2 x Notts Travel details / Barnsley pictures + report

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.

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



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

City sign Terriers keeper until end of year
6:40am Monday 27th July 2009

City have high hopes for Huddersfield Town reserve goalkeeper Simon Eastwood after signing him on loan to the end

of the year.

The 20-year-old former England under-19s international played in the second half of City's pre-season friendly

against Barnsley at Valley Parade on Saturday.

Manager Stuart McCall said: "I have seen him play a couple of times. Huddersfield rate him very highly and he comes

well recommended.

"He also played ten games on loan at Woking last season and everyone speaks highly of him.

"He was a target for us but we didn't get any encouragement and then we missed out on a couple of other targets.

"Then we got a call from Huddersfield manager Lee Clark, who wants the lad to play regular football.

"We are pleased to get him and it should be a good fight for the shirt between him and Jon McLaughlin. He will be

on loan with us until December 31."

Meanwhile, McCall will continue his search for one or maybe two central midfield players.

Several trialists in that position have played in the pre-season games but McCall makes it clear he is looking at

other targets.

"Central midfield is a key area I need to strengthen and hopefully I will be able to do that in the next couple of

weeks," he said.

"We have a couple of irons in the fire. We certainly need one, possibly two new players in there."

Another decision McCall needs to make is who will captain the side following the departure of defender Graeme Lee

to Notts County.

Striker Peter Thorne wore the armband against Barnsley and McCall said: "I will probably have a team captain and

club captain.

"Peter Thorne has a lot of respect in the dressing room and he is one of the candidates along with Zesh Rehman, who

is defending well."

Another player's form McCall is pleased about is that of Chris Brandon, who missed most of last season through

injury.

Brandon, who joined the Bantams 12 months ago from Huddersfield, is one of the club's higher earners and there was

speculation he might leave them as Lee and Paul McLaren have done after City reduced their players' budget.

However, he still has one year left on his two-year contract and McCall said: "From day one, Chris Brandon has been

really sharp in training and in pre-season games. He is a fit lad and he has shown a good attitude and desire."





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

Pre-Season Friendly
Bradford C (0) 0
Barnsley (1) 2 Foster 30, Macken 61
Att: 1,859 (559 from Barnsley)

Quite a few pictures on the Barnsley site
http://www.barnsleyone.com/article_template.php?seqno=706



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

Positives outweigh negatives for City
8:30pm Sunday 26th July 2009

City 0, Barnsley 2

Stuart McCall warned that City must learn lessons from the two goals that cost them dearly in the pre-season

friendly against Barnsley at Valley Parade.

A goal in each half gave the Championship side a 2-0 win – Bradford's first defeat in the pre-season campaign – and

McCall said: "On the negative side, we gave two goals away.

"One was from a set-piece, which everyone knows is crucial in modern-day football, and the other when we gave the

ball away deep in our own half.

"These are valuable lessons we have got to learn from the match but there were a lot of positives as well and I

think for a good spell in the first half we were the better side.

"We defended well against good Championship players, and we had some good movement and a good passage of play in

the first half, but in the second half we got a little bit sloppy.

"I am never pleased to lose a game but all in all I was really happy with our display. I thought it was a decent

work-out and I was pleased with it."

McCall played somewhere near his full-strength side in the first half against a near first-choice Barnsley line-up

and there was some pleasing link-up play between strikers Peter Thorne and Michael Boulding and Chris Brandon the

left.

McCall looks well covered up front with proven goal-scorers Thorne and Boulding, and new signings Gareth Evans from

Macclesfield and James Hanson from Guiseley providing cover and competition.

However, he knows he needs more strength in the centre of midfield, where trialists Grant Smith and James O'Brien –

who played half a game each – failed to make an impact and the search for new blood in that part of the team will

continue.

Boulding, who has looked sharp and eager in pre-season games, had City's two best first-half efforts.

First, Brandon linked well with him before playing the ball through for Boulding to shoot across the face of goal.

Then, Thorne – captain for the day – combined well with Boulding, whose fierce cross-shot was turned away by

goalkeeper Luke Steele.

In between, only a last-ditch tackle from former City defender Darren Moore thwarted Thorne after another smart

piece of play involving him and Brandon.

However, Barnsley went ahead against the run of play in the 30th minute when City's defence failed to clear a

corner from Argentinian midfield player Hugo Colace and skipper Stephen Foster came running in at the far post to

head the visitors into the lead.

Four minutes later, City had the misfortune to lose Zesh Rehman, who was injured in a clash of heads with fellow

defender Steve Williams.

Both had treatment on the field but, while Williams played on, Rehman was led away and had to have three stitches

inserted in a wound on the back of the head.

Simon Ramsden, City's new signing from Rochdale, moved into the centre of defence and fellow new boy Jonathan

Bateson took his place at right back.

McCall had a special word of praise for Ramsden, saying: "I thought he was excellent at right back and centre

back."

The City boss introduced new loan goalkeeper Simon Eastwood in place of Jon McLaughlin at half-time.

The hosts' good work in attack continued as Boulding had another fine effort blocked by Rob Kozluk after being put

through by Brandon, while Moore dangerously sliced Luke O'Brien's centre over his own crossbar.

However, Barnsley gradually took control and scored a second goal after 61 minutes following a bad mistake by James

O'Brien.

His attempted clearance was intercepted by Jacob Butterfield, who played the ball through to last season's joint

top-scorer Jon Macken, the substitute beating Eastwood with an angled shot.

As Barnsley pressed forward, Eastwood did well to save from Nigerian striker Kayode Odejayi.

There was a procession of substitutes from both sides in the second half and McCall gave 24 minutes each to

strikers Evans and Hanson.

Neither had much chance to shine but Evans cut in from the left four minutes from the end before forcing Steele to

save his right-foot shot at the near post.

City: McLaughlin (Eastwood 45 mins), Ramsden, L O'Brien, Smith (J O'Brien 45mins), Rehman (Bateson 39mins),

Williams, Colbeck, Bullock (Sharry 76mins), Boulding (Hanson 66mins), Thorne (Evans 66mins), Brandon (Osborne

66mins).

Barnsley: Steele, Hassell, Kozluk, Moore (Potter 72mins), Colace (Hibbert 84mins), Foster, Campbell-Ryce (Lazarus

82mins), Odejayi (Sodje 68mins), Bogdanovic (Macken 54mins), Devaney (Hume 68mins), Butterfield (Adam 87mins).






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

From the Official BCFC website...

Nottingham Forest ...
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/News/0,,10266~1736200,00.html




NOTTS COUNTY TICKET ARRANGEMENTS

Bradford City have been allocated the whole of the Jimmy Sirrell Stand at
Meadow Lane for their Coca-Cola League 2 opener of the season with Notts
County on Saturday 8 August.

4,000 places are available, for which there is no advance booking, price £20
adults, £12 concessions for senior citizens, students and young adults aged
16 and 17 and £5.00 for juveniles aged under 16.

Disabled supporters should contact Notts County direct on 0115 955 7204.

Official coach travel costs £17.00.




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

O'Brien strike settles it as Law fails to get better of Bantams

Alfreton 0 City 1

Bradford City triumphed at Alfreton Town's rain-soaked Impact Arena.

