L2 v Lincoln City (a) L1-2 Jan 23rd 2010

Coca-Cola League Two
Lincoln C (2) 2 Herd 31, Gilmour 37
Bradford C (0) 1 M. Boulding 62
Att: 3,803

Stats: Lincoln - Bradford C
Possession: 51 - 49%
Shots on target: 5 - 7
Shots off target: 1 - 3
Fouls: 10 - 8
Corners: 6 - 6

Ref: Steve Bratt
Yellow card:
Lincoln: None
Bradford C: Williams

Lincoln C: 1. Robert Burch, 2. Paul Green, 22. Adam Watts, 33. Nathan
Baker, 38. Joe Anderson, 25. Cian Hughton, 11. Scott Kerr, 39. Matthew
Saunders, 35. Brian Gilmour (65), 34. Chris Herd (72), 36. Delroy Facey
(78).
SUBS: 20. Paul Musselwhite (GK), 5. Moses Swaibu, 9. Paul Connor, 14. Lenell
John-Lewis (78), 19. Shane Clarke (72), 31. Clark Keltie, 37. Michael Uwezu
(65).

Bradford C: 40. Matthew Glennon, 16. Jonathan Bateson (46), 5. Zesh Rehman
(46), 6. Matthew Clarke, 3. Luke O'Brien, 2. Simon Ramsden, 4. Michael
Flynn, 8. Lee Bullock, 11. Chris Brandon, 7. Omar Daley, 9. Gareth Evans
(76).
SUBS: 13. Jon McLaughlin (GK), 12. Steve Williams (46), 14. Michael Boulding
(46), 18. Rory Boulding, 24. Louis Horne, 26. Scott Neilson (76), 19. James
O'Brien.


Photos
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/News/0,,10266~1942641,00.html

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

McCall admits next four games have 'big significance' for him and
the club
Exclusive By Simon Parker »

Stuart McCall today pledged to fight his way out of City's current
rut but admitted: I'm not blind to the consequences if I don't.

The Valley Parade chief has challenged his faltering side to win at
least three of the next four games, starting at Lincoln this afternoon.

McCall is also well aware that the spotlight is on him – and he will
carry the can if the Bantams continue to slide. But he has no
intention of slinking away.

In a candid interview, he underlined his backing for the players and
stressed his determination to see the job through.

McCall revealed: "If I was a quitter I would have gone in the summer.
I'm going to fight because I still believe there's enough in that
dressing room.

"I've got to lead from the front and I'm not frightened of doing
that.

"I don't feel under any more pressure than I put on myself already.
I know what's needed.

"That's the big significance of these next four games because I
know there are opportunities for us.

"If we can take them and maximise the points we can get, then it
could look a lot healthier. Likewise it might look bad and things
might need to be done – I'm not blind to that fact.

"But I'm not here to feel sorry for myself whatever. It's not
about me.

"I'll keep doing what I've always done from day one, working as
hard and as diligently as I can to try to get the best out of the
players."

McCall's confidence in the squad has not dipped despite losing five
of the last seven games – and he dismisses any suggestions of
"losing the dressing room".

He said: "I've been at clubs where you hear that players aren't
playing for the manager. There's been no indication whatsoever
that's been the case here. Morale is obviously not as it would be if
we were winning games but the spirit and belief is still there.

"I spoke to Mark (Lawn) and Julian (Rhodes) about the way things have
gone and I know we need to pick up results quickly.

"I didn't sleep the other night after the Bury game and my guts
were churning. I know at the moment we're not getting what we
deserve. That goes for all of us – supporters, the board and the
players.

"Ultimately it's down to me to get results and I've not been
getting those results. That's what I'm working hard to do."




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

Coca-Cola League Two
Lincoln C (2) 2 Herd 31, Gilmour 37
Bradford C (0) 1 M. Boulding 62
Att: 3,803

By Simon Parker (T&A)

City's slump goes on after another demoralising loss at Lincoln.

Stuart McCall had targeted the next four games as crucial to his team's
chances of resurrecting their season.

But the heat increased on the Bantams - and the manager - after they
suffered a fourth defeat in five league games.

Once again they were undone by poor defending which led to both the home
side's first-half goals.

Chris Herd opened the scoring on the half hour and when the impressive Brian
Gilmour doubled the lead seven minutes later, City were staring down the
barrel.

McCall ditched out-of-sorts skipper Zesh Rehman at half-time as City chased
a way back.

Michael Boulding gave them hope after 62 minutes and then blazed over a
great chance to equalise.

