Next fixtures
Wednesday (1 August 2012) v Guiseley AFC (a) 7.45pm
Saturday (4 August 2012) v Bury (h) 3pm
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Bradford City delighted to get something for nothing
8:20am Wednesday 25th July 2012
By Simon Parker
City saved themselves £75,000 by biding their time before snapping up Alan Connell.
The striker played 30 minutes of last night's 4-0 win at Wexford Youths in Ireland, his first appearance for the club after joining from Swindon
on Friday.
Connell signed for City for no fee after the League Two champions agreed to settle his contract with a year still to run.
Joint-chairman Mark Lawn praised Swindon for their help in smoothing the move – and felt it justified City's decision not to rush in.
Connell was the eighth capture of the summer but Lawn had sensed a few rumbles about how long it was taking to bring in another forward,
especially after the long-running interest in Andy Gray ran its course.
Lawn said: "All these people were telling us that we needed to get a striker in early. But if we had tried to do the deal for Connell at the back
end of May, it would have cost us £75,000.
"That was what Swindon were asking for at the time. But we were sensible and did it at no cost to us other than his wages."
Connell bagged 13 goals in Swindon's title win but found himself out of Paulo Di Canio's plans and was left at home for the club's training camp
in Italy.
Lawn was impressed that they did not try to hamper Connell's attempts to get a move.
He said: "We really appreciated how professional they have been. It makes a refreshing change to deal with a club that conduct themselves in such
an appropriate manner.
"Swindon realised they didn't want him but could still have made some money. They knew Alan had to move on to benefit his career and helped him
to do that."
----
Barrass unveiled as Bantams' latest signing
7:30pm Wednesday 25th July 2012
By Simon Parker
The newest member of City's back-room team made his debut at Wexford.
Matt Barrass has taken over as the club's physio after Dave Hanson decided to step down for personal reasons.
Thirty-two-year-old Barrass had been assistant physio at Preston North End since taking his qualifications at Salford University.
A former right back, he played for Bury for nine years but had to quit the game early because of a knee injury.
Phil Parkinson said: "I knew Dave Hanson was leaving for the last three or four weeks. He has continued working through that period but has had
to leave us because of personal reasons.
"I've been working hard with Steve (Parkin) and Dave Baldwin to bring the right person in. We looked at several people but Matt Barrass looked
the best man for the club.
"He was a very good player by all accounts. He's come here very highly recommended by a couple of people.
"Matt is ambitious and I really feel he will be an excellent appointment for us.
"I've always said that physios and sports scientists are very important. They get the players on the pitch first of all and then, if they are
injured, get them back out there quickly.
"Making those judgement calls throughout the season is pivotal in having a good year. That's why we've taken our time and made sure we got the
right man. It's a great job for Matt and one I know he's looking forward to."
One of Hanson's last acts was to oversee the medical before Alan Connell completed his move from Swindon. He was a popular figure among the
players and staff.
Parkinson added: "We're sorry to see Dave go because he's a terrific bloke. He's a good mate of us all and I'm sure he will keep popping in."
===========================
Strikers fill their boots in opening Bradford City salvo
6:00am Monday 23rd July 2012
By Simon Parker
Tadcaster Albion 1, City 7
Alan Connell was not at Tadcaster for City's pre-season opener but his presence seems to have made an impression already.
The Bantams enjoyed a boot-filling exercise at the end of a fortnight of training bootcamp – with all the strikers getting on the scoresheet.
Results at this stage may not matter but goals are always a welcome currency in generating self-belief among the frontmen.
Connell's arrival may have dropped Ross Hannah another peg down the order but he made a good point in his 45 minutes of action with the opening
two goals.
James Hanson's trademark header and a near-post finish by Nahki Wells ensured they are both up and running before the quality of opposition kicks
up a notch in Wexford tomorrow night.
Lofty second-year apprentice Louie Swain made it a clean sweep for the forwards with a tidy header late on, while Andrew Davies and Kyel Reid
also joined in the fun.
"It's good for the goal-scorers to score at any stage in the season," said Phil Parkinson afterwards.