A solitary Jamie O'Brien strike midway through the second half was enough to defeat the Blue Square North outfit – managed by former Bantams boss Nicky Law – and get City back to winning ways in their pre-season schedule after Saturday's defeat to Barnsley.

With the club travelling to Hyde tonight, the Bantams line-up had an unfamiliar look to it.

One player to benefit from the changes was second-year apprentice Phil Cutler, who coped admirably with the physical presence of Alfreton forward Paul Claydon in a composed performance by the youngster.

Lee Bullock, who captained the side, was a commanding figure in the midfield and Simon Ramsden continued on from his composed performance against Barnsley at the weekend, looking assured at right back.

Bullock's midfield partner was trialist O'Brien, who struggled to impose himself on the match despite some neat touches.

The absence of Saturday's skipper Peter Thorne gave Michael Boulding and James Hanson the chance to work on a partnership that had looked so promising during City's fixture with Park Avenue.

Both players worked hard and linked up to good effect on occasion.

Young keeper Simon Eastwood made his first start for the Bantams since moving on loan from Huddersfield Town.

On the stroke of half-time, City had Eastwood to thank for keeping the scores level when he produced a superb quickfire double stop from Anton Brown and Josh Law.

Leon Osborne was denied by a great save from Craig Dootson before City grabbed the winner when an inviting cross from Hanson found its way to O'Brien, who smashed home from close range.

Bantams manager Stuart McCall said: "It was a good work-out for all the lads involved and good that they all got 90 minutes under their belts.

"In periods we seemed to look good and tidy and in others they seemed to come back into it. It was a close match.

"These matches are normally good, honest workouts for the players and that's what it proved to be."

CITY: Eastwood, Ramsden, L O'Brien, J O'Brien, Cutler, Clarke, Osborne, Bullock, M Boulding, R Boulding, Hanson. Subs: Horne, Elliott, Dean, Mitchell, Harrison





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



===========================
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
***

Boulding, Hanson / Man City + York games

***

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

BRADFORD CITY SQUAD NUMBERS 2009-2010

2 Simon Ramsden
3 Luke O'Brien
5 Zesh Rehman
6 Matthew Clarke
7 Omar Daley
8 Lee Bullock
9 Gareth Evans
10 Peter Thorne
11 Chris Brandon
12 Steve Williams
13 Jon McLaughlin
14 Michael Boulding
15 Joe Colbeck
16 Jonathan Bateson
17 James Hanson
18 Rory Boulding
20 Leon Osborne
21 Luke Sharry
22 Rory Carson
23 Luke Dean
24 Louis Horne
30 Matthew Convey









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

Found highlights from yesterdays friendly 2-0 win against york on City message board.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_x8kRiiiOQ


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

McCall hails Boulding's 'terrific gesture'

By Simon Parker »

Michael Boulding has been praised for his decision to take a hefty pay cut this season.

The City striker was one of the high earners targeted when the club announced the wage bill was going to be slashed.

Graeme Lee and Paul McLaren both moved on but Boulding was so keen to stay put that he offered to take a drop in his income – which he has now done.

Boss Stuart McCall has been delighted with the hitman's attitude towards the cost-cutting approach.

He said: "Micky took a sizeable cut, which he didn't need to do. It's a terrific gesture and just shows how much he wants to be here.

"Micky rang me the week before we came back training and explained how much he wanted to stay.

"He knew the situation with the club needing to get some of the big earners off the wage bill and was happy to come in and sort something out.

"Lots of clubs had rung him up in the summer but he feels as though he's got a point to prove here. He feels he can do better next season, as we all can."

Boulding scored 13 goals in his first year at Valley Parade, four behind Peter Thorne. But he admitted himself his performance was "very average".

He has come back to pre-season looking sharp and hungry and McCall is confident the striker will take that form into the new campaign.

"Micky did all right last season in fits and starts but we know we can do more for him in certain areas and vice versa.

"I'm really pleased to have him, Thorney and Evo (Gareth Evans) up front.

"We're all disappointed with how it finished last season. But that's gone and you can see from his mental approach how Boulders is really focused on wanting to do well."

Joint-chairman Julian Rhodes said: "Michael has agreed to have his wage reduced by a considerable amount. Couple that with the attitude he has shown from the word go and he's been terrific."




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

City host coaching camps

By Sports Desk »

City are running four-day coaching camps throughout the summer holidays.

All start on Monday and finish on Thursday, with the first next week at Ben Rhydding Sports Club and Ilkley and Thornton Grammar School in Bradford.

Courses are from 10am-3pm and each child will need trainers, shin-pads, a towel, packed lunch and drinks, a change of kit and extra clothes.

Further information and application forms are available on 01274-706850 or by visiting www.bradfordcityfitc.org.

Other venues – July 27-30: Sandylands Sports Centre, Skipton; Sandal Primary School, Baildon.
August 3-6: Parkside School, Cullingworth; Tong School, Bradford.
August 10-13: Marley Activities & Coaching Centre, Keighley; Whitcliffe Mount School, Cleckheaton.
August 17-20: GOALS Soccer Centre, Hanson; Ben Rhydding Sports Club, Ilkley.
August 24-27: Thornton Grammar School; Sandylands Sports Centre, Skipton.





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

Holdsworth keen to hear what City have to offer
7:30am Monday 20th July 2009

Andy Holdsworth today dropped a broad hint that his future could lay at Valley Parade.

The former Huddersfield skipper, who has played in the last two City friendlies, wants to get himself fixed up for the new season by the end of the week.

The 25-year-old recently rejected a deal from Millwall and other clubs are said to be interested.

But Holdsworth has opened the door for City to make their move by revealing how much he is enjoying his time with Stuart McCall.

He is also relishing the chance to play in midfield again after spending the bulk of his time with the Terriers at right back.

Holdsworth said: "Stuart seems to really like the way I play so hopefully the club can offer something that suits me.

"I wanted to get away from Huddersfield. I've been there since I was ten and was looking to try something new.

"I also wanted to get back playing in midfield. I've always been a right back since Peter Jackson put me there at a young age but I want to get on the ball again and be in there passing it."

Holdsworth, who has also been linked with Leeds, played for just over an hour in Saturday's 2-0 win at York and his corner set up Steve Williams for the opening goal – his second assist from a set-piece.

He added: "Football is my life but I've got to be wary of where I go and what I do. Obviously it's got to be the right move for me and progress my future.

"I went down to Millwall and Kenny Jackett wanted to sign me but the deal wasn't right to move myself and my girlfriend. It would be better to stay up north.

"I've got other options at this moment in time and I'm just weighing them up. Hopefully by next week I'll have signed, if not here then somewhere else.

"But if I do drop down a league, this is probably the club I'd go to. It's the biggest club in this division, fighting for promotion, and they've got a good set of lads and management staff.

"Stuart invited me to come down and do a bit of training and play a couple of games. I've been here a week now and I'm really impressed.

"I know most of the lads from playing against them and I know Bully really well, who's obviously already in there in midfield. Hopefully if I do sign we can be a good pairing."





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

Bradford City 1 Manchester City 3
      
      Tuesday 21 July 2009
Pre-Season FriendlyBradford City 1 (Thorne 34)Manchester City 3 (Poole 13, Nimley 60, Ball 85)
Kick Off: 1.00pmat the Coral Windows Stadium

 Bradford City entertained a youthful looking Manchester City outfit at a damp and chilly Coral Windows Stadium in a behind closed doors fixture.