Omar Daley, starting his first game for 11 months, twice tested keeper Rob
Burch as City threw more and more men forward. Keeper Matt Glennon even came
up for a corner deep in stoppage time.

But, as at Bury on Tuesday, they failed to come up with a second equaliser -
and the slide and inquests continue.

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

Bradford City related misery.

http://mirkobolesan.wordpress.com/2010/01/02/end-of-a-decade/

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

L2 v Bury (a) L1-2 Jan 19th 2010

Note: City borrowed a set of shirts off Bury as both the City kits clashed colours according to the ref!

Bury    2 (2) - 1(1) Bradford  
                     Jones 17
Lowe 32(p)
Sodje 23 (og)
   
  At Gigg Lane on 19-01-2010  



Bury: Brown ,Scott ,Sodje ,Futcher ,Dawson ,Buchanan ,Barry-Murphy ,Jones ,Worrall ,Morrell ,Lowe
Subs not used: Newey,Allen,Baker,Racchi,Belford,McCartney,

Bradford: Glennon ,Ramsden ,Rehman ,Clarke ,Luke O'Brien ,Bateson ,Flynn ,Brandon (Rory Boulding ,74 ) ,Neilson

,Evans (Daley ,61 ) ,Michael Boulding
Subs not used McLaughlan,Horne,James O'Brien,

Bookings: Futcher ,Sodje (Bury) Bateson (Bradford)

Attendance: 2930


Referee: S W Mathieson (Cheshire)

Match Stats  
                Bury  Bradford City  
Shots (on Goal)  8(6)  16(8)  
Fouls               9  10  
Corner Kicks        7  7  
Offsides            2  1  
Time of Possession  51%  49%  
Yellow Cards        2  1  
Red Cards           0  0  
Saves               6  7


===========================
Other news
Notts County (h) rearranged for Tuesday March 23rd
Aldershot (a) rearranged for Tuesday March 2nd


photos
http://www.buryfc.co.uk/page/MatchAction/0,,10422~1938161,00.html

video
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_3/8471397.stm




===========================
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/sportbcfcmatch/4860006.Bantams_go_down_fighting/

Final score the only difference between sides as City go down fighting
7:50am Wednesday 20th January 2010

By Simon Parker

Bury 2 City 1

City were left scratching their heads after leaving Gigg Lane empty-handed last night.

Bury's victory lifted them into an automatic promotion place; City's defeat kept them wedged in the ugly half of

the table in a lowly 15th.

But you couldn't see any difference between the sides.

The stats – and second-half domination – finished well in favour of the visitors. But, as we know only too well

this season, that counts for absolutely nothing.

Stuart McCall had predicted his players would fight like "caged tigers" after their mid-season hibernation and they

certainly did, giving it all after the break in a fruitless search for a point.

But when the final whistle sounded, City were reflecting on another chance gone begging with the gap to the

play-offs an imposing eight points.

McCall has been wondering if City's luck will change in the new year but the pre-match omens did not suggest that.

While Bury had emerged unscathed from their impressive weekend win at Bourne-mouth, City's first outdoor training

session of the year produced two key casualties.

Lee Bullock (calf) and James Hanson (back) both suffered from the switch back to soft ground on Saturday after

weeks stuck indoors.

Hanson's absence – only the second game he has missed in three months – meant a change of focus up top. Michael

Boulding, making his first start since injuring an ankle against Rotherham, partnered Gareth Evans to leave Bury's

giant centre halves with a different challenge to the aerial battle they had expected.

City lined up 4-3-3, with Simon Ramsden taking up the midfield holding role that Bullock has made his own. Matt

Glennon made his debut in a side that showed only two survivors – the centre halves – from the 1-0 loss at Bury a

year ago.

There was also a very different look about the kit – City had to wear Bury's white shirts from last season. Referee

Scott Mathieson decided both their home and away kits clashed with the chocolate half of the special shirt Bury are

wearing to mark their 125th anniversary!

It left the backroom staff frantically picking through the kit bags to find the right sizes for the players –

hardly ideal preparation.

But City could still have been in front inside 20 seconds as Chris Brandon's cross was met by Scott Neilson, whose

side-foot volley from six yards out was superbly kept out by Wayne Brown.

Not to be outdone by his opposite number, Glennon's first touch for his new club was an alert dive to his left to

deny Ryan Lowe.

It was an explosive opening and Bury threatened again as 6ft 7in Ben Futcher outjumped everyone to nod goalwards

from their second corner. It beat Glennon but Jon Bateson was on the line to save the day.

