Friday, March 30, 2012
L2 L1-2 (H) Crawley Town Tuesday March 27, 2012. K.O. 7:45PM.
CFML Daily News
http://paper.li/f-1315926867
Current table
http://www.sportinglife.com/football/live/tables/cc_league2.html
===========================
Fixtures
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/Fixtures/0,,10266,00.html
http://m.espn.go.com/soccer/clubhouse?teamId=387&lang=EN
Pictures
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/sport_bantams_pics2011/
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/News/0,,10266~2698581,00.html
"Last Match" Highlights on Bantams Player
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/player/LastMatch/0,,10266~1612005~36,00.html
BBC highlights (uk only)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17544114
===========================
Signings, Loans and Injuries
Injuries
Marcel Seip, out for season, shoulder
===========================
The "Social media Corner"
http://paper.li/f-1315926867
Official Mobile app
http://communicatoremail.com/IN/Y2tx0dX-0UIRu4P1_588C9Eehl64XmQ-JA8WroOSpEQ/WebView.aspx
===========================
Match stats
http://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=234#teamTabs=results
Bradford City: McLaughlin; Kozluk (Ravenhill 54, Flynn 71), Oliver, Davies, Fry (Wells 55); Fagan, Syers, Bullock, Reid; Dagnall, Hanson. Unused
substitutes: Annerson, Smalley.
Crawley Town: Kuipers; Simpson, Mills, McFadzean; Howell; Davies, Akpan (Cummings 90), Bullman, Torres; L Clarke (Watt 84), Alexander (Davis 87).
Unused substitutes: Shearer, B Clarke, Cummings.
Referee: I Williamson (Berkshire).
City 1 Crawley 2
9:55pm Tuesday 27th March 2012
By Simon Parker
Chris Dagnall's first City goal could not save them from defeat against promotion-chasing Crawley tonight.
The fourth loss in five games - and first at Valley Parade since November - leaves the Bantams still only four points above the drop zone.
And the evening ended in fury with a full-scale brawl, which started between Andrew Davies and Claude Davis and quickly escalated.
City forced the first save of the night and it was a good one as Michel Kuipers tipped away Craig Fagan's shot from a low Kyel Reid cross.
Crawley were a threat going forward and Leon Clarke drove across goal while Jon McLaughlin claimed a header from Sergio Torres. But the half was littered with stoppages which prevented the action from flowing.
The most incident was on the touchline where animated Crawley boss Steve Evans was happy to protest every decision.
But the visitors made a lively start to the second half and took the lead after 54 minutes as Clarke headed home from a Scott Davies free-kick.
Sergio Torres nearly got a second with a snapshot straight at Jon McLaughlin. But City dug in and hit back with an equaliser after 71 minutes, Dagnall heading home from Reid's angled free-kick.
The relief was short-lived and Crawley were back in front five minutes later. Scott Davies had too much speed for Andrew Davies and his cross from the byline was converted by Gary Alexander.
City pushed for a second equaliser with a concerted late spell of pressure. Reid, James Hanson and Davies were all close but Crawley hung on for their fourth win on the bounce.
===========================
Bantams hit with F.A charge
Posted on: Fri 30 Mar 2012
The football club can confirm that the Bantams have been charged with failing to control their players by the Football Association following the
after-match melee that took place after Tuesday night's match with Crawley Town.
The Bantams have until 4:00pm next Tuesday (3 April 2012) to respond to the charge.
The following statement is now visible on www.thefa.com.
Following the events which occurred at the end of the League Two match between Bradford City and Crawley Town on March 27 2012, The FA has issued
the following charges:
> Both Bradford City and Crawley Town have been charged for failing to ensure that their players and/or officials conducted themselves in an
orderly fashion and/or refrained from provocative behaviour. The clubs have until 4pm on 3 April 2012 to respond to the charge.
> Crawley Town's Pablo Mills has been charged with violent conduct for an on-field incident which occurred outside of the jurisdiction of the
match officials but was reported to The FA. This charge is additional to the dismissal for violent conduct which Mills received after the match.
The player has until 6pm on 30 March 2012 to respond to the charge.
> Crawley Town's Kyle McFadzean has been charged with violent conduct for an on-field incident which was not seen by the match officials but
caught on video. McFadzean has until 6pm on 30 March 2012 to respond to the charge.
The club would like to confirm once again that it is in the middle of holding its own internal inquiry into the events of Tuesday night.
With this in mind, the football club will not be in a position to make any further official comment on the matter until their investigation has
been concluded.
===========================
Trio handed bans
Posted on: Wed 28 Mar 2012
City trio Jon McLaughlin, Andrew Davies and Luke Oliver have all received details of their suspensions following Tuesday's after-match brawl
against Crawley Town.
McLaughlin, Oliver and Davies were all shown red cards by match official Mr Iain Williamson in the referee's room following their involvement in
the unsavoury fraca after the full time whistle.
Unless the Football Association decide to take any further action, McLaughlin and Davies will both miss City's next three matches - Plymouth
Argyle (away), Southend United (home) and Shrewsbury Town (away).
Given that Davies' own dismissal was the third during his time on loan with the Bantams this season though, his ban will last five matches.
This means he will miss the sames games as McLaughlin and Oliver, plus the away match at Northampton Town and the home fixture with Macclesfield
Town.
As the football club wait to hear if the Football Association plan to take any further action over the incident, the club itself will be holding
an internal inquiry into the events of Tuesday night.
With this in mind, the football club will not be in a position to make any further official comment on the matter until this investigation have
been concluded.
===========================
Parkinson deflated by red card hammer blow
Posted on: Wed 28 Mar 2012
City boss Phil Parkinson admitted he had been left totally deflated by the news that he will be without Jon McLaughlin, Luke Oliver and Andrew
Davies for a number of games after the trio's involvement in a brawl after the Bantams' game with Crawley Town this Tuesday.
Davies, Oliver and McLaughlin were all given red cards in the referee's room after the match following an unsavoury fraca between City and
Crawley players after the full time whistle that had initially began due to a confrontation between Davies and Crawley defender Claude Davis.
Davis and fellow Crawley defender Pablo Mills were also dismissed in the same fashion after the match, but Parkinson was understandably far more
concerned after the game about the loss of his own players.
McLaughlin and Oliver look set for a minimum of three games suspended, while Davies will get longer given that the sending off was the third of
his time on loan with City this season.
With Matt Fry and Ricky Ravenhill also picking up knocks during the Crawley fixture and Marcel Seip still sidelined with a shoulder problem, the
whole post-match incident left Parkinson feeling at a new all-time low for his managerial career.
"I can't really remember feeling any lower than this during my whole career in management," revealed a candid Parkinson.
"We have lost the game and then had three players sent off in the dressing rooms after the game.
"I can't really comment on any of the incidents after the match because I didn't really get a clear view of any of it, but the referee seems to
have a clear view in his mind of what he felt happened.
"That is the reason he took the action straight away.
"Until I seen the incidents myself on some footage though, it's difficult for me to comment."
As Parkinson tries to sieve through the rubble caused by this hammer blow and prepare for Saturday's important match at Plymouth Argyle, the
Bantams boss revealed that goalkeeper Matt Duke will be recalled from his loan spell at Northampton Town to step in for McLaughlin.
"The red cards give us lots of problems to put it mildly," added Parkinson.
"We will have to get Matt (Duke) back straight away.
"I still can't quite believe it's all happened though.
"I've never had it in my career before where the referee has walked into the dressing room afterwards, pulled three players out and sent them off
in his room. He has then done the same with two Crawley players.
"If any of our players have indeed thrown any punches then we will punish them heavily. You can't lose your discipline as a player. The referee
is pretty adament that the lads deserved to go, so it looks like there are going to be some heavy fines.
"We have to get up tomorrow (Wednesday) morning and get ready to work hard and go again. No one wants to hear about a hard luck story at the end
of the season, we have to look to come through this set-back."
Looking at the game itself, Parkinson wasn't happy to see a tight contest slip through City's fingers due to two close range goals from Crawley.
He said: "I wasn't happy that we conceded from a set play, but we managed to get ourselves back in the game through Chris (Dagnall).
"So to then get done with the goal that has won it for them is very disappointing. Gary Alexander has had a free header at the back stick.
"The goals conceded and the manner we conceded them were obviously the main disappointing aspects from the game itself - it was a tough game -
but I felt we did, overall, deal with their style of play.
"I don't think there was too much football played in the match because they go from back to front so quickly. It was always going to be a game
about picking up first and second balls.
"Any bit of football on the night was from ourselves but it is all about winning."
===========================
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/News/0,,10266~2694105,00.html
Bradford City 1 Crawley Town 2
Posted on: Wed 28 Mar 2012
Tuesday 27 March 2012
npower League 2
Bradford City 1 (Dagnall 72)
Crawley Town 2 (L Clarke 54, Alexander 76)
Kick Off: 7.45pm
at the Coral Windows Stadium
Attendance: 9,773 (82 visitors)
An unsavoury mass brawl after the full time whistle saw five players sent off and managed to totally overshadow City's narrow defeat at the hands
of promotion-chasing Crawley Town during the match itself.
Goals from Crawley's striking duo of Leon Clarke and Gary Alexander, sandwiched either side of Chris Dagnall's maiden strike for City, proved
enough to end the Bantams' eleven match unbeaten home record - but it was the events after the full time whistle that was the main talking point
after the match.
The regrettable incident began when Andrew Davies and Crawley substitute defender Claude Davis appeared to get in a confrontation as the players
and management shook hands after the game.
What initially began with just Davies and Davis though, eventually ended up escalating into an ugly clash involving a number of players from both
sides.
When the dust had finally settled on the whole sorry affair Davies and Davis were both handed red cards in the referees room, while Jon
McLaughlin and Luke Oliver for City and Crawley skipper Pablo Mills were also taken out of their dressing rooms to be given reds for their part
in the brawl as well.
The fallout from the post-match rumble means City boss Phil Parkinson will be without the heart of his back five - McLaughlin, Oliver and Davies
- for the next three games at least.
Davies, in particular, will certainly be in line for further punishment given that the dismissal was his third of the season.
In the game itself, Crawley opener the deadlock around ten minutes after the interval when Clarke swooped to head home a Scott Davies free-kick
from close range.
Parkinson almost instantly switched to a 3-4-1-2 formation, also bringing on two subsitutes in the process, as he looked for his side to respond.
He got the response he was looking for after 72 minutes when Dagnall rose to head home his maiden Bantams goal from a curling Kyel Reid free-
kick.
City's joy at equalising was to prove short-lived, however, when Davies sped to the byline before standing up a cross to the far post for
Alexander to head home close range less than five minutes later.
Parkinson's men pushed like crazy for another leveller as time began to run out, with Hanson and Reid in particular enjoying half-chances, but
they couldn't dig out a second on the night to leave the all talk after the match about the brawl and the ramifications it could have on City's
season.
RED CARDS - It has later transpired that Crawley's Claude Davis and Pablo Mills, plus City's Jon McLaughlin, Andrew Davies and Luke Oliver have
all been sent off for their involvement in the fight after the match.
9:45pm - Unsavoury scenes at the end, unfortunately, as Andrew Davies and Claude Davis appear to get into a confrontation after the full time
whistle. The incident eventually ends up involving the majority of the players from both sides.
===========================
From the BBC... (Wednesday afternoon)
FA LAUNCHES BRAWL INVESTIGATION
The Football Association is investigating a brawl after Crawley's win at
Bradford, which equalled the British record of players dismissed.
Bradford City's Andrew Davies, Luke Oliver and goalkeeper Jon McLaughlin
were red-carded, along with Crawley's Pablo Mills and substitute Claude
Davis.
Referee Iain Williamson called the players into his dressing room when
punches were thrown after the game.
The FA will review video evidence of Tuesday's match and talk to both clubs.
Crawley manager Steve Evans said: "If people have acted out of turn they
need to be dealt with."
Major mass dismissals:
• 21 March 2012: Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho, assistant Rui Faria,
midfielder Mesut Oezil and Sergio Ramos (later rescinded) were all sent off
during the 1-1 draw with Villarreal. Defender Pepe also received a two-match
ban following the game.
• 13 March 2011: Referee Damian Rubino red cards 36 players, substitutes and
technical staff from Argentine rivals Claypole and Victoriano Arenas.
• 22 February 1997: Five players were dismissed in a British game for the
first time due a two-footed lunge, and later mass brawl, during
Chesterfield's Second Division match with Plymouth Argyle. This record was
equalled in the same year by Bristol Rovers and Wigan Athletic.
A Bradford City spokesman told the BBC: "We are still in the process of
investigating the incident and gathering all the facts from the players. We
have received a disciplinary notice from the Football Association.
"We are taking the incident very seriously and if the chairman or manager
believes the incident warrants fines to the players, we will issue them."
A statement from Crawley read: "Regarding the unfortunate events which took
place at yesterday's game at Bradford City after the final whistle was
blown, Crawley Town cannot make any further comment until the club has had
the opportunity to view the video footage in detail."
The FA rulebook states that players dismissed for violent conduct receive an
automatic three-match ban.
Bradford City's Davies should now be suspended for five games as he had
twice been dismissed earlier in the season, with each red card incurring a
further match ban.
Due to the scale of the confrontation, additional bans could be handed out
to the players, and the clubs could be fined for failing to control their
players.
In 2002, Sheffield United were fined £10,000 by the governing body after
three players were sent off following a series of fights and illegal tackles
in a match with West Bromwich Albion which was abandoned after 82 minutes
when the Blades were reduced to six men due to dismissals and injury.
Bradford City and Crawley could both also issue internal fines and
suspensions following their own independent investigations.
===========================
Friday...uncomfirmed report
The FA haven't charged our (BCAFC) players with any further offence so they stay with their original bans. The FA have however charged the 2
Crawley players so they could face hefty fines and extended bans.
===========================
Crawley released a statement to say that they are also studying the video before deciding what action to take with their dismissed duo Pablo Mills and Claude Davis. They have not ruled out an appeal.
The statement also said: "We would like to place on record our respect for Bradford City and wish the club and its supporters the best of luck for the rest of the season."
===========================
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
March 27 2012 - Five sent off in Crawley brawl
BBC video (UK only) (Outside the UK contact me for the link)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17441660
The press loves a good fight...
http://www.football365.com/news/21554/7631018/Five-Off-In-Bradford-Brawl
@Wiz_ICC "Love how it takes the BBC about 4 weeks to put some match highlights together but as soon as a fight kicks off they're straight on it "
Richard Sutcliffe @RSootyYPSport Mar 28 3pm
"Just spoken to the FA and they expect to reveal in next 24-48 hours if City and/or Crawley will be charged over last night's brawl"
T&A, YP links (some articles copied & pasted below)
http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/bradford-city-1-crawley-town-2-red-cards-dominate-night-to-forget-for-poor-bradford-1-4391012
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/9616007.Brawl_boys_add_to_Bradford_City_woes/
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/9616010.Night_of_shame_as_FIVE_sent_off_after_Bradford_City_loss/
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/9617406.Bradford_City_accept_red_cards/
http://www.twitvid.com/J3H01
View from the Crawley side
http://www.narrowtheangle.com/2012/03/missing-paragraphs-from-crawley-towns.html?m=1
http://www.crawleytownfc.com/page/MatchReport/0,,11025,00.html
===========================
Bradford City accept red cards
11:52am Wednesday 28th March 2012
By Simon Parker
City today decided not to appeal against the three red cards from the Crawley brawl.
Jon McLaughlin, Luke Oliver and Andrew Davies were all sent off after the game for their part in the melee which followed the final whistle.
But Mark Lawn has confirmed the club would not be looking to get referee Iain Williamson's decisions overturned.
===========================
Night of shame as FIVE sent off after Bradford City loss
8:00am Wednesday 28th March 2012
By Simon Parker
Shell-shocked Phil Parkinson will today try to get his head round the incredible post-match brawl that has blown a huge hole in City's survival
ambitions.
Defenders Andrew Davies and Luke Oliver plus goalkeeper Jon McLaughlin were all shown red cards in the dressing room after the 2-1 home loss to
Crawley ended in a free-for-all.
McLaughlin and Oliver now miss the next three games – while Davies is likely to be banned for five after being sent off for a third time this
season.
Referee Iain Williamson also dismissed Crawley defenders Pablo Mills and Claude Davis after the melee in the centre circle.
Parkinson admitted he was lost for words – but slammed Crawley's tactics for "making it into a war".
He blasted: "That's the way Crawley play. We told the players before the game not to get involved and we have.
"If you look at Crawley's record, they incite that type of incident. Speak to every manager and there's a long list of them.
"If you're going to be successful and you have to do it that way, then it's quite a sad indictment on our game.
"But we have to keep our discipline better. If our players have thrown punches they'll have to face the maximum fine.
"I can't remember being in a situation like this. To get three red cards (after the game) like this is unheard of."
Parkinson claimed the fight was triggered by Crawley substitute Davis throwing a punch at Davies. The City centre half responded and other
players piled in.
But the City chief felt Williamson could have waited to view the incident again on DVD before taking action.
He said: "I thought he should have waited to look at it. But he was absolutely adamant that the players he picked out deserved to be sent off.
"I had as good a view as the ref and I couldn't pick the players out as clear as that. It's a big call and you have to be sure."
Parkinson is expected to recall keeper Matt Duke from Northampton for Saturday's crunch trip to relegation rivals Plymouth. Guy Branston could
also come in from the cold to cover the absence of both centre halves.
The City boss said: "I don't think too many managers have been in this position. I'm finding it quite a difficult one to get my head round.
"To lose the players is a big blow for us, especially Andrew Davies who's been terrific. He stood up to it magnificently again and he will be a
big miss.
"It was a tough game because Crawley got back to front really quickly and put your back four under pressure. I thought we did okay in the main."
