L1 W1-0 (a) Gillingham Saturday September 20, 2013. K.O. 3:00PM. #bcafc

Read this article online
http://texasbantam.blogspot.com/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/46810838356/


===========================

Signings, Loans and Injuries

Matt Taylor, 1 month loan to Colchester

Injuries

===========================


General Links

Current table
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/fixtures-results/league-table/
http://www.sportinglife.com/football/league-one/table
http://m.espn.go.com/soccer/standings?leagueTag=ENG.3&lang=EN&wjb=

Fixtures
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/fixtures-results/fixtures-list/
http://m.espn.go.com/soccer/scoreboard?leagueTag=ENG.3&lang=EN

The "Social media Corner"
http://paper.li/f-1315926867
http://www.bradfordcity.tv/

Head to Head stats
http://www.11v11.com/teams/bradford-city/tab/opposingTeams
http://www.statto.com/football/teams/bradford-city/

T&A Reports & Pictures
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/sportbcfcmatch/
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/sport_bantams_pics2012/

Bantams Player (subscription required)
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/commercial/Bantams-player/

BBC headlines and highlights (video may be uk only)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/teams/bradford-city

Pulse audio (last match highlights, post match interviews)
http://www.pulse.co.uk/on-air/pulse-sport/

Match stats
http://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=234#teamTabs=results

2013 suite
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYVaty8hdHg

2013 DVD trailer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFvZKFeCPt8&feature=share

===========================

Preview
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/24089664

Game links
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/24089664
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/sport_bantams_pics2012/sport_bantams_pics2013_gillinghamaway/
http://m.espn.go.com/soccer/gamecast?gameId=368145&action=stats&lang=EN

Goals
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10151870549654679&set=o.2208709274&type=2&theater
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-dwshNyfYQ (no sound)

Parky post match
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-GbO8RXs3A

Live Blog
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/10690472.Live_blog__Gillingham_v_Bantams/



===========================

Final whistle - match report

Stats:

Report by Simon Parker (T&A).

There may be an argument over who scored the goal but there was no disputing
City's claim on a first away win of the season.

The Bantams heaped more pressure on struggling Gillingham with only their
second victory in Kent in nine attempts.

After slow starts in previous away games, City came bursting out the blocks
and were rewarded with an eighth-minute lead.

Gary Jones was credited with the goal as his curling corner went straight in
but Garry Thompson felt he had got a touch at the near post.

The visitors were well in charge and Nathan Doyle and James Hanson both went
close to increasing the lead. At the other end, Jon McLaughlin pulled off a
fine save from Adam Barrett's volley.

Gillingham spurned a glorious chance to level soon after the break when Cody
McDonald fired over from six yards out.

Nahki Wells almost celebrated his 100th City appearance with a tenth goal of
the season but home keeper Stuart Nelson finger-tipped his effort on to the
bar. Then Nelson blocked another shot with his legs.

But City had done enough to break their duck on the road, moving into the
top six in the process.

---


Parkinson: Bradford City should have won by more

6:56pm Saturday 21st September 2013

By Simon Parker

Phil Parkinson felt City's first away win of the season should have been more emphatic.

The Bantams sent Gillingham to the bottom of League One with a 1-0 victory at the Priestfield Stadium, Garry Thompson

applying the decisive touch from a Gary Jones corner.

Parkinson said: "We should have scored more but missed chances. Another day we will take them.

"But when you don't take your chances, it's important that you stand strong as a team and I thought we did that.

"It was a dangerous game. Gillingham have not been losing 3-0 or 4-0 and Martin (Allen) did feel that a win was coming.

"We knew they would come at us and we had to withstand that. We did it by playing in a positive fashion and not sitting

back and soaking up pressure."

===========================

When the dust settled - match report


Bradford City earn welcome win bonus for long trip home from Kent

6:20am Monday 23rd September 2013

By Simon Parker

Gillingham 0, City 1

It's quicker to get to Boulogne from Gillingham than Bingley. For City, it has more often than not felt like trekking back

from the moon.

The return journey from this distant Kent outpost is never usually a happy one. It's not just the mileage, those hours on

various motorways are usually accompanied by the memory of another pointless afternoon.

Before Saturday, City had won on only one of their previous eight visits, taking just four points from a possible 24

against these regular sparring partners. So the elation which greeted the first away win in League One was all the more for

its location.

The league table will say this result was nothing out the ordinary. Just four months after lifting the League Two title,

Martin Allen's hold on the Gills hot-seat is beginning to look less than secure as they grope blindly for a first victory

since promotion.

Bottom they may be but Gillingham remain a typical up-and-at-'em Allen side, revved up further for the weekend by a pre-

match rallying call from chairman Paul Scally.

So City were well briefed for an encounter of the 'kitchen sink' variety. Only they too had been geeing up the troops with

a Friday night pow-wow.

One defeat in three previous away games was hardly a major cause for concern but the form on the road had been patchy –

particularly the lethargic manner of their first halves.

The solution was obvious: play from the first whistle and get straight into the opposition as they do at Valley Parade.

Phil Parkinson had also spoken to the players individually, including one-to-ones with front pair Nahki Wells and James

Hanson.

You cannot fault their red-hot start to the new campaign but the manager still felt there was more in the locker,

particularly away from home. The message was taken on board; not just up top but everywhere.

"The whistle went and bang," beamed Parkinson afterwards. "There were eight out of tens across the board. You can go

through the whole team and everyone played really well."

Gillingham may have finished 14 points better off than the Bantams last season but it looks a very different picture now.

For long swathes of this game, you could be excused for thinking City were the home side.

The last win in these parts in February 2009, when we really thought that Stuart McCall was going to lead his beloved club

out of the forgotten land, had been inspired by the exciting wing play of Omar Daley.

While Parkinson was reluctant to single out individuals from such a solid team effort, once again it was the wide man who

was so instrumental in the result.

Like any winger, particularly those plying their trade in the lower divisions, Kyel Reid will have his critics. And often

the speed and taunting trickery to beat the full back are wasted by a poor cross.

But when everything clicks, as it did at Priestfield, he remains a huge weapon in City's attacking arsenal.

On-loan QPR defender Michael Harriman is no slouch himself. But the Gillingham right back will be mighty relieved he does

not have to come up against Reid every week.

The left winger picked up the baton in the first half more than anyone, surging into home territory whenever he got a hint

of open space. There was also a very healthy end product as he whipped several dangerous balls into the goal-mouth.