 The fixture gives Bantams manager Stuart McCall another chance to cast his eye over some of the many trialists currently at Valley Parade, including Estonian international Jevgeni Novikov, Guiseley forward James Hanson as well as Grant Smith and Jordan Hadfield.

 Smith was in fact playing in his third different position in as many matches. After starting in centre midfield against Burnely and central defence against Bradford (Park Avenue), McCall chose to look at Smith in the role of left back.

 Also in the City line up today was goalkeeper Jon McLaughlin, who is gaining his first taste of pre-season action since returning from the World Student Games,

 Manchester City's line up was predominantly made up of current members of their famed academy system, but did include Kasper Schmeichal in goal. Schmeichal, the son of former Manchester United great Peter Schmeichal, had been a regular in the City line up at the start of the Eriksson era at Eastlands a couple of season ago..

 The game started  in an even fashion with both sides having spells of decent possession, but not producing many efforts to trouble either goalkeeper.

 As can happen sometimes in football, the first real effort on target  of any danger resulted in the matches opening goal.

 Manchester City's lively number 10 Alex Nimley had his efforted blocked, but the rebound fell kindly to winger James Poole, who poked home despite the best attempts of McLaughlin.

 Nimley nearly made it 2 - 0 moments later when he capitalised on some hesitant Bantams defending. Nimley robbed City defender Louis Horne on the edge of the Bantams area and drove into the box. Nimley was forced wide by the recovering Horne and resulted in pulling his effort narrowly wide from a tight angle.

 The lead Poole had given City seemed to lift the away side as their forward line of Nimley and Ball continued to look lively. At the other end, the Bantams were getting little change from the Manchester City defence, which was being marshalled by skipper Clayton McDonald.

 Despite the competence of the Manchester City defence, the Bantams forward pair of Peter Thorne and James Hanson had looked always willing to try and get things moving in the right direction for their side. On the 34th minute the pair combined, albeit in slightly strange circumstances, to draw the Bantams level.

 A cross from City full back Jonathan Bateson was met by Hanson, who connected with a firm header. The attempt from Hanson was heading wide until it deflected off City defender Dedryck Boyata into the path of Thorne, who could not miss from a few yards out.

 Manchester City's David Ball had two bites of the cherry to re-hand his side the lead a few minutes before half time. A superb turn by Ball gave him the space to engineer a strike that whistled across goal. Team mate Poole collected the ball on the far side and picked out Ball with a far post cross. Ball had just enough time to fire in on goal, but saw his effort turned away by Bantams goalkeeper McLaughlin.

 Manchester City made two substitutes at half time, including Slovakian Robert Mak. Mak was part of the Slovakia side that faced Bosnia-Herzegovina at the Coral Windows Stadium in the recent UEFA Under 19's Elite Tournament.
 Just before the hour mark Novikov and Thorne were replaced by Luke Dean and Rory Boulding.
 Dean's first involvement in the game was to give away a free kick on the very edge of the area for a foul on Manchester City forward Nimley. The resulting free kick from Paul Marshall was cleared and danger appeared to be over. Moments later though, the ball was fed to the tricky sub Karl Moore, who crossed for Nimley to head home from close range past McLaughlin.

 There was a nasty looking moment a few minutes later when Manchester City forward Mak and Bantams defender Horne both slid in for the ball on the byline. Both ended up in the advertising boards, no doubt not helped by the slippery pitch conditions the constant drizzle had brought, both though were able to continue after a small period of treatment time.

 As the half wore on, it became clear the visitors were having the lions share of possession, though the experimental Bantams side were gamely sticking to their task.

 In the 70th minute, Manchester City went agonisingly close to doubling their advantage through Mak. Winger Moore superbly picked out Mak with a low driven cross, but a combination of McLaughlin and Horne managed to somehow deflect Mak's effort wide.

 As the rain begin to intensify, substitute Moore managed to miss another golden opportunity for his side. The winger skipped inside Grant Smith and drove into the box, but only managed to curl an effort narrowly wide of McLaughlin far post.

 A quite superb flowing move from Manchester City finally opened up the dogged Bantams for a third time. A neat flick from Moore played in fellow winger Poole, who superbly created an opening for David Ball. Ball, who had re-entered the field of play for the injured Nimley, took his chance well and beat McLaughlin at his near post.


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

Arnison waiting on Darlo decision
7:00am Tuesday 21st July 2009

Paul Arnison hopes to have done enough to earn a deal with City's rivals Darlington after taking on the might of Newcastle.

The Bantams right back found himself up against the likes of former Premier-ship stars Alan Smith, Damien Duff and Shola Ameobi on Saturday.

Arnison has been told by City boss Stuart McCall that he can leave Valley Parade and is currently trialing at a Darlo side managed by former Valley Parade chief Colin Todd.

They lost 7-2 in the friendly against the relegated Magpies.

"We got a bit of a hiding but they had all their stars in there," he said.

"Newcastle moved the ball really well and it was a good experience to face players like Nicky Butt and Kevin Nolan.

"I've been here now for ten days and played two matches. Nothing's been said yet about a contract but we've got a game tomorrow as well and hopefully I'll find out soon.

"They don't come out of administration until the end of next week and it's a bit difficult when they've got lads who have already signed, but not properly yet because of that situation."

Arnison, 31, has fallen down the pecking order at City and is likely to be third choice right back next season.

But he will return to the club if he doesn't secure a move elsewhere and is now just waiting for an answer.


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

No Bradford contract for Mannus

Tuesday, 21 July 2009

Alan Mannus has returned home from his trial at Bradford City without being offered a contract by the League Two club.

The former Linfield goalkeeper spent a week with the Bantams and played in three games without conceding a goal.

Valley Parade boss Stuart McCall, however, has decided to explore other options rather than sign the Northern Ireland international.

Mannus — who declined the offer of a new deal at Windsor Park in order to become a free agent and give himself the best chance of a cross-channel move — remains hopeful that he will find a new club before the season starts.

He has also had a trial period with Scottish Premier League club Falkirk.



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

Bradford City has further added to their striking options by completing
the permanent signing of James Hanson.

Hanson has signed a two-year deal at the Coral Windows Stadium.

The 21-year old joins from Unibond Premier side Guiseley
after performing admirably while recently on trial with the club.

Having been offered a new contract at Nethermoor, compensation will have
to be agreed between the two clubs.

Hanson joined up with the Bantams at the start of July and has featured
heavily in the pre-season programme so far. The giant striker's
performances have impressed City boss Stuart McCall enough to warrant
his contract.

He is the second player in as many weeks to take his first steps into
professional football with the Bantams, following the signing of
defender Steve Williams last Friday (17th July).

The Bantams have now added six additions to their squad this summer,
Hanson joining a list which already includes Williams, Gareth Evans,
Zesh Rehman, Simon Ramsden & Jonathan Bateson.

McCall will now hope Hanson's height and link up play will perfectly
compliment the other strikers he has at his disposal to create a potent
attacking line up for the Bantams.

The former Eccleshill United man has been a big hit during his time with
Guiseley.

He stuck 44 goals in two seasons for them, as well as netting against
the Bantams in a friendly at Guiseley's Nethermoor ground 12 months ago.

