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 run in to seventh place (or third...)
For away tickets check updates here
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/tickets/away_tickets/
Saturday 13 April - Chesterfield v Bradford
City ticket allocation sold out (see below to buy direct from CHesterfield)
http://www.11v11.com/teams/bradford-city/tab/opposingTeams/opposition/Chesterfield
Tuesday 16 April - Bradford v Rotherham
http://www.11v11.com/teams/bradford-city/tab/opposingTeams/opposition/Rotherham%20United
Saturday, 20 April - Bradford v Burton
http://www.11v11.com/teams/bradford-city/tab/opposingTeams/opposition/Burton%20Albion
Saturday, 27 April - Cheltenham v Bradford
City ticket allocation sold out, more tickets expected, details to be confirmed
http://www.11v11.com/teams/bradford-city/tab/opposingTeams/opposition/Cheltenham%20Town
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
4/20: A-BraC
4/27: H-Gill
Northampton
4/13: H-YorC
4/16: A-WycW
4/20: A-PorV
4/27: H-Barn
Cheltenham
4/13: H-Gill
4/20: A-ExeC
4/27: H-BraC
Rotherham
4/13: H-FleT
4/16: A-BraC
4/20: A-PlyA
4/27: H-AldT
Exeter
4/13: A-AFCW
4/20: H-CheT
4/27: A-Ches
===========================
Signings, Loans and Injuries
Injuries
Luke Oliver, Achillies, out for the 2012/13 season
===========================
Match Media & Stats
http://espnfc.com/us/en/gamecast/363998/gamecast.html?soccernet=true&cc=5901
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21999056
http://m.espn.go.com/soccer/gamecast?gameId=363998&action=stats&lang=EN&wjb=
Head to Head
http://www.11v11.com/teams/bradford-city/tab/opposingTeams/opposition/Bristol%20Rovers
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)
http://www.bristolrovers.co.uk/news/article/bradford-a-photo-gallery-764266.aspx
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/news/article/bristol-rovers-images-763610.aspx
"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/21999056
Match stats
http://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=234#teamTabs=results
Bradford City: McLaughlin, Darby, Davies, McArdle, Meredith, Thompson (Atkinson 77mins), Ravenhill, Jones (Doyle 72mins), Reid, Hanson, Wells
(Connell 81mins). Unused substitutes: Duke, Hines, Nelson, McHugh,
Bristol Rovers: Mildenhall, Smith, McDonald, McChrystal, Brown, Anyinash (Richards 71mins), Woodards (Clarke 13mins), Norburn, Broghammer, Brunt,
Hitchcock Unused substitutes: Lockyer, Harding, Gough (gk), Patterson.
Referee: T Harrington (Cleveland).
===========================
Final whistle - match report
Seventh heaven for Bradford City heroes
8:10am Wednesday 10th April 2013
By Simon Parker
Phil Parkinson has promised to keep City grounded after they roared into the play-off mix.
Last night's thumping 4-1 win over Bristol Rovers, the third straight victory, lifted them up to seventh above Exeter.
City are also six points behind Burton in the last automatic promotion slot with a game in hand – and the Brewers still have to visit Valley
Parade.
It was a superb display from Parkinson's side against League Two's form team. But the City chief knows there is still a big battle ahead.
He said: "It's all about keeping it going now. We'll keep our feet on the floor because there's a lot of work left to do.
"We've also got to make sure the lads recover right and we give them enough rest. They've given an enormous amount of effort.
"Our job is to make sure they recover so they can produce performances like that because we go to another form side, Chesterfield, on Saturday.
"We haven't really mentioned the play-offs. We just talk about what we need to do to play well in each individual game.
"I'm sure everyone will look at the league table but we've got to perform well and give ourselves the best chance of staying in it."
City were 3-0 up by half-time as Nahki Wells scored twice, once from the penalty spot, before Andrew Davies headed the third.
Wells later set up Garry Thompson to make sure of their fourth win in five games.
Parkinson said: "We started really well and got Bristol Rovers on the back foot from the first whistle. We did everything we spoke about before
the game.
"We looked as if we could score every time we went forward and that's a great sign.
"It's so important to get goals when you're on top. You feel there are goals in the team. The lads are playing full of confidence in that final
third of the pitch."
Wells took his goal haul for the season to 21 and Parkinson believes the Bermudian looks back to his best after a recent lean spell.
He said: "He's full of confidence again. You can see a player who's had a good break and he's fresh again, which helps because his game is about
energy.
"Nahki and (James) Hanson were very athletic and stretched the defence. I thought Hanson's hold-up play was top drawer.
"The way he got hold of the ball and set it back shows how he has grown as a player. They have both improved in that department and that comes
with confidence.
"If you look back at a lot of the home games that we've drawn, we have completely dominated. Go back to Aldershot and we had 67 per cent of
possession.
"But goals are what the game is all about and at the moment there's a good feeling in the dressing room. That bodes well for the last few games."
Rovers boss John Ward admitted his side, who had won four out of five before yesterday, were never in it.
He said: "Bradford are going to take a lot of stopping if they keep playing like that. They were too strong for us."