===========================
Brawl boys add to Bradford City woes
6:10am Wednesday 28th March 2012
By Simon Parker
City 1, Crawley 2
A dark day for Bradford sport was topped off by incredible post-match scenes which later saw FIVE players sent off as City lost at home for the
first time since mid-November.
After the bombshell news about the precarious plight of the Bulls, the local sports scene could have done with an immediate pick-me-up from the
football club.
Instead a fourth defeat in five games leaves the Bantams still far too close to the drop zone for comfort – but the result was completely
overshadowed by the shocking events that unfolded after the final whistle.
Both sides went at it in a full-scale brawl and the result was red cards for three City players – Andrew Davies, Luke Oliver and Jon McLaughlin –
as well as Crawley pair Claude Davis and Pablo Mills.
It had started with a skirmish between Davies and Davis and quickly got out of hand. Football Association repercussions are likely to follow –
and Davies has now been sent off three times. It was an unsatisfactory finish to a night of frustration for the home side.
There was nothing in it against the biggest spenders of the division in a scrappy contest. But with Saturday's huge trip – both in terms of
significance and distance – to Plymouth looming, an opportunity was missed to create some much-needed breathing space on the teams around them.
Crawley's robust style of play does not win many admirers. They had five men booked and frustrated the crowd with their time-wasting.
And boss Steve Evans will never win a popularity contest. But his side's in-yer-face approach is proving horribly effective as they close in on a
second straight promotion.
Crawley edged a game of headers as Gary Alexander clinched their fourth straight win five minutes after Chris Dagnall had broken his City scoring
duck.
With no baby news to report as yet, Kyel Reid made another pre-match motorway trip from London to play. Given the amount the team had travelled
over the past month, he was certainly clocking up the miles.
But it was a major boost for Phil Parkinson to have Reid available again after his sizzling form against Gillingham at the weekend.
There were two changes from Saturday with David Syers earning a starting spot over Ricky Ravenhill, who he had replaced at half-time, and Rob
Kozluk taking over from Simon Ramsden at right back.
It was the first time Syers had begun a game at Valley Parade since he got sent off against Shrewsbury on New Year's Eve.
Reid immediately skied a free-kick from 25 yards out after Dagnall had been blocked off by Pablo Mills. But City failed to clear a long ball from
Kyle McFadzean and Alexander headed an early chance wide.
Dagnall latched on to Oliver's pass to fire narrowly across goal, before keeper Michel Kuipers clawed a Craig Fagan shot away from the top corner
after Syers had worked Reid's cross on to the skipper.
The game was warming up on the pitch and the touchline where antagonistic Crawley boss Evans had a few histrionics with the fourth official.
His side were certainly a danger going forward and Leon Clarke whipped an angled drive just past the far post. McLaughlin also had to watch his
feet carefully as he stretched to catch a header from Sergio Torres on his line.
Then Dagnall was harshly pulled up for handball five yards outside the City box but the fiercely-struck free-kick from Scott Davies was scrambled
clear.
There were too many stoppages to allow the game to flow and Evans seemed to spend half his time with arms outstretched protesting to the referee.
He even argued as Hope Akpan became the first name in referee Iain Williamson's book after flattening Kozluk. Reid's free-kick was nodded into
the mix by Oliver but James Hanson was ruled offside – there had been too many of them already.
Crawley threatened again as Torres skipped inside Kozluk's sliding challenge but his dinked cross was well taken by McLaughlin.
City needed to get Reid involved more. The winger did show some neat feet to find room among three white shirts but then wasted it with a weak
shot that dribbled through to Kuipers.
The Crawley keeper then gifted City a corner with a weak punch behind. Fagan kept it low in a clearly rehearsed routine as a bunch of home
players ran in but Kuipers smothered before Hanson could get close.
Crawley had the final efforts of a bitty half. David Haye lookalike left back Dean Howell smashed a 30-yard free-kick into the Kop and Davies
galloped menacingly into the corner of the box but his cross was behind any target.
For all the effort and huff and puff, there had only been one genuine scoring chance at either end when Kuipers denied Fagan.
But Crawley came back out with an extra edge and were in front nine minutes in. Davies whipped a free-kick to the far post where Clarke was left
unchallenged to nod firmly past McLaughlin.
It was a shock for City and Parkinson responded straight away with a double switch, taking off both full backs. Kozluk and Matt Fry had both had
a tough night.
On came Nahki Wells and Ravenhill as City switched once again to the 3-4-1-2 set-up that had worked so effectively chasing the game against
Gillingham three days earlier. Dagnall took up the role playing just behind the front two.
The crowd came to life as Kuipers was booked for time-wasting. The Dutchman had already been warned on several occasions before he dawdled again
over taking a free-kick.
Davies quickly followed with Crawley's third yellow for knocking down Reid, a decision which drew yet more arm-waving protests from the Crawley
dugout.
Clarke then became booking number four for a late lunge on Ravenhill, who needed treatment before he was able to carry on.
It could have got worse for City as Josh Simpson's pass was allowed to travel straight through to Torres on the edge of the penalty area but his
snapshot was fired straight at a relieved McLaughlin.
Ravenhill was still struggling from the whack on his ankle and the sub had to be subbed as Michael Flynn took over with 19 minutes left.
Flynn had not even touched the ball before City were back on level terms with a goal very similar to Crawley's. Reid hit the angled free-kick
into the box where Dagnall's header beat Kuipers and nestled in the bottom corner of the net.
Reid's part in the goal was acknowledged by Parkinson and the winger exchanged high-fives with his manager during the celebrations.
Flynn needed only three minutes to pick up the first home booking – but Crawley needed only five to restore their lead.
Davies beat his City namesake for pace on the touchline and clipped a hanging cross over the goalmouth. Oliver frantically tried to reach it but
Alexander was coming in behind him to apply the decisive touch.
As City scrambled for a second equaliser, Hanson blasted a close-range shot at Mills – who had just been booked. But the home appeals for
handball against the Crawley skipper were ignored.
Reid had a shot saved at the near post and Hanson flashed a header wide. Then Davies was thwarted by a last-ditch block as City queued up in the
Crawley penalty area.
Tempers exploded after the final whistle as Davies clashed with Crawley sub Davis. The pair were pulled apart by team-mates – only for Davies to
chase after the Jamaican again.
Oliver and McLaughlin also got involved and punches were thrown as a scrum quickly formed. Stewards ran on to the pitch before order was
eventually restored, with punishment from the referee then following.
Attendance: 9,973
===========================
From the BBC:
The Football Association is investigating the brawl after Crawley's win at Bradford which equalled the British record of players dismissed.
Bradford's Andrew Davies, Luke Oliver and Jon McLaughlin were red carded, along with Crawley's Pablo Mills and substitute Claude Davis, on
Tuesday.
Crawley manager Steve Evans said: "If people have acted out of turn they need to be dealt with."
The FA will liaise with both clubs and review video evidence.
Referee Iain Williamson called the offending footballers into his dressing room and issued them with red cards for violent conduct after punches
had been thrown by players from both sides after the final whistle.
A Bradford City spokesman told the BBC: "We are still in the process of investigating the incident and gathering all the facts from the players.
We have received a disciplinary notice from the Football Association.
"We are taking the incident very seriously and if the chairman or manager believes the incident warrants fines to the players, we will issue
them."
A statement from Crawley read: "Regarding the unfortunate events which took place at yesterday's game at Bradford City after the final whistle
was blown, Crawley Town cannot make any further comment until the club has had the opportunity to view the video footage in detail."
The FA rulebook states that players dismissed for violent conduct receive an automatic three-match ban.
Bradford's Davies is now suspended for five-games as he had twice been dismissed earlier in the season, with each red card incurring a further
match ban.
Due to the scale of the confrontation, additional bans could be handed out to the players, and the clubs fined for failing to control their
players.
In 2002, Sheffield United were fined £10,000 by the governing body after three players were sent off following a series of fights and illegal
tackles in a match with West Bromwich Albion which was abandoned after 82 minutes when the Blades were reduced to six men due to dismissals and
injury.
Bradford and Crawley could both also issue internal fines and suspensions following their own independent investigations
===========================
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
L2 D2-2 (H) Gillingham Saturday March 24, 2012. K.O. 3:00PM. #bcafc
League Two
March 24, 2012
Coral Windows Stadium, England
Referee: S Mathieson
Read this online
http://texasbantam.blogspot.com/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/46810838356/
CFML Daily News
http://paper.li/f-1315926867
Current table
http://www.sportinglife.com/football/live/tables/cc_league2.html
Fixtures
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/Fixtures/0,,10266,00.html
http://m.espn.go.com/soccer/clubhouse?teamId=387&lang=EN
The "Social media Corner"
http://paper.li/f-1315926867
Official Mobile app
http://communicatoremail.com/IN/Y2tx0dX-0UIRu4P1_588C9Eehl64XmQ-JA8WroOSpEQ/WebView.aspx
===========================
Signings, Loans and Injuries
===========================
Match Media & Stats
Pictures
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/sport_bantams_pics2011/
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/News/0,,10266~2692039,00.html?
"Last Match" Highlights on Bantams Player
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/player/LastMatch/0,,10266~1612005~36,00.html
BBC highlights (uk only)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17506544?
Match stats
http://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=234#teamTabs=results
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report/_/id/319874?&cc=5901
Bradford City Gillingham
18(6) Shots (on Goal) 7(4)
11 Fouls 12
10 Corner Kicks 3
4 Offsides 3
48% Time of Possession 52%
1 Yellow Cards 1
0 Red Cards 0
3 Saves 9
Bradford City: McLaughlin; Ramsden (Wells 62), Davies, Oliver, Fry; Fagan, Ravenhill (Syers 46), Bullock, Reid; Hanson, Dagnall. Unused substitutes: Annerson, Smalley, Kozluk.
Gillingham: Gazzaniga; Fish, Essam, Frampton, Martin; Whelpdale, Montrose, Payne, Jackman, Obita (74); Kuffour (Vine 78). Unused substitutes: King, Miller, Lee.
Referee: S Mathieson (Cheshire).
Goals
Lewis Montrose (25')
Simon Ramsden (56') (Own Goal)
Nahki Wells (71')
James Hanson (84')
===========================
Monday morning match reports
Three disallowed 'goals' deny Bradford City as James Hanson equaliser also has whiff of controversy
6:30am Monday 26th March 2012
By Simon Parker
City 2, Gillingham 2
A ruffle of the hair and hearty pat on the shoulder gave the game away.
The Gillingham defender wasn't checking on Paulo Gazzaniga's well being as he lay prone on the ground.
No, he was congratulating him for winning the most generous of the day's disallowed goal decisions and depriving City of a famous fightback.
Seconds earlier, referee Scott Mathieson had stopped home celebrations in their tracks after Craig Fagan lashed the ball home.
It was the softest of fouls awarded in the keeper's favour, the type that drive forwards past and present bonkers. No wonder Ian Ormondroyd nearly punched a hole through the TV screen up in the press box.
City themselves were equally adamant that the goal should have stood. But they were also realistic enough to know that the odds were going to be in Gillingham's favour following the big call over their equaliser ten minutes earlier.
Then, James Hanson's initial drive had been ruled out because Nahki Wells stood in an offside position right in front of the keeper. The Bermudian had tried to backheel it in but failed; the shot beat Gazzaniga anyway.
But assistant Chris O'Donnell's flag went straight up – and not for the first time.
City, still sore at seeing substitute Wells denied a dramatic first-touch goal by the same linesman, were incensed and surrounded O'Donnell. Fagan led the protest towards Mathieson and the crowd howled in dismay.
Mathieson was persuaded by Fagan to have a word with the young official and, after 30 seconds of deliberation, the goal was given.
Cue pandemonium in the Gillingham ranks, with boss Andy Hessenthaler raging that his keeper could not make a save because Wells was directly in the way blocking his vision.
The thorny issue of whether offside players are active or not had reared its head once again. Whichever way Mathieson had pointed, the losing party would feel aggrieved.
But there was also the thought that last Monday's pow-wow with Football League refereeing head Dave Allison had borne immediate fruit.
The feeling within the club that refs were going out of their way not to be swayed at Valley Parade had been raised among the DVDs. Had that filtered down to the man in the middle on Saturday?
On the evidence of the non-foul in stoppage time, apparently not. But at least the over-ruled second goal was a start.
It was no more than the Bantams deserved for refusing to crack when it seemed that everything was stacked against them. There was nothing fortunate about the comeback which maintained their four-point lifeline over the bottom two.
The recovery was as much down to the fans as the players. Mark Lawn put a few noses out of joint with his pre-match "moaners not welcome" motto but the joint-chairman must have been thrilled by the backing from the stands.
Even when City were two down and seemingly on their way out, the crowd did not start hammering the team – and after three previous defeats, that was a pivotal moment.
"If they'd turned at 2-0, it might have been a different story," admitted Phil Parkinson. "But I thought the supporters were absolutely tremendous.
"We were getting beaten but they understood what was going on. Their team had given everything and a few things went against them but everyone kept going."
Lee Bullock reckoned the supporters earned an assist in the "will he, won't he" pantomime surrounding Hanson's goal.
The Bantams midfielder said: "The atmosphere was that good that it swayed the decision to give that goal. The volume to let the linesman know (he got it wrong) was brilliant."
The power of positive thinking and support made its impact. Equally, it was a more positive approach on the field that brought City back from the canvas.
Simon Ramsden was hooked just minutes after scoring the first own goal of his career. On came Wells to join half-time replacement David Syers and there was a new attacking dynamic.
City went three at the back, while Chris Dagnall sat in behind Wells and Hanson in a front threesome intent on testing Gillingham to the limit.
Kyel Reid and Fagan provided the ammo from either side and Syers the willing support, while Bullock just as importantly held anchor. "It was like the red arrows swarming forward," laughed Parkinson.
They certainly put on a display, with Reid in particular leaving blue shirts flagging in his wake. Not bad for a player who'd only driven up from London that morning after leaving his pregnant girlfriend's bedside.
Wells surely played his way back into the starting line-up – but where? Whether Parkinson would try such a gung-ho approach from the first whistle is another matter.
He said: "Playing three at the back is something you need time to work on it but we have done it in games before. We've got experienced players who tactically know where they should be.
"Bullock was the key to that. Everybody wants to be the one who gets the goal but you've got to be careful you don't concede on the counter-attack."
The afternoon had started brightly enough for City through the haze as they forced five corners in the first seven minutes. But chances failed to hit the target until Gillingham midfielder Lewis Montrose outjumped Matt Fry to show how it should be done.
That knocked the wind out of the home side but heads were cleared at the break. Again City began the half on top – only to fall further behind when Ramsden lunged to cut out Jo Kuffour's through-pass for Jordan Obita and diverted it past the stranded Jon McLaughlin.
As the ball rolled into the empty net, almost in slow motion, it looked another step towards the abyss at the bottom of the table.
Wells had been on the pitch less than ten seconds when he hooked home with his first touch. But that man O'Donnell risked universal fury by raising his flag – as he had done against Hanson's tap-in during the first half.
Undeterred, Wells met Reid's free-kick with a glancing header for his eighth goal of the season. Valley Parade sparked into overdrive.
Hanson's disputed drive brought City level, before Syers was denied at the near post as the roof threatened to blow.
Still there was time for one late, great chance. Gazzaniga flapped weakly in traffic at Reid's cross and Fagan blasted into the unguarded goal. But another decision City's way was too much to ask for.
Attendance: 9,858
----
Kyel Reid dashes from stand-by hospital duty to lead Bradford City fightback
8:30am Monday 26th March 2012
By Simon Parker
Phil Parkinson admits Kyel Reid is turning him grey after the winger raced up from London to aid City's fight for survival.
The winger turned in an outstanding display as the Bantams hit back from two goals down to grab a point against Gillingham.
A 2-2 draw leaves them four points clear of the drop zone ahead of tomorrow night's game in hand against Crawley.
Reid's presence will be up in the air as he waits for the arrival of his first child.
Parkinson has given him permission to skip a game to be at the birth. But the City chief was delighted to have him on board on Saturday – even if it did give him a few pre-match scares.
He said: "I think Reidy's on a mission to give me a complete head of grey hair!
"His girlfriend was in the doctors and said the baby was nearly here, so we sent him back to London.
"Obviously he would have had to stay down there if she was in hospital. But he got back in the car Saturday morning to drive back up and I thought he was tremendous.
"This is probably the first time in his career he's been involved for a full season and he's looking fitter and stronger. He kept going at the back end of the game and was still powerful.
"I was watching their right back and he looked absolutely out on his feet. They had a midfield player trying to catch him as well and still couldn't get near him."
Nahki Wells and James Hanson scored in City's comeback and they were denied a stoppage-time winner from Craig Fagan for a foul on the goalkeeper – one of three disallowed efforts from the home side.
Parkinson admitted: "To disallow that many goals is quite bizarre. I don't think I've ever been involved in a game where we've score five and only got two of them.
"In the cold light of day, we'll look back on the chances and the disallowed goals and feel we deserved to win by two or three.
"We had a few setbacks but kept going and I've got to say I'm proud of the lads. Lesser teams would have crumbled but there's character in that dressing room."
Controversy surrounded the equaliser, with Hanson's effort initially ruled out by assistant Chris O'Donnell because Wells was offside. But referee Scott Mathieson gave the goal after being persuaded to speak to his fellow official.
Parkinson said: "Thankfully we had a very good and experienced referee. He was cool and calm in that big moment and made the right decision.
"Unfortunately we're not going to get experienced linesmen as well, we get young ones.
"But I thought it was harsh not to give the goal at the end. Their keeper came out loose and I was as annoyed with that (decision) as any in the game."