His impact was felt by others. Gillingham's fear of leaving Harriman too exposed saw right midfielder Charlie Lee dropping

back to offer more cover.

And that meant plenty of room for James Meredith to exploit going up the pitch – and the Aussie does not need any

encouragement to do that.

Wells too, on his 100th appearance for the club, enjoyed more space to run the channel as defenders were drawn to Reid like

bees round a honey pot.

The biggest surprise, then, was that neither Reid nor top scorer Wells were directly involved in City's eighth-minute

winner.

Both had a hand in the pressure leading up to the goal. Wells leathered a shot against keeper Stuart Nelson's knees and,

with Gillingham struggling to regain their composure, Reid saw an effort of his own deflected behind.

The goal – straight from the corner – will not feature on any end-of-season highlight reels. Not that City will give two

hoots about that.

Gary Jones curled the ball to the near post, where first Garry Thompson and then Andrew Davies ran across its path on its

route straight into the net.

There the confusion begins. Jones immediately celebrated and was credited as the scorer – both on the tannoy and in the

distant away end where strains of "he's magic, you know" drifted into the Kent sky.

But Thompson jogged back to the halfway line jabbing his own chest to indicate that he had applied the final touch. Just to

add to the uncertainty, some media sources even put it down to Davies.

Television replays – including the whole 15-second slot on the Football League show – failed to clear the smoke. So we'll

just have to go on the word of the players.

Thompson put forward the strongest case in the shadow of the team bus. He also said he would win any arm wrestle with the

skipper on the trip home to settle the dispute! But there was no argument about the authenticity of City's three points.

There were a couple of scares. Jon McLaughlin saved superbly from Adam Barrett and Cody McDonald somehow blazed over from

close range.

But otherwise this was as convincing an away performance as you will see. Certainly the final scoreline did no justice to

the way City had taken a grip on proceedings.

Wells could have had a hat-trick, fashioning a string of chances for himself. Hanson should have scored with a point-blank

header. But nothing could knock the smile off Parkinson's face as his side bounced straight back from a first home draw.

He said: "As the week went on after Colchester, I felt it was two points dropped. They were a team there for the taking.

"It was important that we made that point into a good one – and we certainly did that with this win.

Attendance: 4,965

===========================


Bradford City v Tranmere match switched again to Sunday

4:41pm Friday 20th September 2013

By Sports Desk

City's home match against Tranmere next month has been switched for a second time.

The League One clash had originally been brought forward a day from Saturday, October 12 at the request of West Yorkshire

Police because of an English Defence League demonstration in the city centre scheduled for the same time.

But fans had expressed regret that the alternative Friday night kick off clashed with England's match against Montenegro in

their World Cup qualifying campaign.

So Valley Parade officials have had a rethink and the Tranmere game will now be played on Sunday, October 13 at 3pm.

A club statement read: "Bradford City have listened to fans' reaction by moving the home game against Tranmere Rovers to

Sunday.

"The game was originally switched to Friday night but this is the same date as England's World Cup qualifier against

Montenegro, which is being televised live on terrestrial TV.

"So to avoid Bradford and Tranmere fans having a club versus country dilemma, the game has now been rearranged for the

Sunday slot.

"The club, once again, apologises for any inconvenience caused to supporters for these changes and thanks Tranmere Rovers

for their help with this switch to Sunday afternoon."

===========================

Walsall and Preston North End away tickets now on sale.
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/news/article/walsallpne-1074398.aspx

charity coffee morning at Valley Parade on Friday
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/10691626.Enjoy_a_cuppa_with_the_Bradford_City_big_wigs/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=8bYC3AwJJqU

Loan players are rejecting the chance to join City – because they cannot get in the team.
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/10692485.No_play__no_way__Bradford_City_in_loan_market_dilemma

Mug shot of the day
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=469593606471241&set=a.184170168346921.38053.100002618170433&type=1&theater

===========================

L1 D2-2 (d) Colchester Utd Saturday September 14, 2013. K.O. 3:00PM. #bcafc

Read this article online
http://texasbantam.blogspot.com/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/46810838356/


===========================

Signings, Loans and Injuries


Injuries

===========================


General Links

Current table
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/fixtures-results/league-table/
http://www.sportinglife.com/football/league-one/table
http://m.espn.go.com/soccer/standings?leagueTag=ENG.3&lang=EN&wjb=

Fixtures
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/fixtures-results/fixtures-list/
http://m.espn.go.com/soccer/scoreboard?leagueTag=ENG.3&lang=EN

The "Social media Corner"
http://paper.li/f-1315926867
http://www.bradfordcity.tv/

Head to Head stats
http://www.11v11.com/teams/bradford-city/tab/opposingTeams
http://www.statto.com/football/teams/bradford-city/

T&A Reports & Pictures
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/sportbcfcmatch/
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/sport_bantams_pics2012/

Bantams Player (subscription required)
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/commercial/Bantams-player/

BBC headlines and highlights (video may be uk only)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/teams/bradford-city

Pulse audio (last match highlights, post match interviews)
http://www.pulse.co.uk/on-air/pulse-sport/

Match stats
http://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=234#teamTabs=results

2013 suite
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYVaty8hdHg

2013 DVD trailer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFvZKFeCPt8&feature=share

===========================

Preview
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/10672820.Bradford_City_reaping_the_rewards_of_Parkinson___s_three_yea

r_education_at_Colchester/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23999401

Game links
http://m.espn.go.com/soccer/gamecast?gameId=368131&action=stats&lang=EN&wjb=
http://bantamsbanter.com/latest-news/bradford-city-v-colchester-united/


Goals
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EI_E3u251qQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmHXb0JYI8E

Live Blog
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/10675858.Live_blog__Bantams_v_Colchester/



===========================

Final whistle - match report

 CITY 2 COLCHESTER 2

Nahki Wells added another two goals to his prolific run – but City dropped their first points of the season at Valley

Parade.
Wells took his tally to nine with a double strike that topped and tailed a testing encounter with Colchester this

afternoon.
Phil Parkinson had warned that his old club would pose a difficult test for the Bantams and he was not wrong as they became

the first visiting side to avoid defeat.
Wells gave City a 14th-minute lead after a miscue from David Wright. The ball appeared to get stuck under the Bermudian's

feet but he pivoted superbly to drill into the bottom corner.
But Colchester were a threat going forward. Jabo Ibehre should have equalised straight away before Jeffrey Monakana crowned

his debut on loan from Preston with a superb finish into the top corner.
It was the first goal City had let in at home in nearly five hours of football – but within four minutes there was another

as Ibehre turned Rory McArdle to confidently convert Monakana's through ball.
City had lost their way since the equaliser and the crowd were quiet. But normal service resumed seven minutes after the

break as Wells looped a header home from James Meredith's cross.
City pushed for a winner although there was a scare when Gavin Massey hit the post.
But the game finished on a sour note when Yeates was taken out by sub Daniel Pappoe, who was sent off just four minutes

after coming on the pitch.


