Pre season news

Player news
nathan doyle - signed 1 year deal (August 4th)

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Hats off to Woodhouse Grove School as Bradford City's training facilities start to take shape

9:30am Tuesday 31st July 2012

By Simon Parker

After a week in the plush surroundings on hand in Ireland, City return to the normality of Apperley Bridge this morning.

The ground where they train daily has been a bugbear for a long time now but the situation is finally improving.

The move into the indoor HQ at Woodhouse Grove School a year ago gave the squad the permanent base they needed during the week, minus the mud-

spattered drives back to Valley Parade.

Now progress is being made on sorting out the quality – and amount – of pitches the players use every day.

Director of operations David Baldwin confirmed that work is progressing to build two pitches at Elm Tree Farm, the plot of land across the road

from Rawdon Meadows.

And Woodhouse School's new synthetic surface – which City will be able to use – should be ready by the end of October.

Baldwin said: "The issue for us has been the number of available pitches and the amount of shared usage they have.

"We recognise we're a tenant and have to share but the demand on it from a training perspective is that we need more grass space.

"You start these projects like Elm Tree Farm and don't see the benefits for 12 months.

"It's quite involved work in relation to the flood plains that are there. You're also dealing with the Environment Agency regarding the drainage.

"We're only draining rainwater back into the river and doing nothing adverse but you have to ensure you're not increasing the levels so it

affects somewhere else.

"It's not a quick fix but if all goes to plan, that should be operational before the end of the season.

"There's also the new 3G pitch being developed with the latest technology and that's going to be right outside the manager's office."

City also used Tong High School at times last season when the wet weather wiped out Apperley Bridge and that arrangement is set to continue.

Baldwin added: "We still have access to pitches there on an ad hoc basis, which we really appreciate. You've got to be able to deliver good

quality training sessions whenever you turn up for work."

City's lack of suitable indoor facilities dated back to the Premier League days. Securing a proper training base has also spared a few red faces

when it comes to giving players a tour round the club.

Baldwin admitted: "You're not embarrassed now to show people the training ground. You used to take prospective signings to the stadium and gloss

over the rest.

"Now we've got everything there under one roof, with the added bonus of the indoor sports hall where we've done all the bleep testing and a brand

new swimming pool.

"To have that kind of resource at your beck and call is tremendous. I've got to take my hat off to Woodhouse Grove, who do go the extra mile to

support us."

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Bradford City given JPT bye

12:36pm Tuesday 31st July 2012

By Simon Parker

City have been handed a bye in the first round of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy as they look to go further than last season's run.

They made it through to the northern area semi-finals after knocking off Yorkshire rivals Sheffield Wednesday, Huddersfield and Sheffield United

all on penalties.

City's run eventually ended in December, two rounds short of Wembley, when they went down 2-0 at Oldham.

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An evening with Bobby Campbell
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
https://www.facebook.com/events/464104723612481/

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Hines shows class for Bradford City in losing cause against Bradford Park Avenue
8:20am Wednesday 8th August 2012
By Ross Heppenstall

Park Avenue 3, City 1

He has played for West Ham, Coventry, Burnley and Bournemouth.

Could Zavon Hines be about to add Bradford to his curriculum vitae?

The Jamaica-born winger, 23, certainly did his chances of earning a contract no harm last night.

He played the first 66 minutes of the Tom Banks Memorial match, showing some delightful touches and earning warm applause from the City supporters.

Phil Parkinson included four trialists in Marc Gallego, Jack Mills, Gavin Hoolahan and Hines, who won a penalty which Garry Thompson converted to equalise before Jordan Deacey's late strike confirmed Avenue as worthy victors.

Hines, a former England Under-21 international, is a free agent after being released by Burnley and was probably the pick of Parkinson's players against their local rivals.

Spectacular first-half goals from Rob O'Brien and Matty James helped Avenue to victory.

Yet it was the presence of Hines – named on the teamsheet as A Trialist – on City's left flank which caused the biggest stir for Bantams fans.

He recently spent time on trial at Swindon but lasted only two days there due to a lack of fitness.

City's reserve and youth team coach Steve Thornber said last night: "Zavon had his first training session with us yesterday and then played for us tonight.

"He's looking for a club and the gaffer has heard about him and seen him play before at West Ham.

"To be fair, he's come in and looked sharp. He's quite bright and has got good feet with a trick or two.

"He looked quite promising on tonight's showing. We'll now have a chat with the manager and see where we take it from there. Zavon is in for the rest of the week anyway."

Aside from goalkeeper Matt Duke and summer signings Alan Connell and Thompson, it was very much a second-string City side.

German defender Gallego did not cover himself in glory at right back, with both Avenue's first-half goals coming down his side.

In the 17th minute, the hosts made the breakthrough when the impressive Alex Davidson broke clear down the left flank and delivered a low cross which O'Brien dispatched with a sweet strike from just inside the 18-yard box.

Thompson then hit a low shot wide of the target from 20 yards, before Martin Drury crossed from the left and Richard Marshall headed the ball wide at the far post.

In the 23rd minute, City equalised when Hines was brought down and Thompson rifled home from the penalty spot.

Connell looked lively for City as he builds up his fitness but he missed a gilt-edged chance before Avenue regained the lead in spectacular fashion nine minutes before the break.

Davidson again provided the ammunition from the left flank, crossing superbly for James to slam home a fine volley from 12 yards out.

Thornber said of Gallego: "I felt a bit sorry for him because a couple of the goals came from his side.

"On this showing I'm not too sure on Marc but again we will sit down and discuss him and the rest of the trialists.

"I'm sure the manager will form his opinions on the basis of tonight and what they have done in training also."

Both sides created numerous half-chances after the break, with Avenue introducing former Bantams midfielder Luke Sharry before Deacey wrapped up victory with a clinical finish after showing some neat footwork.

City assistant manager Steve Parkin travelled to Meadow Lane to scout on County in their friendly with Nottingham Forest last night.

Thornber said: "It wasn't important for Parky to be here tonight. It was more important for him to look at Notts County ahead of Saturday's game."

Avenue: Deasey, Duckworth, Drury, O'Brien, Knowles, Riley, Marshall, Hotte (Walker ht), James (Sharry 55), Deacey, Davidson (Blakiley). Substitutes (not used): Greaves, Dempsey, Higginson.

City: Duke, Gallego, Bass, Brown, Mills, Harrison, Bott, Hoolahan, Thompson (Swain 66), Connell (Hiza 80), Hines (Baker 66). Substitutes (not used): Morrison, Boote.

Attendance: 945.


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The Coral Windows Stadium will play host to the club's Community Open Day this weekend.

The Bradford City Community Open Day, supported by the Co-operative fund, will take place between 11:00am and 3:00pm this Sunday (12 August 2012).

A number of Phil Parkinson's squad will be on show at the Open Day, with community stalls, bouncy castles, go-karts and face painting booths also on hand to entertain and interest supporters.

Further entertainment on the day will be provided by Zap Promotions, while a wedding fayre will be held within the banqueting suites of Valley Parade.