Hanson is expected to make first appearance as an official Bradford City
player in the club's pre-season fixture against Barnsley at the Coral
Windows Stadium on Saturday 25th July.

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

Defender Paul Arnison has had his contract with Bradford City cancelled
by mutual consent.

The 31-year old joined the Bantams last summer from Carlisle United and
made 28 appearances.

With the arrival of Simon Ramsden and Jonathan Bateson, Arnison knew he
would be down the pecking order at Valley Parade and decided to look
elsewhere to further his career.

He has recently been training and playing for Colin Todd's Darlington
for whom he is expected to sign once the Quakers exit administration
next week.





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

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

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

Signings / BPA game

***

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

Commercial manager
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/News/0,,10266~1723646,00.html










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

  McCall beaten by clock in move for Jones

City did make a last-ditch bid to bring back Steve Jones but ran out
of time.

Frustrated Stuart McCall had kept tabs on Jones all summer in the hope
of turning last season's loan into a permanent move.

But he was powerless to do anything until another of the club's high
earners had followed Graeme Lee out the door.

Paul McLaren's departure on Thursday finally gave McCall the green light
to go for Jones – but by then the winger had already agreed a two-year
deal to join Walsall in League One.

McCall admitted: "We had a chance with him but I had to get rid of
either Macca, Michael Boulding or Chris Brandon first. Unfortunately
when Macca ended up going, it was too late.

"Jonah really wanted to come here and I'm disappointed that we couldn't
afford to do it earlier than we tried. But we had to be careful because
of the budget.

"And by the time we could do something, he'd already had a medical down
there (at Walsall).

"I knew deep down that Dean Furman and Nicky Law would go but I thought
we'd have a good chance of getting him.

"It's gone now but I am frustrated because I would love to have had him
back. He could have played on the left, right or down the middle."

City kicked off pre-season with a morale-boosting win over Burnley but
McCall knows the clock is ticking to replenish squad numbers in time for
the August 8 kick-off.

He said: "I've basically lost a whole team from last season and only
brought in three. Obviously Zesh Rehman was already here and Jon
(Bateson) is coming in as cover.

"I do need to strengthen and I'll be sitting down this week with the two
chairmen to see what can be done."

McCall fielded two different sides and was pleased with the overall
energy levels.

"The result in pre-season doesn't matter but you don't want to get
turned over by four or five. So you're always a bit fearful.

"I'm not getting carried away but I felt there were a lot of good
performances and some decent football now and again.

"I'm still hurting from last season that we under- performed with the
quality squad that we had. This year we might not have the quality of
players but the endeavour and energy has got to be there every game.

"Even if you're suffering in confidence, there's no excuse for not
giving everything on that football pitch that you've got."


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

Williams chases Bradford contract  
 
Bradford City trialist Steve Williams will know after Wednesday night's game at Bradford Park Avenue if he has earned a full-time deal at the club.

The centre-half, 22, has been training with City for almost two weeks and impressed in a 2-1 win over Burnley.

He told the Telegraph and Argus newspaper: "The manager wants to see me again in the Bradford game. Then he'll make a decision.

"The situation is do or die for me," the former Bamber Bridge man added.

The hairdresser, who played for the Unibond League club last season, played the first 45 minutes in Bradford's victory over Premier League new boys Burnley.

Manager Stuart McCall needs more back-up at centre-half after releasing Mark Bower and Simon Ainge at the end of last season.

Williams added: "You can't put it in to words how good it feels. Saturday was brilliant.

 It's hard to judge someone on 45 minutes but it's looking good

Steve Williams
"I've been training with the team for a week and a half and we've been doing games, so I knew what to expect.

"I was well prepared and luckily just took it in my stride."

Last summer Williams was on trial at League One outfit Oldham.

However he tore ankle ligaments in his first appearance, a pre-season game against Barrow, which kept him out for three months.

"The problem of going on a trial is that there's no security when something like that happens," he said.

"But luckily I came through fine on Saturday and hopefully I can do well again.

"It's hard to judge someone on 45 minutes but it's looking good."

 

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

McCall to give the Man a chance against Avenue
7:20am Wednesday 15th July 2009

Stuart McCall will keep a close eye on keeper Alan Mannus tonight – as he warned City fans to get real over transfer targets.

The Northern Ireland international played the second half against Burnley but did not have a shot to save.

So McCall intends to give him the bulk of the friendly at Bradford Park Avenue to show what he can do.

Mannus, 26, is chasing a pro contract after 11 years with Linfield. He went on trial to Falkirk before linking up with the Bantams on Friday.

McCall said: "At first look, he's certainly got the presence and physique. We saw the other day that he's a good kicker of the ball.

"He comes well recommended but we need to have a good look at him so he'll be getting the majority of the game."

McCall, who will give Peter Thorne his first outing, intends to use tonight's Bradford derby to run the rule over his crop of trialists.

"It will be the same scenario as Saturday, with two teams playing 45 minutes before we push it up to 65 or 70 against York.

"It's a balancing act. We want to give the squad we've already got enough fitness work but giving trialists just half an hour isn't enough to judge them.

"We will start making decisions after the game but might have one or two more coming in for York."

The double departure of Graeme Lee and Paul McLaren has eased the wage-bill concerns but McCall still has little leeway as he targets a senior keeper, back-up centre half and at least one more midfielder.

The City chief added: "With the budget as it is, we've got to look for value for money. Some supporters throw names at me, and we would all love X, Y or Z to sign, but there's got to be a bit of realism about it.

"You hear names like Lee Hughes being bandied about because he's been linked with Notts County. But that won't be happening here.

"Notts County and Rotherham have got some big investment in there. Our budget has almost been halved and we've all got to cut our cloth accordingly.

"We are seen as a big club and we've got championship support in a championship ground – but not championship finances coming in.

"We will do the best with what we've got and be as competitive as we can."



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

Holdsworth gets City run-out
7:43pm Wednesday 15th July 2009

By Simon Parker »

Former Huddersfield captain Andy Holdsworth is on trial with City.

The 25-year-old was on the team sheet to play the second half against Avenue tonight.

Holdsworth was expected to slot into central midfield. He has recently been training with Millwall and Lincoln and was linked with a move to Leeds.



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

Boulding and Hanson on target in derby victory
9:49pm Wednesday 15th July 2009

Bradford Park Avenue 0, Bradford City 2

Former Huddersfield skipper Andy Holdsworth was the latest to hop on board City's trialist bandwagon tonight.

The 25-year-old, who played over 250 games with the Terriers, rejected a new deal after being told by Lee Clarke he would only be a squad member.

Holdsworth had featured most recently as a right back but plays in midfield - the area that Stuart McCall needs to beef up.

McCall said: "He's got a good energy about him and can play on the centre and right side as well, like Nicky Law."

Whether Holdsworth, who crossed for the second goal, could be squeezed into City's tight budget is debatable but McCall has to keep looking.

At the other end of the scale, bleach-haired Joe Keehan from Blue Square Premier wooden-spoonists Lewes also got 45 second-half minutes in midfield after a recommendation from Michael Standing.

McCall again fielded everyone available but there were a couple of notable absentees.

Paul Arnison is training with Colin Todd's Darlington as he looks to get back up to the north-east, while Chris Brandon, whose future remains up in the air, took a knock in training but should be okay for Saturday.

