L2 v Morecombe (h) W2-0 April 13th 2010

Football League Two - KO 19:45
Bradford      2 (0) - 0 (0)    Morecambe
Rehman 69
Bolder 90
       
  At Valley Parade on 13-04-2010


Bradford: McLaughlan, Rehman, Threlfall, Bateson, Williams, Bullock, Grant, Bolder, James O'Brien (Dean, 76 ) , Evans, Osborne
Subs not used: Glennon,Luke O'Brien,Sharry,Kendall,Horne,Cutler,

Morecambe: Roche, Haining, Artell, Parrish, Wilson, Stanley, Drummond, Hackney ( Wainwright, 75 ) , Duffy, Jevons, Mullin
Subs not used: Moss, McLachlan, Panther, Scott Davies, Bentley, Hunter,

Bookings: James O'Brien (Bradford)
Attendance: 11027

Referee: C Sarginson ()

TEAM STATS
Bradford            Morecambe
12(5)    Shots (on Goal)    10(5)
11    Fouls            7
4    Corner Kicks    4
1    Offsides    6
50%    Time of Poss.    50%
1    Yellow Cards    0
0    Red Cards    0
4    Saves            3


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THREE YEAR SPONSOR DEAL WORTH £300,000 ANNOUNCED

Map Group UK has renewed its shirt sponsorship of English League Two soccer
team Bradford City for another three years.

The deal is likely to be worth around £100,000 a season. Communications
technology provider Map Group took the decision to extend its partnership
with the Bantams after the club's chairman, Mark Lawn, announced a new
scheme making 5,000 season-tickets available to fans at bargain prices.

Describing the offer as "quite unbelievable", Map Group operations director
Andrew Long said: "That really tipped the scales for us to commit to
extending our sponsorship deal. This will give the club stability. As a
supporter and coming from Bradford, it was only right we also showed
long-term commitment to the club and supporters."

Bradford director of operations David Baldwin added: "It's an improvement on
the current deal and a consistent figure for the next three years. It gives
us great budgeting planning. There are always concerns when success on the
pitch makes the commercial element of the business so much easier. But one
thing the fans and sponsors see is that things are going right off it."





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Taylor's speedy youngsters give their all to snuff out Morecambe
7:30am Wednesday 14th April 2010
By Simon Parker

Peter Taylor saluted his "hungry" City players as they ended a seven-game hunt for a win by sinking play-off contenders Morecambe.

The youthful Bantams side, again missing all their key injuries, triumphed 2-0 last night at a chilly Valley Parade.

Delighted Taylor said: "I'm pleased for the players because of late we haven't had results and performances that have been good enough.

"But we kept grafting away and it was a young, athletic, hungry team that worked exceptionally hard on and off the ball.

"I think Morecambe are an excellent team. They are always going to test you and create chances, which they did, but the little bit of luck you need in the box fell to us.

"Whenever they were needed, somebody came up and did their job well. If I was a supporter, I'd have been pleased with that performance and we'd love to repeat it on Saturday."

Taylor covered the absence of a big centre forward by fielding a three-man frontline full of pace.

Leon Osborne got his first start of the season and Gavin Grant produced his liveliest display in a City shirt.

"It was a front three that can all sprint exceptionally well and run around for a long time," said the City boss.

"I was a bit happier with Gavin Grant because that's how I know he can play. Gareth Evans always does that and Leon Osborne has got a real future if he keeps working hard.

"Gavin didn't get a pre-season and things like that are going to affect you. But he opened his legs up a bit more and he's got good ability – that was how I remember him playing for Wycombe."

Adam Bolder notched the first goal of his loan club after Zesh Rehman had broken the deadlock. It was the perfect response from the skipper after the stick he got for an error in the last home game.

Taylor said: "Zesh is a good pro and a good lad. He had the disappointment of giving the goal away (against Macclesfield) but he's worked hard again."

Midfielder Steve O'Leary missed last night's game after spending a couple of days in hospital with a suspected blood infection.

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City skipper Zesh immune to taunts after years of abuse
7:30am Friday 16th April 2010
By Simon Parker

Zesh Rehman has told the Valley Parade boo boys they are wasting their breath because he has put up with stick all his life.

City's skipper has been targeted by a small section of home fans and received heavy abuse after a mistake led to a goal in the recent defeat against Macclesfield.

Rehman rode the storm to bounce back with two solid defensive displays and even scored in Tuesday's first win in seven games.

He is confident of winning over his critics – but insists their taunts won't affect him.

Rehman said: "I've grown up with comments from the age of ten. I've been used to that negativity for my whole life.

"I've become thick-skinned to it. The game changes so quickly, you can't afford to be up, down, up, down or you'd be an emotional wreck.

"The fans have the right to voice their frustration. The only disappointing thing was some of the comments but that's football and you've got to be strong enough to deal with it. You've got to have that mental toughness if you want to be a footballer."

Rehman made a point of celebrating his goal against Morecambe with Peter Taylor. It was the defender's way of acknowledging the manager's faith in him following his Easter blunder.

"I was desperate to do well after the last home game and I wanted to thank the gaffer for showing belief in me to keep me in the team," he said.

"He left me on against Macclesfield when the easiest thing would have been to haul me off. I appreciated he showed that good experience of man-management to leave me on and let me play through it.

"I was really grateful for that and the next game couldn't come quick enough. I was so pleased to score and it was nice to be able to celebrate with the gaffer.

"Hopefully now I can stay in the middle of the back four and help us to a strong finish."

City have been hit hard by injuries and none of the walking wounded are expected to feature against Barnet at Valley Parade tomorrow.

But Rehman believes the selection problems have allowed some of the lesser lights to shine – and he has been hugely impressed with goalkeeper Jon McLaughlin's performances in the last two games.

The captain said: "Circumstances change in football and there's an opportunity now for young lads like Leon Osborne, Jonny Bateson, James O'Brien and especially Jon McLaughlin. Through all the injuries, the door is open for these younger lads.

"We're all team-mates and here for each other, as we have been all season. But when the chance comes, someone like Jon has grabbed it and staked a claim to get another contract.

"He's been brilliant in the last two games and I'm really pleased for him. Jon's a great pro who works hard every day.

"In all the time I've been here, I've never heard him complain. He comes in every morning bright and bubbly for training.

"It just takes one manager to have that bit of belief in you and the confidence to give you a go."

Rehman, who scored in the 2-2 draw at Underhill earlier in the season, hopes City can take the added belief from midweek into the penultimate home game.

He said: "There's no better feeling than winning. It's a bit too late now but we can go into the last four games with a confidence boost.

"Everyone's got something to play for and we want to finish on a high. It was a good win over Morecambe and we'll look to keep that going."

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Kendall extends loan until end of season
2:14pm Friday 16th April 2010
Ciy's on-loan striker Ryan Kendall has extended his loan spell from Hull until the end of the season.

The youngster was due to finish his spell after tomorrow's game with Barnet but will now stay at Valley Parade until May 9.