---
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/10676027.Parkinson_feared_Yeates_had_broken_his_leg/

Parkinson feared Yeates had broken his leg

7:59pm Saturday 14th September 2013

By Simon Parker

City will check on Mark Yeates tomorrow morning after the stoppage-time incident that saw Colchester sub Daniel Pappoe

red-carded.

Pappoe, who had been on for less than five minutes, was sent off for a late tackle on the Irishman at the end of today's 2

-2 draw.

City boss Phil Parkinson admitted: "I thought Yeatesy had broken his leg. The sheer ferocity of the challenge shook Mark

up.

"I thought the whistle had gone and the game had stopped before the lad launched himself in. That's what annoyed me.

"It was needless because it was a great game. I don't know what the lad was thinking."

"If we'd have lost a key player like Mark Yeates we'd have been livid. "


===========================

When the dust settled - match report


Wells double allows Bradford City to pass unfamiliar test

6:40am Monday 16th September 2013

By Simon Parker

City 2, Colchester 2

Don't say you hadn't been warned. At the fourth attempt, Colchester became the first visiting side to leave Valley Parade

with more than their tails between their legs.

The U's gave City a real run for their money – just as Phil Parkinson had predicted they would.

The pre-match bookies may have been firmly in the home side's corner. But for someone who had cut his managerial teeth

upsetting those odds with the "little old Colchester" approach, the City boss wasn't being sucked in.

Parkinson had studied every game of his old club's season and was not fooled by what he had witnessed at first hand against

Coventry the week before.

The side beaten at a near-deserted Northampton were a shadow of the one that turned up at Valley Parade on Saturday.

Joe Dunne, Parkinson's former youth-team coach, had key players back from suspension and injury. He'd also brought in two

loans – including the outstanding Jeffrey Monakana from Preston, whose quick feet and acceleration posed constant problems.

When Colchester last came to City, Parkinson was in the opposite dugout – and a dour 1-1 draw ended with a final-whistle

spat with Colin Todd, the then-Bantams boss calling his sterile tactics the "death of football".

There was no such policy of containment on view from Dunne's youthful side. The holding midfielder may have sat so deep he

was effectively a third centre half, but with the full backs bombing on, there was plenty of attacking movement on the

counter to keep the hosts on full alert.

"You can see that the standard is a notch up from last year," said Parkinson afterwards. "Colchester have got some

dangerous players and I told the lads they won't get it all their own way.

"But it was a good game of football with two teams contributing. You'd take a point after being 2-1 down at half-time – it

was a good test for us."

City had started as they finished against Brentford and swept into the lead when Nahki Wells seized on a miscue from David

Wright.

Wells pivoted and drove into the bottom corner – it was the 100th goal in total for him and James Hanson.

All bar four of the Bermudian's goals for City have come when Hanson has been on the field and the big man's presence had

pressured the Colchester midfielder into his panicky slice.

At that stage we were all guilty of thinking it was the cue for another boot-filling exercise. After all, the opposition

never score at Valley Parade these days...

But the alarm bells started ringing within a minute of the Wells strike. Jabo Ibehre should have hit the target but blazed

over from ten yards.

The clock was just about to reach its fifth hour without an away goal when Colchester came up with a spectacular equaliser.

Monakana teased Stephen Darby and then rifled an unstoppable shot into the top corner.

It was the first time Jon McLaughlin had been beaten at home since Burton's Robbie Weir had scored in the same net beneath

the Kop four months ago to seemingly bury the play-off dream.

City had famously bounced back from that but the immediate reaction to Monakana's rocket was one of being rocked on their

heels.

The first goal against may have taken 298 minutes – the second arrived four minutes later.

Craig Eastmond, the excellent 'quarterback' in the Colchester midfield, threaded through a low pass. Rory McArdle, back

from Northern Ireland duty, gambled and lost and Ibehre was left in the clear to apply a confident finish.

So for the first time since promotion, the Bantams found themselves in the strange position of having to chase the game at

Valley Parade.

It was an uncomfortable feeling for a while. Certainly the bounce went out of the home crowd, who became very muted as

half-time approached.

The odd cat call became more audible and it was the 189 travelling Colchester fans making the noise. "Parky, give us a

wave," came their cheeky chirp from the TL Dallas Stand.

The City boss has delivered a few pick-me-up addresses at the interval recently – all on their travels. But the home

dressing room knew exactly what was required.

Parkinson said: "The lads did all my talking. They couldn't wait to get back out there.

"We had times here last season, like when we were 2-0 down against Southend after 12 minutes, when we had to respond.

"It's part of football. The top teams in Europe have games when they go behind and you've got to find something in you to

come back. You couldn't fault the lads for the response."

City required only seven minutes to restore the equilibrium. James Meredith, having another fine game cruising up and down

the left flank, delivered the cross and Wells looped a header over his shoulder.

It was almost slow motion as the game stopped and watched the ball loop high over keeper Sam Walker before dropping under

his crossbar.

So Wells stretched his prolific start to nine goals – already almost a third of the way towards the ambitious 30 target he

set during City's pre-season training camp outside Dublin.

Take in his run down the home straight last term and it is now 17 goals in 16 games – a frightening strike rate.

With so much time left to play with, Valley Parade sensed a fourth City win. The fans were noisily behind them again as

more and more amber shirts were thrown forward.

Garry Thompson fizzed just wide from 25 yards, Nathan Doyle should have done much better with a close-range effort that he

skied over. Then Hanson flashed a header past the near post.

But it was not completely one-way traffic as Gavin Massey's curler struck the City woodwork on the break.

Mark Yeates was denied a goal against his old club thanks to a fine save by Walker. But the Irishman was on the wrong end

of a hideous challenge in stoppage time as Chelsea loanee Daniel Pappoe launched into him by the touchline.

Colchester felt that Yeates over-reacted as he rolled on the floor; City were furious that Pappoe had gone in so late after

the whistle had blown.

It was an ugly and sour note to end an enthralling afternoon. Maybe no home win this time but once again plenty to enjoy.