Trialist Jamie O'Brien also hopes to feature at York after sitting it out with a bruised calf.

Peter Thorne was back, though looking understandably rusty as he wasted a close-range header - the best chance of the opening half.

The bobbly pitch proved a hindrance to both sides but it did not seem to bother Joe Colbeck, who embarked on several darting runs and was by far the pick of the first-half bunch.

Keeper Alan Mannus almost gifted Avenue an opener when he was stranded in no-man's land, one-time Oldham frontman Chris Hall nearly capitalising from distance.

Mannus was hoping for more action after seeing little of the ball against Burnley. But the Northern Ireland international was not too convincing dealing with crosses.

Colbeck aside, there were few lively moments in the opening half for a good-sized crowd.

But the City majority only had to wait 30 seconds for the newly-arrived line-up to strike. Big James Hanson flicked on and then it was all about Michael Boulding with a classy individual finish at the near post.

Hanson the provider then became the scorer for number two with a sweet header from Holdsworth's corner after 52 minutes.

Hanson, who bagged two at Avenue for Guiseley last season, almost doubled his tally from a Luke Sharry cross as City mark two turned the screw.

Boulding has come bursting out the pre-season blocks so far and forced a flying save from Steve Dickinson after letting rip from 25 yards. Then another shot on the turn whistled narrowly wide.

His partnership with Hanson was causing loads of trouble for Lee Sinnott's part-timers, who threw on one-time City loanee Harpal Singh on the left side.

At the back, first-choice pairing Matt Clarke and Zesh Rehman were seeing their first action together.

They kept the door shut pretty tight, although Matt James was not far away with a low drive past the left post.

Mannus could have had an assist with an enormous clearance which Dickinson headed straight out to Luke Sharry from the edge of the penalty area. But the youngster opted to take a touch and the opportunity was gone.

Avenue right back Steve Downes then embarrassed his keeper by chesting the ball past him and towards his own goal, just recovering in the nick of time to avoid presenting Rory Boulding with a tap-in.

There was a late scare for City when Clarke bashed heads with Jamie Bairstow. The centre half needed treatment and came off with a huge lump of skin hanging over his left eye.

He then had to go to hospital for stitching up the wound, which will definitely prevent him from playing against York.

However, despite Clarke's absence, City remained on the front foot and Dickinson was called into action again to hang on to another well-struck Boulding effort.

CITY first half): Mannus, Ramsden, Williams, Smith, O'Brien, Colbeck, Hadfield, Bullock, Osborne, Thorne, Evans.

Second half: Mannus, Bateson, Clarke (Dean 85), Rehman, Horne, Sharry, Holdsworth, Keehan, R Boulding, M Boulding, Hanson.



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

WILLIAMS SIGNS FOR BANTAMS
3:30pm Friday 17th July 2009
By Simon Parker (T&A)

Steve Williams has signed a deal with the Bantams after his impressive
performances on trial.

The 22-year-old centre-half, who played last season with Bamber Bridge in
the UniBond League, has joined on a one-year deal with the option of a
further season.

Williams will act as cover for centre halves Zesh Rehmann and Matt Clarke.

He has played in both pre-season friendlies so far, against Burnley and
Bradford Park Avenue, slotting in comfortably.




===========================
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***
Texas Bantams Blog
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***
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***

News / Signings / v Burnley W2-1

***
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
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http://bcfc.gregshepherd.com/link.php?id=28

Emily's facebook page
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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

Season tickets ready
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/News/0,,10266~1716904,00.html



Burnley Ticket Details
http://www.burnleyfootballclub.com/page/LatestHeadlines/0,,10413~1715500,00.html


Bantams "Player"
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/News/0,,10266~1715675,00.html



Thorne Signs New Deal
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/News/0,,10266~1716408,00.html


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

Bradford City reap rewards of filling their stadium, not their pockets

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2009/jul/12/bradford-city-season-tickets-supporters





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

  Smith has unfinished business with Abbott

City hopeful Grant Smith is itching to make up for a year wasted under
Greg Abbott.

Scottish midfielder Smith has joined the Bantams on trial for pre-season
and is eager to get his career back on track.

The well-travelled 29-year-old, who can also play left back or centre
half, quit Carlisle in April after failing to appear in a single game
once Abbott took charge.

For Smith, who had been a regular for the Cumbrians the previous season
following a move from Dundee United, it was a dramatic fall from grace.

And he is desperate to pick up the pieces by earning a Valley Parade
deal from Stuart McCall.

Smith said: "I know the manager from Sheffield United and he was a big
help to me there. I've always kept in contact and hopefully something
can come from the trial.

"Last season was difficult for me. I missed the first two months
injured, got back in for a couple of games then the manager (John Ward)
lost his job. Greg Abbott took over and we had our problems.

"Football is all about opinions and he had his, which didn't feature me.

"The year before last I played nearly every game and we were up there
around the top two.

"I went from playing every week in a side doing well, including the two
play-offs against Leeds, to not getting a game at all last season when
we were struggling.

"It does get you down but that's the way football is at times. My family
helped get me through it and the other boys in the club were very good.

"People felt it was weird and a lot of the lads there thought I should
be playing. There's no animosity with any of them and the fans were also
good with me."

So the prospect of lining up against Abbott's Carlisle in City's final
pre-season friendly on August 1 adds an extra incentive to Smith's push
for a permanent contract.

He said: "It would be nice to have signed for Bradford by then and to go
out and give it my best that game. It would be a good one to prove a
thing or two."

Smith has fond memories of his only previous visit to Valley Parade,
scoring both goals with two volleys in a 2-1 win for Swindon in January
2005.

And he has not been put off by the prospect of returning in the basement
division. Smith has knocked back offers to train with clubs in Scotland
and League One to try his luck with McCall's men.

"You want to stay as high as you can but this is a big club in the wrong
position," he said.

"Hopefully if I get something here, it will be one season maximum in
this division and then the chance of going back up the league again."

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

http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk

Hadfield: I'll be City's Paul Ince
7:20am Wednesday 8th July 2009

Jordan Hadfield used to love picking a fight with Paul Ince in training.

And now the little firebrand wants to pump that aggression into the heart of City's midfield.

The 21-year-old is hoping to win a chance at Valley Parade by showing the same tigerish approach that was Ince's trademark.

Hadfield hails the MK Dons boss for developing him as a player when they were together at Macclesfield – even if their no-nonsense confrontations on the training ground often turned into brawls.

Hadfield said: "We used to come to blows every day. Incey loves a tackle and having a go and I'm the same type of character.

"I like to graft and get stuck in; that's what I'm best at. I think that's why he liked me.

"It was class because Incey can still do a bit and I learned so much from him, especially when we'd go at it during training."

Hadfield is now trying to impress another top-drawer central midfielder and earn a contract offer from Stuart McCall.

The City chief is in the hunt for at least one more addition in the middle of the park and preferably a box-to-box battler who "likes a tackle". Salford-born Hadfield, like fellow trialist Grant Smith, believes he can fit that criteria.

Hadfield is keen to follow striker Gareth Evans from Moss Rose, where he has had a chequered time since Ince moved on.

