Read this article 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
http://www.bradfordcity.tv/
Official Mobile app
http://communicatoremail.com/IN/Y2tx0dX-0UIRu4P1_588C9Eehl64XmQ-JA8WroOSpEQ/WebView.aspx
===========================
The safety of seventh place, or the lofty heights of sixth? Plus, who will be the playoff opponents?
Saturday, 27 April - Cheltenham v Bradford
City ticket allocation sold out
http://www.11v11.com/teams/bradford-city/tab/opposingTeams/opposition/Cheltenham%20Town
Travel available
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/news/article/cheltenham-travel-787034.aspx
If anyone wants to predict the final table, there is a predictor buried in the BBC website: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/predictor/default.stm
Burton games
4/13: H-PlyA W1-0
4/20: A-BraC L0-1
4/27: H-Gill
Northampton
4/13: H-YorC L0-2
4/16: A-WycW D0-0
4/20: A-PorV D2-2
4/27: H-Barn
Cheltenham
4/13: H-Gill W1-0
4/20: A-ExeC W1-0
4/27: H-BraC
Rotherham
4/13: H-FleT W2-1
4/16: A-BraC W2-0
4/20: A-PlyA W1-0
4/27: H-AldT
Exeter
4/13: A-AFCW D2-2
4/20: H-CheT L0-1
4/27: A-Ches
===========================
Signings, Loans and Injuries
Injuries
Luke Oliver, Achillies, out for the 2012/13 season
Andrew Davies, back, calves
James Meredith, hip.
Kyle Reid
===========================
Match Media & Stats
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/10369351.Live_blog__Bantams_v_Burton/?ref=eb
Head to Head
http://www.11v11.com/teams/bradford-city/tab/opposingTeams
http://www.statto.com/football/teams/bradford-city/
Pictures
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/sport_bantams_pics2012/
(The T&A picture link will dfault to the last match for which pictures are available)
"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/22133197
Pulse audio
http://www.pulse.co.uk/on-air/pulse-sport/
Match Highlights
http://mm.gmstatic.net.s3.amazonaws.com/74/188595.mp3
Post match
http://mm.gmstatic.net.s3.amazonaws.com/74/511495.mp3
Match stats
http://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=234#teamTabs=results
Bradford City: McLaughlin, Darby, McArdle, Nelson, Meredith, Thompson (Atkinson 78mins), Ravenhill, Jones, Reid (Hines 19mins), Hanson, Wells (Connell 68mins). Unused substitutes: Duke (gk), Gray, McHugh, Doyle.
Burton Albion: Lyness, O'Connor, Sharps, Holness, McCory, McDonald, Weir, Bell, Maghoma, Paterson (Dyer half time, Symes 76mins), Zola (Kee 59mins). Unused substitutes: Tomlinson (gk), Webster, Diamond, Drury.
Referee: Andy Woolmer (Northampton)
===========================
Final whistle - match report
Cometh the hour, cometh the man as Hanson puts Bradford City back on the road to Wembley
8:50am Monday 22nd April 2013
By Simon Parker
Bradford City 1 Burton Albion 0
He scored the goal that fired City to Wembley last time.
So who better to get the one that puts them on the path to going back there?
James Hanson will score better goals than the prod that looped over Burton keeper Dean Lyness and defender Ian Sharps on the line. But, other than that infamous Villa Park header, has there been one more important?
Yet having notched his 13th of the season – one shy of last year – the big striker admitted he did not expect it to stand after Nahki Wells forced Burton keeper Dean Lyness to cough the ball up.
"I thought it was a foul on the keeper," he said. "All credit to Nahki for doing what he does best and chasing him down but I just swung my leg because I expected the ref to blow anyway.
"But you'll take a bit of luck going our way at last. I've had quite a few cleared off the line and headers hitting the bar, fouls that probably weren't fouls and things like that – it was a nice change."
Not that Burton were disputing the goal that effectively costs them a shot at the final automatic promotion place. Nor the red card minutes later that killed off any hopes of pegging City back.
The Brewers paid the price for "three minutes of madness" according to boss Gary Rowett, doing a passable Geoffrey Richmond impression.
City will see it as natural justice, karma, whatever you want to call it. Ricky Ravenhill, in particular, enjoyed the sight of away skipper Lee Bell heading for an early bath.
Ravenhill has been an unheralded catalyst of City's charge into the play-offs. With Nathan Doyle fading after Wembley, the club captain was given his opportunity to supplement Gary Jones in the engine room – and how he has grabbed it.
