Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Manager Still not settled / Odsal (again) / New training ground agreement
===========================
May 11
BANTAMS SHORTLIST DOWN TO TWO
Bradford joint-chairman Mark Lawn says the vacant manager's job at Valley
Parade is "between two and always has been".
It's understood interim boss Peter Jackson and Dagenham manager John Still
are in a straight head-to-head battle to take over the reins next season.
But Lawn has stated that no decision will be made until the club's stadium
crisis has been resolved.
Lawn told the Telegraph and Argus: "We're in a state of flux at present.
I've told Peter Jackson and Colin Cooper to look at things as though they
will be the management team.
"We haven't made our decision yet and can't do that until we sort out the
bigger situation.
"More people have applied and some of them are established names as well.
But it's whether we go down that route or not.
"I think for Julian (Rhodes) and myself, it's between two and always has
been. Whether we would start to re-interview or not, I don't think so."
Speaking about the Bantams' woeful season - the club's lowest league finish
in 45 years - Lawn added: "There's nothing I can do about it now. I made the
wrong choice (of manager).
"Hindsight's a wonderful thing and you'll still get fans turning round and
saying they didn't fancy Peter Taylor for the job. But 99 per cent would
have picked him."
---
Still happy at the Daggers
...
However John has already sat down with Chairman Dave Andrews and discussed the season ahead. He has an idea now of the budget for 2011/12 and has began talking to his current players about their futures at the London Borough of Barking & Dagenham Stadium as well as identifying the players he wants to bring in.
"I've read that I've been linked with some big and well supported teams in the last few days", Said John.
"However, I've made it clear to the Chairman that I'm perfectly happy at Dagenham & Redbridge Football Club and my work is already in preparation for next season".
===========================
May 14
Talks to keep City at Valley Parade will step up a gear over the next few days.
Jack Tordoff has been brought in as a mediator in the negotiations to solve the club's problem with the stadium overheads.
City have confirmed that delicate discussions with the stadium's two landlords have already begun and more are planned as they look for a solution to suit all parties.
David Baldwin, City's director of operations, confirmed: "There have been discussions already and there are meetings planned within the next week."
The presence of former chairman – and long-time club sponsor – Tordoff will add a more objective approach around the table as they look to hammer out a deal with Gordon Gibb, whose family pension fund own the stadium, and office block landlords Prupim.
===========================
May 16
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/9028463.Winter_of_content_beckons_for_Bradford_City_players/
Winter of content beckons for Bradford City players
7:10am Monday 16th May 2011
By Simon Parker
Mark Lawn reckons City's "Premier League" training base next season will stop anyone grumbling.
The club have struck a long-term deal with Woodhouse Grove School to use their facilities alongside Apperley Bridge.
City will continue to train on the outdoor pitches at Rawdon Meadows but can now work on the school's artificial surfaces and in their indoor sports hall. A state-of-the-art fourth generation pitch will also be ready from January.
Lawn said: "It's a great deal with Woodhouse Grove and we've had to sign a 12-year lease to get it.
"It's going to be as good a training facility as the Premier League. The players won't be able to moan about the training ground now.
"But we will still use the same pitches down there because they are good pitches. The trouble is that sometimes it floods, although not as much as people exaggerate.
"Nine times out of ten, the problems come from the ground freezing up, not flooding. But then a frozen pitch will be a frozen pitch wherever you are.
"But now we'll have a proper facility inside. And it's a private school so they're not scrimping on what they are putting on."
The training facilities are not dependent on whether City stay at Valley Parade or not. But the players will be able to eat there, which cuts out the need to drive back to the stadium for meals after sessions.
Lawn added: "We'll have full use of the swimming pool, gyms, physio facilities, a feeding area and sprung indoor sports hall. And the current 3g (artificial) pitch is being lifted two metres so there is no risk of flooding.
"We'll have inside and outside training, which is the most important thing in the winter. The players will train and eat there and then go home – they will only need to come to the ground for matchdays.
"They can do one session, eat, then train again in the afternoon. You couldn't do that very easily before because you had to come to and from Valley Parade.
"You look at the gym facilities and they are better than any round here. So there are no excuses."
===========================
NEW TRAINING FACILITIES AT WOODHOUSE GROVE
Bradford City have secured a deal for state of the art new training
facilities from the start of next season.
The Bantams have agreed a 12-year lease agreement with local school
Woodhouse Grove to allow the League Two side to use the state of the art
indoor facilities during spells of poor weather.
City will have access to the school's artificial playing surfaces, indoor
sports hall, swimming pool, gym and physio facilities.
Chairman Mark Lawn believes the new facilities will also curb any complaints
from the playing staff.
He said: "It's going to be as good a training facility as the Premier
League. The players won't be able to moan about the training ground now.
"You look at the gym facilities and they are better than any round here. So
there are no excuses."
===========================
May 15
Q&A WITH BRADFORD CITY'S JOINT CHAIRMAN MARK LAWN
By Simon Parker (T&A)
With the club's dire financial situation and a potential move away from
Valley Parade the hot topics of discussion among City supporters, T&A
reporter Simon Parker asks joint-chairman Mark Lawn the questions the fans
want answering.
SP: Let's start with the obvious question. Are the club any nearer in
succeeding in reducing their Valley Parade overheads?
ML: It's at a delicate stage but we are moving forward.
Commercially, we've signed a contract and he's (Gordon Gibb) got every right
to want to stick to that. But then we can't stay at Valley Parade, that's a
fact.
The offer of staggering payments we've put to both landlords is that they
will be far better off if we get to the Championship. They won't be far off
what they're getting now if we are in League One; if we reach the Premier
League, they'll be smoking cigars.
SP: Obviously these negotiations have to be settled quickly, one way or the
other. Have you got a specific deadline day in mind?
ML: I feel that we've got to get this done by the end of the month, really.
Mid-June is the maximum point but I'd like to have it sorted out before
then. If we can't be at Valley Parade for some reason, we need to inform the
Football League.
SP: You have kept the Football League updated with developments. Do you
sense any sympathy with the club's current dilemma?