Given his debut by Ince at 18, he followed him to Milton Keynes on loan for the second half of the 2007-2008 campaign – and played in the side which clinched the League Two title with a win at Valley Parade.

But when Ince made his ill-fated switch to Blackburn, Hadfield reluctantly returned to Macclesfield, where he found himself used sparingly by successive managers Ian Brightwell and Keith Alexander.

Hadfield admitted: "I just wasn't the new gaffer's cup of tea. I even went to Altrincham for a month because I wasn't playing.

"I got in the Macc team again when I came back and played a lot of games after February but I didn't get offered anything at the end of the season, though I would have gone anyway because I didn't like it there.

"I needed a fresh start and a new challenge. Macclesfield are decently run but they're not a big club and coming to Bradford, where you get 13,000 crowds, feels like when I was at MK Dons. I'm going to put all my energy and focus into playing for this club. The gaffer here's got a lot of ambition and so have I.

"I want to play every game and get promoted again. I did it when I was 19 at MK Dons and it's a great feeling – that's why I want to come here."



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

http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk

McLaughlin's spot-kick heroics
7:58am Tuesday 7th July 2009

Jon McLaughlin proved the spot-kick hero as Great Britain moved into the semi-finals at the World Student Games in Serbia.

The City stopper made a crucial penalty save from Julien Jeanney as the Brits edged France 2-0 in the shoot-out. Two hours of action previously had failed to produce a goal.

Great Britain now go through to a last-four meeting with Ukraine tomorrow where McLaughlin will be bidding for his third clean sheet of the tournament.

***and then ***

http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/News/0,,10266~1717231,00.html

***and then ***

http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/News/0,,10266~1719500,00.html

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

From official site:
Posted on: Thu 09 Jul 2009

Midfielder Paul McLaren has had his contract with Bradford City cancelled by
mutual consent.

McLaren joined the Bantams last summer on a free transfer from Tranmere
Rovers, making 35 appearances, scoring 3 goals.

http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/News/0,,10266~1717972,00.html

***

McLaren's exit eases financial pressure on City

By Richard Sutclfife
STUART McCALL'S re-building plans at Bradford City have been given a major boost after Paul McLaren sealed a return to Tranmere Rovers.

The Bantams have drastically cut their playing budget for the coming season and McCall revealed in May that his plans would be dramatically affected if the club's four biggest earners – McLaren, Michael Boulding, Graeme Lee and Chris Brandon – remained at Valley Parade on their existing terms.

Lee joined Notts County last month and he was yesterday followed through the exit door by McLaren after the midfielder's contract was cancelled by mutual consent. Boulding, meanwhile, has been reported as willing to take a pay cut.

Joint chairman Julian Rhodes said: "Stuart has been working very hard to build a squad within the budget we set and is pleased with his work so far."

McLaren joined Bradford from Tranmere last summer on a free transfer but struggled to make the expected impact in his 35 appearances.

Peter Thorne has agreed a one-year contract extension after finishing last season as City's top scorer.


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

Burnley Preview

McCall plans to give the whole squad a run-out in tomorrow's opening friendly against Burnley at Valley Parade.

Guiseley striker James Hanson joined training for the first time yesterday and will line up with four other trialists – Jordan Hadfield, Grant Smith, Steve Williams and teenage midfielder James O'Neill, who was released by Birmingham.

McCall, who will field all his new signings, intends to swap the side around completely at half-time. But he feels the players are all ready for a game.

He said: "It's the fittest group we've had at the start of pre-season since I've been here. The test results proved that as well as the training and I've been pleased with how they have come back.

"We had a little 11-a-side game yesterday with three halves of 12 minutes and there was a good tempo to it."

Burnley boss Owen Coyle, like McCall, plans mass changes but the Premier League new boys will parade record £3million signing Steven Fletcher.

The Scotland international striker, bought from Hibs, will be joined by new defenders David Edgar and Tyrone Mears.

Coyle said: "Come the game we are going to be rusty. We've only had four full training sessions. It's just a job of getting the legs going again. I'm sure there will be a lot of mistakes but it will be good just to get up and running."



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

Stuart McCall will cast his eye over Northern Ireland international
keeper Alan Mannus in Saturday's pre-season friendly with Burnley at the
Coral Windows Stadium.

The 27-year old, born in Canada, was with Linfield and made his was
through their junior ranks, making his first senior squad appearance in
2002.

He established himself as the club's first choice goalkeeper making his
250th appearance before his 25th birthday.

He won his first Northern Ireland cap against Trinidad and Tobago in 2004.

He has also made appearances in friendlies against Bulgaria, Georgia and
World Champions Italy.
===========================

BCFC 2 - Burnley 1

BURNLEY started life as a Premier League club by slipping to a 2-1 defeat in a friendly at humble Bradford City.
Owen Coyle's men took a 13th minute lead through Graham Alexander.

He fired home after neat work by Robbie Blake, but then it all went wrong in front of more than 2,000 travelling Clarets fans.

And Alexander turned from hero to villain as his misplaced pass let in Boulding brothers Rory and Michael to set up a goal for James O'Brien, who was on target from 12 yards.

Michael Boulding put Bradford ahead on 36 minutes - and the League Two outfit could have scored more before the end.


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

McCall will bide time to finalise captaincy
6:50am Saturday 11th July 2009

Stuart McCall has not decided who will take over from Graeme Lee as City skipper.

And he urged fans not to read too much into whoever dons the armband during the pre-season games, starting against Burnley at Valley Parade this afternoon when a bumper crowd is expected for the opening friendly.

Zesh Rehman, who has led Pakistan's national team, has been touted, while Lee Bullock is also a contender after captaining City on the final day of last season at Chesterfield.

Matt Clarke has previous experience in the role at Darlington and old campaigner Peter Thorne could also be in the running.

But McCall admits there is no obvious candidate to be Lee's successor.

He said: "We've got some good pros but nobody is jumping out at me at the moment. I'm just going to see how the games go.

"I'll give it to a couple of lads but we'll be playing split teams anyway to give everyone 45 minutes.

"The captaincy is something I will look at but there won't be any decision yet. I'll take my time over the next couple of weeks.

"We might even go down the route of having a club captain as well as a team one. You'd have someone acting as a figurehead and the other leading the team. They might even be one and the same person."

Whoever he chooses, McCall wants to see more leadership qualities on display throughout the team.

He said: "I was speaking to Archie Knox and Colin Harvey at a reserve game last season and saying how few leaders we had on the park. Both of them said they were a dying breed nowadays.

"Every team used to have four or five but not any more. Last season I just felt we needed a few more.

"Sometimes leadership comes in different ways. Spike (Lee) wasn't over-vocal but he had the respect in the dressing room and had done the job before.

"The likes of Hecky (Paul Heckingbottom) would have been a candidate because he's a good pro who gets people going.

"You want people who are going to drive others out there on the park. I think of Dean Furman, even though he was young.

"I think back to my Rangers days and we had Richard Gough, myself, Ally McCoist and John Brown who were all quite vocal and up and at 'em. That's what you are looking for."

City are expecting a sizeable crowd this afternoon, with home supporters getting their first look at McCall's new signings.

Premier League new boys Burnley are also set to have considerable backing, with fans making the short trip over the Pennines as their team play their first match since winning promotion at Wembley.