Attendance: 13,570

===========================

Bradford City: Ever the competitor, McCall rues loss to celebs

9:40am Tuesday 17th September 2013

By Simon Parker

The shirt sizes might have been a little more generous than back in their City pomp. But old habits die hard.

Stuart McCall cherished the opportunity to grace the Valley Parade pitch once again with the heroes of 1999 – apart from

one thing.

"The only downer was the result," he said. "It was good fun to be playing but you still want to win."

The Motherwell boss had travelled down from Scotland on the morning of the game through heavy rain and strong winds. But

the competitive edge had not diminished.

So losing 4-3 to a celebrity XI, including the likes of cricketers Steve Harmison and Anthony McGrath, will have rankled a

little.

"When Beags (Peter Beagrie) went down the line in the first minute, big Harmy tripped up and I was thinking 'this is going

to be too easy'. That happens sometimes in these games.

"You want it to be competitive and, to be fair, it was. All right, we're all a lot older and have put a few more pounds on,

but the camaraderie was great.

"There were still some flashes on the pitch. You might lose a yard of pace but the ability is still there.

"The '85 team have had a few reunions over the years, likewise the successful side I was in at Rangers. But this is the

first time we've got back together."

Considering the dodgy weather, McCall was impressed to see just over 2,000 fans support Sunday's event, which was set up by

Wayne Jacobs in aid of the One in a Million free school.

He added: "It was a far better turn-out than I thought. Fair play to anybody who comes out to see a bunch of old guys like

us in those weather conditions.

"We had a great group of players and it was a fantastic achievement that year to get promoted to the top flight after the

dismal start we had to that season.

"It's a shame one or two couldn't make it on Sunday, like Blakey (Robbie Blake) and Sharpey (Lee Sharpe), but I think it

was quite easy for Wayne to get it together.

"Although he had to put a lot of hours into organising everything, I think everyone was more than willing to meet up again

and share the pitch and some great stories."

===========
Signed Play-Off flag to bid for
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/news/article/play-off-flag-1060778.aspx

Gillingham ticket details
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/news/article/gillingham-tickets-1061812.aspx

Parkin heals Reid's mental scars
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/10679911.Bradford_City__Parkin_heals_Reid___s_mental_scars/

Tranmere game brought forward a day
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/news/article/tranmere-moved-forward-1061821.aspx

===========================

L1 W4-0 (h) Brentford Saturday September 7, 2013. K.O. 3:00PM. #bcafc

Read this article online
http://texasbantam.blogspot.com/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/46810838356/


===========================

Signings, Loans and Injuries


Injuries

===========================


General Links

Current table
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/fixtures-results/league-table/
http://www.sportinglife.com/football/league-one/table
http://m.espn.go.com/soccer/standings?leagueTag=ENG.3&lang=EN&wjb=

Fixtures
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/fixtures-results/fixtures-list/
http://m.espn.go.com/soccer/scoreboard?leagueTag=ENG.3&lang=EN

The "Social media Corner"
http://paper.li/f-1315926867
http://www.bradfordcity.tv/

Head to Head stats
http://www.11v11.com/teams/bradford-city/tab/opposingTeams
http://www.statto.com/football/teams/bradford-city/

T&A Reports & Pictures
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/sportbcfcmatch/
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/sport_bantams_pics2012/

Bantams Player (subscription required)
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/commercial/Bantams-player/

BBC headlines and highlights (video may be uk only)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/teams/bradford-city

Pulse audio (last match highlights, post match interviews)
http://www.pulse.co.uk/on-air/pulse-sport/

Match stats
http://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=234#teamTabs=results

2013 suite
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYVaty8hdHg

2013 DVD trailer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFvZKFeCPt8&feature=share

===========================

Game links
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23910020
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/10657758.Bees_face_backlash_with_Parkinson_confident_Bantams_won_t_be_stung_twice_in_one_week

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23910020

Goals
http://youtu.be/3LKP4hxmB0E
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10151690135858645&set=o.2208709274&type=2&theater

Live Blog
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/10661450.Live_blog__Bantams_v_Brentford/



===========================

Final whistle - match report

http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/10661548.Bantams_boss__Red_card_was_spot_on/


Bantams boss: Red card was spot on

5:38pm Saturday 7th September 2013

By Simon Parker

Phil Parkinson felt referee Andy Haines was right to send off Brentford keeper David Button.

Haines showed a straight red after Button went in high on Nahki Wells. City went on to win 4-0 against ten men.

Brentford are considering an appeal against the decision but Parkinson thought the official was spot on.

He said: "I thought it was one of those tackles that can injure someone seriously."

Wells picked up a slight shoulder injury but was unable to continue until later in the game - and scored his seventh goal of the season.

James Hanson scored twice and Garry Thompson also headed home.


===========================

When the dust settled - match report (so good, this deserves 2 headlines)

Brentford press self-destruct Button but ruthless Bantams sure make most of extra man advantage

Bantams making League One rivals sit up and take notice

8:00am Monday 9th September 2013

By Simon Parker

Bradford City 4 Brentford 0

Uwe Rosler had some pointed remarks to say about City as he picked through the bones of Brentford's 4-0 drubbing.

The German, like Greg Abbott a few weeks ago, suggested the Bantams "play a lot of things down" and were a little coy about their supposed financial muscle.

But among the odd barb, Rosler was very clear on one issue. He had no doubt that City are proper top-six material.

Brentford should know. They fell at the final hurdle to Yeovil at Wembley on the day City were still nursing their promotion hangovers.

Ask Phil Parkinson about objectives for this season and the answer will always be the same: Do our best and see where that takes us.

It's a careful mantra designed to keep heads out of the clouds and feet firmly on terra firma. That way it also keeps City flying under the radar of others.

But many more results like Saturday and that will all change. Like a boxer chinning a top-ten contender, their ranking among the pack will have risen quickly.

Obviously, Brentford's hopes were hit massively by losing their keeper so early on. They had no guard to protect against the constant jabbing of the home side.

But the onus was still on City to finish the job – and they once again demonstrated a clinical style that is fast becoming the norm at Valley Parade.

The feelgood factor in BD8 shows no hint of waning. Played three, won three, scored ten without one goal conceded – that's plenty of buck for your season ticket.

To add to that was the welcome sight of Luke Oliver emerging from nearly a year stuck on the sidelines to renew the defensive partnership with Andrew Davies that had once been such a bedrock of City's foundations.