Efe Sodje got away with a foul on Neilson and then escaped a booking when he pulled down Boulding, who had slipped

goal side of him after a lovely pass from Brandon. Michael Flynn's free-kick curled a yard over.

Sodje, wearing his trademark bandana, duly got his yellow card in the 13th minute after going through the back of

Boulding.

But five minutes later Bury – who were setting a high tempo – were in front. Lowe beat Rehman wide on the right to

release David Worrall into the box and as Glennon advanced to narrow the angle, he squared for Mike Jones to shoot

past Bateson and Matt Clarke on the line.

Brandon looked City's best player and was at the heart of their equaliser within five minutes. Bursting into the

box onto Neilson's touch, he looped a cross to the far post, where Boulding headed back across goal – only for

Sodje to turn it into his own net.

Back came Bury, though, to regain the lead from the spot just after half an hour. Jones put Stephen Dawson through

and the home skipper tumbled as he took a touch wide of Glennon.

The keeper had a good record of saving penalties for Huddersfield and guessed the right way but Lowe's kick was

perfectly placed in the bottom corner.

City had it all to do again but Flynn, with a thumping free-kick, and Neilson immediately kept Brown on his toes.

It remained an open contest, although City were guilty of being a bit sloppy at times and defensively they looked

shaky. Bury were playing with the confidence of a side beaten only twice in 17 attempts.

The tendency to hit the ball longer was also creeping in after their promising inter-play in the early stages. And

without Hanson's head to aim at, the high passes were mopped up by Bury's bruising backline.

Glennon was soon into action after the break from David Buchanan's blast after the left back had picked up Rehman's

tentative clearance.

Boulding's battle for headers against Futcher remained a mismatch and the City striker claimed in vain for a

penalty when the defender leant on him to clear a free-kick.

The game was evenly poised as Evans, who had contributed little, made way for Omar Daley at the hour point. The

Jamaican's first touch was a foul on Paul Scott to give Bury a free-kick in dangerous territory. Sodje nodded in

with a diving header but the flag was up for offside.

Ramsden slammed a long shot against Futcher's arm but another City shout for a penalty was waved away by Mathieson.

The ref then booked Bateson for clipping Buchanan's heels.

Futcher again appeared to handle as he took the ball off Brandon in midfield. Ramsden reacted furiously with the

official as Bury almost made it three from Andy Morrell's shot on the turn.

City were then cursing the woodwork after Ramsden set up Brandon for a sharp chance that beat Brown but pinged back

off the post. It was becoming that sort of night.

Daley whipped in a cross which Boulding flicked off Futcher for a corner which Clarke headed wide.

Mathieson further annoyed the away fans by calling over a steward to move the City Gent mascot back behind the

advertising boards at that end of the ground. Another petty act of officialdom.

Flynn crept into the box for a decent effort before McCall made his second switch. Brandon surprisingly made way,

sprinting off the pitch as if to demonstrate he was far from finished, as Rory Boulding joined his brother up

front.

Luke O'Brien, bombing forward at every chance, drilled in a good cross from the byline which Sodje diverted over

his own bar. Again Clarke won the corner but his header was straight at Brown – leaving the big defender holding

his head in frustration.

City had controlled the possession since the break, tightening up considerably, but a second equaliser remained

elusive. Neilson was checked five yards outside the Bury area and Ramsden's free-kick deflected behind off the

wall. Rehman's header from the corner was fumbled by Brown and Boulding unsuccessfully tried to jab in from a mad

scramble.

City were throwing everything but the kitchen sink at Bury's goal. O'Brien's dogged diagonal run found Daley, who

teed up Rehman, but the skipper flashed his first-time drive off target.

Rehman then prevented a killer Bury third, clearing well off the line after Morrell had turned inside O'Brien.




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

From Tuesday

by Simon Parker »


James Hanson's transfer tribunal has been delayed again.

City were due to find out tomorrow how much they would have to pay Guiseley for the top-scorer.

But the independent panel has been postponed and a new date is yet to be fixed.


===========================
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/4860012.McCall__I_feel_so_sorry_for_the_players/

Defeat is hard to swallow as City boss McCall rues more bad luck
7:00am Wednesday 20th January 2010

By Simon Parker

Stuart McCall cursed City's luck after they lost further ground with last night's defeat at Bury.

The Bantams went down 2-1 at Gigg Lane to drop to 15th – eight points off the last play-off spot.

But they controlled large chunks of the game against the third-placed Shakers, adding to McCall's frustration at

another hard-luck story.