McCall will cast his eye over Northern Ireland international goalkeeper Alan Mannus, who will play some part in the match as he starts a trial with the Bantams.

Canada-born Mannus, 27, has been first-choice keeper at Linfield, the most successful club in the Irish League. He won his first Northern Ireland cap against Trinidad & Tobago in 2004.

Meanwhile, Steve Jones – who spent last season on loan at City – has signed for Walsall.

McCall had been keen to bring him back to Valley Parade but City's financial position prevented any deal.



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



===========================
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
***

Off season news

***
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
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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



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


Official news

Season Ticket Guidelines
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/News/0,,10266~1712790,00.html




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

The new kit - are stripes traditional? Check out a history of City kits
http://www.historicalkits.co.uk/Bradford_City/Bradford_City.htm



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

Lee signs for Notts County
3:38pm Tuesday 30th June 2009

Graeme Lee has signed for Notts County on a two-year deal.

The 31-year-old centre half this afternoon became the first of City's top earners to leave Valley Parade.

Lee, who skippered the Bantams last term, missed only two games. But his future has been up in the air since Stuart McCall was told his wage budget had to be slashed.

Ironically, Lee's first game for his new club is likely to be against City at Meadow Lane on August 8.

Notts County boss Ian McParland said: "Graeme's a leader, a vastly experienced defender at this level, and we're absolutely delighted he has agreed to join us.

"I met with him and his agent last week and they were obviously pleased with what they heard from us because this deal has moved very swiftly."

-----

Graeme Lee admits he is still in shock at the way his City career came
to a sudden halt.

The former skipper started pre-season with his new club Notts County
today after signing a two-year deal.

But Lee, who only missed two games last term for the Bantams, revealed
that he was still coming to terms over the dramatic turn of events at
Valley Parade.

He said: "It's been a long summer and certainly not what I expected.

"One week everything was up in the air about whether Stuart McCall was
coming or going and I was phoning him up begging him to stay.

"The next the club were asking us to go and find somewhere else. Nobody
saw it coming but these things do happen in football.

"If I was a young lad put in that situation, I would have been
devastated but being a bit more experienced, I understood what was going
on and thankfully we've got everything sorted.

"And by me doing this, I'd like to think it helps Bradford a bit."

As City also returned for pre-season, Lee became the first of the higher
earners to move on. Paul McLaren could well follow but Michael Boulding,
who has offered to take a pay cut, and Chris Brandon are expected to stay.

Lee added: "It was never my choice to leave. Until all this happened, I
was looking forward to coming back next season and playing my part in
hopefully making up for the disappointment of missing promotion.

"But I'd like to thank everyone for their support and look forward to
seeing them on the first game of the season."

Lee's departure will add spice to City's league opener at Meadow Lane –
and he has already warned Peter Thorne to expect some close attention.

"I've been on the phone telling him to get ready to be kicked! But it's
a good game for me to start off with and then we've got Doncaster in the
cup."

Ambitious County are in the process of being taken over by Middle East
consortium Munto Finance, who have links with the Qatar royal family.

Lee, who also had interest from League One, said: "With the take-over
going on, they have got that expectation and plans of where they want to
be in three to five years.

"It reminds me of when I signed for Bradford. It's just a shame that it
didn't work out."

McCall was left with mixed feelings at losing his skipper.

The City boss said: "Spike was a great role model in the dressing room
and captain but obviously it was something I was told I had to do at the
end of last season.

"Notts County seem right for the lad because they are going to have a
real go.

"From our club's point of view, it's good because of the budget but he
will be a miss. He was very strong aerially with anything that came into
the box.

"But Spike knew the circumstances and the job I had to do and there was
no animosity between us."



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

Boulding: I will cut it at City next season
7:40am Tuesday 30th June 2009

Michael Boulding has offered to drop his wages to prove his commitment to City.

The striker is one of the higher earners that the club have been looking to move on during the summer because of the much-reduced budget.

But Boulding is desperate to show his worth at Valley Parade next season on two fronts – by banging in more goals and doing the business on less money.

He reveal-ed: "I have talked to Stuart (McCall) and have said I would be prepared to take a cut. We just need to sit down and talk about it.

"It's difficult for me to say too much but I don't want to leave Bradford.

"As long as the club still want me, then I want to be here. I don't want to stay and sit around just picking up wages because that's no good to anybody.

"There's been no talk about walking away from the club. I don't want to because it's a great place to be and, for me, there's a lot of unfinished business.

"Last season was a very average one for me and I really want to stay and put that right by doing myself justice."

The future of Boulding – one of the highest-paid players – as well as Graeme Lee, Paul McLaren and Chris Brandon has been in the spotlight since City revealed the wage bill for next term was being slashed by more than a third.

But all four are set to return tomorrow alongside the rest of the squad for pre-season fitness tests.

Boulding has already put in plenty of hard work through the break to ensure he comes back in the best possible condition.

Boulding's form in front of goal tailed off last season as the team's results crashed around him.

He scored 13 times – half the tally he racked up the year before with relegated Mansfield. And Boulding notched only one in the last three months, a tap-in at Chesterfield in a dead game on the final day.

Boulding added: "There was certain stuff in my game that I stopped doing last season. This season I'm totally focused on what I need to be doing to play well.

"Some people thought that Thorney and I weren't that good together. We did well in fits and spurts but it got more difficult towards the end of the season when confidence was draining out of the team.

"The game at Chester was a perfect example for me. I had two snap-shots early on and, if one had gone in, I could have finished with a hat-trick but instead things went from bad to worse.

"It got harder as goals went against us and then teams would just shut up shop.

"But I've played with lots of different strikers in my career and I know we are both good players who can make it work.

"I also think the new lad from Macclesfield, Gareth Evans, is a great addition. He's a young lad with lots of energy which will really help."

Critics claimed that City did not do enough to fit in with Boulding's style of playing off the last defender and chasing balls in behind the back four.

He said: "Maybe there were times when they didn't but it doesn't really matter. I've played in teams where they lump it and others where they only pass all the time.

"As a striker I have to work around the strengths of the team rather than them working around me. It's up to me to adapt.

"For me personally, this season is completely different. I know what I'm getting with the manager; I know what the club and the fans are about, which will make it a lot easier."



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

Kyle Nix has begun a trial with Mansfield, who last month signed Paul Heckingbottom


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

Colbeck taking it a week at a time
5:50pm Monday 29th June 2009

Stuart McCall reckons Joe Colbeck is "gambling" on his future after rejecting City's long-term offer.

The winger is still a Bantams player and will rejoin his team-mates for the start of pre-season training on Wednesday.

But he will be operating on only a week-to-week contract, having turned down City's deal of three years plus an option.

Colbeck has convinced McCall he will be as hungry as ever for the battle ahead – and believes he can rediscover the match-winning form that earned him the player of the year mantle in 2008.

The City boss is backing him to deliver but admits, in the same position, he would have snatched up the money the club had put on the table.

McCall said: "I thought we made him a decent deal but we weren't able to agree with Joe and his advisor.

"Joe doesn't want to go and in his mind he's going to go out and be the best he possibly can for us, then come knocking on my door next year and asking for a contract he thinks he should be getting. It's his decision and I admire his focus and self belief. I genuinely hope the gamble – because it is a big one – does pay off.

