-Final 1st Leg
17th/18th May - Coca-Cola League 2 Play-Offs Semi-Final 2nd Leg
30th May - Coca-Cola League 2 Play-Offs Final

Please note the entire fixture schedule is subject to change and could alter
before or after the club's fixture list is released on 17th June 2009.

===========================

From Official BCFC website...

WIN AN EXECUTIVE BOX FOR A LEAGUE GAME
Posted on: Tue 02 Jun 2009

With just over two weeks to go before the 2009/2010 Coca-Cola League 2
fixtures are due to be announced, we have a great online auction in which we
are offering the use of one of our Executive Boxes at the Coral Windows
Stadium for a league game of the winner's choice.

This has been donated by a box holder and the proceeds of the auction will
be going to the charity - Guide Dogs for the Blind Association.

The prize includes food and seats for 12 in the Box while drinks can be
purchased separately.

To enter the auction, please send details of your bid, along with your name
and address and contact telephone number to bradfordcity1983@aol.com

We will keep updating the website with the current highest bid until the
closing date of 12.00 noon on Tuesday 16 June, the day before the fixtures
are out.

===========================

McLAUGHLIN SET FOR NEW CITY DEAL

Bradford City goalkeeper Jon McLaughlin is poised to sign a new one-year
deal and challenge for the number one jersey at Valley Parade next season.

McLaughlin, 21, joined last summer from Harrogate Town but was understudy to
Rhys Evans, who has now left the club, and had to wait until the last-day
win at Chesterfield to make his first-team debut.

McLaughlin said: "I haven't signed the actual contract yet, but I've had the
letter through saying I've been offered one.

"I've just had to reply to that and I was happy to accept it. I've agreed
for another season and the terms are pretty much the same. Now I'll see what
I can do."

McCall is expected to draft in another goalkeeper on loan for next season
following Evans' departure, but McLaughlin will be vying for a regular
starting spot.

He added: "Having made my debut now I know I can compete at that level at
least. I'm definitely wanting to see how I can go further this season and
looking to get involved as much as I can."

===========================

O'Brien undecided on Bantams deal

Bradford City player of the year Luke O'Brien has yet to decide whether to take up his new contract offer from the League Two side.

The left-back is wanted by manager Stuart McCall but he told the Telegraph & Argus he does not yet know whether he will be at Valley Parade next season.

"I've got my contract through now and I'm discussing it with my family at the moment," the 20-year-old said.

"I would love to stay on but I've got to go through it with them first."

O'Brien, who came through the club's centre of excellence, was given his chance to claim his place in the first team in October and never looked back, dominating the club's end of season awards.

"Personally, it was an unbelievable year for me," he said.

"To get in the squad, then go on and play 36 games and come away with all those awards, I even got goal of the season to top it all off, it really couldn't have got any better."

O'Brien says he has yet to receive offers from any other clubs, and is one of several players at Valley Parade still mulling over new contract offers.

===========================

Form BCFC Official website...

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS LOOKS TO MEET COMMERCIAL GOAL

When Joint-Chairman Mark Lawn first invited David Baldwin to cast an eye
over the club's commercial side, it was only expected to be a short-term
thing.

Baldwin, having retired from the day-to-day work of running his own
business, offered to pop in and give his own thoughts on where the club
could tighten up in the sales sector.

The three-week stint that Lawn had predicted quickly became a month. And two
years on, keen City fan Baldwin is still there as the head of operations.

"My role has taken a very fluid movement," he explained to the Telegraph &
Argus. "The emphasis for the first nine months was very much about
resurrecting the marketing side of the business.

"In January last year, I took over a more operations role and got involved
in the monthly board meetings.

"It's all about efficiencies and making sure that we save every penny we
possibly can and streamlining the roles we had. In my opinion, my job has
been to tidy up the business."

Baldwin has stressed the need to see City as more than just the football
club. It is vital to maximise the usage and cash generated from the 1911
Club, which has developed into a conference base, and the business centre in
the main office building that is rented out.

Baldwin said: "We are a football club and we're all fans but behind the
scenes you still need to make sure you are running an efficient business,
especially in a very difficult economic climate.

"That was my remit during the last 12 months."

Baldwin has also made sure that City will reach their commercial goal for
next year after finding a buyer for the pitchside advertising rights.

He has struck a deal to franchise out the boards around the ground - with
himself!

Baldwin insists City have made a profit, as they did when he trialled the
third-party plan with the 1911 Club last season.

"I came up with the idea of an extra revenue stream by running it as a
conference centre on a non match-day basis.

"The club sold that area to my company for a profit and then it was my
responsibility, wearing my "other hat", to run it and generate income.