"How many times have we said that this season?" he admitted. "I'm running out of ways to describe it.

"It's easy for a manager to have a pop at players in the dressing room but I've not been able to do that this

season.

"Last year there were a lot of disappointing performances towards the end. We were getting beaten away from home

and I couldn't take anything out of it.

"But that's certainly not the case with us now. I just feel for the players because they are putting everything in.

"Alan Knill (Bury manager) said we certainly didn't deserve that. The effort, pressure and desire from everyone was

there for all to see."

City, who were missing James Hanson and Lee Bullock through injury, hit back from Mike Jones's opener to level with

an Efe Sodje own goal. But Ryan Lowe's 31st-minute penalty clinched it after a foul by debut keeper Matt Glennon.

Chris Brandon struck the post in a one-sided second half but City slipped to their first away defeat in the league

since October. They now face two more away trips, at Lincoln on Saturday and then Torquay.

McCall added: "There was nothing between the sides and it was just down to who would get the rub of the green. You

could be despondent but the players didn't hide or buckle.

"With the run we're having at the minute where things aren't going for us, you've just got to believe that it will

change.

"We haven't got what we deserve yet again but keep playing like that and I'm sure it will start to go for us.

"Looking at the points tally is not good news and is hard for us but I don't have to pick the players up because

they know that we are good enough."

Jan 19th News Summary

News summary

Next game : Tue Jan 18th v Bury (a)

Expected to play
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/News/0,,10266~1935242,00.html


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

  Glennon signs

Tue Jan 12, 2010 11:37 pm (PST)


http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/4847436.McCall__Glennon_is_a_great_catch/

Matt Glennon today signed for City until the end of the season.

The 31-year-old keeper last night agreed a pay-off with Huddersfield
allowing the Bantams to take over the rest of his contract.

Glennon will make his debut against Notts County at Valley Parade on
Saturday – his first senior appearance since November 2008.

The former Carlisle stopper never played a game under Town boss Lee
Clark because of the form of teenage prodigy Alex Smithies.

But McCall, who has been targeting an experienced replacement since
sending Simon Eastwood back to the Galpharm, has no qualms about
Glennon's recent lack of action.

He said: "It would have concerned me if he was a young kid of 18 or 21
but Matty's got bags and bags of experience. He's a good talker and
hopefully just what we need.

"People will say he hasn't played for a while but it's the same
situation as someone like Carlo Cudicini at Chelsea never getting a game
behind Petr Cech. To be fair, Matty played over 100 consecutive games
for Huddersfield before Smithies came in.

"He's played nine reserve games this season. Now he wants to get back
playing and has the hunger and desire to do well."

Glennon has been on McCall's radar for a while but his Huddersfield
wages always remained a stumbling block.

McCall added: "We had a look in the close season but financially it was
too much for us. Then I spoke to Clarky a couple of weeks ago about the
option of bringing him in but it was still too big a step with the
money. But in the meantime, they came back to us to do the deal. Matty's
agreed a compensation deal there and now I'm delighted that he's our
player."





===========================
 Thu Jan 14, 2010 11:13 am (PST)


McCALL: NO ENQUIRIES FOR JAMES HANSON

Bradford City boss Stuart McCall says no clubs have made an enquiry for
striker James Hanson.

Huddersfield are thought to be one of several clubs looking at Hanson, 22,
who has scored eight goals this season following his move from Guiseley.

McCall told BBC Radio Leeds: "I have had no enquires about James at all.

"He's done very well for us. He is very happy here and I know he just wants
to focus on playing more games for us and scoring more goals."

Bradford and Unibond League side Guiseley have still yet to agree a fee for
Hanson and look set to go to arbitration on the matter.

I've been in the game long enough to sometimes see a player doing well at
one level and then move up a few levels where they then fail to break in

McCall added: "I think the only people that have been looking at him are the
fans that pay the money to come and watch him as far as I'm concerned.

"I'm not saying James is a case for this, but I've been in the game long
enough to sometimes see a player doing well at one level and then move up a
few levels where they then fail to break in.

"They then end up just playing reserve football and then come back down the
leagues to have to start all over again.

"It's not always ideal for a young player when he's playing regular to then
move on to somewhere where he'll only be a sub.

"James has done very well for us but is still raw and is learning all the
time.

"He's played more games than we expected he'd do due to the injuries we've
had. He's carried that burden very well, especially when he's had to play
the lone striker role.

"Hopefully he'll carry on doing very well for us because he's been good for
us so far this season."