ML: Their new chairman said at the last chairmen's annual conference that
the league cannot keep going as it is now. He thinks that by 2015 or so, the
league could be as much as £1.5 billion in debt.
We're not in debt right now but we'll be heading that way unless we do
something about it. We know what's going to happen if things don't change
and we're trying to be pro-active.
If you've got a millstone round your neck, do you try swimming with it – or
do you cut the rope?
SP: Is it true that the club have been talking to an administrator?
ML: There's not been an administrator involved but we have taken legal
advice, as you've got to do. At present, we're okay but we can see problems
looming quickly.
SP: Presumably you would lose the sponsorship deals currently tied to Valley
Parade if you had to leave. How would this affect you financially?
ML: Funnily enough, a few of them have talked about staying with us if we
have to move. I'll be speaking to the Bulls, obviously, about what happens
on our matchdays. We wouldn't be moving to Odsal unless it was financially
better.
But while we're just saying Odsal at the moment, we haven't talked to
anybody else yet. Bradford's metropolitan area is massive and there are
other stadia.
SP: I understand that City would not be allowed to use the terraces at Odsal
because the club have been in the top two divisions for more than three
consecutive seasons since the Taylor report. How would you get round this?
ML: There are 5,600 seats there already and we own 25,000. We own the Valley
Parade seats, floodlights, the generator, the lifts, the sound system and
anything else that is loose. If we go from here it will be an empty stadium,
not a football stadium. Those seats could be replaced back at Odsal.
SP: City sold around 6,000 season tickets during December. How are those
supporters affected by what might happen and when will tickets go back on
sale?
ML: That's a question that's unfeasible for me to answer until we decide
where we're going and what we're doing. But we understand those loyal fans
and we'll make sure we do the best for them.
We need to get things sorted out so we can put season-ticket sales back on
again. You cannot buy one at the moment. It's not fair for me to sell a
ticket unless you know where we're going to be.
SP: You have said the manager's situation cannot be sorted out until the
club's position is resolved. But you have allowed Peter Jackson to draw up
the retained list and target new players?
ML: If we sign any players now, we're signing players any manager would
want. He's identified them but the ones we're talking to anybody would be
looking at.
SP: Are these players put off because of the uncertainty surrounding City?
ML: I think some of them would like to know where we are playing. And so
would we.
SP: What will happen to Valley Parade itself should City decide to move out?
ML: It's not our responsibility once we've gone but you've just got to look
at Thrum Hall. When Halifax rugby left it, I think they had a call-out every
week for a fire or vandalism because someone had broken in. That could
happen here quite easily without the security. It will be a shell if we go.
SP: Do you have any idea how much it would cost to clear the site for
redevelopment?
ML: We talked to the Council and apparently Valley Parade is built on
contaminated land. They say it would cost £3.5m to get (the stadium) down
and clear it up. The land would be worth £2.5m but those are only their
figures, not mine.
SP: And what about the knock-on effect for the city centre and Manningham
itself?
ML: Bradford Council say they are doing Manningham up so they certainly
don't want to be leaving the stadium empty. And who is the biggest visitor
attraction in the area?
People come into the city, drive down the main arterial route on Canal Road
and see the stadium. What are they going to see if we've gone?
SP: There are some big decisions to be made. But how tough would it be to
walk away from City's home?
ML: I know the history of this football club and the sentiment that
surrounds this stadium with the fire. It may mean making some harsh
decisions but if we go into the Conference while we are here then we do not
exist. So let's sort something out now so we make sure that the club can
carry on.
===========================
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Post Season News #1
Date: Wednesday 11 May 2011 at 11:00AM.
26th ANNIVERSARY OF BRADFORD CITY TRAGEDY WILL BE HELD TO
REMEMBER THE 56 WHO LOST THEIR LIVES
By Tanya O'Rourke (T&A)
A memorial service in Centenary Square will remember the 56 lives lost in
the Bradford City fire disaster.
The bells at City Hall will chime Abide With Me and You'll Never Walk Alone
to mark the start of the service, which will be conducted by the Lord
Mayor's chaplain, the Very Reverend David Ison and Bradford City AFC
chaplains, the Reverend Jimmy Hinton and the Reverend Paul Deo.
It will be held on Wednesday from 11am to mark the 26th anniversary of the
blaze which ripped through Valley Parade as Bradford City played Lincoln in
their last home match of the season in 1985.
Relatives and friends of those who lost their lives or were injured in the
fire are expected to attend the service.
The Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Peter Hill, and wife Gillian will
welcome to the city the Mayor of Lincoln, Councillor Geoff Kirby, and his
wife Valerie, and the Sheriff and Lady of Lincoln, Roy South and his wife
Sandra. Senior politicians and managers from Bradford Council and Bradford
City will also attend.
Councillor Hill said: "It is fitting we remember on May 11 each year all
those who died in this tragedy.
"It touched the lives of virtually everyone in the district in some way and
people need to reflect and mark the occasion."
Flags will be flown at half mast, the sound from the big screen will be
switched off and work will stop on City Park while the service takes place.
===========================
SYERS NAMED PLAYER'S PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Bradford City midfielder David Syers has been named the players' player of
the year in his first season with the club.
The 23-year-old has been a big hit at Valley Parade, establishing himself as
a firm fans' favourite since arriving from Harrogate Town in the summer and
signing his first professional contract under previous City manager Peter
Taylor.
Syers, whose former clubs also include Ossett Albion and Farsley Celtic, has
made a total of 39 appearances and scored 10 goals.
===========================
===========================
According to the Radio Leeds special on City last night (Tuesday) with Derm, Dave
Baldwin and Jason McKeown, DB said that it would involve another CVA which
he said was very different to actual administration. It would still cost us
a penalty 10 points though.
You can listen to the Radio Leeds Special on 'Listen again' at www.bbc.co.uk/leeds
Listen Again
Tues 10/05/11 West Yorkshire Sport 18:00 hrs.
===========================
The following video has appeared on BBC's sports page, i've no sound in the
office so i can't hear what they are saying - however it looks like there is
a nostagic look at BCFC at the start.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/13336752.stm
It is only 11 years since Bradford City were in the Premier League.
The club spiralled into financial strife and ever since the Bantams have
been slid down the leagues.
