CFML pre-season news #2010-05-14 - Match Saturday

From the Official BCFC Website...

TICKET OFFICE OPEN THIS SATURDAY
Posted on: Thu 13 May 2010

The Ticket Office at the Coral Windows Stadium will be open this Saturday
(15 May 2010) ahead of City's latest Burns Unit appeal charity fixture.

The Bantams Ticket Office will open from 9:00am - 12noon on Saturday morning
to enable supporters to either collect or purchase Season Tickets for the
forthcoming season.

Straight after the Ticket Office closes for the day, supporters will then be
given the opportunity to watch some former City greats in action free of
charge.

Following the success of last Sunday's memorial match, the Bantams are
hosting another charity fixture in aid of the Burns Unit.

City legends such as Dean Windass and David Wetherall will be in attendance
for the 12noon match with entrance into the Co-operative Main Stand free for
all supporters.

A bucket collection will take place, however, with all proceeds going to the
Bradford Burns Unit appeal fund.


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From the Oldham Athletic Official website...

DUXBURY RELIVES DISASTER

The events to mark the 25th anniversary of the Bradford City disaster were
highly poignant for Latics coach Lee Duxbury.

Duxbury and his mother had to flee for their lives from the blaze in the
main stand at Valley Parade which claimed the lives of 56 fans.

The blaze broke out in the block where they were sat as they watched the
league match against Lincoln City.

Duxbury, who was about to start an apprenticeship with Bradford City that
summer, said: "The fire started two rows in front of where we were sat.

"I had got up to get refreshments just before half time as smoke came
through the seating.

"By the time I had got to the back of the stand, flames were above my head.

"I returned to my mum and we fought our way to the exit and on to the
pitch."

Duxbury added that the enormity of the disaster hit home when police did a
reconstruction.

"In the block of 30 where my mum and I were sat, there were only about eight
survivors," he explained.

Duxbury explained that he saw some horrific sights and he can still vividly
remember the screams of panic from supporters.

"It affected my mum badly, but I was only about 16 years of age at the time
and felt I could fight the world so it didn't hit me as hard," he continued.

Duxbury played for Bradford City Legends against Clitheroe on Sunday in a
match at Valley Parade which raised £12,000 for the burns unit at Bradford
Hospital.

And on Saturday he will be in action again for Bradford City Old Boys who
play Leeds College at Valley Parade in another fund-raising game which kicks
off at noon.



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 Ramsden: I'll be here for two more years

Simon Ramsden has agreed a new deal to stick with City for another two years.

Ramsden, the pick of the defence last term, had an option in his current
contract for next season.

But he wanted to nail his colours to the mast with a new agreement that
will keep him at Valley Parade until the summer of 2012.

"I really think we are on the verge of doing something special and I
want to be part of that," said the experienced right back.

"I had a year's option on the previous contract but I wanted to commit
myself longer term.

"I had a chat about things with the manager and it was pretty
straightforward reach-ing an agreement.

"The last few seasons I've had a one-year contract so when the summer
comes around it's not a nice time for myself or the family.

"When I signed for Bradford, I obviously came here to help the club get
out of this league. That is still my aim.

"Committing for another two years gives me a great chance to achieve that.

"If we can add to this squad, then I can really see us doing well."

Ramsden admitted City's 14th-place finish was a bitter disappointment
after he left Rochdale last year but he believes the strong finish has
sown the seeds for optimism ahead of Peter Taylor's summer recruitment
plans.

He added: "It wasn't as if we were facing teams at the end who weren't
playing for anything. Beating them wouldn't have mattered so much but we
were playing sides who were going for the play-offs.

"We're still getting to know the gaffer but now that he has signed as
well as Jakes and
Junior Lewis, we can really look forward to next season.

"It's nice to get everything sorted so we can come back fitter and
stronger.

"Looking at next season, nobody stands out to walk away with the league.
If we can build on the squad we've already got then there's no reason
why we shouldn't be challenging hard."

And Ramsden insists he harbours no bitterness at missing out on former
club Rochdale's first promotion for over 40 years.

"Obviously I've got friends in Rochdale and I wish them well. It was
great for them to get promoted. But if you'd told me a year ago I'd be
captain of a club the size of Bradford in my first season then I would
have been very happy with that.

"It's an absolute honour and that's why I wanted to commit myself here
for the next couple of years."




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From the Official BCFC Website

[It's changing from Coca-Cola to npower League Two]

npower FOOTBALL LEAGUE TWO TAKING SHAPE
Posted on: Thu 13 May 2010

The Bantams 2009/10 season may have come to a conclusion less than a week
ago, but thoughts are already quickly turning to the next league campaign.

City's fixtures for the newly titled "npower Football League 2" will be
released at 10:00am on Thursday 17 June 2010.

Bradford City are almost in a position to know all 23 of their league
opponents for next season with only a few blanks still left to be filled in.

npower League Two will comprise of:

Accrington Stanley
Barnet
Bradford City
Burton Albion
Bury
Cheltenham Town
Chesterfield
Crewe Alexandra
Gillingham
Hereford United
Lincoln City
Macclesfield Town
Northampton Town
Port Vale
Shrewsbury Town
Southend United
Stevenage Borough
Stockport County
Torquay United
Wycombe Wanderers
+ One Blue Square playoff winner.
+ Three League Two playoff losers.

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play off fixtures for L2 and BSL

Saturday 15 May 2010
Coca-Cola League 2 Play-Off Semi Final
Aldershot Town vs Rotherham United

Sunday 16 May 2010
Coca-Cola League 2 Play-Off Semi Final
Dagenham & Redbridge vs Morecambe

Sunday 16 May 2010
Blue Square Premier Play-Off Final
Oxford United vs York City

Wednesday 19 May 2010
Coca-Cola League 2 Play-Off Semi Final
Rotherham United vs Aldershot Town

Thursday 20 May 2010
Coca-Cola League 2 Play-Off Semi Final
Morecambe vs Dagenham & Redbridge

Sunday 30 May 2010
Coca-Cola League 2 Play-Off Final
Semi Final winner 1 vs Semi Final winners 2

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