" This gave us a good opportunity to put the ball in the back of the net. Roscoe got a couple, Reidy, Nahki, James and young Louie as well, which
will build their confidence."
Nobody will get carried away by the emphatic scoreline against a side five levels down the pyramid. Peter Jackson's City did the same to Silsden
this time last year.
But City showed good sharpness for a first game and the fitness levels were high. Parkinson swapped the team completely at half-time but all the
players did extra work on the pitch afterwards.
Apart from Connell, Gary Thompson and Stephen Darby both sat it out in the clubhouse as a precaution to rest slight strains.
Five trialists were on display for a sun-baked crowd boosted by over 500 City fans. But there was no Matt Hamshaw after Parkinson told him he was
looking for more pace on the right flank.
So Anthony McNamee, the well-travelled former Watford flyer, was given the shirt first half. Like right back Michael Boateng, he had been
recommended by Jamie Lawrence.
And Tom Taiwo popped up in central midfield alongside the energetic Gary Jones. He is looking for a club nearer his Leeds roots after leaving
Carlisle.
Boateng showed a willingness to bomb forward and nearly created an early goal for Hannah at the near post.
But the striker was off the mark in the sixth minute, showing good strength to control a Jones pass and lob Tadcaster keeper Aaran Reid.
City's defence was rarely troubled and Davies had time to rumble forward to drill in number two, which was swiftly followed by a Hannah penalty
after Reid had sent him tumbling.
Then Hanson got in on the act with a powerful header from a cross by youngster Forrayah Bass.
It was predictably all change at the break and City mark two included two more strange faces, right back Javan Vidal and huge centre half
Christophe Lowinsky.
French under-19 international Lowinsky had recently been on trial with Newcastle after coming through the Marseille B team. With Luke Oliver at
his shoulder forming a pair of twin towers, the home forwards must have felt like a basketball point guard trying to pick a shot past Lebron
James and Dirk Nowitzki.
The rout continued with Reid's lovely pass picking out Wells to score a bit too easily on the turn. As City queued up for more, Ricky Ravenhill,
Swain and Adam Baker were all denied.
Eventually Reid, who was going through his full repertoire of tricks on the left, claimed the sixth with a second bite at the cherry after his
initial shot was blocked.
Tadcaster got some reward for keeping going when Danny Gray forced his way inside Oliver to claim a consolation. But City had the final say when
Swain got the goal his hard work merited from another Reid assist.
City –
first half: Duke, Boateng, McArdle, Davies, Bass, Atkinson, G Jones, Taiwo, McNamee, Hanson, Hannah;
second half: McLaughlin, Vidal, Oliver, Lowinsky, Meredith, Baker, R Jones, Ravenhill, Reid, Swain, Wells.
===========================
radford City players show their hunger in Irish opener
6:40am Wednesday 25th July 2012
By Simon Parker
Wexford Youths 0, City 4
James Hanson and Ross Hannah hit the goal trail again as City strolled to another pre-season win in Ireland last night.
For the second game running, they claimed three between them – all coming before half-time against the willing amateur hosts.
This time it was Hanson who got the lion's share in a one-sided encounter that ran out of steam after the break.
City boss Phil Parkinson said: "Wexford Youths are a young, fit team and we did well to get the first three goals before half-time.
"I thought Hanson's two goals were really good. Putting the ball in the back of the net is a great habit.
"The move for the second goal and his finish shows what he is like when he's playing with confidence."
The second half's major point of interest was Alan Connell's first appearance for the club, before fellow substitute Nahki Wells rounded off the
scoring late on.
Parkinson spared some of the big guns for Saturday's much stiffer test at top-flight Bray. But with four trialists in the City starting ranks,
there was no lack of incentive and it showed.
Michael Boateng and Anthony McNamee were joined by former Aldershot, Swansea and Wycombe central midfielder Scott Donnelly and teenage Irish
centre back Carl McHugh, who had been on Reading's books.
Ricky Ravenhill was not taking it lightly, producing a crunching tackle inside two minutes which earned him a harsh yellow card.