After yet another disappointing season, the Bantams only just avoided the
drop to the Blue Square Bet Premier, talk around Valley Parade is of more
financial problems and a threat to leave their home of over a century.
Late Kick Off's Andrew Toft investigates.
===========================
DOHERTY IN BRADFORD EXIT
By Simon Parker (T&A)
Tommy Doherty tonight left Bradford City after it was agreed to pay up his
contract a year early.
Peter Taylor's biggest signing of last summer played only 21 times and has
not featured since December 28.
---
The football club can confirm that midfielder Tommy Doherty's contract with Bradford City has been cancelled by mutual consent.
Doherty, 32, signed a two year contract with City upon his arrival at the Coral Windows Stadium last July, but he will now leave the football club with immediate effect.
The former Bristol City, Queens Park Rangers and Wycombe Wanderers playmaker made 21 appearances in total for the Bantams, including 18 games in League 2.
The football club would like to thank Tommy for all his efforts during his time as a Bradford player and wish him all the best for the future.
---
There's an interesting write-up by BfB.
http://www.boyfrombrazil.co.uk/
subject
"The Doc departs leaving Bradford City reflecting on lessons it never learns"
===========================
From Bantamsfan.co.uk
It looks like keeper Lenny Pidgeley has played his last game for the club
following the expiry of his contract. The ex-Chelsea stopper was signed by
Peter Taylor in October last year after an impressive outing for the
reserves.
His contract was initially for two months but Taylor extended it until the
end of the season. He went on to play for us 22 times and he was on the
bench today's disaster against Crewe.
Pidgeley himself posted the following messages twitter this evening: "Having
my last night in Bradford, its been emotional thank u all Bantams fans 4 ur
support!!! Peace out xxx" and, "Wow some quick kind responses there really
appreciate it, let's say I've left the club with mutual consent!!!"
===========================
May 3rd
ELLISON LEAVES BRADFORD CITY
By Simon Parker (T&A)
City have allowed Kevin Ellison to go back to Rotherham.
The winger was signed on loan by Peter Taylor in February until the end of
the season.
But Ellison, who is out of contract in the summer, has been hampered by a
thigh injury which he suffered at the end of March and has missed the last
nine games.
He made seven appearances for City, six of them starts, and scored the
winner against Wycombe on his debut.
===========================
DOHERTY EXIT COULD KICK OFF VP EXODUS
By Simon Parker (T&A)
Peter Jackson is ready to wield the axe through City's squad - even if he is
no longer manager.
Jackson has drawn up the retained list which will be announced once the
final game has gone.
Nearly a dozen players are out of contract in the summer and the interim
boss has warned that change is on the way.
He said: "There will be quite a few players leaving the club. In our
position it needs change.
"It has to happen because this season has simply not been good enough.
"It doesn't faze me to make changes. I'll do what I think is right for
myself or for the next manager who comes in."
Gareth Evans, Omar Daley and Shane Duff are among those whose deals are up.
Tommy Doherty left the club on Wednesday evening after his contract was paid
up with a year still to go.
Doherty played 21 games but had been hampered by an ankle injury. City never
saw the form which twice earned the former Northern Ireland international a
place in the League Two team of the year.
He has not appeared in a squad since Peter Jackson took over and only
featured once for the reserves in that time.
Jackson added: "He hasn't featured since the Cheltenham game in December and
he's one of the high earners at the club. Tommy didn't feature in my plans
moving forward and he was getting a lot of money.
"But I've got a lot of time for Doherty as a person. He's been quite
reasonable (over the pay-off) and we've parted on good terms."
Doherty, who never did interviews with the media, told fans on his Twitter
site: "Thanks for all your best wishes. I wish the club well."
===========================
Further to announcement of today's retained list, and using the excellent
information previously provided by Mark Fowler, this is the list of players
and their fates:
Players released/not retained
7 Omar Daley - 2011
8 Tommy Doherty - 2012 - last year of contract paid up
9 Gareth Evans - 2011
13 Lloyd Saxton - 2011
16 Shane Duff - 2011
19 Jonathan Worthington - 2011
21 Ryan Harrison - 2011
24 Chris Elliot - 2011
25 Chibuzor Chilaka - 2011
27 Louis Horne - 2011
40 Lenny Pidgeley - 2011
Loan players returned to parent club
11 Scott Dobie (on loan from St Johnstone) - 2011
20 Tom Adeyemi (on loan from Norwich) - 2011
26 Kevin Ellison (on loan from Rotherham) - 2011
Players under contract for next season(s)
2 Simon Ramsden - 2012
3 Luke O'Brien - 2012
4 Michael Flynn - 2012
6 Luke Oliver - 2012
10 Jake Speight - 2012
14 Leon Osborne - 2012
15 Lewis Hunt - 2012 - automatically extended following completion of 20
appearances
22 Lee Bullock - 2012
23 David Syers - 2012
28 Robbie Threlfall - 2012
1 Jon McLaughlin - 2013
12 Steve Williams - 2013
17 James Hanson - 2014
Current contract offers
18 Luke Dean - 2011 - offered one year contract
29 Darren Stephenson - second year apprentice - offered six month contract
30 Adam Robinson - second year apprentice - offered six month contract
31 Alex Flett - second year apprentice - offered six month contract
32 Dominic Rowe - second year apprentice - offered one year contract
26th ANNIVERSARY OF BRADFORD CITY TRAGEDY WILL BE HELD TO
REMEMBER THE 56 WHO LOST THEIR LIVES
By Tanya O'Rourke (T&A)
A memorial service in Centenary Square will remember the 56 lives lost in
the Bradford City fire disaster.
The bells at City Hall will chime Abide With Me and You'll Never Walk Alone
to mark the start of the service, which will be conducted by the Lord
Mayor's chaplain, the Very Reverend David Ison and Bradford City AFC
chaplains, the Reverend Jimmy Hinton and the Reverend Paul Deo.
It will be held on Wednesday from 11am to mark the 26th anniversary of the
blaze which ripped through Valley Parade as Bradford City played Lincoln in
their last home match of the season in 1985.