There is nothing fancy about his game but it's perfectly suited for the hurly burly of League Two. And just what City needed for the muck and nettles battles of the past few weeks.
Ravenhill had an assist in the breakthrough goal, hooking the ball clear from defence and putting the onus on the Burton backline.
An unconvincing backheader fell short of Lyness and allowed Wells to pounce. The Bermudian's presence unsettled the keeper, the ball popped loose and Hanson arced it back over Sharps trying to protect his line.
Two minutes later and Bell planted an elbow into the mush of Zavon Hines on the halfway line. The red card from referee Andy Woolmer was a no-brainer.
At that point, Ravenhill chipped in to have his say – and why not.
After all, he had been the victim of Bell's play-acting when the sides clashed at the Pirelli Stadium on that fateful October afternoon when City lost both Luke Oliver and Andrew Davies.
Bell later tweeted that he had "gone down like a girl" following the minimal contact with Ravenhill's head. But he also commented: "What goes around, comes around."
So you didn't need a lip reader to work out what Ravenhill was chirping in his ear as he theatrically waved goodbye to the Burton midfielder. Karma indeed...
Rowett later accused his captain of "letting down his mates". There was certainly no logic behind the red-mist moment that left Burton – like City six months ago – a man down for the second half.
It did ensure there was no need for any home anxiety, even if City were unable to find a second goal that would have wrapped up the contest.
They did try. Michael Nelson, having his best game for the club, saw a header from a free-kick tipped over the bar and Lyness also beat away a fiercely-thumped drive from Garry Thompson.
And Alan Connell looked very sharp when he came on as City learned the lessons from the Rotherham game and got the ball into his feet. On another day, he might have finished with at least one goal.
But one goal did prove enough in a game that was a far more cagey affair than might have been expected given that both sides had to win.
Anyone anticipating an open Bristol Rovers-style free-for-all would have been disappointed. It wasn't until the five minutes before half-time that anything really happened.
Still, everything was falling nicely into place by that point courtesy of Russell Penn's goal for Cheltenham after only five minutes at Exeter. With the Grecians behind, the play-off ticket was there for the taking for City.
They suffered an early blow when losing Kyel Reid with a thigh injury. Fingers will be firmly crossed for the influential winger – though at least the extra week's grace before the play-offs commence will be valuable.
On the other flank, the in-form Thompson brushed aside Damien McCrory to whip in a cross that Hanson nodded over.
But the game sparked properly into life as half-time approached when Jacques Maghoma carved his way inside Stephen Darby and Gary Jones. His cross-shot was struck with venom and arrowing for the far corner but Jon McLaughlin was equal to it with two firm hands to push it behind.
How crucial that save proved to be was borne out within a minute when Hanson sent another impressive crowd wild.
With eyes glued to mobiles for regular updates from St James Park, the fans sung City home through a one-sided second period. Burton's lack of numbers told as they were unable to mount any serious resistance.
Hines should have doubled the advantage in the final minute after some precise link-up play between Hanson and Connell. But with only Lyness to beat, he got his angles all wrong and jabbed wide.
It did not matter. The five minutes of time added for Burton sub Jack Dyer being stretchered off were spent almost entirely in away territory.
The final whistle was greeted with hysteria; the traditional lap of appreciation from the players was fully deserved. Wembley revisited? It's only two games away.
Hanson added: "Everyone was hoping Bradford were going to miss out. Now we're there and it's ours to lose.
"With the crowd we'll get at home, I fancy us to go on and at least get to Wembley. We're picking up momentum at the right time and can give it a really good shot in the play-offs."
What goes around, comes around indeed.
===========================
When the dust settled - match report
That's the spirit! Parkinson hails Bradford City's Phil-good factor
7:00am Monday 22nd April 2013
By Simon Parker
Team spirit can power City back to Wembley in the play-offs, Phil Parkinson claimed today.
They clinched a top-seven finish with a 1-0 victory over Burton in the 60th game of this historic campaign.
And Parkinson believes the tight bond within the squad can maintain the charge towards a potential second appearance in three months at the national stadium.
He said: "When I came into the club last year there were so many players. It wasn't a healthy situation.
"Myself, Steve (Parkin) and the two chairmen sat down in the summer and decided to go for a tighter squad and only use the loan market in emergencies.
"We wanted to try and form a spirit. Nobody could argue the spirit among this group of players is unquestioned.
"That comes from having a tight group because everybody knows that every week they've got a chance of playing. It's not just the 11. Players like Doyley (Nathan Doyle), Matt Duke and Carl McHugh have made great contributions to get us into this position.