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

 Fri Jan 15, 2010 2:07 pm (PST)


WINTER? THIS IS NOTHING TO COMPARED TO '63

By Simon Parker (T&A)

It feels like we're stuck in the middle of one of those apocalyptic movies
where the end of the world is nigh.

Each morning Bradford wakes up to more snow, more ice, more nightmares just
to get out of the front door. Life, as we know it, has ground to a halt.

Football has introduced its own domestic winter break and we didn't even
realise.

City can count themselves fortunate to have at least played once this year.
Others in their division haven't kicked a ball for a month now.

And there is still no obvious end to this icy torment in sight.

But there are some who can recall a season far worse than this. For the
survivors of the 1962-63 'ice age', the current freeze is nothing.

That was the winter when Britain really did stop functioning. And football
went into hibernation.

City were hit as hard as anyone. They drew 1-1 at Barrow in a Fourth
Division game three days before Christmas and didn't play again ... for 13
weeks.

Brian Kelly, the right back, recalled: "The bad winter went on a lot longer
than this and the ground was rock hard.

"The grass at Valley Parade was like concrete and slippy as hell. That was
the reason why we had so many postponements.

"It wasn't the snow causing the problem. They could clear that off but the
ground would just freeze."

Right winger John Hall, who went on to play 430 league games for City, was
in his first year at the club.

"It was hard trying to do any training because we didn't have the facilities
in those days," he said.

"We found a school gym in Manningham to work in but that was about it.

"Of course your fitness dropped because you weren't playing matches but what
could we do?

"The pitches then were a lot worse. You got to November time and there was
no grass left down the middle, it was just solid mud.

"Playing on the wing wasn't quite so bad but the surfaces were terrible. We
played at Mansfield that year and the wing was one solid sheet of ice.

"It had rained and the ground had just frozen over. We started the game but
it had to be abandoned after half an hour."

City had beaten Gateshead 3-2 to reach the FA Cup third round before the
snow arrived. Their reward was a prestige home draw against top-flight
Newcastle, a real David and Goliath occasion.

But the weather refused to play ball. The tie was scheduled for the
traditional first week of January but was postponed.

Then it was called off again and again. And again.

The Football Association grew fed up with the situation. City's
constantly-delayed game was threatening to hold up the whole competition.

There was talk of moving it to a neutral ground or switching to St James'
Park. Eventually, after six postponements, the game finally went ahead on
Thursday, March 7 in front of a bumper 13,605 attendance - three times the
league average.

It was a particularly big occasion for Kelly, who was deputising up front
for the cup-tied David Layne.

He said: "Manager Bob Brocklebank had found out I'd been a centre forward in
my youth.

"I can remember being frightened to death in every training session worrying
that I would let myself and the team down. And playing a team like Newcastle
was very daunting, especially in front of such a big crowd, which we weren't
used to."

Kelly even scored that night. But Newcastle got six in response.

"They were rusty for the first five minutes. Then they played us to death,"
he added. "I think my goal made it 2-1 at the time but they waltzed away
from us after that. They were absolutely unplayable.

"Their right winger Dave Hughes cut us to ribbons. Down the side of the
stand it was icy and I felt really sorry for our full back Stan Storton
because he never stood a chance."

City had to play six games in May because of the huge fixture backlog. They
eventually finished second-from-bottom and had to apply for re-election.

It puts the current frustration into a bit of perspective.

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

Barry Conlon
http://www.boyfrombrazil.co.uk/2010/01/barry-conlon-the-short-term-hero/


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

BANTAMS LEGENDS SET TO REUNITE
4:54pm Monday 18th January 2010

By Sports Desk (T&A)

Bradford City are hoping to re-unite their Division Three
championship-winning team of 1984-85.

It is hoped that the squad, 25 years on, will be able to attend a sporting
charity dinner in aid of the Bradford Burns Unit Appeal and the Bradford
Down's Syndrome Support Group.

The evening, arranged by Bradford City's game-day entertainment team for the
McCall Suite at the Coral Windows Stadium, is scheduled for Saturday, April
17, when Barnet are the visitors.

It is hoped that the squad will also watch City's game in the afternoon –
left back Chris Withe and Don Goodman (Sky TV commitments pending) have
already confirmed their attendance, with Withe putting his shirt from that
season up for auction.

The evening function includes a four-course meal, and chief guest is
award-winning after-dinner speaker Neil 'Razor' Ruddock, the former
Liverpool and England defender.

The comedian is Tony Gerrard and the compere is Jerry Earl.

This suit and tie or evening-dress function will also have an auction
featuring sporting memorabilia.