Relatives and friends of those who lost their lives or were injured in the
fire are expected to attend the service.
The Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Peter Hill, and wife Gillian will
welcome to the city the Mayor of Lincoln, Councillor Geoff Kirby, and his
wife Valerie, and the Sheriff and Lady of Lincoln, Roy South and his wife
Sandra. Senior politicians and managers from Bradford Council and Bradford
City will also attend.
Councillor Hill said: "It is fitting we remember on May 11 each year all
those who died in this tragedy.
"It touched the lives of virtually everyone in the district in some way and
people need to reflect and mark the occasion."
Flags will be flown at half mast, the sound from the big screen will be
switched off and work will stop on City Park while the service takes place.
===========================
SYERS NAMED PLAYER'S PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Bradford City midfielder David Syers has been named the players' player of
the year in his first season with the club.
The 23-year-old has been a big hit at Valley Parade, establishing himself as
a firm fans' favourite since arriving from Harrogate Town in the summer and
signing his first professional contract under previous City manager Peter
Taylor.
Syers, whose former clubs also include Ossett Albion and Farsley Celtic, has
made a total of 39 appearances and scored 10 goals.
===========================
===========================
According to the Radio Leeds special on City last night (Tuesday) with Derm, Dave
Baldwin and Jason McKeown, DB said that it would involve another CVA which
he said was very different to actual administration. It would still cost us
a penalty 10 points though.
You can listen to the Radio Leeds Special on 'Listen again' at www.bbc.co.uk/leeds
Listen Again
Tues 10/05/11 West Yorkshire Sport 18:00 hrs.
===========================
The following video has appeared on BBC's sports page, i've no sound in the
office so i can't hear what they are saying - however it looks like there is
a nostagic look at BCFC at the start.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/13336752.stm
It is only 11 years since Bradford City were in the Premier League.
The club spiralled into financial strife and ever since the Bantams have
been slid down the leagues.
After yet another disappointing season, the Bantams only just avoided the
drop to the Blue Square Bet Premier, talk around Valley Parade is of more
financial problems and a threat to leave their home of over a century.
Late Kick Off's Andrew Toft investigates.
===========================
DOHERTY IN BRADFORD EXIT
By Simon Parker (T&A)
Tommy Doherty tonight left Bradford City after it was agreed to pay up his
contract a year early.
Peter Taylor's biggest signing of last summer played only 21 times and has
not featured since December 28.
---
The football club can confirm that midfielder Tommy Doherty's contract with Bradford City has been cancelled by mutual consent.
Doherty, 32, signed a two year contract with City upon his arrival at the Coral Windows Stadium last July, but he will now leave the football club with immediate effect.
The former Bristol City, Queens Park Rangers and Wycombe Wanderers playmaker made 21 appearances in total for the Bantams, including 18 games in League 2.
The football club would like to thank Tommy for all his efforts during his time as a Bradford player and wish him all the best for the future.
---
There's an interesting write-up by BfB.
http://www.boyfrombrazil.co.uk/
subject
"The Doc departs leaving Bradford City reflecting on lessons it never learns"
===========================
From Bantamsfan.co.uk
It looks like keeper Lenny Pidgeley has played his last game for the club
following the expiry of his contract. The ex-Chelsea stopper was signed by
Peter Taylor in October last year after an impressive outing for the
reserves.
His contract was initially for two months but Taylor extended it until the
end of the season. He went on to play for us 22 times and he was on the
bench today's disaster against Crewe.
Pidgeley himself posted the following messages twitter this evening: "Having
my last night in Bradford, its been emotional thank u all Bantams fans 4 ur
support!!! Peace out xxx" and, "Wow some quick kind responses there really
appreciate it, let's say I've left the club with mutual consent!!!"
===========================
May 3rd
ELLISON LEAVES BRADFORD CITY
By Simon Parker (T&A)
City have allowed Kevin Ellison to go back to Rotherham.
The winger was signed on loan by Peter Taylor in February until the end of
the season.
But Ellison, who is out of contract in the summer, has been hampered by a
thigh injury which he suffered at the end of March and has missed the last
nine games.
He made seven appearances for City, six of them starts, and scored the
winner against Wycombe on his debut.
===========================
DOHERTY EXIT COULD KICK OFF VP EXODUS
By Simon Parker (T&A)
Peter Jackson is ready to wield the axe through City's squad - even if he is
no longer manager.
Jackson has drawn up the retained list which will be announced once the
final game has gone.
Nearly a dozen players are out of contract in the summer and the interim
boss has warned that change is on the way.
He said: "There will be quite a few players leaving the club. In our
position it needs change.
"It has to happen because this season has simply not been good enough.
"It doesn't faze me to make changes. I'll do what I think is right for
myself or for the next manager who comes in."
Gareth Evans, Omar Daley and Shane Duff are among those whose deals are up.
Tommy Doherty left the club on Wednesday evening after his contract was paid
up with a year still to go.
Doherty played 21 games but had been hampered by an ankle injury. City never
saw the form which twice earned the former Northern Ireland international a
place in the League Two team of the year.
He has not appeared in a squad since Peter Jackson took over and only
featured once for the reserves in that time.
Jackson added: "He hasn't featured since the Cheltenham game in December and
he's one of the high earners at the club. Tommy didn't feature in my plans
moving forward and he was getting a lot of money.
"But I've got a lot of time for Doherty as a person. He's been quite
reasonable (over the pay-off) and we've parted on good terms."
Doherty, who never did interviews with the media, told fans on his Twitter
site: "Thanks for all your best wishes. I wish the club well."
