Here we go then.

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

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Previews

Opposition preview
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/News/0,,10266~2110949,00.html?

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Bradford City boss Taylor in plea for patience
7:00am Friday 6th August 2010
By Connor Murphy

Peter Taylor has urged patience as City prepare to launch their latest League Two promotion challenge tomorrow.

The new boss starts his first full campaign in the Valley Parade hot-seat at Shrewsbury, warning his newly-assembled side will not instantly develop into the finished article.

A strong end to last season and a solid summer of recruitment have raised hopes the club can finally end their stay in the league's bottom tier following three years of underachievement.

But Taylor hopes supporters do not expect too much too soon and remains focused firmly on the bigger picture.

He said: "I would say to people 'please be patient'.

"Just because Bradford City is a big club and we've got fantastic supporters doesn't mean we've got a divine right to win a football match. It means we've got to do it right.

"I would always want the supporters to be patient and helpful because the more the players relax playing in front of them, the better performance they'll have.

"One newspaper claimed we pay more than other clubs in this division and our budget is bigger now than when Stuart (McCall) was here.

"I can promise that's not the case so I think that's unhelpful because if I was a supporter and thought we were paying more than other clubs I would be impatient.

"We're no different to anyone else. We have to work extremely hard and be extremely professional to be a success."

That bigger-picture view also extends to the early stages of the campaign.

Although Taylor will be going all out to secure a good start at Shrewsbury, he remains mindful of the fact City will play three games in the space of eight days – the Carling Cup clash against Nottingham Forest and league meeting with Stevenage following hot on the heels of the opening day.

But by assembling a squad with cover in every position, he is confident they will be more than equipped to deal with the rigours of a full season in League Two.

Taylor said: "If we've recruited right – and that means me – then anybody that doesn't start in the first game, I'm expecting them to be making sure they're starting very quickly after that because they've got to show the great determination and the good attitude that we want.

"I've always tried to get two players for every position. Other managers go for less players on more wages but I don't, I try to budget it the right way so we can have two in every position.

"I think that might be important at the start of the season because you don't play for ages, then you play a league match and then you're expected to play another two in seven days.

"Ideally, I would like to share that around."

Although satisfied with his squad, Taylor believes there could potentially be a Dean Windass-shaped hole in his forward line.

"I'm quite pleased with the squad we've got together, although there are slight negatives where some players are only 90 per cent fit," he said.

"Still, the squad is looking okay, although it might need a bit more experience up front. I don't think we'll be making any additions at the minute but I'm just looking at the squad.

"If you look at the striking situation we've got now, we've got James Hanson, who is not yet 90 minutes fit, Gareth Evans, who finished off the season well, Jake Speight, who I believe is going to be hard to play against, and Louis Moult, who's come here and scored two in two.

"Michael Flynn is another option we've got as well, so we've got five options there who could get us a goal and could get us even more with confidence.

"But maybe there's not a centre forward there who's been around, like Dean Windass was for Bradford, and maybe we'll need that for a successful season but maybe we won't.

"Hopefully, I'm wrong there."





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Graham Turner relishes new Shrewsbury dawn
Friday 6th August 2010, 1:34PM BST.

 

Shrewsbury Town kick off the new League Two season against Bradford City tomorrow in front of what is expected to be a bumper opening day crowd.

Early indications are that more than 7,000 fans could be at the Greenhous Meadow – with 1,000 of those making the journey from West Yorkshire.

And Town boss Graham Turner, who will be in the dugout for his first competitive match since returning to the club, knows how important the curtain raiser against Peter Taylor's men is.

He said: "It's a particularly appetising game to start with against the pre-season title favourites for the division.

Read more in the Shropshire Star



http://www.shropshirestar.com/sport/2010/08/06/graham-turner-relishes-new-shrewsbury-dawn



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RAMSDEN READY TO BE CAPTAIN
By Connor Murphy (T&A)

Simon Ramsden is happy to become old before his time if it helps City mount
a successful League Two promotion challenge.

An influx of young talent into the first-team squad has left the 28-year-old
defender feeling his age ahead of his first full season as captain.

Ramsden has been appointed skipper for the forthcoming campaign after
assuming the armband midway through last season and knows there is heavy
responsibility in setting an example for City's up-and-coming stars.