"Never underestimate the Wembley effect. Southend have won only one game before and after the JPT final.
"We had Arsenal and Aston Villa twice, some incredible games for these players and the fact we've still ended up in the play-offs is a great achievement."
Saturday's 13,235 crowd was only 200 down on the League Two season's best in midweek against Rotherham.
Parkinson is bracing himself for a huge turn-out in the play-off first leg – City's third appearance in the end-of-season showdown and first since 1996.
"The support we get when those play-offs come will be unprecedented for a club at this level.
"To get another 13,000 with only 400 away fans was brilliant. The lads have enjoyed playing in front of our supporters every game this season and now we've got to do it one more time.
"It's important that after so many games this year we've got players who are in good form. That's got to bode well.
"This club has waited a long time to get into this position and now we've got the chance of going to Wembley again. What a great feeling that would be."
Kyel Reid is fighting to be fit in time after going off with a thigh injury. But Parkinson is hoping it will not prove too serious.
The City chief will rest players in Saturday's final league game at fourth-placed Cheltenham – who are likely to be the play-off opponents if they miss out on the last automatic promotion spot.
He said: "Players like James Meredith, who was clearly struggling towards the end of the game with his hip, and others who've had bumps and bruises can have a break.
"We can really recharge the batteries before we go into the play-offs."
The first leg will take place at Valley Parade a week on Thursday with the return three days later. The League Two final is on Saturday, May 18.
* The club's player-of-the-year awards night has been put back a week until Tuesday, May 7.
===========================
PUBLISHED
18:37 20th April 2013
The Bantams secured their place in this season's League 2 Play-Offs thanks to this Saturday's hard-fought victory over Burton Albion at the Coral Windows Stadium.
The first leg of City's two-legged Play-Off Semi-Final will take place on Thursday 2 May 2013 before the return leg is played on Sunday 5 May 2013.
With City now only able to finish as high as sixth place in the League 2 table, the first leg of their semi-final will be played at the Coral Windows Stadium on date of Thursday 2 May - kick off 7:45pm.
City's second leg on Sunday 5 May will either kick off at 12noon or 6:45pm.
Out of the four teams who qualify for the Play-Offs - the fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh placed teams in the division - fourth will play seventh and fifth will play sixth in the semi-finals.
The higher ranked team of each semi always plays at home second.
Depending on the results from next weekend's final set of league fixtures for the season, City will either play Rotherham United, Cheltenham Town or Burton in their semi-final.
City's qualification for Play-Offs sees the Bantams into the season-ending promotion competition for the first time since 1996.
Ticket details for both home and away legs of City's Play-Off Semi-Final will be confirmed on the official website in due course.
===========================
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/10365501.print/
Bradford City boss Parkinson in plea for full-time officials
6:30am Friday 19th April 2013
By Simon Parker
Bantams boss Phil Parkinson is calling for full-time referees in every division to cut down on the inconsistency that plagues the lower levels.
City have felt short-changed from key decisions that went against them in the last two games to leave them holding on to the final play-off spot by a single point.
Parkinson believes that making officials fully professional – as they are in the Premier League – is the only way to improve standards.
Mark Haywood enraged City with his penalty award against Michael Nelson in the midweek loss to Rotherham. The referee and his assistants had also turned up at Valley Parade with faulty microphone headsets.
That followed the Chesterfield draw when the Bantams felt they were robbed of a spot-kick by Brendan Malone after a Zavon Hines shot was handled in front of goal.
Parkinson said: "You can blame the refs and get frustrated with their decisions but they are getting a raw deal.
"You think of the vast amount of money at the top level of the game and you're telling me we can't make all referees full-time?
"You've got the embarrassment of the officials saying they couldn't communicate because they are only supplied with one system and it was malfunctioning.
"That's unacceptable when you've some players in the Premier League earning £250,000 a week. There's a massive discrepancy with that and what's being put in to help the referees.
"We've got refs who have been working all day before the game. They don't have time to do the homework on the teams they are going to be in charge of.
"The official is also not going to have the time to maintain his fitness levels if he only refs or runs the line for one game a week.
"Improve that training and let the referees work together. They can also go out into the local Sunday leagues and help the officials there so the standard gets better across the board."
Despite his recent outbursts, Parkinson insists he is not a serial ref-basher and has sympathy for their situation.
"I wouldn't want our supporters to think that I don't get on with most of the refs. I understand their frustrations.
"We've got 13,000 at the game on Tuesday and the revenue for us and Rotherham to get promoted is huge. But a part-time ref and linesmen are being asked to take responsibility – how can that be right?