"But the bottom line is that he stays on his wage from last year and misses the increase we were giving him. So we're getting a very committed individual with everything to fight for who wants to play every game for us and is doing that on less money."

Colbeck's decision mirrors that taken by Luke O'Brien, which is not surprising considering they share the same agent.

Both youngsters are backing their ability to earn a potentially more lucrative deal later on.

But McCall cited the example of Andy O'Brien's £2m move to Newcastle soon after he had penned a long-term contract as proof that security does not mean a lack of ambition.

He added: "Andy asked my advice at the time and I told him to take the money offered while it's there.

"Don't worry about the length of contract, if a club wants you they will come and get you. Newcastle came in eight months later and took him, yet he'd still upped his wage in that time.

"You don't know how football's going to go. At the moment there are so many people shunting down divisions and so many are going to be out of the game."

Because Colbeck is under 24, City would be entitled to any compensation if he did move. Given the time he has spent at Valley Parade, it could even approach six figures.

That fee is not affected by his week-to-week deal because the club had already made an offer that was better than his previous one. The fact Colbeck turned it down would make no difference with any transfer tribunal.

McCall could have done without the wrangle on the eve of pre-season but he knows the winger will remain as enthusiastic as ever.

He said: "If I thought it was the case that Joe didn't want to be here, I wouldn't stand in his way.

"If he was just signing a week-to-week because he was looking to go, I would pack his boots myself to get him out.

"But I've sat down with Joe and that's not the case. You can only take players on what they say to you and I trust him.

"He's determined to come back and do well again. He didn't rediscover the form he had before the injury last season and Joe knows that.

"But it's a clean slate, a new season, and he wants to perform just like he did when he was our player of the year. And there would be nobody happier than me if he comes knocking on my door again having done that.

"Julian (Rhodes) is laughing. On the face of it, we're paying him less money than we agreed to and we're going to have an even hungrier player."




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Furman joins Oldham on three-year deal
4:56pm Monday 29th June 2009

Dean Furman has joined Oldham on a three-year contract - with a glowing tribute from Stuart McCall.

The Bantams boss was gutted to miss out on the talented South African, who proved a huge success during his season-long loan at Valley Parade.

Furman loved his time with City but wanted to perform regularly at a higher level - and McCall admitted he could not compete with the prospect of League One football.

McCall said: "I had a good long chat with Deano on Sunday and wished him all the best. He's got a great future in the game because of his attitude and his ability.

"I'm sure if we'd managed to get promotion, he would still have been playing here.

"Deano wanted to play at a higher level. He's gone there for genuine footballing reasons and not bundles of money.

"League One is a good division next year and he wants to challenge himself against good players.

"I'm naturally disappointed but I knew from the onset there would be clubs from higher divisions wanting to take him. Oldham are building a good squad and I told Dave Penney they've got themselves a good one there."

Greg Abbott's Carlisle were also in the chase for Furman, who will cost Oldham £50,000 in compensation.

McCall added: "Deano gave us some great moments and he's grateful that we gave him his chance. He was as disappointed as anyone we didn't make the play-offs.

"But I will be on the phone to Rangers to recoup some of the money Oldham have paid. Because without playing here, he wouldn't have gone for that!"



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Jakes finds drop of courage
5:50pm Monday 29th June 2009

Wayne Jacobs is ready to take the plunge for charity – from several thousand feet.

The City number two is doing a sponsored sky dive above Lincolnshire on Sunday, August 2.

Jacobs will be jumping for the One in a Million charity, which aims to improve the lives of children who live in Bradford's inner city.

He said: "We help to mentor the youngsters and the aim is to allow them to have a positive outlook in their own community. The statistics over some of the young people's lives are not encouraging. It is in our heart that every child matters and the figures are there to be changed."

Stuart McCall's right-hand man will not be jumping alone. He will be joined by former City players Jamie Lawrence and Aidan Davison.

Jacobs can be sponsored at justgiving.com/jumpinjakes



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Lawn defends Bradford's new shirt
Bradford City's new home shirt
The stripes are missing for the first time in 37 years

Bradford City joint-chairman Mark Lawn has defending the club's decision to revert to an all-claret home kit.

It is the first time in 37 years that the Bantams' kit will not have the traditional claret and amber stripes.

"Some fans may not like it, but we have not always had stripes. We've had a lightning bolt and diamonds on them in the past," Lawn told BBC Radio Leeds.

"I think a change is as good as a rest and I think it will go down well on the whole, I'm hoping so anyway."

The League Two outfit's new look is modelled on Italian Serie A side AS Roma and Lawn has said the fans have actually asked for the change.

"Various fans have been coming up to us for years and saying that the claret and amber stripes don't work very well when they want to wear them as social wear," Lawn explained.

"So this year, just for one year, we are looking a something a bit different.

"Most people have said they like the way Roma use claret and amber in their kit, so we've gone with a little bit of tinge towards the Roma kit."


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Carlisle Utd reject Grant Smith joins Bradford City on loan
By Jon Colman

Last updated 13:31, Monday, 06 July 2009

Discarded Carlisle United midfielder Grant Smith could be on a collision course with Blues boss Greg Abbott again after joining Bradford City on trial.

Smith blasted the United manager for freezing him out of the first-team picture at Brunton Park last season, leading to his release in April.

Now he has linked up with the Bantams – and could face Abbott's side in a pre-season friendly next month.

Well-travelled Smith, 29, joined up with Stuart McCall's squad for the start of pre-season training last Thursday and is trying to earn a contract with the League Two club.

Carlisle go to Valley Parade for their final pre-season game on Saturdya, August 1.

There is little love lost between Smith and Abbott after the midfielder launched a stinging attack on the Carlisle boss when he left the club before the end of last season.

He accused Abbott of "double standards" regarding his lack of first-team opportunities.

"It was personal, rather than about my football," Smith said. "As a manager you have got to be a people person, but I didn't get that from him [Abbott]."



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Bradford plan to host open trials  
 
 Bradford City youth-trial dates
Monday, 27 July - Under 6's/7's/8's
Tuesday, 28 July - Under 9's/10's/11's
Wednesday, 29 July - Under 12's/13's/14's
Thursday, 30 July - Under 15's/16's
The trials will take place between 1000 BST - 1500 BST


Bradford City are giving young footballers the chance to win a year's place in their centre of excellence.

Players aged eight to 16 from Bradford's inner-city area can take part in week-long trials in July.

"We have done this to help the inner-city's development and encourage the spread of football," joint-chairman Mark Lawn told BBC Radio Leeds.

The trials take place at the end of July and players can register via the Bradford City website.

The closing date for registrations is Monday, 20 July and the club have warned numbers are limited, so places in the trials are on a first-come first-served basis.

Lawn explained: "There is a section in every city in the UK that struggles and doesn't get a real chance.

"So we are limiting these trials to the inner-city because they are not often given the chance to show their talents. This has never been done before.

"Every successful triallist will get a year-long contract for the school of excellence.

"It doesn't matter if they are not good enough to actually play in the side. They will get the year's contract to train and work with us.

"This will help develop football skills throughout the age-groups in the area and help the players who need that bit of extra training to bring them on," he added.

"They might not be quite good enough now, but who knows how training with us will improve them.

"This is something we can run on a regular basis. It will be interesting to see how it goes."

 


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