Oliver's call came as a shock – and Parkinson only told the player on Saturday morning.

As much as it showed his faith in the big man after such a long recovery from injury, it also suggested he remains unconvinced by Matt Taylor, who did seem the natural replacement while Rory McArdle is with Northern Ireland.

Taylor had looked woeful at Hartlepool four days earlier – although he was not the only one.

There was no hint of rust about Oliver's return and he was helped hugely by the dominant presence of Davies at his shoulder. Like Nathan Doyle, Davies seems to have gone through the gears since City stepped up a division.

Their task got easier, of course, once Brentford went down to ten men and Marcello Trotta was sacrificed for the sub goalkeeper.

David Button's 25th-minute dismissal was the crucial point of the game, tilting a well-balanced contest firmly in City's favour.

Nahki Wells swooped menacingly on a long ball, knowing full well that the keeper was approaching at maximum impact. The City hitman was promptly flattened as the pair met on the edge of the penalty area.

Rosler called the sending off harsh and the direction of the ball suggested his keeper did get a slight touch on it first.

But the ferocity and recklessness of his approach, once verified by the assistant Bob Roberts who had a perfect view, left referee Andy Haines with little option but to reach for the red.

Certainly watching it again on TV showed how Wells could have suffered far more than the sore shoulder he was treated for at the end of the game.

Before then, Brentford had posed the attacking threat to back up Parkinson's pre-game warning that they were the best team City had encountered so far.

Davies made the first of several crucial interventions to block a goal-bound thump from George Saville, and Jon McLaughlin had pulled off a fine save from Trotta.

But once the numbers shifted, City's centre halves were able to double up on Clayton Donaldson. With one dropping deeper to cover, the Manningham lad's chances of notching his usual goal at Valley Parade diminished rapidly.

It was in City's hands to force the issue and make their man advantage count. They did so as half-time approached.

James Meredith, another having an excellent game, took Kyel Reid's pass to the byline. His cutback slipped through two pairs of Brentford legs and James Hanson showed quick feet to fire in under the bar.

The same Meredith and Hanson combo threatened a second soon after the restart but the centre forward's header looped on to the bar.

But the Kop, now in full choral voice, did not have long to wait for the goal that effectively settled matters. And two more swiftly followed in a devastating nine-minute burst.

It began with a defensive blooper on another day to forget for rookie keeper Jack Bonham.

You may remember him from the howler for Watford against Leeds that handed promotion to Hull on the final day of last season's Championship.

Things did not get any better on his unexpected Brentford debut as the stand-in stopper was stranded by Tony Craig's back header. That allowed Wells, the newly-crowned League One player of the month for August, to begin September in the same goal-scoring vein.

He won't get any easier one all season but it was reward for the way he chases down every half chance, even when seemingly hindered by his earlier clattering.

It's no coincidence that he snaffles up so many goals like that – he'd almost punished Button right at the start when he charged down a clearance.

Two soon became three. Meredith got his second assist of the afternoon thanks to a thumping header from Garry Thompson.

And the fourth arrived from Reid's corner as Hanson outjumped two markers with a trademark far-post finish.

Brentford managed to raise some late resistance to threaten McLaughlin's perfect record. Davies sliced against his own post and Donaldson got round the back to clip the same woodwork.

But nothing was going to spoil another memorable result, a further reminder to the rest of League One that City are a force to be reckoned with this season.
===========================

Review DVD release date confirmed
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/news/article/dvd-out-1036403.aspx
Friday 11 October 2013

Promotional poster (may require facebook account)
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=236313646517944&set=a.164195830396393.38290.164193877063255&type=1&theater

Bantams League One player of month Nahki Wells says team the real prize guys
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/10658455.Bantams_award_winner_Wells__Team_the_real_prize_guys


'I'm absolutely buzzing', says Luke Oliver as he makes long-awaited comeback for Bantams
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/10661973.Happy_days_are_here_again_for_Oliver_as_he_makes_long_awaited_comeback_for_Bantams/

City are left to Stew in legal wrangle with Falkirk
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/10666325.Bradford_City_are_left_to_Stew_in_legal_wrangle_with_Falkirk/

===========================

Rosler rues Button dismissal
http://www.football365.com/league-one/8911649/

===========================

JPT1 L0-5 (A) Hartlepool Tuesday September 3, 2013. K.O. 7:00PM. #bcafc

Read this article online
http://texasbantam.blogspot.com/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/46810838356/


===========================

Signings, Loans and Injuries

http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/10653209.Lawn_explains_ins_and_outs_of_fair_play_system_as_Bantams_contemplate_loan_signings

Injuries

===========================


General Links

Current table
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/fixtures-results/league-table/
http://www.sportinglife.com/football/league-one/table
http://m.espn.go.com/soccer/standings?leagueTag=ENG.3&lang=EN&wjb=

Fixtures
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/fixtures-results/fixtures-list/
http://m.espn.go.com/soccer/scoreboard?leagueTag=ENG.3&lang=EN

The "Social media Corner"
http://paper.li/f-1315926867
http://www.bradfordcity.tv/

Head to Head stats
http://www.11v11.com/teams/bradford-city/tab/opposingTeams
http://www.statto.com/football/teams/bradford-city/

T&A Reports & Pictures
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/sportbcfcmatch/
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/sport_bantams_pics2012/

Bantams Player (subscription required)
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/commercial/Bantams-player/

BBC headlines and highlights (video may be uk only)
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Pulse audio (last match highlights, post match interviews)
http://www.pulse.co.uk/on-air/pulse-sport/

Match stats
http://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=234#teamTabs=results

2013 suite
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYVaty8hdHg

2013 DVD trailer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFvZKFeCPt8&feature=share

===========================

Game links
http://m.espn.go.com/soccer/gamecast?gameId=380623&action=stats&lang=EN&wjb=

Goals


Live Blog
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/10651654.Live_blog__Hartlepool_v_Bantams

'pools previous games this season

Sat, Aug. 03
English League Two
A-Roch, L, 3-0

Tue, Aug. 06
Capital One Cup
A-FOR, L, 3-1

Sat, Aug. 10
English League Two
H-SouU, L, 0-1

Sat, Aug. 17
English League Two
A-YorC, D, 0-0

Sat, Aug. 24
English League Two
H-FleT, L, 0-1

Sat, Aug. 31
English League Two
A-TorU, D, 0-0

===========================

Final whistle - match report

JPT Round 1
Hartlepool (1) 5 James 25, Franks 48, Burgess 56, Compton pen 59, Rodney 87.
Bradford C (0) 0
Att: 1,740

Stats: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23846421

Report by Simon Parker (T&A)

City crashed out of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy in humiliating fashion -
thumped 5-0 by League Two strugglers Hartlepool.

