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.


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

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

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 Southend (a) Friday April 15th Ko 7.45pm L0-4

Next fixture
L2 Burton (h) Tue April 19th Ko 7.45pm D1-1
L2 Sat April 23 15:00 (A) Accrington

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

Stats: Southend - Bradford C
Possession: 53 - 47%
Shots on target: 8 - 5
Shots off target: 4 - 2
Fouls: 11 - 16
Corners: 8 - 6

Ref: Mark Brown (E. Yorkshire)
Yellow cards:
Southend: Ferdinand (32 min.)
Bradford C: Threlfall (61 min.)

Southend: 1. Glenn Morris, 2. Sean Clohessy, 5. Graham Coughlan, 23. Chris
Barker, 16. Luke Prosser (75), 7. Anthony Grant, 31. Kane Ferdinand, 8.
Craig Easton (83), 12. Ryan Hall, 10. Barry Corr, 20. Harry Crawford (71).
SUBS: 24. Rhys Evans (GK), 17. Louie Soares, 19. Miguel Comminges, 21. Blair
Sturrock (71), 25. Teddy Nesbitt (75), 28. Kyle Asante (83), 30. Alex
Woodyard.

Bradford C: 1. Jon McLaughlin, 3. Luke O'Brien, 22. Lee Bullock, 6. Luke
Oliver, 28. Robbie Threlfall, 20. Tom Adeyemi (63), 23. David Syers, 19.
Jonathan Worthington, 9. Gareth Evans (83), 4. Michael Flynn, 11. Scott
Dobie (64).
SUBS: 40. Lenny Pidgeley (GK), 10. Jake Speight (64), 14. Leon Osborne (63),
25. Chibuzor Chilaka, 30. Adam Robinson, 31. Alex Flett, 32. Dominic Rowe
(83).


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

NPower League Two
Southend U (2) 4
Bradford C (0) 0
Att: 5,217

By Simon Parker (T&A)

City were crushed 4-0 at Roots Hall tonight to stay locked in the fight for
survival.

Jon McLaughlin's reflex save kept out a Graham Coughlan header before
Southend took the lead from the penalty spot.

Luke O'Brien, forced to play right back, fouled Harry Crawford and Barry
Corr slammed the spot-kick past the diving keeper.

As Southend took control, Luke Prosser headed over from close range. But the
Shrimpers grabbed their second two minutes before the break, Anthony Grant
firing home from 25 yards with a slight deflection off Jon Worthington.

City did improve straight after the break and Tom Adeyemi was denied at the
near post. Scott Dobie missed a great chance when he tried to round the
keeper from Michael Flynn's pass.

But any slight hope of a comeback disappeared after 65 minutes when Kane
Ferdinand headed Southend's third.

Four minutes later, the Shrimpers sealed the deal with the outstanding Hall
bagging his second after a blunder from McLaughlin.

Robbie Threlfall fired a late free-kick against the bar before clearing off
the line from Coughlan in stoppage time.




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

DALEY BACK WITH BRADFORD CITY
By Simon Parker (T&A)

Omar Daley has returned to City from his loan with Rotherham.

The winger was back in training with the Bantams this morning (Saturday) ahead of
Tuesday's important home clash with Burton.

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

STUART McCALL'S MOTHERWELL REACH SCOTTISH CUP FINAL

Motherwell secured a comfortable passage through to the final of the
Scottish Cup as a three goal first half blitz from Stuart McCall's men saw
them breeze past St Johnstone (3-0) at Hampden.

The Steelmen will now look to replicate the triumph of 1991, and the three
goal victory over the Perth side gives the former Bantam the chance to lift
silverware within the first six months of his Fir Park reign. They will
return to Hampden next month to face either Celtic or Aberdeen in the final.

McCall said: "First and foremost I'm absolutely delighted to be in the
final. I think we probably merited it but I looked at the clock after 25
minutes and we were 2-0 up and not really played to be honest. We got a goal
from a set-piece and a bit of individual brilliance from Jamie Murphy. I
said prior to the game we had players in the team like Murphy who could
produce a bit of individual brilliance and he certainly did that."

"Without being too negative, we could have played better in the first 45
minutes. St Johnstone had a lot of possession but the third goal was a
terrific goal, a good lay-off from Franny (Jeffers) and a great finish from
Sutty. The bits of excellence we got the two goals from and Lasley and
Murphy just went wide of the post. We played in little spells, if these
little spells are good enough to get you goals then great. In fairness to St
Johnstone they certainly deserved a goal in the second half but, all in all,
job done."

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

L2 Torquay (h) April 9th Ko 3pm L0-3

Next fixture
L2 Southend (a) Friday April 15th Ko 7.45pm
L2 Burton (h) Tue April 19th Ko 7.45pm (£1 ticket deal - see below)

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

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

Match report

Syers admits Torquay had it too easy
7:20am Monday 11th April 2011
By Simon Parker

David Syers surveyed City's heaviest home loss of the season to Torquay and admitted: "We made it too easy for them."