Adam Baker again looked promising on the right flank and tested goalkeeper Graham Doyle at his near post after full back Shane Clarke sliced his
clearance.
The first-year professional then turned provider, crossing for Hannah's header which Doyle saved scrambling to his right.
Goals were coming – and duly arrived with two in as many minutes.
City's opener was created by a fine cross from McNamee, with Hanson on the end of it to loop a header over the stranded Clarke.
Then James Scannon took Hannah's legs away in the corner of the box and the striker stepped up to slam home the resulting penalty.
Boateng barrelled forward to join the fun but his cut-back was scuffed into the ground by Hanson.
Still, there was plenty of goal-mouth action to entertain the sizeable – and decidedly merry – away following.
Hanson made immediate amends with a sweet right-foot strike that flew into the top corner from 20 yards. At that stage, it was threatening to
become another Tadcaster-style rout.
McHugh made an important block from a rare Wexford foray but the defence had been hardly troubled and Forrayah Bass was allowed to charge upfield
from left back to set up another chance which Hannah spooned over.
There were no City changes for the start of the second half but the impetus had not surprisingly disappeared. Brian Nolan volleyed home for
Wexford but had been flagged offside.
A raft of substitutes were warming up as Rory McArdle missed City's first chance of the half, heading over from a corner.
Parkinson then signalled the change with seven switched, only keeper Jon McLaughlin remaining unused in the dugout.
It gave Connell his first half hour in a City shirt to partner Wells as Hannah and Hanson took their well-earned breather.
McNamee had also put a shift in and Jamie Lawrence, who had pushed him Parkinson's way, banged on the clubhouse window to show his appreciation
for the little winger's efforts.
Gary Jones, who had replaced Ravenhill, was straight into the action with a ferocious volley after Wells picked him out but it flew straight at
the relieved Clarke.
Connell chested the ball down for Jones to have another crack but the midfielder dragged his left-footer across goal.
Matt Duke, skipper for the night, had been a spectator all night. His first save, when it eventually came after 73 minutes, was a simple catch
above the head.
Wells rounded off the scoring seven minutes from time when he tapped home after beating the offside trap from Will Atkinson's through ball.
City: Duke, Boateng, McHugh (Davies 60), McArdle (Oliver 60), Bass, Baker (Atkinson 60), Ravenhill (G Jones 60), Donnelly (McHugh 73), McNamee
(Meredith 60), Hannah (Connell 60), Hanson (Wells 60). Sub (not used): McLaughlin.
===========================
Bray Wanderers 1 Bradford City 2
Posted on: Sat 28 Jul 2012
Saturday 28 July 2012
npower League 2
Bray Wanderers 1 (Dooney 85)
Bradford City 2 (Wells 22, Hannah 62)
Kick Off: 3.00pm
at Carlisle Grounds
City finished off their week-long tour of Ireland with a hard-fought but deserved victory over League of Ireland Premier Division side Bray
Wanderers.
A first half strike from Nahki Wells gave City the interval lead before second substitute Ross Hannah increased the Bantams' advantage just past
the hour mark.
For Wells, it was his third goal in three matches so this pre-season, while Hannah has now gone one better with four in three thanks to his Bray
second half strike.
Home right back Ryan Dooney pulled a goal back late on for Bray but City, who looked particularly bright in the second period, still secured the
victory - their third straight win in pre-season so far.
Heavy rain showers and Bray's ability to bring on a number of fresh legs could have made the afternoon a challenging one at times for City, but
the Bantams showed great commitment and composure on the ball run out worthy victors and make it two wins out of two for their Irish tour.
City in the second half in particular could have actually added to their lead, with James Hanson firing over on the volley from around six yard
out and Hannah hitting the crossbar with a snap-shot on the turn from close range.
The returning Ritchie Jones, who missed Tuesday's Wexford Youths win with an ankle knock, also saw a decent one-on-one chance saved by Bray
'keeper Darren Quigley in the first period.
Fit-again Stephen Darby played the first fourty-five minutes of the friendly for his first action in City colours since joining this summer.