Jack Compton and Nialle Rodney both scored against their old club as Phil
Parkinson's side were humbled by a team without a win before tonight.

Compton set up Luke James for the first after 24 minutes and City were
fortunate to only go in 1-0 down at half-time.

The second half was much worse. Jonathan Franks quickly made it three,
Christian Burgess headed in a Compton free-kick before the winger thumped
home a penalty.

Sub Rodney completed the rout with a spectacular overhead kick late on.


===========================

When the dust settled - match report


Hartlepool turn form table on its head with thumping win to KO Bantams

6:50am Wednesday 4th September 2013

By Simon Parker

Hartlepool 5 Bradford City 0

This was a night for City's understudies to prove to Phil Parkinson they could fill the leading roles if required.

Instead they fluffed their lines spectacularly in a humiliating loss to a side who had not won a game before last night – a team that had only scored one goal.

That wretched start for one-time City number two Colin Cooper was put right in emphatic fashion and the lop-sided scoreline did not flatter.

City's performance was inexcusable. Even with the changes, there was enough experience and know-how to have done much, much better.

Bizarrely, it was the first time for eight years that City had played a cup tie against a league team from a lower division. You wouldn't have guessed it – they made Hartlepool look like Liverpool.

The Johnstone's Paint Trophy may be very low on the priority list but the 320 away fans who made the trip to Victoria Park deserved so much better.

Parkinson had kept within the competition rules by fielding six regular starters. You could not just blame rust for a night that was totally out of character for a side who currently lie seventh in League One.

City had made the early running as Thompson, playing centre forward, tested Scott Flinders on the half volley. Then Rory McArdle should have done better with two headers at corners.

But once Hartlepool seized a 24th-minute lead, they never looked back.

The opener was made in Bradford as former Avenue right back Michael Duckworth's cross was headed into the mix by one-time City winger Jack Compton for Luke James to give Connor Ripley no chance.

The debutant keeper pulled off a flying save from Andy Monkhouse as it quickly became a blue-and-white procession towards his goal.

Stephen Darby stretched to deny Compton a tap-in and a combination of keeper and just enough amber bodies scrambled away a Christian Burgess header from the resulting corner.

James was causing havoc and slipped away from McArdle on another dangerous raid before Matt Taylor managed to get enough on his block to deflect the shot just over the City bar.

They were almost undone from a corner as Brad Walker jabbed goalwards but Ricky Ravenhill cleared off the line. It had been another poor first half on the road – a growing theme of late.

City switched from a 4-3-3 that hadn't worked to conventional 4-4-2 after the interval. But things got even worse.

Hartlepool needed only three minutes to go two up. Jonathan Franks fired against Nathan Doyle, now playing centre half, and as the crowd screamed for handball the midfielder smashed the rebound past the diving Ripley.

The embarrassment continued to grow. Compton, relishing every touch against his former employers, floated a free-kick towards the penalty spot, where centre half Christian Burgess rose highest to head home unbothered.

And three minutes later, Ricky Ravenhill sent James tumbling in the corner of the box. Compton, inevitably, stepped up for the spot-kick and slammed it in the roof of the net.

Last year's contest had needed penalties to separate the sides after 90 minutes of stalemate. This one was done and dusted with half an hour to spare.

The 320 away fans – a great effort again – cranked up the gallows humour with ironic chants of "easy, easy" whenever City mounted any kind of response. Sub Kyel Reid at least forced a low save from Flinders – to a loud cheer from behind that goal.

But the agony was not over. Nialle Rodney, the young striker who had scored the decisive spot-kick for Parkinson's side at Hudders-field two seasons ago, came off the bench to grab number five with an acrobatic overhead kick.

After the cup glory of last season, the Bantams have now dropped out of two knock-out competitions at the first stage.

Defeat in the JPT may not matter that much but there are ways of losing. By the high standards that City have set, this was just unacceptable.

Of course, it will be swiftly forgotten if Brentford are beaten at fortress Valley Parade on Saturday. But don't expect any of the second string to make it into the main cast after such a dire audition.

HARTLEPOOL: Flinders 6, Duckworth 7, Baldwin 6, Burgess 7, Austin 6, Franks 7, Walker 7 (Walton 68min), Dolan 7, Compton 8 (Poole 76min), James 9 (Rodney 68min), Monkhouse 8. Subs (not used): Collins, Walton, Rafferty.

CITY: Ripley 4, Darby 4, McArdle 4 (Connell 46min, 4), Taylor 4, Meredith 4 (McHugh 46min, 4), Ravenhill 4, Doyle 4, Kennedy 4, De Vita 4, Thompson 4 (Reid 75min), Yeates 4. Subs (not used): Wells, McLaughlin.
===========================


Parkinson blasts his Bradford City flops

7:50am Wednesday 4th September 2013

By Simon Parker

Phil Parkinson ripped into City's players after their Hartlepool humiliation and blasted: "I will never ever accept a performance like that."

The Bantams crashed 5-0 at Victoria Park as Colin Cooper's League Two strugglers blew them away in last night's Johnstone's Paint Trophy first round tie.

Parkinson was fuming at his side's out-of-character collapse and cancelled today's day off to order them in for extra training.

He said: "That wasn't what Bradford City is all about.

"We've built a fantastic reputation at this club for the way we play and the commitment we show. We went well away from that.

"Since Steve (Parkin) and I have been here, if we concede a goal we always fight to get the next one. If we are 2-0 down, we still keep going and try to come back. That is the first time I haven't seen that.

"I've got to look for reasons and I've got them in my mind but I've got to make sure that doesn't happen again."

Parkinson made six changes from Saturday but still fielded a team strong enough to beat a side who had not previously scored at home or won a game this season.

He insisted the fact that it was the Johnstone's Paint Trophy did not excuse the shocking display.

"It doesn't matter what the competition is and it hasn't to us at any stage in the last couple of years. We've always put in an honest, committed performance.

"It's always slightly disjointed when you make changes but there are still no excuses.

"I always look at myself and the team I picked. But we had far weaker teams out against Sheffield United and Huddersfield in the JPT before and won.

"The back four we had second half played at Huddersfield this season and did very well against a Championship team.