===========================
Further to announcement of today's retained list, and using the excellent
information previously provided by Mark Fowler, this is the list of players
and their fates:
Players released/not retained
7 Omar Daley - 2011
8 Tommy Doherty - 2012 - last year of contract paid up
9 Gareth Evans - 2011
13 Lloyd Saxton - 2011
16 Shane Duff - 2011
19 Jonathan Worthington - 2011
21 Ryan Harrison - 2011
24 Chris Elliot - 2011
25 Chibuzor Chilaka - 2011
27 Louis Horne - 2011
40 Lenny Pidgeley - 2011
Loan players returned to parent club
11 Scott Dobie (on loan from St Johnstone) - 2011
20 Tom Adeyemi (on loan from Norwich) - 2011
26 Kevin Ellison (on loan from Rotherham) - 2011
Players under contract for next season(s)
2 Simon Ramsden - 2012
3 Luke O'Brien - 2012
4 Michael Flynn - 2012
6 Luke Oliver - 2012
10 Jake Speight - 2012
14 Leon Osborne - 2012
15 Lewis Hunt - 2012 - automatically extended following completion of 20
appearances
22 Lee Bullock - 2012
23 David Syers - 2012
28 Robbie Threlfall - 2012
1 Jon McLaughlin - 2013
12 Steve Williams - 2013
17 James Hanson - 2014
Current contract offers
18 Luke Dean - 2011 - offered one year contract
29 Darren Stephenson - second year apprentice - offered six month contract
30 Adam Robinson - second year apprentice - offered six month contract
31 Alex Flett - second year apprentice - offered six month contract
32 Dominic Rowe - second year apprentice - offered one year contract
Monday, May 02, 2011
L2 Sat April 30 15:00 (A) Hereford D1-1
Last fixture
L2 Sat May 7 15:00 (H) Crewe
Current table
http://www.sportinglife.com/football/live/tables/cc_league2.html
===========================
Fixtures
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/Fixtures/0,,10266,00.html
Pictures
"Last Match" Highlights on Bantams Player
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/player/LastMatch/0,,10266~1612005~36,00.html
Links
BBC's end-of-season predictor.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_3/predictor/default.stm
===========================
Match stats
http://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=234#teamTabs=results
Npower League Two
Hereford U (0) 1 Fleetwood 87
Bradford C (0) 1 Speight (pen) 81
Att: 3,219
Stats: Hereford - Bradford C
Possession: 49 - 51%
Shots on target: 1 - 2
Shots off target: 3 - 8
Fouls: 9 - 12
Corners: 7 - 1
Ref: David Phillips (Sussex)
Yellow cards:
Hereford U: None
Bradford C: None
Hereford: 1. Adam Bartlett, 2. Ryan Green, 24. Stefan Stam, 5. Michael
Townsend, 34. Joe Heath, 17. Joe Colbeck (86), 16. Kenny Lunt, 18. Nicky
Featherstone (90), 26. Steven Leslie, 32. Robert Purdie (58), 7. Stuart
Fleetwood.
SUBS: 25. Russell Hoult (GK), 4. Janos Kovacs (90), 6. Richard Rose, 9.
Waide Fairhurst (58), 10. Sean Canham, 14. James McQuilkin, 30. Adrian
Patulea (86).
Bradford C: 40. Lenny Pidgeley, 15. Lewis Hunt, 22. Lee Bullock, 6. Luke
Oliver, 28. Robbie Threlfall, 19. Jonathan Worthington, 23. David Syers, 7.
Omar Daley (82), 9. Gareth Evans (59), 17. James Hanson, 10. Jake Speight
(90).
SUBS: 1. Jon McLaughlin (GK), 3. Luke O'Brien (59), 12. Steve Williams (82),
14. Leon Osborne, 18. Luke Dean (90), 25. Chibuzor Chilaka, 27. Louis Horne.
Position: 16th
===========================
Saturday evening match report
By Simon Parker (T&A)
City are safe from the threat of relegation.
So are Hereford after a draw which ultimately suited both sides as they made
mathematically sure of survival with a game to spare.
Jake Speight put the Bantams ahead late on with a penalty but Stuart
Fleetwood levelled with a free-kick three minutes from time.
Thanks to Barnet's defeat at Accrington, both sides will be playing League
Two football again next season.
City carried the early threat against their nervous hosts and could have
grabbed the lead after 12 minutes.
Omar Daley picked off Fleetwood's loose pass to feed Speight but his low
shot was well snaffled by keeper Adam Bartlett.
City tried to use the strong wind behind them and shoot from distance -
Gareth Evans in particular - without further troubling the home goal.
Hereford had a penalty shout turned down after Lee Bullock's challenge on
Nicky Featherstone.
And City had a scare just before the break when Fleetwood failed to make
contact in front of goal after Lenny Pidgeley had pushed out Joe Colbeck's
cross.
It had been a scrappy game with few moments of excitement and the second
half began in the same low-key manner.
Hereford went close in the 66th minute as Steve Leslie nutmegged Lewis Hunt
on the touchline before Fleetwood curled just wide of the far post.
Pidgeley parried from Featherstone as Hereford picked it up and then
unconvincingly pushed away Waide Fairhurst's flick header.
But it was City who broke the deadlock with nine minutes left. James Hanson
was tugged to the floor by Stefan Stam and Speight sent the keeper the wrong
way with a decisive spot-kick.
City's hopes of making it back-to-back wins were dashed six minutes later,
though. Hunt fouled Fairhurst just outside the box and Fleetwood curled a
low free-kick beyond the diving Pidgeley.
That was the last incident as both teams were happy to play out the closing
stages.
===========================
Monday morning match report
It's gift day as Bantams tie up League Two survival
7:00am Monday 2nd May 2011
By Simon Parker
Hereford 1 Bradford City 1
Mark Lawn gave Peter Jackson a present within minutes of making sure that City – wherever they may be next season – are still in League Two.
But the joint-chairman's club tie wasn't the gift that the interim boss really wants.
For that, he will have to wait at least another week. Only once the curtain has come down after the Crewe game will the board finally pass judgement on who will be occupying the hot-seat at Valley Parade, Odsal or wherever.
Jackson's own tie had become a souvenir for one of the 254 away fans who had trekked down to Edgar Street for the point which City had needed before the game to be absolutely 100 per cent safe. Jacko also lobbed in David Syers' shirt as he enjoyed the relief of finishing the job that had begun with a Sunday roast with the players the day after Peter Taylor's swansong against Stockport.
Of course, the interim boss has no intention of walking away now. But his fate – after the final fixture is up – will rest in the hands of the club's powerbrokers.
In the meantime he is looking for any clue about their thinking; any hint in which way the board are swaying.