Opposite number Andy Hessenthaler confronted Mathieson after the game over City's "embarrassing" second goal.
He blasted: "I've got to be careful what I say but it was clearly offside and it cost us three points. We're livid."
===========================
Parkinson to look at his options
Posted on: Mon 26 Mar 2012
City boss Phil Parkinson has refused to rule out making changes for Tuesday's home match with Crawley Town despite his side's stirring second half comeback against Gillingham at the weekend.
Parkinson was understandably delighted by City's efforts against the play-off chasing Gills after two goals in the final twenty minutes of the match from the Bantams saw them collect a deserved point from the fixture.
Wary of the effort his side put in to secure that morale-boosting draw, however, Parkinson has admitted that he will have to check on the freshness of a few of his players ahead of tomorrow's Crawley match.
Knowing the size of the threat Crawley will pose his side, the Bantams boss is keen to pick an eleven that will be able to go toe-to-toe with the promotion hopefuls from the very off.
When asked about the possiblity of changes, Parkinson said: "I was thinking about that yesterday (Sunday) while doing my preparations for this game.
"Myself and Steve (Parkin) has just decided to have a look at the lads in training and see how they were. We have to make sure that we are ready to go again for another big effort," said Parkinson.
"Tuesday is going to be a very competitive game, so we have just let the lads train, have a look at them and have a word with a few to see how they are.
"We are going to give them plenty of rest between now and tomorrow night to ensure that we are right to come flying out of the traps."
===========================
Argyle v Bradford Fan Fest
Plymouth Argyle play Bradford City at home in a crucial game this coming Saturday and tickets are now on sale for the popular Fan Fest.
Organised by the Green Taverners and held in the Pyramid Suite at Home Park before each game the Fan Fests have become the best place for fans to sample the pre-match atmosphere with live entertainment and a free pasty and pint provided.
Tickets are £5 or £25 with a match ticket included and funds raised are used to accelerate the financial payments to the Argyle staff who suffered so much during the administration process.
Bradford fans are also very welcome to come along to the Fan Fest.
Tickets can be bought on-line HERE.
http://www.greentaverners.co.uk/2012/03/bradford-city-fanfest/
Have fun!
Read more: http://www.plymouth.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=277407#ixzz1qHWb9YTM
March 24, 2012
Coral Windows Stadium, England
Referee: S Mathieson
Read this online
http://texasbantam.blogspot.com/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/46810838356/
CFML Daily News
http://paper.li/f-1315926867
Current table
http://www.sportinglife.com/football/live/tables/cc_league2.html
Fixtures
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/Fixtures/0,,10266,00.html
http://m.espn.go.com/soccer/clubhouse?teamId=387&lang=EN
The "Social media Corner"
http://paper.li/f-1315926867
Official Mobile app
http://communicatoremail.com/IN/Y2tx0dX-0UIRu4P1_588C9Eehl64XmQ-JA8WroOSpEQ/WebView.aspx
===========================
Signings, Loans and Injuries
===========================
Match Media & Stats
Pictures
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/sport_bantams_pics2011/
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/News/0,,10266~2692039,00.html?
"Last Match" Highlights on Bantams Player
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/player/LastMatch/0,,10266~1612005~36,00.html
BBC highlights (uk only)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17506544?
Match stats
http://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=234#teamTabs=results
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report/_/id/319874?&cc=5901
Bradford City Gillingham
18(6) Shots (on Goal) 7(4)
11 Fouls 12
10 Corner Kicks 3
4 Offsides 3
48% Time of Possession 52%
1 Yellow Cards 1
0 Red Cards 0
3 Saves 9
Bradford City: McLaughlin; Ramsden (Wells 62), Davies, Oliver, Fry; Fagan, Ravenhill (Syers 46), Bullock, Reid; Hanson, Dagnall. Unused substitutes: Annerson, Smalley, Kozluk.
Gillingham: Gazzaniga; Fish, Essam, Frampton, Martin; Whelpdale, Montrose, Payne, Jackman, Obita (74); Kuffour (Vine 78). Unused substitutes: King, Miller, Lee.
Referee: S Mathieson (Cheshire).
Goals
Lewis Montrose (25')
Simon Ramsden (56') (Own Goal)
Nahki Wells (71')
James Hanson (84')
===========================
Monday morning match reports
Three disallowed 'goals' deny Bradford City as James Hanson equaliser also has whiff of controversy
6:30am Monday 26th March 2012
By Simon Parker
City 2, Gillingham 2
A ruffle of the hair and hearty pat on the shoulder gave the game away.
The Gillingham defender wasn't checking on Paulo Gazzaniga's well being as he lay prone on the ground.
No, he was congratulating him for winning the most generous of the day's disallowed goal decisions and depriving City of a famous fightback.
Seconds earlier, referee Scott Mathieson had stopped home celebrations in their tracks after Craig Fagan lashed the ball home.
It was the softest of fouls awarded in the keeper's favour, the type that drive forwards past and present bonkers. No wonder Ian Ormondroyd nearly punched a hole through the TV screen up in the press box.
City themselves were equally adamant that the goal should have stood. But they were also realistic enough to know that the odds were going to be in Gillingham's favour following the big call over their equaliser ten minutes earlier.
Then, James Hanson's initial drive had been ruled out because Nahki Wells stood in an offside position right in front of the keeper. The Bermudian had tried to backheel it in but failed; the shot beat Gazzaniga anyway.
But assistant Chris O'Donnell's flag went straight up – and not for the first time.
City, still sore at seeing substitute Wells denied a dramatic first-touch goal by the same linesman, were incensed and surrounded O'Donnell. Fagan led the protest towards Mathieson and the crowd howled in dismay.
Mathieson was persuaded by Fagan to have a word with the young official and, after 30 seconds of deliberation, the goal was given.
Cue pandemonium in the Gillingham ranks, with boss Andy Hessenthaler raging that his keeper could not make a save because Wells was directly in the way blocking his vision.
The thorny issue of whether offside players are active or not had reared its head once again. Whichever way Mathieson had pointed, the losing party would feel aggrieved.
But there was also the thought that last Monday's pow-wow with Football League refereeing head Dave Allison had borne immediate fruit.
The feeling within the club that refs were going out of their way not to be swayed at Valley Parade had been raised among the DVDs. Had that filtered down to the man in the middle on Saturday?
On the evidence of the non-foul in stoppage time, apparently not. But at least the over-ruled second goal was a start.
It was no more than the Bantams deserved for refusing to crack when it seemed that everything was stacked against them. There was nothing fortunate about the comeback which maintained their four-point lifeline over the bottom two.
The recovery was as much down to the fans as the players. Mark Lawn put a few noses out of joint with his pre-match "moaners not welcome" motto but the joint-chairman must have been thrilled by the backing from the stands.
Even when City were two down and seemingly on their way out, the crowd did not start hammering the team – and after three previous defeats, that was a pivotal moment.
"If they'd turned at 2-0, it might have been a different story," admitted Phil Parkinson. "But I thought the supporters were absolutely tremendous.
"We were getting beaten but they understood what was going on. Their team had given everything and a few things went against them but everyone kept going."
Lee Bullock reckoned the supporters earned an assist in the "will he, won't he" pantomime surrounding Hanson's goal.
The Bantams midfielder said: "The atmosphere was that good that it swayed the decision to give that goal. The volume to let the linesman know (he got it wrong) was brilliant."
The power of positive thinking and support made its impact. Equally, it was a more positive approach on the field that brought City back from the canvas.
Simon Ramsden was hooked just minutes after scoring the first own goal of his career. On came Wells to join half-time replacement David Syers and there was a new attacking dynamic.
City went three at the back, while Chris Dagnall sat in behind Wells and Hanson in a front threesome intent on testing Gillingham to the limit.
Kyel Reid and Fagan provided the ammo from either side and Syers the willing support, while Bullock just as importantly held anchor. "It was like the red arrows swarming forward," laughed Parkinson.
They certainly put on a display, with Reid in particular leaving blue shirts flagging in his wake. Not bad for a player who'd only driven up from London that morning after leaving his pregnant girlfriend's bedside.
Wells surely played his way back into the starting line-up – but where? Whether Parkinson would try such a gung-ho approach from the first whistle is another matter.
He said: "Playing three at the back is something you need time to work on it but we have done it in games before. We've got experienced players who tactically know where they should be.
"Bullock was the key to that. Everybody wants to be the one who gets the goal but you've got to be careful you don't concede on the counter-attack."
The afternoon had started brightly enough for City through the haze as they forced five corners in the first seven minutes. But chances failed to hit the target until Gillingham midfielder Lewis Montrose outjumped Matt Fry to show how it should be done.
That knocked the wind out of the home side but heads were cleared at the break. Again City began the half on top – only to fall further behind when Ramsden lunged to cut out Jo Kuffour's through-pass for Jordan Obita and diverted it past the stranded Jon McLaughlin.
As the ball rolled into the empty net, almost in slow motion, it looked another step towards the abyss at the bottom of the table.
Wells had been on the pitch less than ten seconds when he hooked home with his first touch. But that man O'Donnell risked universal fury by raising his flag – as he had done against Hanson's tap-in during the first half.
Undeterred, Wells met Reid's free-kick with a glancing header for his eighth goal of the season. Valley Parade sparked into overdrive.
Hanson's disputed drive brought City level, before Syers was denied at the near post as the roof threatened to blow.
Still there was time for one late, great chance. Gazzaniga flapped weakly in traffic at Reid's cross and Fagan blasted into the unguarded goal. But another decision City's way was too much to ask for.
Attendance: 9,858
----
Kyel Reid dashes from stand-by hospital duty to lead Bradford City fightback
8:30am Monday 26th March 2012
By Simon Parker
Phil Parkinson admits Kyel Reid is turning him grey after the winger raced up from London to aid City's fight for survival.
The winger turned in an outstanding display as the Bantams hit back from two goals down to grab a point against Gillingham.
A 2-2 draw leaves them four points clear of the drop zone ahead of tomorrow night's game in hand against Crawley.
Reid's presence will be up in the air as he waits for the arrival of his first child.
Parkinson has given him permission to skip a game to be at the birth. But the City chief was delighted to have him on board on Saturday – even if it did give him a few pre-match scares.
He said: "I think Reidy's on a mission to give me a complete head of grey hair!
"His girlfriend was in the doctors and said the baby was nearly here, so we sent him back to London.
"Obviously he would have had to stay down there if she was in hospital. But he got back in the car Saturday morning to drive back up and I thought he was tremendous.
"This is probably the first time in his career he's been involved for a full season and he's looking fitter and stronger. He kept going at the back end of the game and was still powerful.
"I was watching their right back and he looked absolutely out on his feet. They had a midfield player trying to catch him as well and still couldn't get near him."
Nahki Wells and James Hanson scored in City's comeback and they were denied a stoppage-time winner from Craig Fagan for a foul on the goalkeeper – one of three disallowed efforts from the home side.
Parkinson admitted: "To disallow that many goals is quite bizarre. I don't think I've ever been involved in a game where we've score five and only got two of them.
"In the cold light of day, we'll look back on the chances and the disallowed goals and feel we deserved to win by two or three.
"We had a few setbacks but kept going and I've got to say I'm proud of the lads. Lesser teams would have crumbled but there's character in that dressing room."
Controversy surrounded the equaliser, with Hanson's effort initially ruled out by assistant Chris O'Donnell because Wells was offside. But referee Scott Mathieson gave the goal after being persuaded to speak to his fellow official.
Parkinson said: "Thankfully we had a very good and experienced referee. He was cool and calm in that big moment and made the right decision.
"Unfortunately we're not going to get experienced linesmen as well, we get young ones.
"But I thought it was harsh not to give the goal at the end. Their keeper came out loose and I was as annoyed with that (decision) as any in the game."
Opposite number Andy Hessenthaler confronted Mathieson after the game over City's "embarrassing" second goal.
He blasted: "I've got to be careful what I say but it was clearly offside and it cost us three points. We're livid."
===========================
Parkinson to look at his options
Posted on: Mon 26 Mar 2012
City boss Phil Parkinson has refused to rule out making changes for Tuesday's home match with Crawley Town despite his side's stirring second half comeback against Gillingham at the weekend.
Parkinson was understandably delighted by City's efforts against the play-off chasing Gills after two goals in the final twenty minutes of the match from the Bantams saw them collect a deserved point from the fixture.
Wary of the effort his side put in to secure that morale-boosting draw, however, Parkinson has admitted that he will have to check on the freshness of a few of his players ahead of tomorrow's Crawley match.
Knowing the size of the threat Crawley will pose his side, the Bantams boss is keen to pick an eleven that will be able to go toe-to-toe with the promotion hopefuls from the very off.
When asked about the possiblity of changes, Parkinson said: "I was thinking about that yesterday (Sunday) while doing my preparations for this game.
"Myself and Steve (Parkin) has just decided to have a look at the lads in training and see how they were. We have to make sure that we are ready to go again for another big effort," said Parkinson.
"Tuesday is going to be a very competitive game, so we have just let the lads train, have a look at them and have a word with a few to see how they are.
"We are going to give them plenty of rest between now and tomorrow night to ensure that we are right to come flying out of the traps."
===========================
Argyle v Bradford Fan Fest
Plymouth Argyle play Bradford City at home in a crucial game this coming Saturday and tickets are now on sale for the popular Fan Fest.
Organised by the Green Taverners and held in the Pyramid Suite at Home Park before each game the Fan Fests have become the best place for fans to sample the pre-match atmosphere with live entertainment and a free pasty and pint provided.
Tickets are £5 or £25 with a match ticket included and funds raised are used to accelerate the financial payments to the Argyle staff who suffered so much during the administration process.
Bradford fans are also very welcome to come along to the Fan Fest.
Tickets can be bought on-line HERE.
http://www.greentaverners.co.uk/2012/03/bradford-city-fanfest/
Have fun!
Read more: http://www.plymouth.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=277407#ixzz1qHWb9YTM
Sunday, March 25, 2012
L2 L0-1 (A) Crewe Tuesday March 20, 2012. K.O. 7:45PM. #bcafc
NPower League Two
Crewe Alex (1) 1 Harry Davis pen 22
Bradford C (0) 0
Att: 3,556
Read this online
http://texasbantam.blogspot.com/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/46810838356/
CFML Daily News
http://paper.li/f-1315926867
Current table
http://www.sportinglife.com/football/live/tables/cc_league2.html
Fixtures
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/Fixtures/0,,10266,00.html
http://m.espn.go.com/soccer/clubhouse?teamId=387&lang=EN
The "Social media Corner"
http://paper.li/f-1315926867
Official Mobile app
http://communicatoremail.com/IN/Y2tx0dX-0UIRu4P1_588C9Eehl64XmQ-JA8WroOSpEQ/WebView.aspx
===========================
Signings, Loans and Injuries
Kyel Reid will be allowed time off for the birth of his baby. The baby is due over the weekend so it may mean him missing the game on
Saturday.
Threlfall leaves City, contract cancelled by mutual consent
===========================
Match Media & Stats
Pictures
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/sport_bantams_pics2011/
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/News/0,,10266~2686392,00.html?
"Last Match" Highlights on Bantams Player
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/player/LastMatch/0,,10266~1612005~36,00.html
BBC highlights (uk only)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17349089
Match stats
http://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=234#teamTabs=results
Stats: Crewe - Bradford C:
Possession: 62 - 38%
Shots on target: 9 - 4
Shots off target: 4 - 7
Fouls: 4 - 15
Corners: 7 - 5
Ref: Dean Whitestone (Northampton).
Yellow cards: None.
CREWE: 1. Steve Phillips, 2. Matt Tootle, 5. David Artell, 6. Adam Dugdale,
3. Harry Davis, 10. Ajay Leitch-Smith, 8. Luke Murphy, 4. Ashley Westwood,
11. Byron Moore, 12. Danny Shelley, 25. Nick Powell.
SUBS: 13. Alan Martin (GK), 7. Lee Bell, 9. Shaun Miller, 19. Max Clayton,
33. Jordan Brown.
BRADFORD C: 1. Jon McLaughlin, 2. Simon Ramsden, 6. Luke Oliver, 38. Andrew
Davies, 3. Matt Fry, 11. Deane Smalley (71), 22. Lee Bullock (71), 14.
Richard Ravenhill, 32. Kyel Reid, 9. James Hanson, 17. Chris Dagnall.
SUBS: 15. Jamie Annerson (GK), 21. Nahki Wells (71), 23. David Syers (71),
24. Rob Kozluk, 30. Will Atkinson.
===========================
Tuesday evening match report
Report by Simon Parker (T&A)
City dropped to their third away defeat in eight days as Crewe edged it at
Gresty Road.
A first half penalty proved the difference and despite a real effort after
the break, Phil Parkinson's side could find no way back.
City were chasing from the start as Crewe bossed the first half.
Their control brought a first goal after 21 minutes as Andrew Davies handled
a long free-kick by Ashley Westwood in the box and Harry Davis converted the
penalty.
Ricky Ravenhill fired over from long range with City's first effort after
half an hour before James Hanson shot on the turn but straight at the
keeper.
Jon McLaughlin pulled off a fine save from impressive teenager Nick Powell
to deny Crewe a second just before half-time.
City started the second period much better and Hanson volleyed over from a
Davies knockdown. The leading scorer then should have equalised with a
close-range header from Simon Ramsden's cross.
David Syers, who came off the bench, squeezed a shot inches wide in stoppage
time as City rallied. But there was no late rescue and they remain firmly
ensconced in the battle at the bottom.
===========================
Wednesday morning match report
We missed the point! Bradford City boss angry at Hanson and Syers misses
7:20am Wednesday 21st March 2012
By Simon Parker
Phil Parkinson cursed two "criminal" misses as City were left picking up the pieces from a third away loss in a week at Crewe.