The event is ticket only and they can be purchased using a booking form,
which can be found on the website www.worldcupwarmup.org.uk.

Prices start at £40 per seat or £55 for a VIP champagne reception with
Ruddock.

To reserve a table of ten, a deposit of £10 per head can be made.

Details can be found on the booking form, and individual seats are also
available.

City have kindly donated a corporate box for the Barnet match for auction.

* If anyone can help in contacting defender Tony Clegg, can they please
e-mail info@worldcupwarmup.org.uk or contact David Baldwin.

=====================
Aldershot rearranged

City will make a third attempt to play their League Two match at Aldershot on Tuesday, March 2.

L2 v Cheltenham Town (h) D1-1 Jan 2nd 2010

Bradford C (1) 1 O'Brien 35
Cheltenham (0) 1 Richards pen 54
Att: 10,831

54 min. Williams sent off (2nd yellow)

Stats: Bradford C - Cheltenham
Possession: 52 - 48%
Shots on target: 5 - 4
Shots off target: 7 - 3
Fouls: 17 - 6
Corners: 6 - 5

Ref: Craig Pawson (Sheffield).
Red card:
Bradford C: Williams 53 min. 2nd yellow.
Yellow cards:
Bradford C: Williams (38 min.), Williams (53), Ramsden (71).
Cheltenham: Labadie (79).


Half way comparisons:
Last season P23 W11 D6 L6 F40 A27 GD+13 Pts 39 Position 3rd.
This season: P23 W7 D9 L7 F33 A37 GD-4 Pts 30 Position 13th.

Next match: (A) Port Vale. Sat. January 9, 2010. K.O. 3:00PM.



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

Pictures
http://www.ctfc.com/page/GalleryIndex/0,,10434,00.html

Video
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/8438502.stm




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

City D1-1 v Cheltenham - Report
Posted by: "Stuart Williamson" stuart@jantex-irt.com   hb380
Sat Jan 2, 2010 10:54 am (PST)


Coca-Cola League Two
Bradford C (1) 1 O'Brien 35
Cheltenham (0) 1 Richards pen 54
Att: 10,831

By Simon Parker

A new year but a feeling of Groundhog Day at Valley Parade this afternoon.

For the third game running, City were reduced to ten men as Steve Williams
became the sixth player to see red.

Unlike Matt Clarke in the previous game against Shrewsbury, Williams could
have no complaints for his two bookings.

And the second, for pulling back Justin Richards, conceded the penalty which
allowed the Cheltenham striker to equalise nine minutes into the second
half.

Jon McLaughlin, playing his first game of the season in goal, got a hand to
it but couldn't keep the ball out.

It meant another afternoon of immense frustration for Stuart McCall and the
Valley Parade crowd.

City had been on top for the first half and could have put the game out of
sight.

Chris Brandon, the liveliest performer in the opening 45 minutes, had a
fierce shot turned away and Michael Flynn blasted over.

The pressure produced a goal ten minutes before half-time when James O'Brien
scored after a flap by keeper Scott Brown.

But City allowed Cheltenham back into it after the break and paid the price
when Williams tugged back Richards.

James Hanson shot just over deep into stoppage time but there were boos at
the final whistle.

City have still not won at home since October and they remain in the bottom
half. The midwinter of discontent continues.



Bradford C: 13. Jon McLaughlin, 2. Simon Ramsden, 5. Zesh Rehman, 12. Steve
Williams, 3. Luke O'Brien, 19. James O'Brien (59), 8. Lee Bullock, 4.
Michael Flynn, 11. Chris Brandon (81), 9. Gareth Evans, 17. James Hanson.
SUBS: 7. Omar Daley (81), 14. Michael Boulding, 18. Rory Boulding, 21. Luke
Sharry, 24. Louis Horne (59), 26. Scott Neilson, 30. Matthew Convey (GK).

Cheltenham: 1. Scott P Brown, 19. David Pipe, 5. Michael Townsend, 16.
Ashley Eastham, 2. David Bird, 34. Joss Labadie, 10. David Hutton (80), 8.
Andy Gallinagh, 7. Michael Pook, 39. Julian Alsop, 9. Justin Richards.
SUBS: 6. Drissa Diallo, 12. Kyle Haynes, 18. Jack Durrant, 22. Theo Lewis,
30. Jake Lee, 38. Barry Hayles (80), 40. Barry Richardson (GK).






