CFML pre-season news #2010-07-14

Fixtures
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/Fixtures/0,,10266,00.html



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Taylor fumes at being kept in dark over Speight court case

7:00am Tuesday 13th July 2010

Exclusive By Simon Parker

Jake Speight will miss the start of City's season – because he is in prison.

The new striker, signed only a fortnight ago from Mansfield for £25,000, has been jailed for assault.

Speight was handed a 12-week sentence, although he is likely to be released in half that. But he will not be freed

in time for the opening game at Shrewsbury.

Shocked boss Peter Taylor was completely unaware of the situation until the player's agent called on Friday morning

to say that Speight was appearing in court.

He had been pencilled in to feature against Eccleshill that night in the Bantams' first pre-season friendly.

City will not be paying Speight until he comes out of prison and his wages then could be capped until he is

considered ready for first-team selection.

Taylor said: "This incident happened in February and Jake and his agent never told anyone that it would go any

further. That's why I didn't know and Mansfield Town didn't know.

"I'm very disappointed, obviously, because we were totally unaware this was happening.

"They should have warned me but, to be fair to Jake, his desire to play for Bradford was so strong that he felt he

might mess his chances up. He thought he would get a warning and the outcome has been a nightmare for him.

"I should have been told but I do understand a little bit why I wasn't."

The 24-year-old striker netted 17 goals in the Blue Square Premier last season. Taylor beat off other League Two

interest to sign him as competition up front for James Hanson and Gareth Evans.

Speight had an unsuccessful spell in the league with Bury earlier in his career and sees the move to City as the

perfect chance to put him back on the map in the professional game.

Now, after just a week of training, he will face the task of rebuilding trust with his employers and manager.

"I don't think it means that all of a sudden Bradford City are a bad club or I'm a bad person," said Taylor.

"It's a situation that has just cropped up and we're prepared to deal with it. When Jake does return to the club, I

will welcome him back.

"But he obviously won't get paid at all until he comes out – and then we will definitely take things into account

until we get him fit enough to play."

Taylor is currently running the rule over two free-agent forwards – Matt Tipton and Lee Morris – and he has not

ruled out the possibility of adding another trialist this week.



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CITY BOSS TARGETS FULL-TIME GOALKEEPING COACH

Bradford City manager Peter Taylor wants a new goalkeeping coach because
former England number one Nigel Martyn cannot commit to the club full-time.

Martyn has coached at Valley Parade in recent seasons but is only available
for two days a week and Taylor feels young pair Jon McLaughlin and Lloyd
Saxton need someone to train them on a daily basis.

Taylor told the club's official website: "I really like Nigel and he's been
absolutely terrific, but he can only come in twice a week.

"We've got two young goalkeepers and we need to do more work with them. I
need somebody in every day as well as match days."




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LEG BREAK CONFIRMED - DEAN FACES 12 WEEKS OUT OF ACTION
By Simon Parker (T&A)

City have promised to help Luke Dean through his broken leg hell.

The young midfielder faces a lengthy absence after the injury he suffered at
Eccleshill on Friday was confirmed as a break.

Dean, who turns 21 next month, is only on a short-term contract until
January and he is unlikely to be back in contention until the end of
September.

It is a worrying time for Dean but Peter Taylor stressed the club would do
their best to keep his spirits up.

The City boss said: "We will help him. It's very disappointing for Luke but
we'll do what we can.

"I'm sure he's going to be out for ten to 12 weeks. The swelling has got to
go down and then they'll put a fresh cast over it."

Dean was stretchered off after a clash with Eccleshill's Mick Baker. Taylor
is still not happy about the over-zealous nature of the challenge.

He said: "We spoke before the game that the only things we were looking for
in pre-season was football and fitness. We didn't want to risk picking up
injuries.

"It was the only poor thing to come out of a good evening. But we've got to
get on with it now."

Dean has been with City since joining the centre of excellence in 2002. He
made his senior debut as a substitute in April during the win over
Morecambe.

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From the BCFC Official website...

BOULDING BROS RETURN TO MANSFIELD

Former Bradford City strikers, Michael and Rory Boulding have returned to
Mansfield Town to start a trial period with the Stags.

The brothers originally left Mansfield during the summer of 2008 to join the
Bantams on free transfers.

Unfortunately, the duo's move to the Coral Windows Stadium didn't quite work
as planned and they left the club in February of this year.

Both of them are now back at Field Mill on trial and expected to feature in
the Stags pre-season friendly against Sheffield United this Saturday.

Mansfield Town manager David Holdsworth told mansfieldtown.net: "I have
given Mickey and Rory the opportunity to train with us and they both have a
variation of knowledge about the game.

"Mickey is someone who was regarded as a hero in his previous spell here, I
understand. Rory is a different type of player and is also a very talented
individual. Both have trained very well today."

"I expect both players to play some part in Saturday's game for us," he
added.


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ENGINEERING FIRM WAIVE FOUR-FIGURE CITY BILL
By Simon Parker >

Bradford City have thanked a local engineering firm for waiving a
four-figure bill for improvement work at Valley Parade.

Low Moor-based Mitton Mechanical Services have been carrying out an energy
audit at the ground, which highlighted the pitch-side water leak in the
north-west corner.

City director Roger Owen said: "Mitton have been very loyal supporters of
their home-town football club. It's fair to say that both I and the rest of
the board were amazed at the generosity.

"Mitton offered to do a free energy audit which brought to light the
long-standing water leak under the pitch. This has now been resolved with
the assistance of some sophisticated equipment which enabled us to stop
three years of wasted water in three hours.

"They have also produced a detailed report which we intend to adopt and will
lead to further significant savings. I hope it will allow us to achieve the
carbon trust standard which has only been achieved by Manchester United in
the football world."

Mitton chairman Michael Taylor added: "We felt it was incumbent upon us to
show other Bradford businesses a lead. The directors at City are working
their socks off against a very tight financial situation."

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CITY SIGN NORWICH YOUNGSTER ADEYEMI ON LOAN
By Simon Parker (T&A)

Highly-rated Norwich teenager Tom Adeyemi this morning signed for Bradford
City on a six-month loan.

The 18-year-old attacking midfielder made 17 appearances for the Canaries
last season and is regarded as one for the future at Carrow Road.

Adeyemi, named League One apprentice of the year at the Football League
awards, has been with his local club since he was eight. He recently signed
a new contract taking him to 2012.

Having won promotion to the Championship, boss Paul Lambert wants him to
gain experience in the lower divisions and sees City as the ideal club to
earn that.

Peter Taylor was delighted to win the chase for Adeyemi's signature.

He said: "There were a lorry-load of teams who wanted him so we're very
lucky. He is a real player.

"The size of Bradford City has certainly helped because it will give Tom the
chance to get used to handling big crowds which is what he'll expect playing
for Norwich."

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