The 1-0 defeat at Gresty Road kept Parkinson's troops still only four points off the League Two drop zone.
After a poor first half, City upped their game but James Hanson and sub David Syers fluffed great chances to level – the second one in the final
minute of added time.
Parkinson said: "If the keeper had made great saves from those two chances then you'd hold your hand up.
"You've got to make the goalkeeper work in those situations. I thought it was criminal that he didn't have to make a save.
"They were great chances but if you don't hit the target, you definitely don't score.
"Syers' was an even bigger one than Hanson's because of the time he had. If that had been on target the keeper would have had no chance."
Crewe, now unbeaten in eight, won it with a Harry Davis penalty after Andrew Davies had handled.
Parkinson had no complaints with the decision but was delighted with the way his side picked it up after the break.
He added: "You've got to give Crewe credit for the first half. They are a team with confidence and full of young, technical players who have come
up through their academy.
"They've got cleverness in the final third and (Nick) Powell is someone they value at £5million. But I thought we were tremendous in the second
half and rose to the challenge well.
"I hate losing and three defeats in a row is not good. Each one has got its own story but we haven't picked up any points.
"But if we play like we have done, then we'll be okay.
"In the second half I saw a team that played with quality on the ball and intensity in the way we closed people down.
"Play like that and we'll make these next two home games very profitable in terms of points."
Craig Fagan was sent home in a taxi after being sick during the team's pre-match meal. Ritchie Jones was also feeling ill.
Skipper Michael Flynn did not even make the bench after being dropped.
Parkinson said: "It was a tough one but Flynny's been out injured and ill and I think Bully (Lee Bullock) has done really well for us.
"The reason he wasn't on the bench is because I had two holding midfielders out there so the one sub had to be an attacking one. David Syers is
the best we've got in that role."
==========
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/News/0,,10266~2686136,00.html?
Parkinson takes heart from Crewe loss
Posted on: Wed 21 Mar 2012
Despite hurting over losing another tight away fixture, City boss Phil Parkinson says he can take heart from his side's performance against an
in-form Crewe Alexandra this Tuesday evening.
Play-off chasing Crewe made it eight games unbeaten thanks to first half penalty from defender Harry Davis, but City were more than a match for
their hosts in the second period and could have snatched a share of the spoils through a late chance from substitute David Syers.
A reflective Parkinson after the game admitted City need to be taking chances like that if they are to help themselves move up the league, but he
felt, overall, City will be fine for the rest of the season if they can replicate their Gresty Road efforts.
"I thought second half we were terrific," said Parkinson.
"First half we were a bit too deep and gave (Nick) Powell opportunity to drop into those holes he likes to work in just in front of the back
four. Once again, we also gave away too many fouls.
"Second half, however, we eradicated all that and I thought we were in the ascendancy for large periods of the half. I think the performance in
general was an encouraging one against an in-form side.
"I hate losing - I hate losing at anything - but when I wake up in the morning I'll know that I've seen a team tonight that has had a real go.
"The two chances that stick out in the match - the James Hanson one and the David Syers one at the end - those are both guilt-edge chances and we
need to at least make the 'keeper work.
"We can't miss the target in those situations.
"If we come off the pitch and the 'keeper has produced two great saves then you say 'well done goalie - man of the match' - but hasn't made a
save in either one of those two chances.
"We have just said to the lads though, keep that performance level up and we'll have a real go at Gillingham on Saturday.
"We have to be positive all over the pitch, and if we show the sort of appetite and desire we showed tonight - bearing in mind they are a very
good footballing side - we have a great chance of picking up the win."
Michael Flynn was left out of Parkinson's sixteen altogether for the Crewe match after starting last Saturday's match at Aldershot Town.
Parkinson said that there was nothing sinister over Flynn's absence and he also explained his reasons for leaving the Welshman off his list of
substitutes as well.
He added: "I left Flynny out of the team and I didn't need two midfielders on the bench. I just felt Syers' extra goal threat would be crucial
for us.
"I explained this to Michael. His performance at Aldershot wasn't that bad that he was completely bombed out of the side.He's obviously still in
our plans.
"It was just when I have two holding type midfielders in the side, my (midfield) option off the bench has to be an attacking one."
Both Craig Fagan and Ritchie Jones also missed out on a place on Parkinson's team-sheet for the Alex fixture after being struck down with illness
before the match.
"Fages (Craig Fagan) was with us for pre-match but said that he felt ill so we sent him home in a taxi to rest up," Parkinson explained.
"Jonah (Ritchie Jones) was roughly the same. He said that he wasn't fully completely himself and wasn't right for the match so we sent him home
as well."
===========================
Crewe Alex (1) 1 Harry Davis pen 22
Bradford C (0) 0
Att: 3,556
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===========================
Signings, Loans and Injuries
Kyel Reid will be allowed time off for the birth of his baby. The baby is due over the weekend so it may mean him missing the game on
Saturday.
Threlfall leaves City, contract cancelled by mutual consent
===========================
Match Media & Stats
Pictures
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/sport_bantams_pics2011/
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"Last Match" Highlights on Bantams Player
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Match stats
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Stats: Crewe - Bradford C:
Possession: 62 - 38%
Shots on target: 9 - 4
Shots off target: 4 - 7
Fouls: 4 - 15
Corners: 7 - 5
Ref: Dean Whitestone (Northampton).
Yellow cards: None.
CREWE: 1. Steve Phillips, 2. Matt Tootle, 5. David Artell, 6. Adam Dugdale,
3. Harry Davis, 10. Ajay Leitch-Smith, 8. Luke Murphy, 4. Ashley Westwood,
11. Byron Moore, 12. Danny Shelley, 25. Nick Powell.
SUBS: 13. Alan Martin (GK), 7. Lee Bell, 9. Shaun Miller, 19. Max Clayton,
33. Jordan Brown.
BRADFORD C: 1. Jon McLaughlin, 2. Simon Ramsden, 6. Luke Oliver, 38. Andrew
Davies, 3. Matt Fry, 11. Deane Smalley (71), 22. Lee Bullock (71), 14.
Richard Ravenhill, 32. Kyel Reid, 9. James Hanson, 17. Chris Dagnall.
SUBS: 15. Jamie Annerson (GK), 21. Nahki Wells (71), 23. David Syers (71),
24. Rob Kozluk, 30. Will Atkinson.
===========================
Tuesday evening match report
Report by Simon Parker (T&A)
City dropped to their third away defeat in eight days as Crewe edged it at
Gresty Road.
A first half penalty proved the difference and despite a real effort after
the break, Phil Parkinson's side could find no way back.
City were chasing from the start as Crewe bossed the first half.
Their control brought a first goal after 21 minutes as Andrew Davies handled
a long free-kick by Ashley Westwood in the box and Harry Davis converted the
penalty.
Ricky Ravenhill fired over from long range with City's first effort after
half an hour before James Hanson shot on the turn but straight at the
keeper.
Jon McLaughlin pulled off a fine save from impressive teenager Nick Powell
to deny Crewe a second just before half-time.
City started the second period much better and Hanson volleyed over from a
Davies knockdown. The leading scorer then should have equalised with a
close-range header from Simon Ramsden's cross.
David Syers, who came off the bench, squeezed a shot inches wide in stoppage
time as City rallied. But there was no late rescue and they remain firmly
ensconced in the battle at the bottom.
===========================
Wednesday morning match report
We missed the point! Bradford City boss angry at Hanson and Syers misses
7:20am Wednesday 21st March 2012
By Simon Parker
Phil Parkinson cursed two "criminal" misses as City were left picking up the pieces from a third away loss in a week at Crewe.
The 1-0 defeat at Gresty Road kept Parkinson's troops still only four points off the League Two drop zone.
After a poor first half, City upped their game but James Hanson and sub David Syers fluffed great chances to level – the second one in the final
minute of added time.
Parkinson said: "If the keeper had made great saves from those two chances then you'd hold your hand up.
"You've got to make the goalkeeper work in those situations. I thought it was criminal that he didn't have to make a save.
"They were great chances but if you don't hit the target, you definitely don't score.
"Syers' was an even bigger one than Hanson's because of the time he had. If that had been on target the keeper would have had no chance."
Crewe, now unbeaten in eight, won it with a Harry Davis penalty after Andrew Davies had handled.
Parkinson had no complaints with the decision but was delighted with the way his side picked it up after the break.
He added: "You've got to give Crewe credit for the first half. They are a team with confidence and full of young, technical players who have come
up through their academy.
"They've got cleverness in the final third and (Nick) Powell is someone they value at £5million. But I thought we were tremendous in the second
half and rose to the challenge well.
"I hate losing and three defeats in a row is not good. Each one has got its own story but we haven't picked up any points.
"But if we play like we have done, then we'll be okay.
"In the second half I saw a team that played with quality on the ball and intensity in the way we closed people down.
"Play like that and we'll make these next two home games very profitable in terms of points."
Craig Fagan was sent home in a taxi after being sick during the team's pre-match meal. Ritchie Jones was also feeling ill.
Skipper Michael Flynn did not even make the bench after being dropped.
Parkinson said: "It was a tough one but Flynny's been out injured and ill and I think Bully (Lee Bullock) has done really well for us.
"The reason he wasn't on the bench is because I had two holding midfielders out there so the one sub had to be an attacking one. David Syers is
the best we've got in that role."
==========
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/News/0,,10266~2686136,00.html?
Parkinson takes heart from Crewe loss
Posted on: Wed 21 Mar 2012
Despite hurting over losing another tight away fixture, City boss Phil Parkinson says he can take heart from his side's performance against an
in-form Crewe Alexandra this Tuesday evening.
Play-off chasing Crewe made it eight games unbeaten thanks to first half penalty from defender Harry Davis, but City were more than a match for
their hosts in the second period and could have snatched a share of the spoils through a late chance from substitute David Syers.
A reflective Parkinson after the game admitted City need to be taking chances like that if they are to help themselves move up the league, but he
felt, overall, City will be fine for the rest of the season if they can replicate their Gresty Road efforts.
"I thought second half we were terrific," said Parkinson.
"First half we were a bit too deep and gave (Nick) Powell opportunity to drop into those holes he likes to work in just in front of the back
four. Once again, we also gave away too many fouls.
"Second half, however, we eradicated all that and I thought we were in the ascendancy for large periods of the half. I think the performance in
general was an encouraging one against an in-form side.
"I hate losing - I hate losing at anything - but when I wake up in the morning I'll know that I've seen a team tonight that has had a real go.
"The two chances that stick out in the match - the James Hanson one and the David Syers one at the end - those are both guilt-edge chances and we
need to at least make the 'keeper work.
"We can't miss the target in those situations.
"If we come off the pitch and the 'keeper has produced two great saves then you say 'well done goalie - man of the match' - but hasn't made a
save in either one of those two chances.
"We have just said to the lads though, keep that performance level up and we'll have a real go at Gillingham on Saturday.
"We have to be positive all over the pitch, and if we show the sort of appetite and desire we showed tonight - bearing in mind they are a very
good footballing side - we have a great chance of picking up the win."
Michael Flynn was left out of Parkinson's sixteen altogether for the Crewe match after starting last Saturday's match at Aldershot Town.
Parkinson said that there was nothing sinister over Flynn's absence and he also explained his reasons for leaving the Welshman off his list of
substitutes as well.
He added: "I left Flynny out of the team and I didn't need two midfielders on the bench. I just felt Syers' extra goal threat would be crucial
for us.
"I explained this to Michael. His performance at Aldershot wasn't that bad that he was completely bombed out of the side.He's obviously still in
our plans.
"It was just when I have two holding type midfielders in the side, my (midfield) option off the bench has to be an attacking one."
Both Craig Fagan and Ritchie Jones also missed out on a place on Parkinson's team-sheet for the Alex fixture after being struck down with illness
before the match.
"Fages (Craig Fagan) was with us for pre-match but said that he felt ill so we sent him home in a taxi to rest up," Parkinson explained.
"Jonah (Ritchie Jones) was roughly the same. He said that he wasn't fully completely himself and wasn't right for the match so we sent him home
as well."
===========================
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
L2 L0-1 (A) Aldershot Saturday March 17, 2012. K.O. 3:00PM. #bcafc
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===========================
Signings, Loans and Injuries
Doubt over Marcel Seip as ankle playing up again.
bullock back from virus and trained today, Monday
===========================
Match Media & Stats
Pictures
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Match stats
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===========================
Phil Parkinson rues missed chances as Bradford City's latest road trip ends in more frustration
6:20am Monday 19th March 2012
By Simon Parker
Aldershot 1, City 0
The Duchess of Cambridge wowed the crowds as she dished out shamrocks to the Irish Guards stationed in the army barracks.
Just down the road, shoppers in the town centre were tucking into the Italian market. There was clearly plenty to enjoy in Aldershot on St
Patrick's Day.
That is unless you were a travelling City fan or player. For them it was the same old misery that always accompanies the trek to north Hampshire.
For the fourth year in a row, the Bantams came away pointless. For the third season on the trot, they'd lost 1-0 in a nothing match. Away trips
don't get much more miserable than this.
A week that had begun with the buzz of a richly-deserved win over play-off contenders Oxford ground to a depressingly familiar end with a second
straight long-distance defeat.
To make it worse, Aldershot's goal came from their only shot on target. A scruffy winner, tapped in from close range, settled a scruffy match.
And City came off to hear the news that their advantage on the relegation spots had been cut to four points.
Dagenham's win maintained Macclesfield's woeful spiral towards the bottom two – but Plymouth's over Shrewsbury was unexpected and unwelcome.
While there are still six teams behind them – and the goal difference remains infinitely better – City have got work to do.
There may be no need for panic but an urgency is required again, starting at Gresty Road tomorrow night after yet another coach journey.
"They had one chance," sighed a frustrated Phil Parkinson. "We've had three or four and deserved something.
"But those chances need to go in. Do that and then their goal wouldn't be anything more than a consolation.
"We lacked a bit of sharpness first half but still had chances. I thought we looked better in the second and had the impetus in our play – that's
the disappointment for the lads."
Parkinson had shuffled his pack once again, with five changes from Wimbledon. Chris Dagnall was thrown straight in after completing his loan move
the day before. Simon Ramsden, the man who never loses, was also fit again to bolster the back four.
The most significant difference was in midfield with Ricky Ravenhill, back from suspension, and Michael Flynn replacing Lee Bullock and David
Syers.
Bullock did not travel after being quarantined with a family virus. Syers, having looked strong on his return at Kingsmeadow, was on the bench
and not called upon until the late hurrah.
His arrival in a treble substitution sparked City into late life as they pressed in vain to cancel out Namibian Wilko Risser's first goal in
English football.
It should have done enough to earn Syers a recall to the starting line-up at Crewe, though Parkinson felt he was right not to push him into
another 90 minutes on Saturday so soon after his comeback exertions.
He said: "I just thought it was a big ask for Dave to go again after the other day. He'd been out (injured) and then put so much effort in when
we played with ten men for a long period.
"That's why I went with Flynny and Ravenhill again. It's getting that balance right when you're picking the team for so many games.
"We don't want to put too many combinations out there that haven't played together but they obviously have before. But equally we've got to pick
a team that is fresh and sharp.
"That's the challenge we've got again for Crewe. We need a team with good legs in them."
Parkinson will first sit down with Football League referees chief David Allison today to talk over some of the contentious decisions that he
feels have not gone City's way of late.
There looked like another one to add to the collection when Dagnall was knocked over by keeper Jamie Young after seizing on a blunder from Darren
Jones. Parkinson bawled at the fourth official, loudly demanding: "How's that not a penalty?"
But Stuart Attwell, whose general performance was a breath of fresh air compared with Darren Deadman's midweek showmanship, evened the score by
ignoring a stronger-looking Aldershot claim when Luke Oliver's outstretched leg ravelled itself round Risser.
The worst-case scenario would have been a spot-kick and a red card as last man for the big fella, who otherwise was as solid as ever.
Defensively, there was nothing wrong about City's game. No blame could be attached to the only goal, Rob Sinclair's deflected cross looping
against the bar before Risser beat Marcel Seip to the close-range rebound.
The Bantams came up short at the other end, lacking creativity and supply out wide and a cutting edge when the chances did come around.
Kyel Reid had been outstanding in the previous two games and still carried the fight to Wimbledon even when the ten men were seemingly on the
ropes.
But Saturday passed him by as the winger found himself starved of the ball. There was only one trademark run – and that should have produced a
City goal towards the end of the first half.
Flynn supplied him in space and Reid stepped on the accelerator to beat Ben Herd and deliver the perfect cross. Will Atkinson attacked it and
missed but the ball bounced off a defender and sat up invitingly for Dagnall.
The opportunity beckoned to follow the lead of Kevin Ellison, the last player to score on his Bantams debut 13 months ago. But his shot clipped a
defender from ten yards out and flew left.
Dagnall's movement and anticipation for James Hanson's flick-ons suggested that he will be the quality addition that City are expecting to
rubberstamp their League Two security. But he will be frustrated not to have opened his account.
City's long throw-ins proved an effective route of attack and James Hanson nodded one into Dagnall's path. But he could not get enough power
behind a snatched effort which Young saved at his near post.
Aldershot had only managed one corner up to this point without testing Jon McLaughlin once. Then substitute Sinclair, who livened up Aldershot's
left side, found the room to cross and a striker who had come to League Two via Namibia, Germany and Malta bundled the ugliest of winners.
Syers led the late charge, with Andrew Davies adopting his customary emergency striker role. A few corners bobbled around the box and Nahki
Wells, another of the subs, hit the side-netting. But the home side's one shot, one goal policy proved enough.
Meanwhile, Kate was long gone and the Italians had packed up. They must have known what was coming.