===========================
Mark Lawn's programme notes for Cheltenham Town

Good afternoon and welcome to the Coral Windows Stadium for today's
match against Cheltenham Town. The fixture computer traditionally
arranges for a reasonably local encounter for these festive occasions,
so I can sympathise with Cheltenham who have had to make an unusually
long trip for today's game. We extend our usual warm welcome to the
players, supporters and officials from Cheltenham who have made it here
this afternoon.

It has fallen to me to write the first programme notes of the New Year
so I would like to take this opportunity to say I hope you had a good
Christmas and wish you all the best for a happy, prosperous and
successful 2010.

In my last programme notes for the Rotherham United game, I suggested
that come the end of the festive period we would have a better idea of
our standing in the league having played against some of the sides
strongly fancied for promotion.

Due to printing deadlines, I am writing these notes ahead of the date of
the Aldershot game so it is still too early to be able to draw any
conclusions. Hopefully, however, we will have gone on to pick up some
more points over the festive season that will stand us in good stead to
kick on during January. Let's all remember that the business part of the
season really takes place from around March so it's important that we
are at least in touch with the play-off places by that stage in order
for us to benefit from a strong end to the campaign.

At the time of writing, Stuart is aware that there is a little bit of
money available for him to look to strengthen the side during the
January transfer window. However, he has not yet come to us with any
particular targets so it remains to be seen what there may be in terms
of comings and goings over this period.

To matters off the pitch, and, as Julian mentioned in the programme
notes for the last home game, we have been delighted by the great
response to our Christmas season ticket offer. We are currently about
50% up on sales compared with 12 months ago and I would like to thank
all the supporters who have shown their commitment by renewing their
tickets at this stage. This deal obviously offers tremendous value for
money and we are pleased that it has once again proved popular with fans.

The start of a new year always brings renewed optimism and a chance for
a fresh start. Here's hoping we can kick off 2010 in winning style.

Enjoy the game

Mark Lawn

Joint chairman

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McCALL'S WISH FOR 2010

Stuart McCall could be excused for waving off the old year with two fingers.

The City chief admits it was his annus horribilis after 12 months that saw
the side slip from an automatic promotion place to the bottom half of the
table.

But he has no aim of looking back with any regrets as he plots a second-half
revival to get back into the play-off reckoning.

"We know the last decade has been a really hard one for Bradford City
supporters, Julian (Rhodes) and his family, and people who have been at the
club a long time," said McCall.

"Every City fan will be looking to see the back of the noughties.

"For me personally, football-wise, I have slammed the door shut on 2009.

"I'm not going to grumble about anything life-wise because obviously it
doesn't compare with people in Afghanistan and all the other horrors in the
world. But in football terms, I'll be delighted to see the back of it.

"To not even reach the play-offs from where we were last season and what
that cost us ultimately financially was a massive disappointment."

McCall is looking for City to turn over a new leaf for the new year with a
much-needed home win over Cheltenham.

With three Valley Parade losses on the bounce, three points is essential to
restore flagging morale among supporters.

Jon McLaughlin will start in goal while City continue to chase a loan
replacement for Simon Eastwood, who has gone back to Huddersfield.

McCall was close to bringing in one experienced stopper who seemed keen to
come - until he was quoted the player's wage demands. But he is happy to go
with McLaughlin in the interim.

He added: "Jonny is the type of kid who will take it in his stride.

"He's composed and assured with good maturity and I'm sure he will be
looking forward to the opportunity.

"It's a little bit of administration confusion with Easty because I assumed
he would be here to January 2 but I've no worries about throwing Jonny in.

"He's done okay in the reserves this season so we'll see how it goes."

The manager's mobile has been red hot with sympathetic calls from managers
and former players castigating Matt Clarke's red card. But McCall has vowed
to stop talking about referees and "things outside my control".

He said: "All I wish for this year is that we get what we deserve.
Whatever's gone is in the past and there is nothing we can do about it.

"We know we should have more points but we haven't. Take out the Notts
County and Rochdale games and look at our other defeats - and we were
competing well in all of them.

"But from now to the end of the season, if I come off the pitch and look at
the lads in the dressing room and we've got what we've deserved, then that's
all I can ask."

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...and more...

STUART DELIVERS HIS HALF TERM REPORT

By Simon Parker (T&A)

Nothing is won or lost in January.

That is the message that Stuart McCall will keep drumming in to anyone who
cares to listen.

The City boss has reached the season's halfway point by stressing exactly
that. It's only half-time.

And those who have watched the Bantams will know how much can change in the
second half.

City's current state does not make comfortable reading. A bottom-half
position – seven places and six points behind the last play-off spot – is
hardly one of strength to take into the new year.