===========================
When the dust settled - match report
Plain sailing for Bradford City as Wells double sinks Pirates
6:30am Wednesday 10th April 2013
By Simon Parker
City 4, Bristol Rovers 1
So Bradford City's play-off odyssey goes on in increasingly shipshape and Bristol fashion.
John Ward's Pirates came aboard with the purpose of scuttling the ship last night but City navigated potentially choppy waters to journey three
points nearer the promised land of promotion.
Captain Hook? More like Captain Pugwash as League Two's form team were forced to walk the plank by the irrepressible hosts.
A third straight win – the first time they had done that since September – restored the Bantams to the top seven after a three-month absence.
Now the scenario changes for the final four games. It's all about staying in there or even continuing upwards; that final automatic slot is not
completely out of reach.
If this form is anything to go by, City are the hottest contenders of the bunch. The teams immediately above them will be looking nervously over
their shoulders – and with good reason.
Phil Parkinson had the luxury of being able to name the same side that had beaten Torquay and Northampton to keep City snapping at the heels of
the pack.
Confidence was high – and that was evident in an explosive start which saw Nahki Wells cut in from the right to smack the Rovers bar with the
game only 17 seconds old.
The crowd roared in anticipation and did not have to wait much longer for a breakthrough. Garry Thompson brushed off left back Lee Brown to pick
out Wells, who claimed his 20th goal of the season with a simple header.
A goal up after six minutes, City went hunting more and Thompson hooked wide from a low cross by Kyel Reid.
For Rovers, things went from bad to worse as Danny Woodards appeared to twist his knee and had to be stretchered off after a lengthy stoppage.
Oliver Clarke replaced him – and almost had an equaliser with his first involvement. The substitute nicked the ball away from Rory McArdle to
bear down menacingly on goal but Jon McLaughlin made a crucial block with his legs.
City bounced straight back up the other end as Wells forced a save from Steve Mildenhall after James Hanson nodded down from Reid. The corner was
cleared to the edge of the box where Ricky Ravenhill was tripped by Fabian Broghammer as he shaped to shoot.
Referee Tony Harrington had no doubts about the penalty – and nor did Wells as he smashed the spot-kick into the bottom corner.
Valley Parade was bouncing but once again it needed the reflexes of McLaughlin to keep Rovers at bay.
Tom Hitchcock looked certain to score with a point-blank downward header from Broghammer's cross. But McLaughlin spread himself more in hope than
expectation on his line and somehow managed to prevent the ball going in before City mopped up the ensuing scramble.
It was a fantastic save but also a warning about the visitors' "devil may care" attacking attitude. It was breathless entertainment and a welcome
antidote to the anti-football that Northampton had offered on Saturday.
Rovers were certainly capable of making a game of it and, given their fantastic form since the turn of the year, City could not risk taking their
foot off the pedal.
The imposing Ryan Brunt looked to turn Andrew Davies just outside the box but McArdle was alert to any danger and quickly whisked the ball off
his toes.
McArdle's fluffed clearance in the first minute of added time allowed Brunt to chance his arm with a hugely ambitious half-volley but it was more
of a threat to the bottom tier of the Kop than McLaughlin's goal.
And there was still time for City to sign off an emphatic first half with a third goal. Reid was flattened by Michael Smith ten yards inside the
Rovers half, Gary Jones floated the free-kick into the goalmouth and Davies took advantage of Mildenhall's hesitancy to glance it gently into the
corner.
Jones ran towards the fans fist-pumping the air – City's joy was universal after their most prolific first half since Wimbledon way back in
August. And all this from a side who never usually score before they turn round...
Rovers needed an early lifeline for any hopes of a comeback and they got it within five minutes of the restart.
McArdle missed his clearance as he attempted to volley clear and Hitchcock raced clear before beating McLaughlin via the inside of the post. The
keeper reacted furiously at seeing City breached in such a careless manner.
The goal also ended a run of nine successive league clean sheets for the Bantams on Tuesdays.
Rovers, having won four of their last five games, threw men upfield in an increasingly gung-ho fashion as their travelling fans made themselves
heard at last.
But their open approach backfired as City launched a clinical counter-attack to restore their three-goal cushion in the 58th minute.
Smith got in a mess on halfway and Wells picked up the loose ball to work it on for Thompson. His first touch took him clear of two defenders and
the finish gave Mildenhall no chance.
Nerves suitably soothed, the game returned to its previous pattern with City stroking the ball about with confidence.
It is nearly a year to the day since Wells notched his first professional hat-trick and he was not far off marking the milestone with another.
Dancing his way across the Rovers penalty area, he was only thwarted by a fine tip wide from Mildenhall.
Parkinson clearly thought the game was won as Jones was given a breather for the final 15 minutes. How City's all-action skipper deserved the
applause that rang round the stadium as he made way for Nathan Doyle.
The noise was just as loud as Thompson then Wells followed. But City were still hungry for more as Ravenhill warmed Mildenhall's hands from 25
yards before the keeper then took one in the face to deny Reid.
A great night all-round for the Bantams. Now full steam ahead for Chesterfield on Saturday.