"Defenders didn't defend properly. They didn't win headers, didn't defend the middle of the goal whether it was from set-pieces or in open play and we got punished for it."

Parkinson also said sorry to the 320 City fans who had watched open-mouthed as their side crumbled.

He said: "They haven't seen that sort of performance for a long time.

"I have to apologise to them for not going over to clap at the end but my mind was on getting in the dressing room.

"Our supporters have always seen a spirited performance in this competition and they didn't get that. That was the worry."

===========================

http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/10652473.Bradford_City_striker_Wells_nominated_for_Football_League_prize/
 Nahki Wells has been short-listed for the League One player of the month award after his impressive start to the season.

The City hot-shot has netted six times already, including five times in the league.

He is competing for the Football League prize with Callum Wilson (Coventry), Romain Vincelot (Leyton Orient) and Magnus Okuonghae (Colchester). The winner is announced on Friday.

===========================

L1 D1-1 (A) Stevenage Saturday August 31, 2013. K.O. 3:00PM. #bcafc

Read this article online
http://texasbantam.blogspot.com/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/46810838356/


===========================

Signings, Loans and Injuries

Loan extension
Connor Ripley, extended to Jan 2014

Injuries

===========================


General Links

Current table
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/fixtures-results/league-table/
http://www.sportinglife.com/football/league-one/table
http://m.espn.go.com/soccer/standings?leagueTag=ENG.3&lang=EN&wjb=

Fixtures
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/fixtures-results/fixtures-list/
http://m.espn.go.com/soccer/scoreboard?leagueTag=ENG.3&lang=EN

The "Social media Corner"
http://paper.li/f-1315926867
http://www.bradfordcity.tv/

Head to Head stats
http://www.11v11.com/teams/bradford-city/tab/opposingTeams
http://www.statto.com/football/teams/bradford-city/

T&A Reports & Pictures
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/sportbcfcmatch/
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/sport_bantams_pics2012/

Bantams Player (subscription required)
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/commercial/Bantams-player/

BBC headlines and highlights (video may be uk only)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/teams/bradford-city

Pulse audio (last match highlights, post match interviews)
http://www.pulse.co.uk/on-air/pulse-sport/

Match stats
http://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=234#teamTabs=results

Sing along
http://terracechants.me.uk/club/chants/Bradford+City/oldest/3/   (warning expletives involved)

2013 suite
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYVaty8hdHg

===========================

Preview
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23822861

Game links
http://m.espn.go.com/soccer/gamecast?gameId=368116&action=stats&lang=EN

Goals
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVWyf-shjGU&feature=youtu.be

Live Blog
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/10646342.Live_blog__Stevenage_v_Bradford_City/



===========================

Final whistle - match report

Bradford City respond well to 'hairdryer' treatment

6:10am Monday 2nd September 2013

By Simon Parker

Stevenage 1, City 1

The whistle had barely left the referee's lips before Steve Parkin appeared on the edge of the pitch jabbing his thumb towards the dressing rooms.

For the City players, the implication of this gesture was crystal clear. "Oi, you lot! Get in here. Now."

There was no need to second guess what was awaiting the team from their half-time "debriefing".

Safe to say, the Stevenage ground staff probably need to pick up some new Dulux this week to replace the paint that had peeled from the walls of the visiting room.

It's not often these days that City come off second best. So that opening 45 minutes came as a nasty shock to the system.

No wonder Parkin and Phil Parkinson could not get the team back inside quick enough. If the players thought it was hot pitchside – and the weather had a pre-season feel to it – that was nothing compared with the temperature awaiting them behind the closed door.

Parkinson has not had many occasions when he has needed to raise his voice of late. He usually keeps his observations calm and calculated.

On Saturday, harsh words needed to be said – and how they found the target. The City that emerged at 4pm were a complete contrast to the one that had kicked off an hour before.

The "passive" approach of the first half, as the manager called it, was replaced by the steely determination that we have grown to expect. Giving up is not in their dictionary.

Parkinson admitted: "Stevenage is a difficult place to come. They put you under a lot of pressure and make it a very physical game.

"You have to stand up and be counted and I don't think we did that to the best of our ability in the first half. We were lacklustre.

"But what a terrific reaction. We showed a different side to us having to respond like that and we did.

"I've been here before and seen teams get rolled over three or four nil if they aren't mentally and physically right. But in the second half we went on the front foot, closed down a lot better and were very competitive."

Those battling qualities and refusal to be bullied should have been admired in the home dugout. Graham Westley, Stevenage's 'Marmite' manager, has built his club to over-achieve on similar rules of engagement.

But the man whose programme notes had centred on the ground-breaking theory "score the goals, keep a clean sheet, three points" was more bothered about having a pop at the referee.

True, Gary Sutton's performance was pretty awful. We had been spoiled by Chris Foy the previous weekend.

And had the Nathan Doyle incident – when the midfielder appeared to have handled as he blocked a shot on the line – occurred at the other end, I'm sure Parkinson would have had a similar beef – if not for quite as long.

But Westley's insistence on blaming just about everything on the official – he also wanted Stephen Darby sent off for a mistimed tackle on the touchline – was tiresome and glossed over the away side's tenacity at rescuing what appeared to be a lost cause.

Certainly Stevenage's midweek exertions at taking Everton to extra time may have caught up with them in the late afternoon sunshine. But take nothing away from the City fightback.

And if this was a good point to take back north, it was a significant afternoon for their goal-scorer.

All eyes have been fixed on Nahki Wells and the list of scouts at the Lamex Stadium was a long one. Newcastle, Huddersfield and Brighton were among the names – no prizes for guessing the prime reason for their trip.

Wells, for once, struck out and missed the opportunity to take sole ownership of the club record for scoring in most games on the trot.

It was not for a lack of trying – particularly shots of the overhead variety – but he squandered the golden chance to make it nine in a row when he spooned over from Kyel Reid's inviting cross in the first half.

Instead it was Reid who seized the spotlight and showed that he is not prepared to accept being the odd man out from Wembley.

Few, if any, promoted sides keep their teams intact to the same extent as City; two or three changes maybe – but just one from the 11 that dismantled Northampton in May?

Reid had been that solitary omission until the weekend. It was so surprising to see a new name on the team sheet, the first one this season in the league, that we had to check it had not been mistyped.

But Parkinson felt Reid had shown enough on the training pitch to justify his selection. He was in on merit.

The left winger can excite and infuriate in equal measure but this time he relished the stage. His stunning free-kick equaliser was true reward for an afternoon of positive intent and attacking menace.