Two more winless home games since Christmas has increased the impression
that once again there will be no May fairy-tale at Wembley. Realistically,
another 40 points will be required to have a shot.

Early season ticket sales for next term indicate the fans will still be back
in numbers come what may. But the nay-sayers suggest that many have
consigned this one to the bin, particularly with the awful record at Valley
Parade.

McCall understands the disappointment but not the hurry to label the current
campaign as another failure.

"We're only halfway through the season," he said. "We've still got 23 games
to go, it's not as if we're down to the last ten.

"We haven't got the points we would like at this stage. We should be on more
than 30. We've got to start going on little runs and picking up wins on the
bounce. Runs like winning two games out of three would make a big
difference.

"From a personal point of view, the last three games have been difficult.

"Had we got to half-time still 0-0 at Carlisle it could have been very
different, even down to ten men. You only have to look at the first 20
minutes in the second half when we had a real go.

"Then there was the double whammy against Shrewsbury with the penalty and
sending off. And the other day, we lost a goal that naturally jolts you and
went down to ten men again.

"It's an uphill battle for anyone to play 45 minutes with a man down. We've
had that for three games and no team can get through that, never mind us."

McCall's frustration is clear. He knows that in such a results-driven
business, the only currency is wins.

His special status with City fans will not cushion him forever if the
position does not improve.

"Of course we should be on more points. If we had been sat in eighth or
ninth a couple of points behind (the play-off places) that would be a fair
enough assessment.

"I'm not happy with where we are but it's too early to be doom and gloom.

"Coming into work every day, we can't be thinking that the world's against
us. You've got to keep endeavouring to do the right thing.

"Everybody on the playing side and on my coaching staff are up for the
challenge.

"It's a big challenge, no doubt about it, but while there are so many points
there, we've got things to fight for."

City could be close to a new loan keeper by the end of the week. McCall is
also looking forward to seeing a couple of familiar faces back in the frame.

Peter Thorne should be training again in the next few days, winter weather
permitting, now that his on-going hamstring troubles have eased.

And Steve O'Leary, recovering from his broken toe, hopes to finally prove
more than a one-game wonder after signing a month's extension to his
short-term deal.

McCall added: "Last season a lot of people accused certain players of
letting us down. I don't think anyone can say that about the squad this
season.

"With the changes we've had, I think they've put their all into it.
Supporters cannot point the finger at anybody.

"I'm happy with the endeavour and effort. Certain things have not gone our
way but we will do our utmost to get this club back up the league."

The current side is a far cry from the one that choked so spectacularly last
spring. The slashed wage bill meant McCall had to explore an unproven market
of non-league players and youngsters freed by Premier League clubs.

They have brought a fresh enthusiasm but, inevitably, there have been
occasions when the rawness has been exposed.

That was certainly the case against Cheltenham, who pinched a point with a
penalty from their only shot on target after Steve Williams was given his
marching orders.

"Inexperience and naivety has cost us at times," added McCall. "It's going
to happen with young players, as long as they do learn from their mistakes.

"There were two things I stressed at half-time. I warned Willo not to give
the referee the chance of sending him off and I told James O'Brien, when he
received the ball from one full back to get it straight out to the other.

"We should have been on a good attack, with Luke O'Brien flying down the
outside, but instead James O'Brien cuts back in and gets caught for the
penalty and Willo is sent off.

"It's all right being young and saying we're learning but you have to prove
that. You've got to take things on board.

"We know we've got to put a group of wins together and aren't naïve enough
to think it will be easy.

"But, and I'm fed up saying it, we've only been out the game twice against
Notts County and Rochdale. It's not as though we are a million miles away.
It's not as though we aren't making chances and getting battered by teams.

"There have been five shots on target against us in the last 180 minutes and
we've conceded four goals. Unfortunately, that's the way it is at the
minute.

"We've got to believe in the next few games that things will go our way.
Like Shrewsbury have done, we'll get that rub of the green.

"One thing we certainly won't do is feel sorry for ourselves. We'll go into
the next game with a drive and determination to get three points."


===========================
Stephen O'Leary signs new Bradford City deal  
 
Bradford midfielder Stephen O'Leary has been given another month to earn himself a longer deal at the club.

The 24-year-old joined the Bantams on a five-month contract in August after a trial but has made just one appearance.

The former Hereford and Luton player broke down in the warm-up before Bradford's home game against Lincoln in August and has not featured since.

The Irishman, who has also played for Tranmere, has now signed until the start of February to prove his fitness.

 


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