Attendance: 10,621
===========================
Tickets for City's forthcoming away match at Chesterfield this Saturday (13 April 2013) have completely SOLD OUT from the Bantams Ticket Office.
Having previously received two separate allocations of tickets from Chesterfield for Saturday's game, the club no longer has any match tickets to
sell to City supporters.
Chesterfield themselves, however, have released approximately 800 tickets in their East Stand for City supporters.
These tickets will only be available through Chesterfield's Ticket Office. The telephone number for Chesterfield's Ticket Office is: 01246 209765
(option 1).
Match tickets for this area will be slightly more expensive than tickets previously on sale to City supporters.
Adults: £21.00
Concessions: £16.00
Juniors (14 and under): £9.00
===========================
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/10345688.print/
Bradford City make lifelong fan's 90th birthday special
6:00am Thursday 11th April 2013
By Jessica Nightingale
A long-time Bradford City fan was treated like a VIP by the club to celebrate his 90th birthday. Arnold Thompson, 90, from Pudsey, who has been a
Bantams season ticket holder for 78 years, got the present of his dreams when he was welcomed to join club officials before the game against
Bristol Rovers on Tuesday.
The special visit was set up by his 12-year-old great granddaughter, Georgia Phillips, who sent a letter to the club asking for a birthday treat
for him, thinking she would receive a card at best.
But thanks to Mark Lawn, co-chairman of the club, Mr Thompson and his son Craig Thompson were invited for a special visit behind the scenes.
The pair parked in the players' car park and then wined and dined in the directors' lounge where they met the chairmen and directors of Bradford
City. They then enjoyed a meal and had some celebratory birthday drinks.
Club officials also sang 'Happy Birthday' to him.
He then walked onto the pitch and had photographs taken with some of the players and manager Phil Parkinson.
Mr Thompson said: "I had such a marvellous time. I felt like one of the directors, they treated me like a king.
"I just felt like I was in another world. I have supported them for so long, since 1935, and this was more than I could have imagined.
"The experience is hard to put into words it meant so much to me."
His passion for the club started at age 12 and even now at 90 years old he drives himself to every home game and even travelled to Wembley to
watch his team in the Capital One Cup final this season.
Mr Lawn said: "Arnold's great granddaughter wrote to me personally originally, asking for a signed shirt or something for his birthday. But I
thought it would be nicer because he has been a fan for such a long time to invite him into the director's lounge for a meal and drinks. It was
lovely to meet him.
"We wanted to do it as a gesture, and I think he had a great time."
His granddaughter, Lynne Thompson, of Otley, said: "Bradford City didn't have to do this. It just goes to show they really do have committed
supporters and this is something that doesn't go unmissed.
"They made my grandad's birthday, his week, and his year and most probably this will be something that he will never ever forget.
"My father said that grandad's face was an absolute picture and he found it very hard to keep the tears in as this meant so much to him."
===========================
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/news/article/rotherham-safety-message-765046.aspx
Safety notice - Rotherham fixture
PUBLISHED
17:43 10th April 2013
With next Tuesday's (16 April 2013) fixture against Rotherham United now even more crucial given that both clubs are currently heavily involved in the promotion/play-off challenge, City supporters are reminded of the special safety arrangements that are being introduced for the game.
In view of the anticipated numbers travelling from South Yorkshire for the game, the stadium configuration has been changed to enable Rotherham United fans to use the TL Dallas (South) Stand plus Blocks F and G of the Northern Commercials (East) Stand if needed.
Bradford City Season Ticket and FlexiCard holders in the TL Dallas Stand will be re-allocated seats in other parts of the stadium.
This measure has been taken for 3 main reasons:
- Safety - to ensure that as many visiting fans as possible can be accommodated
- Reduced inconvenience - by moving the fans in the TL Dallas Stand, we are moving the least number of fans possible; the only other alternative was to make the game all-ticket which is an inconvenience to supporters that the Club wanted to avoid
- A gesture to fans in the Northern Commercial East Stand - home fans in Block E have been moved on numerous occasions in the past; this measures avoids them being moved yet again
Season Ticket holders and FlexiCard holders can now exchange their cards for a match day ticket in any available seat in the stadium for the Rotherham United game.
The choice of any available seat ensures that supporters can enjoy a similar behind the goal view from The Kop or be alongside the game by switching to available seats on either side of the pitch.
The supporters who do the exchange in advance of the game will, therefore, be able to choose from a range of excellent seats.
Their FlexiCards can then be collected from the ticket office immediately after the final whistle of the Rotherham game or they will be posted back to supporters on the Wednesday morning. All supporters in the TL Dallas Stand were informed of these changes by letter in March.
Any supporters who are unable to get to the Ticket Office to exchange their FlexiCards before next Tuesday can still, of course, use their Season Ticket or FlexiCard for the game. These supporters should make their way directly to The Kop North Stand turnstiles on Midland Road from 6.30pm where alternative tickets will be allocated for seats in The Kop.
Finally, the club wishes to thank the supporters in the TL Dallas (South) Stand in advance for their help and co-operation in making these revised arrangements a success.
===========================
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