"Bradford City made a decent profit and I proved it was an effective tool to
generate income for the club. So that's now been sold on to a secondary
business.

"Now my company have bought the rights to the stadium advertising in the
same way. The club are therefore not exposed to the risk of who will and
won't buy the boards; that has become my problem.

"And wearing my director of operations hat, when we drew up the budgets we
knew clear guidelines of what income was going to be guaranteed." The
adverts have effectively already been sold to Baldwin.

He said: "The offer made to the club was a sizeable one and at least
equivalent to what they received this year without the added-on salaries
that go with it.

"People might say it's a risk for me but I'm happy to do that because I'm a
fan and I have belief in my own ability, having run my own company since
1997.

"I have a vested interest in Bradford City and want to help them steady the
ship and know where they stand.

"If it does work, and I'm confident it will, it becomes a more sellable tool
to a third party next year. You can sell this as a franchiseable item and
prove that it is a successful one. Most importantly it does mean the running
costs for Bradford City are now at the lowest they can possibly be, allowing
the maximum amount of income to go into the football budget.

"This takes the pressure off the club themselves. The more people you
involve in a situation, the more complicated it becomes.

"You don't have that in this case while still guaranteeing that Bradford
City have hit their commercial target."

===========================

BRADFORD CITY
Ground: Valley Parade (Since 1903)
Size: 113 x 70 yards
Capacity: 25,136

2008/2009 (2007/2008 in brackets)

Position: 9th (10th)
Top Scorer: Peter Thorne 17 (Peter Thorne 14)
Players Used: 33 (35)
Manager: Stuart McCall (Since May 2007)

Average Attendance: 12,701 (13,756)
Average Away Support To Bradford: 384 (448)
Average Away Supporters From Bradford: 1,006 (805)
Highest Attendance: 14,038 v Notts County
Lowest Attendance: 11,908 v Macclesfield Town
Highest Travelling Support: 915 from Rochdale
Highest Bradford Travelling Support: 2,741 at Rochdale
Lowest Bradford Travelling Support: 179 to Gillingham
Lowest Travelling Support to Bradford: 81 from Macclesfield Town

Managers since 1992: 10
Consecutive years in League Two: 2
Consecutive years in Football League: 106
Status in 1992: 10th in Football League Division 2 (Average Attendance:
6,582)
Level: 3rd Tier

Info taken from Aldershot website:
http://www.theshots.co.uk/newspage.ink?nid=31284&newstype=n

===========================
McCALL WARNING OVER CONTRACTS

Bradford City boss Stuart McCall has warned players considering new deals
tabled by the club that they must make swift decisions about their futures.

Several established first-team players - including Luke O'Brien, Matt Clarke
and Peter Thorne - have been offered new deals but are yet to inform the
Bantams whether they intend to sign on for next season.

"The bottom line is, if they want to go elsewhere for an extra £50 per week,
so be it," McCall told the club's official website.

"I'm not going to spend all the close season chasing them and, with regard
those we've offered deals to, we really need to be sitting down and
finalising them this week.

"They've had plenty of time now to discuss it with whoever they need to.
Maybe agents have touted them around too, but we have to get it sorted.

"If they want to stay for the right reasons then great, but if they want to
move on, that's fine and up to them.

"But I remember going back to being a kid and money wasn't everything. It
was about wanting to do what was right for my career.

===========================
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Monday, June 01, 2009

News/Friendly etc - June 1st

The "Jigsaw" incident.
http://www.boyfrombrazil.co.uk/2009/05/26/maintaining-dignity/
http://www.redimps.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10440~1667249,00.html
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/News/0,,10266~1666459,00.html

From Official website...

CLUB CONDEMN INTERNET SALE ITEM
Posted on: Mon 25 May 2009

A jigsaw of a graphic photograph of the devastating Bradford City fire which
claimed 56 lives has been withdrawn from sale after outraged fans branded it
"sick".

The item was being sold through an internet site, which is thought to have
been acting as a vendor for a third-party company.

On Friday night outraged fans noticed the item for sale, and within 24
hours the offending item had removed it.

Club secretary Jon Pollard said the club was intending to determine who was
actually selling the jigsaw - thought to be of a news picture showing the
devastation of the blaze in 1985 - and would be speaking to the manufacturer
about it this week.

Speaking to the Telegraph & Argus he said: "We are very disappointed that
someone has tried to get commercial gain from such a disaster - it's
ridiculous.

"We are glad it has been removed and we will take it up with the company
this week.

"You cannot get commercial gain from something like that."

