Summary of articles / Re-arranged games / Be a city player

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BRADFORD CITY SIGN FRY
By Simon Parker (T&A)

Bradford City have signed left back Matt Fry on a short-term contract for
the rest of the season.

Fry, 21, was a free agent after leaving West Ham at the end of last month
and has been training with the club. The six foot defender previously played
under Phil Parkinson during two loan spells with Charlton.

Fry takes over Luke O'Brien's number three shirt

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City's postponed home game with Crawley has been rearranged for Tuesday, March 27.

The Valley Parade clash will be the fifth Tuesday night game in the next seven weeks for Phil Parkinson's side.

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City's postponed match at AFC Wimbledon has been rearranged for Tuesday, March 13 (7.45pm).

It means the Bantams face a congested period in March, which will see them play nine games in 29 days.



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http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/9526713.print/

Lawn promises to keep it cheap as Bradford City prepare to reveal new season-ticket offer
7:20am Monday 13th February 2012
By Simon Parker

City will finally launch their new season-ticket scheme next month – with the promise of another "futuristic" twist.

The club have held back making an announcement because of concerns over their league safety.

They are still too close to the drop zone for comfort but are confident of pulling well away during the hectic run of fixtures coming up.

City have consulted with a fans' representative group to agree on prices for next term. And they guarantee supporters will still be paying less than at any other club.

Joint-chairman Mark Lawn said: "With the social economics of the Bradford district, we need to offer people good value for money. We're going to try to keep that.

"There will be a two-pronged approach with a season-ticket and also another, I think futuristic offer for supporters.

"I think the fans have got to realise they'll get the club that they pay for. That's part of it.

"We can only subsidise it for so long and we've done that for five years. We have to be a little bit more realistic.

"Having said that, we'll still be the cheapest season-ticket in the Football League by far. And the secondary offer that comes with it will be an absolute bargain."

Lawn insisted that City have listened to the fans, with several meetings having taken place with the supporter group set up to gauge public feeling.

He added: "There are ten or 12 on the panel of various ages and wealth. They cover all aspects from the unemployed to one who is a company director.

"We've asked them for their views and how they felt we should go forward. I think the supporters have come up with a good idea and we're going to go with that.

"We're hoping to be in position to launch it at the beginning of March."

City were left kicking their heels again at the weekend after suffering a second successive postponement. But tomorrow's night clash with Port Vale at Valley Parade kicks off a frantic run of games as they look to clear the backlog.

Lawn remains positive about Phil Parkinson's command and can see solid steps already being taken towards next season.

"We've got a good manager with Phil now and hopefully we'll be pushing next year. I really think that.

"You can see the sort of player he wants and the type he's bringing in. He's looking like getting his squad together.

"We won't have a wholesale dismantling of the team in the summer like we have done in the past few years. He's got his nucleus in place, with the likes of Ricky Ravenhill, and he's brought in a few that will definitely be here next season.

"There are some out of contract and it's up to the manager who he keeps. But while we had a wholesale change last year of eight, nine or ten coming in, we may only get as many as three or four."
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Become a Bradford City player for a day
6:50am Monday 13th February 2012
By Simon Parker

City fans have the chance to follow in the footsteps of their heroes at Valley Parade – and boost the coffers for the club's youngsters.

The club's youth development fund will benefit from an end-of-season match involving supporters.

Wayne Jacobs and Ian Ormondroyd will manage two squads of fans for the game on Saturday, May 12.

And the participants will get the full match-day treatment as if they were playing for the first team.

Organiser Billy Bingham said: "We were looking at different ways to raise money for the development departments.

"The Soul nights have gone well but were getting a bit tedious and people wanted something different.

"We've called this Play it like a Pro and it's exactly that. We're after 32 fans to pay £150 to play in the game and they will be treated just like the professionals.

"They will wear City kit and if time will allow it get their names on the back of the shirts. The scoreboard will be up and running and the players will come out to music – it will be like a typical Saturday afternoon match.

"Wayne and Ian are going to be the two managers and we're also looking to involve the likes of John Hendrie, Dean Windass and David Wetherall for guest appearances."

Afterwards, the two squads will have a meal in the 1911 Club and there will be an awards ceremony to present the trophy to the winning team and name the man of the match.

Jacobs and Ormondroyd will then take part in a question-and-answer session.

Bingham added: "We think it's a fantastic opportunity if you're a supporter. You can live the dream by playing at Valley Parade like you were in the City team."

Places are on a first-come, first-served basis and can be booked on 01274-706836. Alternatively contact the club and ask for Sandra Oram.





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Fifa emergency loan ban: End of football's borrowers?

http://tgr.ph/x5GjTM

full link
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/news/8969167/Football-League-clubs-dealt-huge-blow-after-Fifa-decides-emergency-loans-contravene-its-

rules.html

It is fair to say Carlisle United manager Greg Abbott is not a fan of Fifa's
plans to scrap the emergency loan window in 2014

Under Abbott's tenure the Cumbrians have made good use of the system,
bringing in players from Premier League clubs including Manchester City,
Manchester United and Sunderland to bolster the squad.

In addition players such as Adam Clayton, James Chester and Chris Chantler
all found permanent moves away from the top flight following their loan
stints at Brunton Park.

Yet in two years time such deals will no longer be allowed.

"It's an absolute outrage," Abbott told BBC Late Kick
Off.

"For us it would be a disaster and it would crucify us financially. We know
at the start of the season the revenue is not going to be there so we have
to gamble.

"We either go with a small squad, or overload the squad with players and
financially we cause the club a problem.

"[Emergency loans are] not compatible with general principles of the Fifa
regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players"

Read the full article online
http://tgr.ph/x5GjTM

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