Attendance: 2,763
===========================
YP Monday morning match report
Disappointed Parkinson looking for fresh legs to guide Bradford to safety
Published on Monday 19 March 2012 11:16
WILKO Risser broke the Bantams' hearts as his late winner kept the hosts' play-off hopes alive and left Bradford looking over their shoulder at
the foot of the League Two table.
It was a defeat that leaves Bradford still only four points clear of second-bottom Hereford, and that is clearly something of major concern for
City manager Phil Parkinson.
He said: "It really hurts when your opponents' only meaningful chance turns into the goal that has won the match.
"Now we face a challenge against Crewe on Tuesday evening. Do we change the team around or not?
"We have to make sure we get a team out for that game that has plenty of sharpness and freshness in the legs.
"We're too close to the relegation zone and so we need to do something about our predicament very quickly."
Chris Dagnall – who only signed for the Bantams on loan from Barnsley 24 hours prior to the game – was lively throughout the first half and was
twice denied by some brave goalkeeping from Jamie Young.
Just before the interval Shots midfielder Michael Doughty went close when his arrowing drive fizzed inches past the post.
Just before the hour mark Dagnall was again thwarted by Young as his sweetly-struck shot was palmed desperately round the post.
The decisive goal came with 20 minutes to go. Rob Sinclair – signed on loan from Stevenage – was afforded too much space down the Bantams' left.
His cross was only tipped onto the crossbar by Jon McLaughlin, but there was Risser who was perfectly placed to slam home the rebound from close
range.
===========================
Bradford City hold "constructive" talks with referee supremo
7:10pm Monday 19th March 2012
By Simon Parker
City have described this afternoon's talks with Football League referees' appointment boss David Allison as "constructive".
Allison met Phil Parkinson and joint-chairman Mark Lawn at Valley Parade after agreeing to listen to their grievances over recent decisions.
Parkinson contacted the league after last Tuesday's defeat at Wimbledon when referee Darren Deadman awarded two home penalties.
The City chief branded his performance "awful", calling it "the straw that broke the camel's back."
Allison was shown DVD clips of particular incidents that the Bantams feel have gone against them.
Lawn said: "It was a constructive meeting. There were useful points made on both sides."
===========================
Lawn works out the safety tally for City
Published on Tuesday 20 March 2012 07:49
BRADFORD City joint chairman Mark Lawn believes 50 points will be enough to guarantee Football League survival for the club.
The Bantams, 18th on 39 points, have been dragged back into the dogfight at the bottom of League Two by two defeats in a week.
Now, ahead of tonight's trip to Crewe Alexandra, Lawn said: "As soon as we can get to 50 points the better for everyone – we need to get to 50 to
be safe."
Lawn met referees chief David Allison yesterday afternoon along with fellow chairman Julian Rhodes and manager Phil Parkinson to discuss
grievances City have had with officials this season.
===========================
Ricky Ravenhill urges Bradford City to keep calm in fight to climb out of danger
7:30am Monday 19th March 2012
By Simon Parker
Ricky Ravenhill issued a "keep calm" plea as City were pulled back into the League Two relegation picture.
They head for Crewe tomorrow with the gap to the bottom two slashed to four points following Saturday's 1-0 loss at Aldershot.
Back-to-back away defeats have left the Bantams still hovering just above the drop zone – but midfield battler Ravenhill feels there is no need
to panic.
He said: "It's still in our hands. We're where you want to be (in the dogfight) at the top half of it and not in the bottom two.
"We don't need to get tense about the situation. You could feel a bit of that in the first half when we weren't quite at it.
"Let's just go out and play football because we've got good enough players. There's no need for that tension.
"We want to put this season to bed and just need a couple more wins to take us away from that zone. Then everyone can relax and finish the
season."
Aldershot scored with their only shot on target in a scrappy game and Ravenhill admitted: "That's the way things have been going.
"They had one chance, the ball loops in off the bar and then they get the tap-in. It hurts but we've got to pick ourselves up again.
"Crewe let you play and we seem to perform better against the teams who play more football. We get dragged down in games like Saturday which seem
to go against us."
City looked to be heading for mid-table security after beating Oxford before the two losses on the road. But Phil Parkinson remains confident
they can bounce back.
He said: "We're getting dragged back in and the players are aware of it but we've got to be strong.
"It's really important we get a result against Crewe. We'll pick a team that can hopefully put in a really good performance."
Chris Dagnall had a couple of opportunities on his City debut and Parkinson believes the on-loan Barnsley striker will get more influential as he
gets used to the team.
He said: "I thought Chris looked bright. He tired towards the end, which is why we took him off, but he looked on it and he'll benefit from the
game "He will improve from the performance and he'll be ready to go again at Crewe."
===========================
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===========================
Signings, Loans and Injuries
Doubt over Marcel Seip as ankle playing up again.
bullock back from virus and trained today, Monday
===========================
Match Media & Stats
Pictures
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/sport_bantams_pics2011/
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/News/0,,10266~2664129,00.html?
"Last Match" Highlights on Bantams Player
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/player/LastMatch/0,,10266~1612005~36,00.html
BBC highlights (uk only)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17323917
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17424362?#asset
Match stats
http://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=234#teamTabs=results
===========================
Phil Parkinson rues missed chances as Bradford City's latest road trip ends in more frustration
6:20am Monday 19th March 2012
By Simon Parker
Aldershot 1, City 0
The Duchess of Cambridge wowed the crowds as she dished out shamrocks to the Irish Guards stationed in the army barracks.
Just down the road, shoppers in the town centre were tucking into the Italian market. There was clearly plenty to enjoy in Aldershot on St
Patrick's Day.
That is unless you were a travelling City fan or player. For them it was the same old misery that always accompanies the trek to north Hampshire.
For the fourth year in a row, the Bantams came away pointless. For the third season on the trot, they'd lost 1-0 in a nothing match. Away trips
don't get much more miserable than this.
A week that had begun with the buzz of a richly-deserved win over play-off contenders Oxford ground to a depressingly familiar end with a second
straight long-distance defeat.
To make it worse, Aldershot's goal came from their only shot on target. A scruffy winner, tapped in from close range, settled a scruffy match.
And City came off to hear the news that their advantage on the relegation spots had been cut to four points.
Dagenham's win maintained Macclesfield's woeful spiral towards the bottom two – but Plymouth's over Shrewsbury was unexpected and unwelcome.
While there are still six teams behind them – and the goal difference remains infinitely better – City have got work to do.
There may be no need for panic but an urgency is required again, starting at Gresty Road tomorrow night after yet another coach journey.
"They had one chance," sighed a frustrated Phil Parkinson. "We've had three or four and deserved something.
"But those chances need to go in. Do that and then their goal wouldn't be anything more than a consolation.
"We lacked a bit of sharpness first half but still had chances. I thought we looked better in the second and had the impetus in our play – that's
the disappointment for the lads."
Parkinson had shuffled his pack once again, with five changes from Wimbledon. Chris Dagnall was thrown straight in after completing his loan move
the day before. Simon Ramsden, the man who never loses, was also fit again to bolster the back four.
The most significant difference was in midfield with Ricky Ravenhill, back from suspension, and Michael Flynn replacing Lee Bullock and David
Syers.
Bullock did not travel after being quarantined with a family virus. Syers, having looked strong on his return at Kingsmeadow, was on the bench
and not called upon until the late hurrah.
His arrival in a treble substitution sparked City into late life as they pressed in vain to cancel out Namibian Wilko Risser's first goal in
English football.
It should have done enough to earn Syers a recall to the starting line-up at Crewe, though Parkinson felt he was right not to push him into
another 90 minutes on Saturday so soon after his comeback exertions.
He said: "I just thought it was a big ask for Dave to go again after the other day. He'd been out (injured) and then put so much effort in when
we played with ten men for a long period.
"That's why I went with Flynny and Ravenhill again. It's getting that balance right when you're picking the team for so many games.
"We don't want to put too many combinations out there that haven't played together but they obviously have before. But equally we've got to pick
a team that is fresh and sharp.
"That's the challenge we've got again for Crewe. We need a team with good legs in them."
Parkinson will first sit down with Football League referees chief David Allison today to talk over some of the contentious decisions that he
feels have not gone City's way of late.
There looked like another one to add to the collection when Dagnall was knocked over by keeper Jamie Young after seizing on a blunder from Darren
Jones. Parkinson bawled at the fourth official, loudly demanding: "How's that not a penalty?"
But Stuart Attwell, whose general performance was a breath of fresh air compared with Darren Deadman's midweek showmanship, evened the score by
ignoring a stronger-looking Aldershot claim when Luke Oliver's outstretched leg ravelled itself round Risser.
The worst-case scenario would have been a spot-kick and a red card as last man for the big fella, who otherwise was as solid as ever.
Defensively, there was nothing wrong about City's game. No blame could be attached to the only goal, Rob Sinclair's deflected cross looping
against the bar before Risser beat Marcel Seip to the close-range rebound.
The Bantams came up short at the other end, lacking creativity and supply out wide and a cutting edge when the chances did come around.
Kyel Reid had been outstanding in the previous two games and still carried the fight to Wimbledon even when the ten men were seemingly on the
ropes.
But Saturday passed him by as the winger found himself starved of the ball. There was only one trademark run – and that should have produced a
City goal towards the end of the first half.
Flynn supplied him in space and Reid stepped on the accelerator to beat Ben Herd and deliver the perfect cross. Will Atkinson attacked it and
missed but the ball bounced off a defender and sat up invitingly for Dagnall.
The opportunity beckoned to follow the lead of Kevin Ellison, the last player to score on his Bantams debut 13 months ago. But his shot clipped a
defender from ten yards out and flew left.
Dagnall's movement and anticipation for James Hanson's flick-ons suggested that he will be the quality addition that City are expecting to
rubberstamp their League Two security. But he will be frustrated not to have opened his account.
City's long throw-ins proved an effective route of attack and James Hanson nodded one into Dagnall's path. But he could not get enough power
behind a snatched effort which Young saved at his near post.
Aldershot had only managed one corner up to this point without testing Jon McLaughlin once. Then substitute Sinclair, who livened up Aldershot's
left side, found the room to cross and a striker who had come to League Two via Namibia, Germany and Malta bundled the ugliest of winners.
Syers led the late charge, with Andrew Davies adopting his customary emergency striker role. A few corners bobbled around the box and Nahki
Wells, another of the subs, hit the side-netting. But the home side's one shot, one goal policy proved enough.
Meanwhile, Kate was long gone and the Italians had packed up. They must have known what was coming.
Attendance: 2,763
===========================
YP Monday morning match report
Disappointed Parkinson looking for fresh legs to guide Bradford to safety
Published on Monday 19 March 2012 11:16
WILKO Risser broke the Bantams' hearts as his late winner kept the hosts' play-off hopes alive and left Bradford looking over their shoulder at
the foot of the League Two table.
It was a defeat that leaves Bradford still only four points clear of second-bottom Hereford, and that is clearly something of major concern for
City manager Phil Parkinson.
He said: "It really hurts when your opponents' only meaningful chance turns into the goal that has won the match.
"Now we face a challenge against Crewe on Tuesday evening. Do we change the team around or not?
"We have to make sure we get a team out for that game that has plenty of sharpness and freshness in the legs.
"We're too close to the relegation zone and so we need to do something about our predicament very quickly."
Chris Dagnall – who only signed for the Bantams on loan from Barnsley 24 hours prior to the game – was lively throughout the first half and was
twice denied by some brave goalkeeping from Jamie Young.
Just before the interval Shots midfielder Michael Doughty went close when his arrowing drive fizzed inches past the post.
Just before the hour mark Dagnall was again thwarted by Young as his sweetly-struck shot was palmed desperately round the post.
The decisive goal came with 20 minutes to go. Rob Sinclair – signed on loan from Stevenage – was afforded too much space down the Bantams' left.
His cross was only tipped onto the crossbar by Jon McLaughlin, but there was Risser who was perfectly placed to slam home the rebound from close
range.
===========================
Bradford City hold "constructive" talks with referee supremo
7:10pm Monday 19th March 2012
By Simon Parker
City have described this afternoon's talks with Football League referees' appointment boss David Allison as "constructive".
Allison met Phil Parkinson and joint-chairman Mark Lawn at Valley Parade after agreeing to listen to their grievances over recent decisions.
Parkinson contacted the league after last Tuesday's defeat at Wimbledon when referee Darren Deadman awarded two home penalties.
The City chief branded his performance "awful", calling it "the straw that broke the camel's back."
Allison was shown DVD clips of particular incidents that the Bantams feel have gone against them.
Lawn said: "It was a constructive meeting. There were useful points made on both sides."
===========================
Lawn works out the safety tally for City
Published on Tuesday 20 March 2012 07:49
BRADFORD City joint chairman Mark Lawn believes 50 points will be enough to guarantee Football League survival for the club.
The Bantams, 18th on 39 points, have been dragged back into the dogfight at the bottom of League Two by two defeats in a week.
Now, ahead of tonight's trip to Crewe Alexandra, Lawn said: "As soon as we can get to 50 points the better for everyone – we need to get to 50 to
be safe."
Lawn met referees chief David Allison yesterday afternoon along with fellow chairman Julian Rhodes and manager Phil Parkinson to discuss
grievances City have had with officials this season.
===========================
Ricky Ravenhill urges Bradford City to keep calm in fight to climb out of danger
7:30am Monday 19th March 2012
By Simon Parker
Ricky Ravenhill issued a "keep calm" plea as City were pulled back into the League Two relegation picture.
They head for Crewe tomorrow with the gap to the bottom two slashed to four points following Saturday's 1-0 loss at Aldershot.
Back-to-back away defeats have left the Bantams still hovering just above the drop zone – but midfield battler Ravenhill feels there is no need
to panic.
He said: "It's still in our hands. We're where you want to be (in the dogfight) at the top half of it and not in the bottom two.
"We don't need to get tense about the situation. You could feel a bit of that in the first half when we weren't quite at it.
"Let's just go out and play football because we've got good enough players. There's no need for that tension.
"We want to put this season to bed and just need a couple more wins to take us away from that zone. Then everyone can relax and finish the
season."
Aldershot scored with their only shot on target in a scrappy game and Ravenhill admitted: "That's the way things have been going.
"They had one chance, the ball loops in off the bar and then they get the tap-in. It hurts but we've got to pick ourselves up again.
"Crewe let you play and we seem to perform better against the teams who play more football. We get dragged down in games like Saturday which seem
to go against us."
City looked to be heading for mid-table security after beating Oxford before the two losses on the road. But Phil Parkinson remains confident
they can bounce back.
He said: "We're getting dragged back in and the players are aware of it but we've got to be strong.
"It's really important we get a result against Crewe. We'll pick a team that can hopefully put in a really good performance."
Chris Dagnall had a couple of opportunities on his City debut and Parkinson believes the on-loan Barnsley striker will get more influential as he
gets used to the team.
He said: "I thought Chris looked bright. He tired towards the end, which is why we took him off, but he looked on it and he'll benefit from the
game "He will improve from the performance and he'll be ready to go again at Crewe."
===========================
Friday, March 16, 2012
L2 L1-3 (A) Wimbledon Tuesday March 13, 2012. K.O. 7:45PM.
Highlights available here (and see below for the BBC highlights)
http://www.afcwimbledon.tv/video/highlights/afc-wimbledon-v-bradford-city-l2-130312/
CFML Daily News
http://paper.li/f-1315926867
Current table
http://www.sportinglife.com/football/live/tables/cc_league2.html
Fixtures
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/Fixtures/0,,10266,00.html
http://m.espn.go.com/soccer/clubhouse?teamId=387&lang=EN
The "Social media Corner"
http://paper.li/f-1315926867
Official Mobile app
http://communicatoremail.com/IN/Y2tx0dX-0UIRu4P1_588C9Eehl64XmQ-JA8WroOSpEQ/WebView.aspx
===========================
Signings, Loans and Injuries
Loans: In
Chris Dagnall, 25, Barnsley, to end of the season
Loans: Out
Darren Stephenson, 19, Southport, end of the season.
Ross Hannah, loaned to Halifax
===========================
Match Media & Stats
Pictures
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/sport_bantams_pics2011/
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/News/0,,10266~2658554,00.html?
"Last Match" Highlights on Bantams Player
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/player/LastMatch/0,,10266~1612005~36,00.html
http://www.afcwimbledon.tv/video/highlights/afc-wimbledon-v-bradford-city-l2-130312/
BBC highlights (uk only)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17374739?#asset
Match stats
http://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=234#teamTabs=results
AFC Wimbledon - Bradford City
9(4) Shots (on Goal) 8(5)
8 Fouls 20
5 Corner Kicks 2
0 Offsides 2
70% Time of Possession 30%
2 Yellow Cards 4
0 Red Cards 1
5 Saves 3
===========================
Wednesday morning match report
Phil Parkinson rues 'awful' display by referee after two dubious penalties
8:30am Wednesday 14th March 2012
By Simon Parker
Phil Parkinson accused Craig Fagan of letting City down after a controversial defeat at Wimbledon last night.
The stand-in skipper could face a fine for his red card in the 3-1 loss at Kingsmeadow.
Parkinson was fuming at Fagan's lack of discipline which saw him sent off before half-time.
Referee Darren Deadman gave two penalties against City and the Bantams boss called the official's performance "awful".
He plans to speak today to Mike Riley, head of the Professional Game and Match Officials Board, who oversee all referees.
Parkinson said: "We aren't going to accept that performance. We looked at both penalty incidents on the dvd and they were absolutely ridiculous.
He got them so wrong and we want an answer."
But Parkinson also blamed Fagan, who was dismissed just a minute after setting up the equaliser for booting the ball into the crowd.
Parkinson said: "Craig let us down. I'm really disappointed in him and I told him that in the dressing room.