The fire in the main stand at Valley Parade claimed the lives of 56 people
and injured another 300 when the tragedy struck just before half-time
against Lincoln City on May 11, 1985.

City Supporters Trust chairman Alan Carling also said he was glad the jigsaw
had been taken down from the website.

Talking with the Telegraph & Argus he said: "I think it is reprehensible
that people should try to exploit the disaster either for commercial gain or
sensationalism.

"When this has happened in the past we have managed to persuade the company
to take down the offending items and I am glad the same thing has happened
this time."

===========================
Other News

Robbie Blake
http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/bradford/Wembley-triumph-beats-my-promotion.5301715.jp

Midland Road sponsor sought
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/News/0,,10266~1666798,00.html

===========================

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/q/qpr/8057426.stm

Miller among five released by QPR

Queens Park Rangers have released five players, including Republic of Ireland midfielder Liam Miller and Pakistan defender Zesh Rehman.

...

Former Fulham man Rehman, 25, made only 49 appearances in three years and had loan spells at Blackpool and Bradford.

===========================

Todd and Windass in Darlo double act

Former Bantams boss Colin Todd is poised to become Darlington manager,
with Dean Windass joining him in the north-east as player-coach.

Todd - who has also managed Middlesbrough and Bolton - will succeed Dave
Penney as Quakers boss.

He has been keen to get back into English football after two seasons in
charge of Randers FC in Denmark.

Windass has always wanted to move into coaching and has spent a
frustrating season being frozen out of home-team club Hull City's plans
in the Premier League.

===========================

Windass set to face Bantams
By Simon Parker (T&A)

Dean Windass will be back at Valley Parade next season - against City.

The veteran hitman is poised to be named as Darlington player-coach now that
Colin Todd has taken charge.

The T&A understands that Windass has also thrown his hat in the ring for the
vacant Chesterfield job.

Interviews to replace Lee Richardson, who quit after the final-day loss
against the Bantams, will take place next week.

Windass has the qualifications to step into management below the Premier
League after passing his UEFA A and B badges. But he is more likely to link
up again with Todd, giving him a first taste of coaching while combining it
with one last year on the field.

Despite turning 40 in April, City's third all-time leading scorer is
desperate to play again after being frozen out by Hull.

After returning from an abortive loan spell with Oldham, he made just three
appearances in the reserves and has spent the last month training on his own
away from the club.

But Todd will not rush into any appointment. He is currently working with
coaches Neil Maddison and Craig Liddle, who survived the administrators'
cull.

Todd said: "Deano is the name that I've touted around but we're just going
to have to be patient."

Todd reckons turning Darlington round will be a tougher job than when he
took over City during their financial crisis five years ago.

He has only seven players on the books, including four rookies.

Todd added: "I'll have to work the oracle as I did at Bradford. I brought in
the likes of Taylor, Doyle and Holmes on loan who were all better players
when they left and it will be a similar situation here now.

"There are an awful lot of players available. They have to realise if they
want to stay in football then they'll have to accept what the clubs are
putting forward.

"Bradford have had a go and splashed a bit of money last season and are
cutting back. It's the same with everyone and people have to realise that.

"There are a lot of teams on a similar budget. You look at the likes of
Dagenham and Exeter and what they've achieved, although they have had that
stability."

===========================
TRIO HANDED BANTAMS PRO CONTRACTS

Bradford City manager Stuart McCall has handed youth-team players Rory
Carson, Louis Horne and Luke Dean their first professional deals.

Midfielders Carson and Dean and defender Horne will all be part of McCall's
first-team squad next season and youth-team coach David Wetherall has
challenged them to make the breakthrough.

Wetherall said: "All three of them need to focus on working hard to improve.

"It's fantastic to get your first pro contract and be able to call yourself
a footballer, but they haven't made it yet.

"Now they have to go from players who shine at youth level to those who not
only play in, but are outstanding in the reserves.

"It's about giving displays that make the manager sit up and eventually pick
them for the first team."

===========================
From the official website

Less to travel
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/News/0,,10266~1670077,00.html

Carling Cup draw June 16th
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/News/0,,10266~1669857,00.html

===========================
From Official website...

PRESEASON: CITY TO FACE BURNLEY JULY 11
Posted on: Fri 29 May 2009

Owen Coyle will be bringing his newly promoted Burnley side to the Coral
Windows Stadium as part of their pre-season build up as they look ahead to
starting life in the Premier League.

Wade Elliott blasted the Clarets back into top flight football with the only
goal of the game at Wembley last Monday in the Coca-Cola Championship
Play-Off Final against Sheffield United and their visit to Bradford City on
Saturday 11 July will be the first game as the managers of both clubs will
parade their new-look sides ahead of the 2009/2010 campaign which will kick
off for the Bantams on 8 August and a week later for Burnley.