"Even in the Championship and the money in there, it can be the same situation. The refs need help.
"It's an issue that is talked about by managers a lot but gets brushed aside each year.
"We've got so many good people in this game, ex-managers like Brian Horton, Frank Clark, David Bassett and David Pleat who could sit round the table and work with the referees.
"The League Managers' Association are doing something now to help the assessors but it's still on a part-time basis. It's got to change.
"Why has it not been done with all the multi-million pounds the Premier League has got? Surely some of that has got to be filtered down.
"It's like improving players. You can't do that unless you've got the resources.
"People say there's no consistency but if once a week the refs in each area had the time to meet and discussed video incidents then you would get that. But it won't change when they only get together every year."
A win over Burton at Valley Parade tomorrow would rubber-stamp seventh spot if Exeter lose against Cheltenham. Given recent events, Parkinson will tell his players not to look for favours from referee Andy Woolmer.
"We can't feel sorry for ourselves. They say that decisions even themselves up but maybe they won't.
"It doesn't look like it, so let's not wait for a decision to go our way. Accept we're going to get absolutely nothing and if we do it's a bonus.
"Our fate is in our own hands. If you'd given us this position six weeks ago, we'd have been ecstatic."
Rotherham's victory edged Burton out of the third automatic spot on goal difference and Parkinson, who is likely to be without Andrew Davies, anticipates an open contest.
"Burton have secured a play-off place so they will obviously come up here to win the game. There is no point in them sitting back.
"I've always said that we're at our best when the balance is right. We play some good football but we can also go in behind for the front players as well.
"I thought it was a committed performance on Tuesday but just felt there was a spell in the second half when we lacked calmness. We became frantic and we haven't done that for a while."
===========================
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/10364145.Bradford_City_defender_Meredith__I_needed_to_get_priorities_right/
Bradford City defender Meredith: I needed to get priorities right
8:00am Friday 19th April 2013
By Simon Parker
James Meredith has been the City talisman during this remarkable season.
They rarely lose when the cultured left back is in the line-up. Check the stats.
Even in Tuesday's bitterly-disappointing defeat at Rotherham's hands, both goals happened after Meredith had been forced off with a whack on the hip.
City average around 1.8 points a game when he plays – that would equate to 83 over a full season and guaranteed automatic promotion. And that doesn't include the seven wins and a draw from eight cup outings.
But Meredith still feels he should have done better – certainly off the pitch. His ten-week absence with glandular fever gave him plenty of time to re-evaluate the way he was living his life away from football and burning the candle at both ends.
He said: "I felt like I'd let myself and the team down as well as the fans.
"Getting ill is down to the luck of the draw. It can't be helped.
"But I also felt I wasn't living to 100 per cent health-wise. I was going out enjoying myself and things like that.
"Now I'm fully committed and focused. I've realised that health is the most important thing."
Meredith admits he wasn't the only one who needed a shake to refocus. When Phil Parkinson called a team meeting the day after City's 4-1 loss at Exeter last month, the manager did not mince his words.
Meredith, who is hoping to be fit to face Burton, added: "He basically put a rocket up us. It was very serious.
"It's just natural for players to get complacent sometimes when they've had a 'warrior' season like we have with getting to the League Cup final.
"We've already achieved something special but now we want to go again.
"You've got everything here. You've got the stadium, you've got the fans, you are looked after brilliantly with the staff.
"Everything is in place and all it needs is a team to put it all on the line on the pitch.
"All the injuries came back and we've all had this desire from then on to really go forward. We're nearly there, but not yet, but we know we can do this."
The Australian watched the Swansea showpiece from the sidelines while he was recuperating and said it was tough not to be involved.
"I didn't really feel a full part of it because I wasn't out there on the pitch.
"It was very strange, especially because I'd worked so hard before then. But I was battling glandular fever and when it gets you, it really knocks you for six."
Meredith completed a Wembley double a year ago as a York player and believes it can happen again.
"It's very similar. With York we went to the FA Trophy final at Wembley and then went on to get there in the play-offs.
"Now we've had the League Cup final and fingers crossed we can do the same.
"But it's a very difficult time of the year. You've got the teams desperately trying to stay up, the ones at the top trying to push on and even those in the middle who just want to make things hard and spoil your season.
"The pitches haven't fully recovered because of the weather so the football can be ugly. But I think the team have the right mindset."
===========================
Share an evening with former Bradford City team-mates
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/10372812.Share_an_evening_with_former_Bradford_City_team_mates
Death of former Bradford City defender Mike Smith
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/10372787.Death_of_former_Bradford_City_defender_Smith
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