"I thought his first booking was for a nothing challenge. But once you've had that yellow card, you can't do what he did and he gave the ref no
option.
"He's a key player for us and had just made the goal. We'd changed things round and put him on the right because I felt it was the best way to
go.
"I came here very confident we could win. We'd started well and got the goal back and then that happened."
Fagan's cross was deflected into his own net by home defender Pim Balkestein to cancel out the first of Jack Midson's penalty double.
Billy Knott restored Wimbledon's lead against the ten men early in the second half, before Midson scored from the spot once again.
Parkinson admitted he was mystified by the two penalty decisions, particularly the first awarded against Rob Kozluk for his challenge on Knott.
He said: "I don't know what it was given for. There was absolutely nothing there at all.
"Kozzy's an honest lad and said he hadn't grabbed hold of him, so it was a very tough call.
"The second was not a penalty either but Davo (Andrew Davies) went up for a challenge. I could see what the incident was even if I didn't agree
with it.
"But he's a bad ref, full stop. I thought he was awful. I was disappointed with his performance as well as with Craig for letting us down.
"But I thought the effort from the lads that remained on the pitch was tremendous."
Fagan will be banned for Saturday's trip to Aldershot but Ricky Ravenhill is eligible to return after serving his two-game suspension.
===========================
The Referee
http://www.football-league.co.uk/interviews/20111020/men-in-black-darren-deadman_2293411_2488281
From Mike Harrison, The City Gent
"On our way home as I was driving with Simon Parker and Derm Tanner, Simon gets a call from Parkinson around midnight saying they've watched the
dvd on the coach and he was going to contact Mike Riley in the morning to get someone from the body that organises the referees to explain
Deadman's penalty decisions. As has been reported today football league head referee Dave Allison is meeting up with Parkinson and Lawn next
week."
---
Bradford City to quiz officials chief over ref justice
7:40am Thursday 15th March 2012
By Simon Parker
Football League refereeing chief David Allison will meet with City to discuss their growing concerns over recent key decisions.
Allison had a long chat with Phil Parkinson yesterday in the wake of Darren Deadman's performance during the defeat at Wimbledon.
Parkinson contacted the Professional Game Match Officials Board, who oversee officials, to voice his frustration at the latest in a list of calls
that have gone against the club.
Parkinson has also asked that Deadman, who gave two penalties for the home side, does not take charge of City again.
Allison, who is in charge of league appointments, agreed to sit down with the City management team and is expected to visit within the next week.
Parkinson said: "It's not just me moaning. Equally all our supporters are up in arms and something had to be said.
"We're going right back to the Reidy (Kyel Reid) penalty not given at Bristol Rovers, the tackle on Marcel (Seip) when Danny Coid scythed him
from behind and they gave a corner, the handball on Saturday and now the two Wimbledon penalties.
"We've had some horrendous decisions go against us and I can't work out why. It got to the stage where Tuesday night was the straw that broke the
camel's back for me.
"We owe it to our players and the fans to do something and David is going to come in and have a chat with us and look through some of the
incidents.
"He will sit down with myself and Steve Parkin either at the end of this week or first thing next.
"I've also told him that we don't want Darren Deadman again. I don't think he's good enough and it wouldn't be right if he gets appointed for our
matches in the future."
But Parkinson will also remind the players not to use the controversial refereeing calls as excuses.
City head to Aldershot on Saturday and he said: "We've got to block that frustration out of our minds.
"Nobody wants to hear sob stories at the end of the season so it's important that we move on."
===========================
Doubt over duo
Posted on: Thu 15 Mar 2012
City boss Phil Parkinson has revealed that he has slight pre-match fitness doubts over Nahki Wells and Lee Bullock ahead of the Bantams' trip to
Aldershot Town this weekend.
Both started the game at AFC Wimbledon in midweek but Wells has a minor thigh injury to contend with and Bullock missed training today (Thursday)
due to a spot of illness.
Parkinson is confident that the pair will be fit enough to make up part of his travelling party to Aldershot but a final decision on them will be
made tomorrow (Friday).
"We have a couple of issues to think over," Parkinson said.
"Nahki has a bit of a problem with his thigh and Bully (Lee Bullock) has missed today with a bit of a virus.
"It's nothing to serious for Lee, but we just wanted to give him the chance to get it out of his system.
"We have a couple of things to sleep on tonight and we'll tell the lads the team tomorrow."
Even if the duo are passed fit, however, the Bantams boss has admitted that he is mulling over possible alterations to his starting eleven.
Craig Fagan will certainly miss the match as he serves out his one-match suspension for his Dons dismissal, with Will Atkinson and Deane Smalley
contenders to replace him.
Parkinson could be tempted into further changes though in a bid to freshen things up after seeing his side play over 50 minutes with ten men
following Fagan's sending off.
"We've had a day today where the ones who started (at AFC Wimbledon) have had a recover day, just a bit of a session to get the legs going again,
while the lads who didn't start have obviously done a harder session," added Parkinson.
"We'll check how the lads all feel and make a call in the (Friday) morning."
The potential blow of losing Bullock for this Saturday's match would be softened considerably by the return of fellow midfielder Ricky Ravenhill,
who is available once again after a two-match ban.
Parkinson added: "I'm really pleased to get Ricky back, he's a great character to have around the dressing room.
"You never want to miss games as a player, but the positive is that the little break will have done him good and he'll come back fresh.
"He's played nearly every minute of our recent games before his suspension so the break won't have done him any harm."
Along Ravenhill, Simon Ramsden is another player who could possibly make the journey south to Hampshire this weekend.
The popular right back returned to training at the back end of last week after a recent injury but has yet to make his comeback in a first team
fixture just yet.
Some fans may have been expecting to see Ramsden involved in Tuesday's trip to Wimbledon but Parkinson feels City were right to hold him back for
a bit longer.
The Bantams boss said: "With Rammers, I just felt he needed another week's training under his belt.
"I want to make sure he is right when he comes back in so that when he comes back into the squad, he's there for the rest of the season.
"He trained back in Bradford on Tuesday and he's trained here again today (Thursday), and he looked really good.
"He's feeling confident now, and that's good for Simon.
"It's always a tough call because you are always tempted to throw a player of Simon's calibre straight back in, but I feel we have made the right
call by giving him a little bit longer."
===========================
Dagnall arrives at City
Posted on: Fri 16 Mar 2012
City boss Phil Parkinson has landed himself a massive pre-match boost ahead of his side's trip to Aldershot Town by securing the signature of
talented attacker Chris Dagnall.
Dagnall, who is 26 in less than a month, joins the Bantams on loan from Championship side Barnsley until the end of the season.
He has featured in nine of Barnsley's past eleven Championship fixtures since his move to Oakwell two months ago.
The Liverpool-born striker will wear squad number 17 for the rest of this season and, subject to receiving the relevant clearances, will be
available to make his Bantams debut at Aldershot tomorrow (Saturday).
The capture of Dagnall ends a long quest for the striker's signature by Parkinson. The Bantams boss had originally tried to snap up Dagnall in
January before his move to Barnsley, and he is delighted to finally have his man.
"We've obviously thoroughly pleased to get Chris on board," said Parkinson.
"He's a player we were originally looking at in the January transfer window, so we're delighted to finally have a deal secured to bring him to
the football club.
"We've always felt that if the right player came along who was available to us then we'd try and make it happen. Chris certainly fits into that
category because we know he will improve the squad.
"Chris has become available and we've moved quickly to bring him in until the end of the season."
Dagnall will also be familiar to City assistant Steve Parkin after he signed the striker from Tranmere Rovers - the club where he started his
career - while Rochdale manager back in January 2006.
During his time at Spotland, Dagnall twice helped Rochdale into the Play-Offs - playing alongside Simon Ramsden in the 2008 Dale side that lost
3-2 to Stockport County in the Wembley League 2 Play-Off Final on one of those two occasions.
Dagnall also played a major part in ending the Lancashire club's 41 year wait for promotion back in when his 20 goals helped Dale into League 1
at the end of the 2009/10 season.
Such sparkling form in front of goal earned Dagnall a move to the then-Championship side Scunthorpe United in the summer of 2010.
Dagnall was unable to prevent Scunthorpe's relegation into League 1 the following year but he was back in the Championship less than eight months
later following his move to the Tykes at the start of the year.
===========================
http://www.afcwimbledon.tv/video/highlights/afc-wimbledon-v-bradford-city-l2-130312/
CFML Daily News
http://paper.li/f-1315926867
Current table
http://www.sportinglife.com/football/live/tables/cc_league2.html
Fixtures
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/Fixtures/0,,10266,00.html
http://m.espn.go.com/soccer/clubhouse?teamId=387&lang=EN
The "Social media Corner"
http://paper.li/f-1315926867
Official Mobile app
http://communicatoremail.com/IN/Y2tx0dX-0UIRu4P1_588C9Eehl64XmQ-JA8WroOSpEQ/WebView.aspx
===========================
Signings, Loans and Injuries
Loans: In
Chris Dagnall, 25, Barnsley, to end of the season
Loans: Out
Darren Stephenson, 19, Southport, end of the season.
Ross Hannah, loaned to Halifax
===========================
Match Media & Stats
Pictures
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/sport_bantams_pics2011/
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/News/0,,10266~2658554,00.html?
"Last Match" Highlights on Bantams Player
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/player/LastMatch/0,,10266~1612005~36,00.html
http://www.afcwimbledon.tv/video/highlights/afc-wimbledon-v-bradford-city-l2-130312/
BBC highlights (uk only)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17374739?#asset
Match stats
http://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=234#teamTabs=results
AFC Wimbledon - Bradford City
9(4) Shots (on Goal) 8(5)
8 Fouls 20
5 Corner Kicks 2
0 Offsides 2
70% Time of Possession 30%
2 Yellow Cards 4
0 Red Cards 1
5 Saves 3
===========================
Wednesday morning match report
Phil Parkinson rues 'awful' display by referee after two dubious penalties
8:30am Wednesday 14th March 2012
By Simon Parker
Phil Parkinson accused Craig Fagan of letting City down after a controversial defeat at Wimbledon last night.
The stand-in skipper could face a fine for his red card in the 3-1 loss at Kingsmeadow.
Parkinson was fuming at Fagan's lack of discipline which saw him sent off before half-time.
Referee Darren Deadman gave two penalties against City and the Bantams boss called the official's performance "awful".
He plans to speak today to Mike Riley, head of the Professional Game and Match Officials Board, who oversee all referees.
Parkinson said: "We aren't going to accept that performance. We looked at both penalty incidents on the dvd and they were absolutely ridiculous.
He got them so wrong and we want an answer."
But Parkinson also blamed Fagan, who was dismissed just a minute after setting up the equaliser for booting the ball into the crowd.
Parkinson said: "Craig let us down. I'm really disappointed in him and I told him that in the dressing room.
"I thought his first booking was for a nothing challenge. But once you've had that yellow card, you can't do what he did and he gave the ref no
option.
"He's a key player for us and had just made the goal. We'd changed things round and put him on the right because I felt it was the best way to
go.
"I came here very confident we could win. We'd started well and got the goal back and then that happened."
Fagan's cross was deflected into his own net by home defender Pim Balkestein to cancel out the first of Jack Midson's penalty double.
Billy Knott restored Wimbledon's lead against the ten men early in the second half, before Midson scored from the spot once again.
Parkinson admitted he was mystified by the two penalty decisions, particularly the first awarded against Rob Kozluk for his challenge on Knott.
He said: "I don't know what it was given for. There was absolutely nothing there at all.
"Kozzy's an honest lad and said he hadn't grabbed hold of him, so it was a very tough call.
"The second was not a penalty either but Davo (Andrew Davies) went up for a challenge. I could see what the incident was even if I didn't agree
with it.
"But he's a bad ref, full stop. I thought he was awful. I was disappointed with his performance as well as with Craig for letting us down.
"But I thought the effort from the lads that remained on the pitch was tremendous."
Fagan will be banned for Saturday's trip to Aldershot but Ricky Ravenhill is eligible to return after serving his two-game suspension.
===========================
The Referee
http://www.football-league.co.uk/interviews/20111020/men-in-black-darren-deadman_2293411_2488281
From Mike Harrison, The City Gent
"On our way home as I was driving with Simon Parker and Derm Tanner, Simon gets a call from Parkinson around midnight saying they've watched the
dvd on the coach and he was going to contact Mike Riley in the morning to get someone from the body that organises the referees to explain
Deadman's penalty decisions. As has been reported today football league head referee Dave Allison is meeting up with Parkinson and Lawn next
week."
---
Bradford City to quiz officials chief over ref justice
7:40am Thursday 15th March 2012
By Simon Parker
Football League refereeing chief David Allison will meet with City to discuss their growing concerns over recent key decisions.
Allison had a long chat with Phil Parkinson yesterday in the wake of Darren Deadman's performance during the defeat at Wimbledon.
Parkinson contacted the Professional Game Match Officials Board, who oversee officials, to voice his frustration at the latest in a list of calls
that have gone against the club.
Parkinson has also asked that Deadman, who gave two penalties for the home side, does not take charge of City again.
Allison, who is in charge of league appointments, agreed to sit down with the City management team and is expected to visit within the next week.
Parkinson said: "It's not just me moaning. Equally all our supporters are up in arms and something had to be said.
"We're going right back to the Reidy (Kyel Reid) penalty not given at Bristol Rovers, the tackle on Marcel (Seip) when Danny Coid scythed him
from behind and they gave a corner, the handball on Saturday and now the two Wimbledon penalties.
"We've had some horrendous decisions go against us and I can't work out why. It got to the stage where Tuesday night was the straw that broke the
camel's back for me.
"We owe it to our players and the fans to do something and David is going to come in and have a chat with us and look through some of the
incidents.
"He will sit down with myself and Steve Parkin either at the end of this week or first thing next.
"I've also told him that we don't want Darren Deadman again. I don't think he's good enough and it wouldn't be right if he gets appointed for our
matches in the future."
But Parkinson will also remind the players not to use the controversial refereeing calls as excuses.
City head to Aldershot on Saturday and he said: "We've got to block that frustration out of our minds.
"Nobody wants to hear sob stories at the end of the season so it's important that we move on."
===========================
Doubt over duo
Posted on: Thu 15 Mar 2012
City boss Phil Parkinson has revealed that he has slight pre-match fitness doubts over Nahki Wells and Lee Bullock ahead of the Bantams' trip to
Aldershot Town this weekend.
Both started the game at AFC Wimbledon in midweek but Wells has a minor thigh injury to contend with and Bullock missed training today (Thursday)
due to a spot of illness.
Parkinson is confident that the pair will be fit enough to make up part of his travelling party to Aldershot but a final decision on them will be
made tomorrow (Friday).
"We have a couple of issues to think over," Parkinson said.
"Nahki has a bit of a problem with his thigh and Bully (Lee Bullock) has missed today with a bit of a virus.
"It's nothing to serious for Lee, but we just wanted to give him the chance to get it out of his system.
"We have a couple of things to sleep on tonight and we'll tell the lads the team tomorrow."
Even if the duo are passed fit, however, the Bantams boss has admitted that he is mulling over possible alterations to his starting eleven.
Craig Fagan will certainly miss the match as he serves out his one-match suspension for his Dons dismissal, with Will Atkinson and Deane Smalley
contenders to replace him.
Parkinson could be tempted into further changes though in a bid to freshen things up after seeing his side play over 50 minutes with ten men
following Fagan's sending off.
"We've had a day today where the ones who started (at AFC Wimbledon) have had a recover day, just a bit of a session to get the legs going again,
while the lads who didn't start have obviously done a harder session," added Parkinson.
"We'll check how the lads all feel and make a call in the (Friday) morning."
The potential blow of losing Bullock for this Saturday's match would be softened considerably by the return of fellow midfielder Ricky Ravenhill,
who is available once again after a two-match ban.
Parkinson added: "I'm really pleased to get Ricky back, he's a great character to have around the dressing room.
"You never want to miss games as a player, but the positive is that the little break will have done him good and he'll come back fresh.
"He's played nearly every minute of our recent games before his suspension so the break won't have done him any harm."
Along Ravenhill, Simon Ramsden is another player who could possibly make the journey south to Hampshire this weekend.
The popular right back returned to training at the back end of last week after a recent injury but has yet to make his comeback in a first team
fixture just yet.
Some fans may have been expecting to see Ramsden involved in Tuesday's trip to Wimbledon but Parkinson feels City were right to hold him back for
a bit longer.
The Bantams boss said: "With Rammers, I just felt he needed another week's training under his belt.
"I want to make sure he is right when he comes back in so that when he comes back into the squad, he's there for the rest of the season.
"He trained back in Bradford on Tuesday and he's trained here again today (Thursday), and he looked really good.
"He's feeling confident now, and that's good for Simon.
"It's always a tough call because you are always tempted to throw a player of Simon's calibre straight back in, but I feel we have made the right
call by giving him a little bit longer."
===========================
Dagnall arrives at City
Posted on: Fri 16 Mar 2012
City boss Phil Parkinson has landed himself a massive pre-match boost ahead of his side's trip to Aldershot Town by securing the signature of
talented attacker Chris Dagnall.
Dagnall, who is 26 in less than a month, joins the Bantams on loan from Championship side Barnsley until the end of the season.
He has featured in nine of Barnsley's past eleven Championship fixtures since his move to Oakwell two months ago.
The Liverpool-born striker will wear squad number 17 for the rest of this season and, subject to receiving the relevant clearances, will be
available to make his Bantams debut at Aldershot tomorrow (Saturday).
The capture of Dagnall ends a long quest for the striker's signature by Parkinson. The Bantams boss had originally tried to snap up Dagnall in
January before his move to Barnsley, and he is delighted to finally have his man.
