L2 v Bury (h) L0-1 Feb 6th 2010 : MCCALL TO QUIT MONDAY

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McCall's reign is over

5:54pm Saturday 6th February 2010


By Simon Parker »


Stuart McCall's 133-game reign as City boss is over.

McCall will officially step down on Monday when he meets joint-chairman Julian Rhodes.

But the Bantams legend has made it clear that his mind is made up.

Speaking after today's 1-0 home loss to Bury, McCall said: "It's time for somebody else to come in and take up the reins and hopefully do well.

"I've been very fortunate as a player to have had two great spells here. I've been very fortunate to have the career I've had.

"I've been honoured to be here and the support I've had from everyone has been fantastic.

"Today would have been a defining line in the season for me. If we had beaten Bury, the dream of making seventh place would have been on.

"The form has been okay, the results haven't been good enough. It's just not meant to be.

"It's really hard because I came with hopes and aspirations of fulfilling a lot of people's dreams."


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Coca-Cola League Two
Bradford C (0) 0
Bury (0) 1 Morrell 52
Att: 11,965

PROBABLE FAREWELL GESTURE FROM McCALL

Stuart McCall's reign as City boss was in doubt after another home defeat
this afternoon.

McCall deliberately went to every stand at the final whistle to applaud the
supporters. It looked very much a gesture of farewell.

Andy Morrell's 52nd-minute strike earned promotion-chasing Bury a league
double over the Bantams. It also stretched City's run without a Valley
Parade win to seven games.

Now the spotlight is back on McCall after the Bantams failed to build on
last week's dramatic victory over Torquay.

City certainly battled away against their high-riding opponents as they had
done at Gigg Lane a few weeks ago.

They also had the chances to fight back from Morrell's strike after the
defence had been opened up by Stephen Dawson.

Gareth Evans went close three times, Zesh Rehman - playing at right back -
volleyed straight at keeper Wayne Brown and Luke O'Brien lashed narrowly
over.

Then deep into stoppage time, Peter Thorne flashed a free header agonisingly
wide.

McCall had asked for the backing of the fans - and made a point of walking
around the pitch to clap the stands afterwards.

It was the most obvious sign that his time is coming to a close.



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