"Maybe Mark giving me his tie is an indication," he smiled at the end of a draw that turned out superfluous following defeats for Barnet and Lincoln.
"Mark always said that we will discuss (the job) after the Crewe game. It needs to be done.
"We've got a retained list that needs doing after the final game as well. There are ten players out of contract and that needs addressing."
The fact that the decision will not be made until the season is complete might suggest City are waiting for another club's manager. John Still's odds remain very short in second place with the bookies.
Lawn wasn't giving anything away after Jackson hot-footed it into the Hereford boardroom.
"Peter's just come in and asked me again," he said. "But I've told him that nothing will happen until the end of the season.
"We'll see where we are and where we are playing.
"But it's just a massive relief to be safe. We've got a lot of problems in the summer that we've got to sort out and that's the first duck down."
Accrington, City's nemesis the previous Saturday, turned out to be everyone's heroes after dispatching second-from-bottom Barnet. Hereford were also safe thanks to a hat-trick from one who slipped through City's fingers.
"We could have bought Jimmy Ryan but Stuart (McCall) didn't want him," Lawn sighed. "Can you believe that?"
But it seemed churlish to look back on what might have been on an afternoon that ultimately suited everyone.
Understandably, Hereford were by far the happier of the two sides.
When Jamie Pitman stepped up from physio to manager, they were rock bottom with only five points from ten games. To survive with 90 minutes in hand represents a turnaround worth the post-match jubilation.
For City, it's rather different. Nobody in their wildest nightmares would have started the season with the sole aim of holding on to a place in League Two by the end of April.
This team was supposed to be leaving the division by the front door; not struggling to avoid dropping out through the back.
But given the overall wretchedness of the past eight months, survival became the only realistic goal. Jacko, at least, can say he's done his job – which is more than can be said for many in that dressing room.
Monday's breathless win over Aldershot meant that City needed eight results to go against them to be dragged down with Stockport.
It was never going to happen, though there were more than a few butterflies as news of early goals elsewhere filtered through.
Lincoln and Northampton quickly jumped in front and even the general relief at seeing Accrington's first flash up was soon followed with a groan heralding a Barnet equaliser.
Watching Hereford's antiquated scoreboard – which must almost date back to the day Ronnie Radford sunk Newcastle with that FA Cup rocket – was the most interesting part of a first half that had the feel of a friendly.
Hereford, in particular, looked lethargic and so nervous that they produced only one shot – and that came from a drop ball on the halfway line that was returned to Lenny Pidgeley with rather too much zeal.
City had the chances at least, with the best falling to Jake Speight after Omar Daley had picked off a loose crossfield pass. Speight struck it well enough but keeper Adam Bartlett smothered.
The strong wind made a scrappy affair even worse, with both sides resorting to hopeful long balls. Luke Oliver and Lee Bullock, again relishing his new defensive role, lapped them up eagerly.
Bullock got away with one lunge on Nicky Featherstone but otherwise Hereford were as toothless as anything City have faced all term.
The draw, which everyone was happy with, looked nailed on.
Hereford became marginally more effective with the introduction of Waide Fairhurst as a second striker with half an hour to go. The previously anonymous Stuart Fleetwood suddenly gained a bit of support.
But it was City who struck first with nine minutes left after James Hanson cashed in on hesitancy between left back and centre half. Stefan Stam tugged him down in the box and Speight rescued another fruitless display with a belting penalty.
Hereford looked in disarray and fearing the prospect of living on their nerves for another week.
But then Lewis Hunt clipped Fairhurst and Fleetwood took advantage of a badly-positioned wall to curl the free-kick round Pidgeley.
Back-to-back wins had been snatched away.
Jackson could have done with the victory on his CV as decision time nears. The interim boss, though, has played his part in rescuing a wreck of a season.
"It's a little bit flat," he admitted. "I know we got the point we needed but it should have been three. But we would have settled for this before we left Bradford. I'm pleased for the fans that we didn't have to rely on other teams and the players did it the hard way.
"I'm just so proud of coming in to a club that was heading to the next tier and flipped it about."
===========================
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/9002309./
Bradford City pay delay highlights dire financial plight
7:20am Monday 2nd May 2011
By Simon Parker
City are bracing themselves for a "rocky" summer ahead after sealing league survival as it emerged that the April wages were held up.
Saturday's point from Hereford ensured the Bantams are safe from the drop with a game to spare.
But the club's growing financial troubles were highlighted again by a delay with the pay roll.
Joint-chairman Mark Lawn confirmed: "The wages have been paid a little bit late this month but money's tight and we've told them that."
Read the full story in today's Telegraph & Argus
===========================
===========================
MICHAEL FLYNN'S SEASON LOOKS TO BE OVER DUE TO INJURY
April 25th
Midfielder Michael Flynn went off injured after 36 minutes of the 2-1 win
over Aldershot Town.
The club has confirmed as expected that he damaged his right hamstring when
he challenged Aldershot's Danny Hylton for the ball.
The nature of this type of injury suggests he will miss Saturday's game at
Hereford United at the very least, but it is highly likely that he'll sit
out the last two games of this dreadful season.
The Welshman will be assessed by the clubs physio Damian Buck on Wednesday
morning.
===========================
From the Official BCFC Website...
April 26
SPECIAL PRAISE FOR CITY GROUNDSMAN
Bantams groundsman Michael Doyle has been acknowledged by the Football
League after keeping the Valley Parade playing surface in tip-top condition
throughout the 2010/2011 season.
Doyle was narrowly beaten to the overall League 2 Groundsman of the Year
title by Chesterfield's Anthony Haywood, but along with Shrewsbury Town's
Richard Barnett, he has been highly commended in the divisional awards.
After another season when extreme weather pushed pitches to their limits,
the efforts of ground staff across the country has now been recognised by
the Football League.
The Football League Groundsman of the Year Award 2011 is handed out by the
Playing Surfaces Committee and is designed to recognise the importance of
the quality of pitches and to acknowledge Head Groundsmen and their staff.
The awards are determined initially using marks from referees and away
managers for each game and are then followed by detailed pitch inspections
and a review of management operations. These visits were carried out in late
March and early April.