===========================

http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sportbcfc/sportbcfcheadlines/4407198.More_loan_deals_suit_needs_of_McCall/

More loan deals suit needs of McCall
6:40am Saturday 30th May 2009

Stuart McCall is ready for another delve into the loan system next season.

The City chief returns to his office this week after a fortnight's break to step up his team-building plans.

McCall's options remain limited unless he manages to shift the club's biggest earners but he is certain to utilise the temporary market again.

McCall, like many League Two bosses, has relied heavily on loan players – and would love to bring some back to Valley Parade on a permanent basis.

Dean Furman, Nicky Law and Steve Jones are all on his dream shopping list after last season's successful spells. Zesh Rehman is also considering a deal following his four-month stint from QPR.

McCall refutes the idea that long-term loan recruits do not share the same passion for the team as someone there on a full-time deal.

"It's getting more common in our division for players to get one-year contracts, so to bring someone in for a season-long loan is no different," he said.

"The argument that they wouldn't have the same feeling for the club doesn't hold up.

"The striker Chris Martin went from Norwich to Luton for the whole of last season and did really well.

"We got the same with Deano (Dean Furman). You couldn't say he tried any less just because he was on loan.

"Sometimes these players don't want to go back to playing reserve-team football again. You give them that sense of belonging and feeling part of it and they really respond."

But City will have to be patient with their loan targets, as most are not made available until well into pre-season.

"People get the players back, have a look for two or three weeks and then decide if they are ready to go out," said McCall.

"Premier League and Championship clubs want their kids to go out if they aren't playing and get some experience.

"Manchester United probably let out at least seven or eight players on loan since Christmas and Liverpool as well, although not as many.

"That's the way football is going, though it makes it tough for players at the lower levels who may have to be filtered out to non-league clubs."

===========================
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sportbcfc/sportbcfcheadlines/4409025.Odsal_still_on_City_agenda/?ref=rss

Odsal still on City agenda
7:20am Monday 1st June 2009

City have lined up fresh talks with Bradford Council to see how they fit in with the Odsal Sporting Village.

The club are keeping close tabs on the ambitious development scheme as a fall-back if they cannot strike a deal with Gordon Gibb over Valley Parade.

Town hall will decide tomorrow whether to go with the preferred £75million or £57million projects that are left on the table. City have scheduled more discussions with officials for next week when the dust has settled.

Buying back Valley Parade from the former chairman's family pension fund is City's top priority and they have reopened lines of communication with Gibb.

But with the constant cash drain from paying the 25-year lease on the stadium, the option of a ground-share with the Bulls in a brand new Odsal remains firmly on the agenda.

City's head of operations David Baldwin will meet with senior council officials on June 9.

He said: "At the moment they are still talking about the whole capital cost. We're not involved with that discussion at all apart from if we were to go there what criteria of stadium we'd need to have, bearing on which project they go with.

"We've been kept very much in the loop as to what the council's proposals are and what options they have on the stadium and the outlying area.

"The ball is back in their court in order to put together some costings as to what the implications of Bradford City being there would be and how much we'd have to pay.

"Once we've got that information we can evaluate which is the most cost effective way forward.

"But that doesn't mean that we're not exploring the situation with regard to ownership of the stadium here at Valley Parade."

City have always insisted that uprooting to Odsal – which could be up and running in 2011 – is more than a sabre-rattling exercise to Gibb, whose family bought the ground for £2.5million in 2004.

Baldwin said: "We've outlined to Gordon Gibb what the options are to us and obviously asked the question about Valley Parade. We had a reply back that was basically asking what proposal we would make.

"We've gone back with an offer, based on valuations we've been given and obviously the current market place and now we're waiting for a response on that. Once we've got that, we can make a more informed judgement."

City are aware of the strength of feeling that upping sticks from Valley Parade would cause and canvassed supporter opinion with several open forums before home games last season.

Baldwin said: "The fans' feeling is my feeling. The Coral Windows Stadium at Valley Parade is our home and nobody wants to leave their home if they don't have to.

"But if you can't afford to live in your house and it's about sustaining yourself as a business in the long term, then you have to consider any option presented to you that's way beyond the one you currently have.

"That's the position we have with the council and the Odsal project. They know our stance on it and our motivations behind it.

"If someone told us we could stay here for nothing then there wouldn't be a question at all.

"But economics dictate this is a very expensive place to be and we are, when all's said and done, a League Two team. As such, the incomes we receive are very much League Two distributions."

===========================
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