"We've obviously thoroughly pleased to get Chris on board," said Parkinson.
"He's a player we were originally looking at in the January transfer window, so we're delighted to finally have a deal secured to bring him to
the football club.
"We've always felt that if the right player came along who was available to us then we'd try and make it happen. Chris certainly fits into that
category because we know he will improve the squad.
"Chris has become available and we've moved quickly to bring him in until the end of the season."
Dagnall will also be familiar to City assistant Steve Parkin after he signed the striker from Tranmere Rovers - the club where he started his
career - while Rochdale manager back in January 2006.
During his time at Spotland, Dagnall twice helped Rochdale into the Play-Offs - playing alongside Simon Ramsden in the 2008 Dale side that lost
3-2 to Stockport County in the Wembley League 2 Play-Off Final on one of those two occasions.
Dagnall also played a major part in ending the Lancashire club's 41 year wait for promotion back in when his 20 goals helped Dale into League 1
at the end of the 2009/10 season.
Such sparkling form in front of goal earned Dagnall a move to the then-Championship side Scunthorpe United in the summer of 2010.
Dagnall was unable to prevent Scunthorpe's relegation into League 1 the following year but he was back in the Championship less than eight months
later following his move to the Tykes at the start of the year.
===========================
Monday, March 12, 2012
L2 W2-1 (H) Oxford United Saturday March 10, 2012. K.O. 3:00PM.
NPower League Two
Bradford C: (0) 2 Fagen pen 57, Hanson 67
Oxford Utd (0) 1 Hall 71
Att: 10,059
CFML Daily News
http://paper.li/f-1315926867
Current table
http://www.sportinglife.com/football/live/tables/cc_league2.html
Fixtures
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/Fixtures/0,,10266,00.html
http://m.espn.go.com/soccer/clubhouse?teamId=387&lang=EN
The "Social media Corner"
http://paper.li/f-1315926867
Official Mobile app
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===========================
Signings, Loans and Injuries
===========================
Match Media & Stats
Pictures
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/sport_bantams_pics2011/
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/News/0,,10266~2644811,00.html?
"Last Match" Highlights on Bantams Player
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/player/LastMatch/0,,10266~1612005~36,00.html
BBC highlights (uk only)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17334843?#asset
Match stats
http://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=234#teamTabs=results
Stats: Bradford C - Oxford
Possession: 50 - 50%
Shots on target: 9 - 4
Shots off target: 5 - 1
Fouls: 11 - 9
Corners: 8 - 4
Ref: Colin Webster (Tyne and Wear)
Red card:
Oxford: Batt (40 min), 2nd yellow.
Yellow cards:
Bradford C: Oliver (37 min).
Oxford: Batt (7 min).
BRADFORD C: 1. Jon McLaughlin, 24. Rob Kozluk, 38. Andrew Davies, 6. Luke
Oliver, 36. Marcel Seip, 30. Will Atkinson (57), 22. Lee Bullock, 8. Ritchie
Jones, 32. Kyel Reid, 21. Nahki Wells (81), 39. Craig Fagan (70).
SUBS: 15. Jamie Annerson (GK), 3. Matt Fry, 9. James Hanson (57), 10. Ross
Hannah (81), 23. David Syers (70).
OXFORD UTD: 1. Ryan Clarke, 2. Damian Batt, 6. Jake Wright, 5. Michael
Duberry, 3. Anthony Tonkin (70), 7. Adam Chapman (84), 14. Asa Hall, 16.
Andrew Whing, 27. Lee Holmes, 23. Scott Rendell (68), 18. Dean Morgan.
SUBS: 21. Wayne Brown (GK), 19. Oli Johnson (68), 22. Harry Worley (84), 24.
Mark Wilson, 26. Liam Davis (70).
===========================
Saturday evening match report
Match report by Simon Parker (T&A)
Bradford City broke their 2012 Valley Parade duck at the sixth attempt with
a deserved win over in-form Oxford.
Craig Fagan broke the play-off chasers' stubborn resistance from the penalty
spot after 56 minutes. Then James Hanson stepped off the bench after a month
out with his hamstring injury to nod the second - his 11th goal of the
season.
But the ten-man visitors, who had right back Damian Batt dismissed before
half-time, pulled one back to cause a few butterflies.
City made a whirlwind start with Fagan, who had missed the Accrington draw
with a tight hamstring, close to engineering a fifth-minute opener.
His flick-on from a throw-in caused confusion in the Oxford ranks and there
was a strong shout that Batt handled in front of goal. The ball bobbled
against the post before Nahki Wells' attempt to force in the rebound was
blocked on the line by former Leeds defender Michael Duberry.
Then keeper Ryan Clarke denied Wells from close range before pulling off a
superb follow-up save to thwart Will Atkinson.
Former City loanee Lee Holmes tested Jon McLaughlin with a curler after a
mistake by Kyel Reid, who quickly made amends with a long shot which Clarke
fumbled. Fagan rammed in the rebound but was offside.
Oxford's job got harder five minutes before the break when Batt was sent off
for a second crude foul on Reid. But they survived another penalty appeal
when a shot appeared to strike Anthony Tonkin's elbow, referee Colin Webster
ruling it was his head.
It was a positive half from City and they began the second in similar vein
with Wells climbing to nod wide from Rob Kozluk's cross and Lee Bullock
going close with a header from a corner.
The ball wouldn't go in as Wells' goal-bound drive was half blocked by
Andrew Whing and bounced off the foot of the post.
But Whing then turned Oxford villain, bundling over Marcel Seip in the
corner of the box. Fagan thumped the penalty into the roof of the net.
After the run of five home draws, City knew the job was not done and Adam
Chapman offered a quick reminder with a 30-yarder which McLaughlin saved low
to his left.
McLaughlin scuffed a clearance to Holmes but then lunged into the winger to
win the tackle. Straight away City went to the other end where Reid's cross
was buried by Hanson, who had only been on the pitch for ten minutes.
But any thoughts of City strolling it were instantly dashed as Asa Hall
halved the deficit, catching out McLaughlin by his left post.
Hanson missed a great chance four minutes from time with a side-foot volley
across goal after Reid had bombed 50 yards before supplying the cross.
And a jinking run from Bullock set him up again for a shot which was
deflected over the Oxford bar.
Five minutes of stoppage time added to the anxiety but there were no late
scares as City claimed three well-earned points.
Phil Parkinson punched the air at the final whistle and it was a feeling
shared right round the ground.
===========================
Monday morning match report
Oxford fail to pull rank over Bantams
7:00am Monday 12th March 2012
By Simon Parker
Bradford City 2 Oxford United 1
So the theory that the league table never lies has once again been debunked.
Over two-thirds of the way into the season and City still have the knack of turning League Two on its head.
Oxford, the highest-placed side to visit Valley Parade in 2012, became the first victims of the new year.
The only surprise is that anybody should be surprised.
Of City's 39-point tally, 24 of them have been accumulated from teams in the top half. They have lost just five of 17 games against numbers one
to 12.
The bottom half is a very different story, with just three wins from the same number of outings – and two of them were against woeful Barnet.
With only 15 points from a possible 51, nobody has a worse record against those at the wrong end.
Given that contrasting record, the bookies completely missed a trick to list Oxford as pre-match favourites.
So what if they'd only lost one in the previous 15. Remember Torquay had won seven in a row before City sorted them out at Plainmoor.
It's a shame then that Aldershot's similar charge should have been shot down a week early at Northampton before Saturday's trip to Hampshire.
Another long trek to Wimbledon comes first but any anxiety over tomorrow's trip will have been eased by the first home three-pointer since
December.
City delivered their most convincing display at Valley Parade since that last win over Shrewsbury. The only downside was that the final outcome
looked far closer than it should have been.
But at least the five minutes of added time passed without cause to bang your head on the floor. And that makes a welcome change.
Phil Parkinson could see pluses all round a pitch that stood up to the test of a second game in four days but the real highlight was seeing Kyel
Reid show the home crowd his full repertoire of tricks on the wing.
Up to now, Reid has been City's best kept secret. Devastating on his travels at Torquay, Barnet and Southend but sometimes muted in front of the
Valley Parade faithful, where he often finds himself chaperoned by two or three visitors.
"That was his best home performance," said Phil Parkinson. "Reidy has done well at home but his real top games have been away.
"But I think our home supporters are gradually seeing what a good player he is. The reception he got showed the fans were right behind him."
Oxford could not find a way to stop him by fair means or foul.
Right back Damian Batt went for the route one approach of bringing him down at all costs. Inevitably he did not make half-time.
Booked for the first foul of the afternoon, he then gave referee Colin Webster his easiest decision by trying to take Reid's block off with a
head-high lunge on the halfway line.
Batt was lucky not to see a straight red for that alone and will only miss the one game instead of three.
But he left a gaping hole in Oxford's rearguard for 45 minutes, which Reid looked to exploit to the full.
On this evidence, he looked every inch the former Premier League and Championship player. The fact he has another year on his City contract could
be one of the biggest pulls for the latest season-ticket campaign.
And who knows, maybe next term will signal a sea change in officialdom's view on City. Maybe the advantage of playing in front of the division's
biggest fanbase will be reflected in a few "hometown" decisions.
Then again, probably not.
It's hard to escape the impression that referees do all they can not to be seen to be favouring the Bantams.
We should be grateful that City were actually awarded a penalty on Saturday. But it did follow a couple of earlier shouts for blatant
transgressions.
Batt could have been in his bath even earlier had Webster spotted the obvious handball in a goal-mouth scramble after five minutes. To add insult
to injury, Michael Duberry then cleared off the line from Nahki Wells in the ensuing melee.
And Webster, one of the most experienced whistlers on the block, was similarly unmoved when a shot cannoned off Anthony Tonkin's elbow. He even
gestured to the crowd that it had hit the left back's head.
So when he did eventually point to the spot after Marcel Seip's nifty footwork on the byline drew a trip from Andrew Whing, the sarcasm in
Parkinson's tone was understandable.
"We had five appeals before we finally got one. But that's what we have to do to get a decision our way here.
"I find that quite amazing. I watch the games again on DVD and some of the ones we haven't got of late have been incredible.
"It's a shame we're not in the Premiership and these decisions haven't been highlighted more."
Fagan smashed the penalty into the roof of the net and Oxford's ten-man resistance had been broken. Suddenly there were shades of last season and
the spectacular five-goal implosion which followed the red cards then.
McLaughlin raced from his goal to crunch former City loanee Lee Holmes and then set a deadly counter-attack in motion.
Hanson had only been on ten minutes after his month lay-off with an injured hamstring but he sprung into action to feed Reid and then appeared in
the perfect spot to nod his 11th goal of the season from the cross.
The floodgates were ready to open – only for Oxford to land a sucker punch as City dithered from a throw-in and Asa Hall's hopeful shot bounced
under McLaughlin.
The fear of a club record sixth straight home draw prompted the odd twitch in home ranks before Reid once again took the attack to the visitors.
He bombed 50 yards to supply Hanson for a certain third but the big striker sidefooted wide. Then Bullock capped his own fine effort with a
clever run to set up Hanson again for a shot deflected just over.
Added time was played out camped in Oxford territory and another play-off contender had been dealt a bloody nose. But we shouldn't expect
anything else.
===========================
Goalscorers finding their killer touch, says Bradford City boss Parkinson
7:20am Monday 12th March 2012
By Simon Parker
Phil Parkinson wants to go for the kill as City pull away from the relegation dogfight.
Saturday's win over Oxford – their first at home in six attempts – eased them seven points clear of the bottom two.
And with fit-again duo James Hanson and David Syers back in the ranks, the Bantams chief is backing his team to hit the goal trail again.
Hanson came off the bench to head City's second in the 2-1 victory after Craig Fagan's penalty.
Following five successive draws at Valley Parade, Parkinson is confident City will start taking their scoring chances.
He said: "Fagan's got seven now, Nahki (Wells) has seven and James 11 so it's starting to look better. We've got Syers back as well who will
always score goals and you need that.
"When I look over this run of draws, especially the games where we've been leading, we've had chances to kill teams off and you've got to get
that second goal."
City can leapfrog Wimbledon with a win there tomorrow night and Parkinson is ready to hit the motorway again with renewed confidence.
"Saturday was a massive day and a result for us. I felt Accrington was a pivotal game and how we didn't win that was very frustrating.
"But when you have two home games in a week to pick up four points isn't a bad return. We'll take that into our travels over the next week or so.
"We played really well in the first half and had some moments when you expected either a penalty or the ball to be hitting the back of the net.
"But we didn't feel sorry for ourselves. There was a little bit of moaning about the ref at half-time but I killed that dead with the lads and
kept focused on what we had to do."
Parkinson believes fans will be "ecstatic" with the news that Wells has signed the option in his contract to sign for another year.
He added: "Nahki's an improving player and what a threat he is on his day. He can shoot with both feet and can run and maintain his pace over the
period of a game.
"He's not just a player who has a burst then has a rest. Nahki can keep going. He's still learning but we don't want to take that rawness away
from him. He's got an unpredictability in his play. I'm sure our fans are ecstatic he will be here next year."
The Bermudian striker, who had a shot cleared off the line by Michael Duberry, said: "I thought it was going to be another day of horrible
decisions against us. We didn't get what we deserved with some of them."
===========================
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/News/0,,10266~2593732,00.html?
Pay on the day at Wimbledon
Posted on: Mon 12 Mar 2012
City supporters wishing to attend this Tuesday's (13 March 2012) npower League 2 fixture at AFC Wimbledon will have to pay on the turnstiles on the day at The Cherry Red Records Stadium.
Bantams fans will be located in the John Smiths Terrace for the midweek match. The particular area of the ground is located down one of the lengths of the pitch.
Admission prices:
Adults: £15.00
*Concessions (full time students/over 65's): £9.00
Juniors under 16: £2.00
Disabled tickets (prices as above) + free carer
Disabled tickets, included wheelchair spaces, can be booked in advance by ringing Chris Atkinson at AFC Wimbledon on 020 8547 3528.
A small number of seating tickets will also be available for elderly and disabled supporters.
Admission prices:
Adults: £17.00
Senior Citizens (over 65's): £10.00
Juniors under 16's: £6.00
* Student I.D required.
===========================
James Hanson in the mix for Bradford City goal glut
5:50pm Monday 12th March 2012
By Simon Parker
Phil Parkinson has backed "brave" James Hanson to go on a scoring spree.
City's leading hitman marked his first game for over a month by heading the second goal in Saturday's win over Oxford.
Hanson needed only ten minutes on his return from injury to get on the scoresheet, before missing two late chances to add to the tally.
But Parkinson knows the goals will keep coming because Hanson gets himself in the mix.
He said: "James always gets in the six-yard box. He keeps getting in there and that's why he scores.
"You look at his record. All strikers will score but they will miss as well.
"You need that bravery to keep getting in there (after you've missed) and he's got that in abundance."
Saturday's goal was Hanson's 11th this season – and he is already two ahead of his total for the whole of the last campaign.
It was his first in the league since City beat Shrewsbury on New Year's Eve, their last home win before the weekend. His only previous strike in 2012 was at Watford in the FA Cup.
He was forced to sit out five games after tearing his adductor muscle against Port Vale on Valentine's Day.
With City's hectic March schedule in full swing, Hanson is likely to get the starting role at Wimbledon tomorrow night. Craig Fagan could move to the right wing to accommodate him.
===========================
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/News/0,,10266~2656398,00.html?
Options available for Parkinson
Posted on: Mon 12 Mar 2012
Despite ending promotion-chasing Oxford United's eight match unbeaten streak on Saturday, City boss Phil Parkinson admits there's no guarantee that he will stick to the side for Tuesday's trip to AFC Wimbledon.
After seeing James Hanson and David Syers return from injury against Oxford at the weekend, Parkinson now has the duo of Michael Flynn and Simon Ramsden back in contention after their own injury problems.
The Bantams boss, who also has Deane Smalley available once more after missing out against his parent club, says both Flynn and Ramsden are in with a shout of travelling but they will only feature if he feels the time is right.
Parkinson said: "They (Michael Flynn and Simon Ramsden) are back training and they are available for selection. We just have to make a call on them both now as to when we feel is right to put them back in.
"We will obviously only do that when we feel the time is right for the team and for themselves.
"We just want to make sure that they are both right and have enjoy training under their belts before we put them back in.
"A number of the players who didn't play Saturday, including Michael and Simon, came in on Sunday and had a really good training session with myself and Steve (Parkin).
"I feel they will have both benefited from that session and today's (Monday).
"Deane obviously comes back into contention as well for us.
"It's good for us that we have competition for places in the team and on the bench. When I was watching training yesterday you could see a group of players out there that we itching to get back in the team.
"That is always a healthy enviroment in any football club, when you have competition for places."
Whether Flynn or Ramsden are selected for the Wimbledon fixture or not, both Hanson and Syers are almost certain to be involved in Parkinson's match-day squad for the journey south after their second half cameos against Oxford.
Parkinson is glad to have Hanson and Syers' goalscoring prowess back at his disposal, and he says that he could feel the benefit of their return from as early as last weekend.
"Having a bench of Hannah, Syers, Hanson on Saturday - there was a clear goal threat there for us waiting to come on. I don't think there will be many teams at this level with that sort of options available to them," added Parkinson.
"In some ways, I was itching to get them on when it was 0-0 because you know those players will score if they get a chance.
"If you look back at the run of draws we have had at home before Saturday, there have been times when we have conceded the odd bad goal here or there, but there have also been times when we've had chances to kill teams off .
"We got that all-important second goal through James and that has ended up winning us the match. We still had a bit of a nervy finish because of the goal we conceded, but that goal could have been an equaliser if James hadn't got our second goal."
Although City's injury woes appear to be easing at present, Ricky Ravenhill will once again miss out this Tuesday as he serves out the final match of his two game ban.