Ewan Hunter of Nottingham Forest is the winner of the npower Championship
accolade and Carlisle United's David Mitchell scooped the award for npower
League 1.
===========================
Lawn hits out at Bradford Council
April 25th
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/8991442.Crisis_point_for_Bradford_City/
===========================
Nice article and local news video from the Yorkshire Post on the FA Cup
centenary.
Shortened link
http://bit.ly/fb2zgF
Full link
http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/at-a-glance/main-section/video_exactly_1
00_years_on_the_tragedies_that_befell_bradford_s_fa_cup_winning_team_1_33242
46
===========================
L2 Sat May 7 15:00 (H) Crewe
Current table
http://www.sportinglife.com/football/live/tables/cc_league2.html
===========================
Fixtures
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/Fixtures/0,,10266,00.html
Pictures
"Last Match" Highlights on Bantams Player
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/player/LastMatch/0,,10266~1612005~36,00.html
Links
BBC's end-of-season predictor.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_3/predictor/default.stm
===========================
Match stats
http://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=234#teamTabs=results
Npower League Two
Hereford U (0) 1 Fleetwood 87
Bradford C (0) 1 Speight (pen) 81
Att: 3,219
Stats: Hereford - Bradford C
Possession: 49 - 51%
Shots on target: 1 - 2
Shots off target: 3 - 8
Fouls: 9 - 12
Corners: 7 - 1
Ref: David Phillips (Sussex)
Yellow cards:
Hereford U: None
Bradford C: None
Hereford: 1. Adam Bartlett, 2. Ryan Green, 24. Stefan Stam, 5. Michael
Townsend, 34. Joe Heath, 17. Joe Colbeck (86), 16. Kenny Lunt, 18. Nicky
Featherstone (90), 26. Steven Leslie, 32. Robert Purdie (58), 7. Stuart
Fleetwood.
SUBS: 25. Russell Hoult (GK), 4. Janos Kovacs (90), 6. Richard Rose, 9.
Waide Fairhurst (58), 10. Sean Canham, 14. James McQuilkin, 30. Adrian
Patulea (86).
Bradford C: 40. Lenny Pidgeley, 15. Lewis Hunt, 22. Lee Bullock, 6. Luke
Oliver, 28. Robbie Threlfall, 19. Jonathan Worthington, 23. David Syers, 7.
Omar Daley (82), 9. Gareth Evans (59), 17. James Hanson, 10. Jake Speight
(90).
SUBS: 1. Jon McLaughlin (GK), 3. Luke O'Brien (59), 12. Steve Williams (82),
14. Leon Osborne, 18. Luke Dean (90), 25. Chibuzor Chilaka, 27. Louis Horne.
Position: 16th
===========================
Saturday evening match report
By Simon Parker (T&A)
City are safe from the threat of relegation.
So are Hereford after a draw which ultimately suited both sides as they made
mathematically sure of survival with a game to spare.
Jake Speight put the Bantams ahead late on with a penalty but Stuart
Fleetwood levelled with a free-kick three minutes from time.
Thanks to Barnet's defeat at Accrington, both sides will be playing League
Two football again next season.
City carried the early threat against their nervous hosts and could have
grabbed the lead after 12 minutes.
Omar Daley picked off Fleetwood's loose pass to feed Speight but his low
shot was well snaffled by keeper Adam Bartlett.
City tried to use the strong wind behind them and shoot from distance -
Gareth Evans in particular - without further troubling the home goal.
Hereford had a penalty shout turned down after Lee Bullock's challenge on
Nicky Featherstone.
And City had a scare just before the break when Fleetwood failed to make
contact in front of goal after Lenny Pidgeley had pushed out Joe Colbeck's
cross.
It had been a scrappy game with few moments of excitement and the second
half began in the same low-key manner.
Hereford went close in the 66th minute as Steve Leslie nutmegged Lewis Hunt
on the touchline before Fleetwood curled just wide of the far post.
Pidgeley parried from Featherstone as Hereford picked it up and then
unconvincingly pushed away Waide Fairhurst's flick header.
But it was City who broke the deadlock with nine minutes left. James Hanson
was tugged to the floor by Stefan Stam and Speight sent the keeper the wrong
way with a decisive spot-kick.
City's hopes of making it back-to-back wins were dashed six minutes later,
though. Hunt fouled Fairhurst just outside the box and Fleetwood curled a
low free-kick beyond the diving Pidgeley.
That was the last incident as both teams were happy to play out the closing
stages.
===========================
Monday morning match report
It's gift day as Bantams tie up League Two survival
7:00am Monday 2nd May 2011
By Simon Parker
Hereford 1 Bradford City 1
Mark Lawn gave Peter Jackson a present within minutes of making sure that City – wherever they may be next season – are still in League Two.
But the joint-chairman's club tie wasn't the gift that the interim boss really wants.
For that, he will have to wait at least another week. Only once the curtain has come down after the Crewe game will the board finally pass judgement on who will be occupying the hot-seat at Valley Parade, Odsal or wherever.
Jackson's own tie had become a souvenir for one of the 254 away fans who had trekked down to Edgar Street for the point which City had needed before the game to be absolutely 100 per cent safe. Jacko also lobbed in David Syers' shirt as he enjoyed the relief of finishing the job that had begun with a Sunday roast with the players the day after Peter Taylor's swansong against Stockport.
Of course, the interim boss has no intention of walking away now. But his fate – after the final fixture is up – will rest in the hands of the club's powerbrokers.
In the meantime he is looking for any clue about their thinking; any hint in which way the board are swaying.
"Maybe Mark giving me his tie is an indication," he smiled at the end of a draw that turned out superfluous following defeats for Barnet and Lincoln.
"Mark always said that we will discuss (the job) after the Crewe game. It needs to be done.
"We've got a retained list that needs doing after the final game as well. There are ten players out of contract and that needs addressing."
The fact that the decision will not be made until the season is complete might suggest City are waiting for another club's manager. John Still's odds remain very short in second place with the bookies.
Lawn wasn't giving anything away after Jackson hot-footed it into the Hereford boardroom.
"Peter's just come in and asked me again," he said. "But I've told him that nothing will happen until the end of the season.