Not that we saw too much of that from the blue shirts in a first half that Stevenage dominated.

With their strikers dropping off into holes, the home movement confused City at times and a defensive rearguard action was required.

In trying a diving block from one Freeman effort, Gary Jones used a hand and Greg Tansey beat Jon McLaughlin from the penalty spot.

There were other scares but the biggest came on the half-hour mark as Doyle smuggled the ball away from inside the right post. "Hands," screamed Westley and his cohorts; nothing doing was Sutton's response with a shake of the head.

Westley later argued that at 2-0 against ten men, it would have been game over. Maybe, on this occasion, City got a big break.

Wells missed at the other end and Reid drove over the bar but the half-time gee-up was much needed – and City were back level within three minutes of the restart.

Wells was shoved in the back – a soft foul but a clear one – and the 25-yard free-kick was set up for Reid's left foot. Over the wall it went with enough power to elude Chris Day's fingertips.

The shifting momentum saw City knocking on the door once more. Centre halves Andrew Davies and Rory McArdle threatened at set-pieces and Wells stretched Day with another gymnastic attempt.

But the good work was almost undone late on when they dropped off from Oumare Tounkara. City inexplicably parted like the Red Sea to allow the substitute an inviting sight of goal from the edge of the penalty area.

Step forward McLaughlin to the rescue. The keeper may not have been publicly pronounced City's number one but his current form is that of someone who will take a lot of shifting.

He dived low to his left with a strong enough hand to push the ball away – much to the disbelief of the Stevenage striker.

Parkinson said: "It was a magnificent save. Jon's got to keep focused. which I know he will do. He is producing some big moments for us and that's what you need from your goalkeeper."

Attendance: 3,242

===========================

When the dust settled - match report


Reid equaliser gives Parkinson a Bradford City nudge

8:10am Monday 2nd September 2013

By Simon Parker

Kyel Reid hopes he has delivered a timely reminder that he won't become City's forgotten Wembley hero.

The winger has been the odd man out from their promotion party after losing his place to summer capture Mark Yeates.

But he buried any frustration with a stunning free-kick equaliser in his first league start of the campaign at Stevenage.

Reid said: "I've been a bit disappointed to be the one change from last season and I was just happy to get my chance.

"I had problems with my groin at the back end of last season and wasn't 100 per cent fit going into the play-off final.

"But I've worked hard throughout the whole summer and every day since the season started to strengthen it and make sure there's no more trouble.

"I've just been making sure I'm on it every day. To get the goal gives the manager something to think about for the next game.

"I told Nahki (Wells) I fancied taking the free-kick. I saw the gap between the keeper and the wall and thought if I could get it over with a bit of pace, there was a fair chance of it going in."

Reid's first goal since March rescued a point after City had trailed to Greg Tansey's penalty. They were second best in the first half but improved dramatically after a rocket from Phil Parkinson.

Reid said: "The gaffer had a go pretty much at everyone because we were sluggish and we all agreed.

"Stevenage are a difficult team to play against because they are quite strong and physical. We had to match that second half and step it up and we did."

Reid's opportunity at the Lamex Stadium was the first time Parkinson had changed the starting line-up in five league games.

The City boss said: "Reidy's been training so well in the last few weeks. He's scored a lot of goals and looked really sharp.

"On the reverse side, Mark Yeates has had a terrific start for us but he's had a couple of weeks when he's missed training.

"In fairness to Reidy, he took his chance. He was committed and his all-round general game was good.

"Nahki has scored lot of goals for us this season but it's good for us that someone else has got one. It was a top-class free-kick."

Goalkeeper Connor Ripley's extended stay at Valley Parade is expected to be sorted today but Parkinson is non-committal about any permanent addition to the squad before the transfer window shuts at 11pm.

He said: "We've got one or two things we're talking about but it might be the week after or the week after that when we bring a loan player in if we need one."

===========================

City's teenage goal machine Oliver McBurnie has been warned: The hard work starts here.
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/10639847.Bantams_starlet_McBurnie_in_hat_trick_heaven/

===========================

City's away game at Coventry – who play their home games at Northampton's Sixfields Stadium this season – has moved forward to a 2pm kick-off on Saturday, February 15 to avoid

clashing with the Northampton Saints, who kick off at 3pm.

===========================

NAHKI WELLS NAMED IN ENGLAND'S "FOOTBALL TEAM OF THE WEEK"
By Lawrence Trott, Royal Gazette, Bermuda

Nahki Wells won't be joining Queens Park Rangers or anybody else any time
soon, according to Bradford City manager Phil Parkinson.

And it was revealed today the Bermudian doesn't yet hold the Bradford
scoring record which was reported on the weekend.

Still, his scoring exploits are earning him recognition after he was named
in the Football League Team of the Week which includes all 72 teams in the
three divisions below the Premier League.

Parkinson reiterated that the club's hottest property won't be sold to QPR
or another club before the transfer window closes on Monday. Wells became
the subject of a possible £3 million bid from Championship side QPR, but
Parkinson is determined the player won't be leaving Valley Parade.

"There are always going to be rumours. You expect that," said the Bradford
manager. "QPR have just signed Charlie Austin and others. I'm sure they
won't be interested.

"It's fairly difficult at this point to let anyone go because it would be
almost impossible to bring someone in. It's something we don't want. I want
to keep improving the squad and not weakening it by losing players. That's
the situation."

Wells netted twice against Sheffield United last weekend to extend his
remarkable scoring run to eight games on the trot. It was reported at the
time to be a club scoring record but Bradford Telegraph and Argus reported
yesterday that Wells actually equalled the tally set by Derek Stokes between
December 1959 and February 1960. That leaves Wells needing to score against
Stevenage on Saturday to break the record which he now shares with Stokes.

Wells remained in the headlines yesterday by being named in the Football
League Team of the Week after his performance last weekend against Sheffield
United. Wells is the only League One player named in the team, along with
Huddersfield striker James Vaughan, a £600,000 summer buy from Norwich who
has already netted seven goals this season.

The team includes other Sky Bet Championship players, goalkeeper Matt Gilks
of Blackpool, defenders Todd Kane of Blackburn and Clint Hill of QPR and
midfielders Adam Hammill (Huddersfield), Grant Leadbitter (Middlesbrough)
and Andy Reed (Nottingham Forest). Three League 2 also make the team.


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http://www.pitchcare.com/magazine/bradford-city-bantams-wait-is-over.html
Mick Doyle is the club's Head Groundsman



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