Parkinson admits he was impressed by the performances of both Lee Bullock and Ritchie Jones in City's central midfield in Ravenhill's absence though, with the versatile Bullock coming in for particular praise from the Bantams chief.
Parkinson said: "Lee Bullock and Ritchie did well in there (central midfield).
"Bully has played in a number of positions in the last few games and coped with them all really well. Playing as centre half, playing in behind the striker at Dagenham and now back in midfield, he has done well with all the roles.
"He's now playing in his favourite position, the holding midfield role, and I thought he gave us a calmness on the ball on Saturday. He also has the ability to win his headers and those second balls in the middle of the field."
===========================
Bradford C: (0) 2 Fagen pen 57, Hanson 67
Oxford Utd (0) 1 Hall 71
Att: 10,059
CFML Daily News
http://paper.li/f-1315926867
Current table
http://www.sportinglife.com/football/live/tables/cc_league2.html
Fixtures
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/Fixtures/0,,10266,00.html
http://m.espn.go.com/soccer/clubhouse?teamId=387&lang=EN
The "Social media Corner"
http://paper.li/f-1315926867
Official Mobile app
http://communicatoremail.com/IN/Y2tx0dX-0UIRu4P1_588C9Eehl64XmQ-JA8WroOSpEQ/WebView.aspx
===========================
Signings, Loans and Injuries
===========================
Match Media & Stats
Pictures
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/sport_bantams_pics2011/
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/News/0,,10266~2644811,00.html?
"Last Match" Highlights on Bantams Player
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/player/LastMatch/0,,10266~1612005~36,00.html
BBC highlights (uk only)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17334843?#asset
Match stats
http://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=234#teamTabs=results
Stats: Bradford C - Oxford
Possession: 50 - 50%
Shots on target: 9 - 4
Shots off target: 5 - 1
Fouls: 11 - 9
Corners: 8 - 4
Ref: Colin Webster (Tyne and Wear)
Red card:
Oxford: Batt (40 min), 2nd yellow.
Yellow cards:
Bradford C: Oliver (37 min).
Oxford: Batt (7 min).
BRADFORD C: 1. Jon McLaughlin, 24. Rob Kozluk, 38. Andrew Davies, 6. Luke
Oliver, 36. Marcel Seip, 30. Will Atkinson (57), 22. Lee Bullock, 8. Ritchie
Jones, 32. Kyel Reid, 21. Nahki Wells (81), 39. Craig Fagan (70).
SUBS: 15. Jamie Annerson (GK), 3. Matt Fry, 9. James Hanson (57), 10. Ross
Hannah (81), 23. David Syers (70).
OXFORD UTD: 1. Ryan Clarke, 2. Damian Batt, 6. Jake Wright, 5. Michael
Duberry, 3. Anthony Tonkin (70), 7. Adam Chapman (84), 14. Asa Hall, 16.
Andrew Whing, 27. Lee Holmes, 23. Scott Rendell (68), 18. Dean Morgan.
SUBS: 21. Wayne Brown (GK), 19. Oli Johnson (68), 22. Harry Worley (84), 24.
Mark Wilson, 26. Liam Davis (70).
===========================
Saturday evening match report
Match report by Simon Parker (T&A)
Bradford City broke their 2012 Valley Parade duck at the sixth attempt with
a deserved win over in-form Oxford.
Craig Fagan broke the play-off chasers' stubborn resistance from the penalty
spot after 56 minutes. Then James Hanson stepped off the bench after a month
out with his hamstring injury to nod the second - his 11th goal of the
season.
But the ten-man visitors, who had right back Damian Batt dismissed before
half-time, pulled one back to cause a few butterflies.
City made a whirlwind start with Fagan, who had missed the Accrington draw
with a tight hamstring, close to engineering a fifth-minute opener.
His flick-on from a throw-in caused confusion in the Oxford ranks and there
was a strong shout that Batt handled in front of goal. The ball bobbled
against the post before Nahki Wells' attempt to force in the rebound was
blocked on the line by former Leeds defender Michael Duberry.
Then keeper Ryan Clarke denied Wells from close range before pulling off a
superb follow-up save to thwart Will Atkinson.
Former City loanee Lee Holmes tested Jon McLaughlin with a curler after a
mistake by Kyel Reid, who quickly made amends with a long shot which Clarke
fumbled. Fagan rammed in the rebound but was offside.
Oxford's job got harder five minutes before the break when Batt was sent off
for a second crude foul on Reid. But they survived another penalty appeal
when a shot appeared to strike Anthony Tonkin's elbow, referee Colin Webster
ruling it was his head.
It was a positive half from City and they began the second in similar vein
with Wells climbing to nod wide from Rob Kozluk's cross and Lee Bullock
going close with a header from a corner.
The ball wouldn't go in as Wells' goal-bound drive was half blocked by
Andrew Whing and bounced off the foot of the post.
But Whing then turned Oxford villain, bundling over Marcel Seip in the
corner of the box. Fagan thumped the penalty into the roof of the net.
After the run of five home draws, City knew the job was not done and Adam
Chapman offered a quick reminder with a 30-yarder which McLaughlin saved low
to his left.
McLaughlin scuffed a clearance to Holmes but then lunged into the winger to
win the tackle. Straight away City went to the other end where Reid's cross
was buried by Hanson, who had only been on the pitch for ten minutes.
But any thoughts of City strolling it were instantly dashed as Asa Hall
halved the deficit, catching out McLaughlin by his left post.
Hanson missed a great chance four minutes from time with a side-foot volley
across goal after Reid had bombed 50 yards before supplying the cross.
And a jinking run from Bullock set him up again for a shot which was
deflected over the Oxford bar.
Five minutes of stoppage time added to the anxiety but there were no late
scares as City claimed three well-earned points.
Phil Parkinson punched the air at the final whistle and it was a feeling
shared right round the ground.
===========================
Monday morning match report
Oxford fail to pull rank over Bantams
7:00am Monday 12th March 2012
By Simon Parker
Bradford City 2 Oxford United 1
So the theory that the league table never lies has once again been debunked.
Over two-thirds of the way into the season and City still have the knack of turning League Two on its head.
Oxford, the highest-placed side to visit Valley Parade in 2012, became the first victims of the new year.
The only surprise is that anybody should be surprised.
Of City's 39-point tally, 24 of them have been accumulated from teams in the top half. They have lost just five of 17 games against numbers one
to 12.
The bottom half is a very different story, with just three wins from the same number of outings – and two of them were against woeful Barnet.
With only 15 points from a possible 51, nobody has a worse record against those at the wrong end.
Given that contrasting record, the bookies completely missed a trick to list Oxford as pre-match favourites.
So what if they'd only lost one in the previous 15. Remember Torquay had won seven in a row before City sorted them out at Plainmoor.
It's a shame then that Aldershot's similar charge should have been shot down a week early at Northampton before Saturday's trip to Hampshire.
Another long trek to Wimbledon comes first but any anxiety over tomorrow's trip will have been eased by the first home three-pointer since
December.
City delivered their most convincing display at Valley Parade since that last win over Shrewsbury. The only downside was that the final outcome
looked far closer than it should have been.
But at least the five minutes of added time passed without cause to bang your head on the floor. And that makes a welcome change.
Phil Parkinson could see pluses all round a pitch that stood up to the test of a second game in four days but the real highlight was seeing Kyel
Reid show the home crowd his full repertoire of tricks on the wing.
Up to now, Reid has been City's best kept secret. Devastating on his travels at Torquay, Barnet and Southend but sometimes muted in front of the
Valley Parade faithful, where he often finds himself chaperoned by two or three visitors.
"That was his best home performance," said Phil Parkinson. "Reidy has done well at home but his real top games have been away.
"But I think our home supporters are gradually seeing what a good player he is. The reception he got showed the fans were right behind him."
Oxford could not find a way to stop him by fair means or foul.
Right back Damian Batt went for the route one approach of bringing him down at all costs. Inevitably he did not make half-time.
Booked for the first foul of the afternoon, he then gave referee Colin Webster his easiest decision by trying to take Reid's block off with a
head-high lunge on the halfway line.
Batt was lucky not to see a straight red for that alone and will only miss the one game instead of three.
But he left a gaping hole in Oxford's rearguard for 45 minutes, which Reid looked to exploit to the full.
On this evidence, he looked every inch the former Premier League and Championship player. The fact he has another year on his City contract could
be one of the biggest pulls for the latest season-ticket campaign.
And who knows, maybe next term will signal a sea change in officialdom's view on City. Maybe the advantage of playing in front of the division's
biggest fanbase will be reflected in a few "hometown" decisions.
Then again, probably not.
It's hard to escape the impression that referees do all they can not to be seen to be favouring the Bantams.
We should be grateful that City were actually awarded a penalty on Saturday. But it did follow a couple of earlier shouts for blatant
transgressions.
Batt could have been in his bath even earlier had Webster spotted the obvious handball in a goal-mouth scramble after five minutes. To add insult
to injury, Michael Duberry then cleared off the line from Nahki Wells in the ensuing melee.
And Webster, one of the most experienced whistlers on the block, was similarly unmoved when a shot cannoned off Anthony Tonkin's elbow. He even
gestured to the crowd that it had hit the left back's head.
So when he did eventually point to the spot after Marcel Seip's nifty footwork on the byline drew a trip from Andrew Whing, the sarcasm in
Parkinson's tone was understandable.
"We had five appeals before we finally got one. But that's what we have to do to get a decision our way here.
"I find that quite amazing. I watch the games again on DVD and some of the ones we haven't got of late have been incredible.
"It's a shame we're not in the Premiership and these decisions haven't been highlighted more."
Fagan smashed the penalty into the roof of the net and Oxford's ten-man resistance had been broken. Suddenly there were shades of last season and
the spectacular five-goal implosion which followed the red cards then.
McLaughlin raced from his goal to crunch former City loanee Lee Holmes and then set a deadly counter-attack in motion.
Hanson had only been on ten minutes after his month lay-off with an injured hamstring but he sprung into action to feed Reid and then appeared in
the perfect spot to nod his 11th goal of the season from the cross.
The floodgates were ready to open – only for Oxford to land a sucker punch as City dithered from a throw-in and Asa Hall's hopeful shot bounced
under McLaughlin.
The fear of a club record sixth straight home draw prompted the odd twitch in home ranks before Reid once again took the attack to the visitors.
He bombed 50 yards to supply Hanson for a certain third but the big striker sidefooted wide. Then Bullock capped his own fine effort with a
clever run to set up Hanson again for a shot deflected just over.
Added time was played out camped in Oxford territory and another play-off contender had been dealt a bloody nose. But we shouldn't expect
anything else.
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Goalscorers finding their killer touch, says Bradford City boss Parkinson
7:20am Monday 12th March 2012
By Simon Parker
Phil Parkinson wants to go for the kill as City pull away from the relegation dogfight.
Saturday's win over Oxford – their first at home in six attempts – eased them seven points clear of the bottom two.
And with fit-again duo James Hanson and David Syers back in the ranks, the Bantams chief is backing his team to hit the goal trail again.
Hanson came off the bench to head City's second in the 2-1 victory after Craig Fagan's penalty.
Following five successive draws at Valley Parade, Parkinson is confident City will start taking their scoring chances.
He said: "Fagan's got seven now, Nahki (Wells) has seven and James 11 so it's starting to look better. We've got Syers back as well who will
always score goals and you need that.
"When I look over this run of draws, especially the games where we've been leading, we've had chances to kill teams off and you've got to get
that second goal."
City can leapfrog Wimbledon with a win there tomorrow night and Parkinson is ready to hit the motorway again with renewed confidence.
"Saturday was a massive day and a result for us. I felt Accrington was a pivotal game and how we didn't win that was very frustrating.
"But when you have two home games in a week to pick up four points isn't a bad return. We'll take that into our travels over the next week or so.
"We played really well in the first half and had some moments when you expected either a penalty or the ball to be hitting the back of the net.
"But we didn't feel sorry for ourselves. There was a little bit of moaning about the ref at half-time but I killed that dead with the lads and
kept focused on what we had to do."
Parkinson believes fans will be "ecstatic" with the news that Wells has signed the option in his contract to sign for another year.
He added: "Nahki's an improving player and what a threat he is on his day. He can shoot with both feet and can run and maintain his pace over the
period of a game.
"He's not just a player who has a burst then has a rest. Nahki can keep going. He's still learning but we don't want to take that rawness away
from him. He's got an unpredictability in his play. I'm sure our fans are ecstatic he will be here next year."
The Bermudian striker, who had a shot cleared off the line by Michael Duberry, said: "I thought it was going to be another day of horrible
decisions against us. We didn't get what we deserved with some of them."
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Pay on the day at Wimbledon
Posted on: Mon 12 Mar 2012
City supporters wishing to attend this Tuesday's (13 March 2012) npower League 2 fixture at AFC Wimbledon will have to pay on the turnstiles on the day at The Cherry Red Records Stadium.
Bantams fans will be located in the John Smiths Terrace for the midweek match. The particular area of the ground is located down one of the lengths of the pitch.
Admission prices:
Adults: £15.00
*Concessions (full time students/over 65's): £9.00
Juniors under 16: £2.00
Disabled tickets (prices as above) + free carer
Disabled tickets, included wheelchair spaces, can be booked in advance by ringing Chris Atkinson at AFC Wimbledon on 020 8547 3528.
A small number of seating tickets will also be available for elderly and disabled supporters.
Admission prices:
Adults: £17.00
Senior Citizens (over 65's): £10.00
Juniors under 16's: £6.00
* Student I.D required.
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James Hanson in the mix for Bradford City goal glut
5:50pm Monday 12th March 2012
By Simon Parker
Phil Parkinson has backed "brave" James Hanson to go on a scoring spree.
City's leading hitman marked his first game for over a month by heading the second goal in Saturday's win over Oxford.
Hanson needed only ten minutes on his return from injury to get on the scoresheet, before missing two late chances to add to the tally.
But Parkinson knows the goals will keep coming because Hanson gets himself in the mix.
He said: "James always gets in the six-yard box. He keeps getting in there and that's why he scores.
"You look at his record. All strikers will score but they will miss as well.
"You need that bravery to keep getting in there (after you've missed) and he's got that in abundance."
Saturday's goal was Hanson's 11th this season – and he is already two ahead of his total for the whole of the last campaign.
It was his first in the league since City beat Shrewsbury on New Year's Eve, their last home win before the weekend. His only previous strike in 2012 was at Watford in the FA Cup.
He was forced to sit out five games after tearing his adductor muscle against Port Vale on Valentine's Day.
With City's hectic March schedule in full swing, Hanson is likely to get the starting role at Wimbledon tomorrow night. Craig Fagan could move to the right wing to accommodate him.
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Options available for Parkinson
Posted on: Mon 12 Mar 2012
Despite ending promotion-chasing Oxford United's eight match unbeaten streak on Saturday, City boss Phil Parkinson admits there's no guarantee that he will stick to the side for Tuesday's trip to AFC Wimbledon.
After seeing James Hanson and David Syers return from injury against Oxford at the weekend, Parkinson now has the duo of Michael Flynn and Simon Ramsden back in contention after their own injury problems.
The Bantams boss, who also has Deane Smalley available once more after missing out against his parent club, says both Flynn and Ramsden are in with a shout of travelling but they will only feature if he feels the time is right.
Parkinson said: "They (Michael Flynn and Simon Ramsden) are back training and they are available for selection. We just have to make a call on them both now as to when we feel is right to put them back in.
"We will obviously only do that when we feel the time is right for the team and for themselves.
"We just want to make sure that they are both right and have enjoy training under their belts before we put them back in.
"A number of the players who didn't play Saturday, including Michael and Simon, came in on Sunday and had a really good training session with myself and Steve (Parkin).
"I feel they will have both benefited from that session and today's (Monday).
"Deane obviously comes back into contention as well for us.
"It's good for us that we have competition for places in the team and on the bench. When I was watching training yesterday you could see a group of players out there that we itching to get back in the team.
"That is always a healthy enviroment in any football club, when you have competition for places."
Whether Flynn or Ramsden are selected for the Wimbledon fixture or not, both Hanson and Syers are almost certain to be involved in Parkinson's match-day squad for the journey south after their second half cameos against Oxford.
Parkinson is glad to have Hanson and Syers' goalscoring prowess back at his disposal, and he says that he could feel the benefit of their return from as early as last weekend.
"Having a bench of Hannah, Syers, Hanson on Saturday - there was a clear goal threat there for us waiting to come on. I don't think there will be many teams at this level with that sort of options available to them," added Parkinson.
"In some ways, I was itching to get them on when it was 0-0 because you know those players will score if they get a chance.
"If you look back at the run of draws we have had at home before Saturday, there have been times when we have conceded the odd bad goal here or there, but there have also been times when we've had chances to kill teams off .
"We got that all-important second goal through James and that has ended up winning us the match. We still had a bit of a nervy finish because of the goal we conceded, but that goal could have been an equaliser if James hadn't got our second goal."
Although City's injury woes appear to be easing at present, Ricky Ravenhill will once again miss out this Tuesday as he serves out the final match of his two game ban.
Parkinson admits he was impressed by the performances of both Lee Bullock and Ritchie Jones in City's central midfield in Ravenhill's absence though, with the versatile Bullock coming in for particular praise from the Bantams chief.
Parkinson said: "Lee Bullock and Ritchie did well in there (central midfield).
"Bully has played in a number of positions in the last few games and coped with them all really well. Playing as centre half, playing in behind the striker at Dagenham and now back in midfield, he has done well with all the roles.
"He's now playing in his favourite position, the holding midfield role, and I thought he gave us a calmness on the ball on Saturday. He also has the ability to win his headers and those second balls in the middle of the field."
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