Along with Darby's appearance, Alan Connell was given his maiden start by Phil Parkinson as the Bantams boss, as promised, made a number of
changes from the Wexford game.
Opening goalscorer Wells, Jon McLaughlin, James Meredith, Will Atkinson and Luke Oliver were also promoted up from the Wexford bench to complete
City's line up at Carlisle Grounds.
Kyel Reid came off the bench to play the final half an hour or so but Andrew Davies was not risked, however, after picking up a bug in the last
twenty-four hours.
===========================
The Bantams back in Bradford
Posted on: Mon 30 Jul 2012
City have now returned back to Bradford following their week-long stay in Ireland as part of their pre-season programme.
Basing themselves in Enfield, Phil Parkinson's squad took part in two friendly games in the country - beating Wexford Youths and Bray Wanderers -
as well as getting several intense training sessions under their belt.
The football club would like to take this opportunity pass on a massive thank you to the staff of Johnstown House Hotel for all of their help
during City's stay last week.
After defeating Wexford and Bray during their time in Ireland, City will now turn their attentions to next Wednesday's (1 August 2012) friendly
fixture at Guiseley AFC.
===========================
Parkinson pleased with Bray workout
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/News/0,,10266~2864505,00.html
(Extract of article)
...Parkinson gave right back Stephen Darby his first piece of action in City colours at Bray since joining in the summer. He played the first
half before being replaced by Ricky Ravenhill at the interval.
Darby had previously missed the Bantams' first two pre-season friendlies with a slight toe and groin problems.
"We wanted to give Stephen just 45 minutes because of his slight injury problems and the recent lack of football he's had as a result," the
Bantams boss added.
"I thought he did well though and I'm pleased to see him get through the game ok."
As thoughts turned back to home for City, Parkinson reflected on a successful trip in general for his squad.
"I've been delighted with this week - it couldn't have gone better really," Parkinson said.
"The discipline and attitude of the players in and around the hotel during the week has been excellent.
"I can't fault any part of the whole week. Every box we wanted to tick has been."
Despite being thrilled with his squad's work in Ireland though, Parkinson is still aware that further recruits are required to get City ready for
the big kick off next month.
Parkinson added: "I still feel we need to make a few more signings to strengthen the squad because it's not quite strong enough yet.
"But it is something we are working on all the time, and when we get those signings I think we''ll be a strong unit.
"The season is getting ever closer now. The lads will keep working hard to improve and get themselves ready and my job in the background will be
to bring in a couple more bodies during the next week or so.
"We've looked at a few trialists here (Ireland) as well, so when Monday comes around I'll have a sit down with the chairmen to talk them through
the options available to us to help improve our squad."
===========================
Bury friendly details confirmed
Posted on: Mon 30 Jul 2012
The football club can now confirm admission details for this Saturday's (4 August 2012) pre-season friendly with Bury at the Coral Windows
Stadium.
The lower tier of the Co-operative Main Stand will be open to City supporters on an unreserved basis. The Betrescue Stand will be made available
to Bury fans.
Kick off on Saturday will be 3:00pm.
Admission prices for the match will be as follows:
Adults: £10.00
Concessions (Senior Citizens and Juniors): £5.00
There will be no advance sales for the match. Please pay on the turnstiles on Saturday.
===========================
Guiseley AFC ticket prices
Posted on: Mon 30 Jul 2012
Following their week-long tour in Ireland, City will now turn their attentions to this Wednesday's (1 August 2012) friendly at Blue Square North
side Guiseley AFC.
Kick off at Guiseley's Nethermoor on Wednesday will be 7:45pm.
Admission prices for City's fourth pre-season friendly of the summer will be as follows:
Adults: £10.00
Concessions: £6.00
Juniors 12-16 year-olds: £4.00
Juniors under 12: £1.00
Please pay on the turnstiles on the night - there will be no advance ticket sales for this match.
Guiseley's current playing squad includes former Bantams trio Simon Ainge, Mark Bower and Danny Forrest, while Lions midfielder Andy Holdsworth
once had a trial with City. On the flip side, City striker James Hanson had a spell at Nethermoor with Guiseley before joining the Bantams.
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