"We'll see where we are and where we are playing.
"But it's just a massive relief to be safe. We've got a lot of problems in the summer that we've got to sort out and that's the first duck down."
Accrington, City's nemesis the previous Saturday, turned out to be everyone's heroes after dispatching second-from-bottom Barnet. Hereford were also safe thanks to a hat-trick from one who slipped through City's fingers.
"We could have bought Jimmy Ryan but Stuart (McCall) didn't want him," Lawn sighed. "Can you believe that?"
But it seemed churlish to look back on what might have been on an afternoon that ultimately suited everyone.
Understandably, Hereford were by far the happier of the two sides.
When Jamie Pitman stepped up from physio to manager, they were rock bottom with only five points from ten games. To survive with 90 minutes in hand represents a turnaround worth the post-match jubilation.
For City, it's rather different. Nobody in their wildest nightmares would have started the season with the sole aim of holding on to a place in League Two by the end of April.
This team was supposed to be leaving the division by the front door; not struggling to avoid dropping out through the back.
But given the overall wretchedness of the past eight months, survival became the only realistic goal. Jacko, at least, can say he's done his job – which is more than can be said for many in that dressing room.
Monday's breathless win over Aldershot meant that City needed eight results to go against them to be dragged down with Stockport.
It was never going to happen, though there were more than a few butterflies as news of early goals elsewhere filtered through.
Lincoln and Northampton quickly jumped in front and even the general relief at seeing Accrington's first flash up was soon followed with a groan heralding a Barnet equaliser.
Watching Hereford's antiquated scoreboard – which must almost date back to the day Ronnie Radford sunk Newcastle with that FA Cup rocket – was the most interesting part of a first half that had the feel of a friendly.
Hereford, in particular, looked lethargic and so nervous that they produced only one shot – and that came from a drop ball on the halfway line that was returned to Lenny Pidgeley with rather too much zeal.
City had the chances at least, with the best falling to Jake Speight after Omar Daley had picked off a loose crossfield pass. Speight struck it well enough but keeper Adam Bartlett smothered.
The strong wind made a scrappy affair even worse, with both sides resorting to hopeful long balls. Luke Oliver and Lee Bullock, again relishing his new defensive role, lapped them up eagerly.
Bullock got away with one lunge on Nicky Featherstone but otherwise Hereford were as toothless as anything City have faced all term.
The draw, which everyone was happy with, looked nailed on.
Hereford became marginally more effective with the introduction of Waide Fairhurst as a second striker with half an hour to go. The previously anonymous Stuart Fleetwood suddenly gained a bit of support.
But it was City who struck first with nine minutes left after James Hanson cashed in on hesitancy between left back and centre half. Stefan Stam tugged him down in the box and Speight rescued another fruitless display with a belting penalty.
Hereford looked in disarray and fearing the prospect of living on their nerves for another week.
But then Lewis Hunt clipped Fairhurst and Fleetwood took advantage of a badly-positioned wall to curl the free-kick round Pidgeley.
Back-to-back wins had been snatched away.
Jackson could have done with the victory on his CV as decision time nears. The interim boss, though, has played his part in rescuing a wreck of a season.
"It's a little bit flat," he admitted. "I know we got the point we needed but it should have been three. But we would have settled for this before we left Bradford. I'm pleased for the fans that we didn't have to rely on other teams and the players did it the hard way.
"I'm just so proud of coming in to a club that was heading to the next tier and flipped it about."
===========================
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/9002309./
Bradford City pay delay highlights dire financial plight
7:20am Monday 2nd May 2011
By Simon Parker
City are bracing themselves for a "rocky" summer ahead after sealing league survival as it emerged that the April wages were held up.
Saturday's point from Hereford ensured the Bantams are safe from the drop with a game to spare.
But the club's growing financial troubles were highlighted again by a delay with the pay roll.
Joint-chairman Mark Lawn confirmed: "The wages have been paid a little bit late this month but money's tight and we've told them that."
Read the full story in today's Telegraph & Argus
===========================
===========================
MICHAEL FLYNN'S SEASON LOOKS TO BE OVER DUE TO INJURY
April 25th
Midfielder Michael Flynn went off injured after 36 minutes of the 2-1 win
over Aldershot Town.
The club has confirmed as expected that he damaged his right hamstring when
he challenged Aldershot's Danny Hylton for the ball.
The nature of this type of injury suggests he will miss Saturday's game at
Hereford United at the very least, but it is highly likely that he'll sit
out the last two games of this dreadful season.
The Welshman will be assessed by the clubs physio Damian Buck on Wednesday
morning.
===========================
From the Official BCFC Website...
April 26
SPECIAL PRAISE FOR CITY GROUNDSMAN
Bantams groundsman Michael Doyle has been acknowledged by the Football
League after keeping the Valley Parade playing surface in tip-top condition
throughout the 2010/2011 season.
Doyle was narrowly beaten to the overall League 2 Groundsman of the Year
title by Chesterfield's Anthony Haywood, but along with Shrewsbury Town's
Richard Barnett, he has been highly commended in the divisional awards.
After another season when extreme weather pushed pitches to their limits,
the efforts of ground staff across the country has now been recognised by
the Football League.
The Football League Groundsman of the Year Award 2011 is handed out by the
Playing Surfaces Committee and is designed to recognise the importance of
the quality of pitches and to acknowledge Head Groundsmen and their staff.
The awards are determined initially using marks from referees and away
managers for each game and are then followed by detailed pitch inspections
and a review of management operations. These visits were carried out in late
March and early April.
Ewan Hunter of Nottingham Forest is the winner of the npower Championship
accolade and Carlisle United's David Mitchell scooped the award for npower
League 1.
===========================
Lawn hits out at Bradford Council
April 25th
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/8991442.Crisis_point_for_Bradford_City/
===========================
Nice article and local news video from the Yorkshire Post on the FA Cup
centenary.
Shortened link
http://bit.ly/fb2zgF
Full link
http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/at-a-glance/main-section/video_exactly_1
00_years_on_the_tragedies_that_befell_bradford_s_fa_cup_winning_team_1_33242
46
===========================
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