He said: "It's strange. Time seems to go so fast that I'm one of the older
ones now.

"Obviously in training we play an 'old vs young' game and I'm on the 'old'
team, which doesn't feel right at all.

"With the age of this side, I would class myself as one of the more
experienced ones.

"The gaffer wants the older lads, like myself, Lee Bullock and Zesh, to get
messages across to the younger lads while we're out on the pitch and lead
them through the difficult times.

"I've loved being one of the team's leaders. Stuart McCall made me captain
just before he left and the gaffer kept me there.

"I really enjoy that role, obviously trying to help those people and give
the younger lads a chance to improve their game."

Aside from a blend of youth and experience, Ramsden believes the current
squad will also benefit from a strong versatility.

Not only has manager Peter Taylor recruited a squad with genuine depth, he
has instilled his players with an altruistic attitude intended to make them
flexible enough to face any situation.

Ramsden said: "We've got players in the team who can probably play three or
four positions themselves but also we've got two players in every position.

"At times you're going to pick up injuries and suspensions. Hopefully
they're at a minimum but if they do happen, we feel we've got the strength
in depth to keep up.

"Luckily throughout my career I've played in quite a few positions, even up
front to be honest.

"The gaffer knows, not just with myself but others as well, we can do a job
for the team and fill in.

"At the end of the day it's about doing a job for the side. You have to
forget about your own role as such, not be so selfish, and if the gaffer
needs to put you in a different position and we get the win that's all that
matters."

But Ramsden was quick to stress the importance of preventing confidence from
spilling over.

A quiet optimism has pervaded the City camp, although there is a notable
absence of 'big talk', with the players making a conscious decision to walk
the walk before talking the talk.

"Obviously you can do too much talking," said Ramsden.

"The bookies have made us favourites and there's been a lot said about the
gaffer and who he's brought in this summer and just because we're Bradford
City we've got a divine right to win this league. That isn't the case.

"We've got to forget all the talk. We've got to look to get three points in
every single game this season and then we don't need to do any talking
because it's there in proof at the end of the season when we get promoted.

"We're all raring to go."




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From the Official BCFC website...

CLUBS AGREE TO RULE CHANGES

At an Extraordinary General Meeting at Derby County's Pride Park Stadium,
Football League clubs have approved a number of regulatory changes.

The new and amended regulations cover changes to financial reporting
procedures; ground criteria; the Owners' and Directors' Test; the public
disclosure of club ownership; third party interests in players; and players'
contracts.

Commenting on the new regulations, Football League Chairman Greg Clarke
said:"I am pleased that our clubs have today supported new and revised
regulations that further strengthen the professionalism and good governance
of The Football League.

"The season ahead is an important one for The League and its clubs as we
seek to continue our recent growth.

"Centrally, we will be doing everything possible to support our clubs
through a difficult economic environment and to encourage more and more fans
to enjoy the fantastic product offered on the pitch by all 72 Football
League clubs."

At today's EGM, clubs voted to introduce the following regulatory changes
that stem from The League's Solidarity agreement with the Premier League:

1. Further enhancements to the Owner's and Director's Tests which will
include:
> Creating an Annual Reporting process for all club directors
> Prior disclosure of new directors and a prohibition on persons taking up
the role until clearance is received from The Football League.
> Introducing a restriction on anyone owning an interest in a club where
they are prevented from entering the UK or are unable to have funds
available in the UK for their own benefit.
 
2. Additional financial reporting requirements for Championship clubs
including:
> The provision of 'future financial information' relating to the subsequent
season.
> Clubs to demonstrate they have no overdue transfer fees, compensation
fees, key employee wages or PAYE/NIC.
> Clubs in default or clubs with business plans that cast doubt on their
ability to fulfil fixtures or pay football creditors will be required to
submit to budget constraints including possibility of transfer embargo.
>The change of ownership of more than 30% of a club will trigger fresh
reporting requirements.
 
3. The requirement to publish the identity of any individuals owning 10% or
more in any club.

4. The absolute prohibition of 'third party interests' in players.

5. A new standard player contract in line with that in use in the Premier
League.

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