The Bantams dropped back to 17th place and saw the gap to the League Two drop zone trimmed again to six points after Saturday's 3-0 beating.

It was a demoralising defeat against the fifth-placed Gulls after the win at Macclesfield in midweek had seemingly lifted them clear of any danger.

Midfielder Syers said: "We were playing against two very different teams. You cannot underestimate how much confidence Torquay have.

"We kept the ball pretty well for the first 20 minutes but then got ourselves into a bad situation.

"Every time we got a bit of momentum, we seemed to give them a goal. It was just too easy for Torquay to sit back and have chances.

"We'd have a good little spell and then concede again. It just takes the wind out of you.

"We're 40 games into the season and you can see the difference between a side that's used to winning and one that has been losing like us.

"It becomes harder and harder to keep going when things go against you."

Syers had one of City's few shots as they missed the presence of James Hanson up front. The striker at least has a chance of recovering from his hamstring injury to face Southend on Friday.

Peter Jackson had no complaints with the heavy scoreline. The interim boss conceded: "That's probably the first time since I've been manager when we've been outplayed for most of the game.

"We're bitterly disappointed in terms of how we got beaten. This team are so up and down and that's why another manager has lost his job, because they've not been good enough this season.

"Everyone was full of confidence after the way we played the other night. But it's important you perform and get points in front of your home fans.

"It's all right going to Macclesfield and playing well in front of 400 (City fans) but to get turned over at home is hard to take and adds pressure. It's a lonely place when you're 3-0 down with ten minutes to go."

Jackson revealed that Lewis Hunt was not included for personal reasons.

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

Bradford City fans are quids in again
6:30am Thursday 14th April 2011
By Simon Parker

City are repeating their £1 ticket offer for fans for Tuesday's crunch Valley Parade clash with fellow strugglers Burton.

The club slashed prices against Stockport in February and a whopping 15,332 crowd saw them edge home 3-2 in a thriller.

The Bantams are now ready to do the same for their game against the third-bottom Brewers.

Director of operations David Baldwin said: "It's another proverbial six-pointer and we want to drum up as much support as possible."

Tickets go on sale this morning and must be bought in advance by 5pm on Monday. The offer will not apply on match day because of police requirements.

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

From the club programme from last Saturday

Mike Harrison
editor - The City Gent
 
I know that few City fans buy a programme at the match these days, so many of you might have missed this gem of a gaffe that appeared in the Torquay one last Saturday.
 
On page 8 in the Football league Stat Pack Peter Jackson's record is as follows:
 
Played 128, Won 41, Drawn 35, Lost 52, Goals For 200 Against 216, Ave pts/game 1.23
 
This is pretty good going for someone who's acting as interim manager and has only been at VP for less than 2 months!
 
The next figures give the game away though.
 
Biggest win City 7 Rochdale 1 (29/11/1958)
Biggest loss QPR 5 City 0 (15/04/1960)
 
Given that Jacko only turned 50 last week, all this hapened even before he was a twinkle in the eye of his father!
 
Some numpty has confused Peter Jackson with the Peter Jackson who managed City in the late 50s early 60s. But there again, someone at the club missed this error as well!
 
Classic!
 
Mike Harrison
editor - The City Gent

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

Hunt refusing to play ball over Bradford City contract

Hunt refusing to play ball over Bradford City contract
7:00am Wednesday 13th April 2011
By Simon Parker

Lewis Hunt won't kick another ball for City – unless he agrees to drop a wage clause in his contract.

The defender was left out completely from the squad that lost to Torquay on Saturday.

And while he will be back in training as usual with his team-mates tomorrow morning, Hunt has been warned that he will not feature again if he is not prepared to renegotiate – something he is not willing to do at present.

Hunt has played 19 games since joining City on a one-season deal last summer. One more appearance would automatically trigger a further year on the same terms.

With next term's budget expected to be much reduced, City will not give him that. They have asked Hunt to drop the clause but the right back has refused to budge.

Peter Jackson said: "Lewis can still be involved and still play if he agrees to pull the clause out. But he thinks we should have stuck by the contract.

"He can change his mind but that's up to the player. I asked him again yesterday and I can't see him doing that.

"It's purely down to monetary terms. I've got one eye on next season's budget and things are going to be massively tight.

"I was willing to talk about a new contract with Lewis but not on the same terms he has now. It's disappointing but that's his choice."

Hunt, who was sidelined for four months with a serious knee injury, strung together a run of 11 straight games leading up to the clean sheet at Macclesfield eight days ago. He had also filled in well as a makeshift centre half.

Speaking to the T&A last week, he said: "It's in the club's hands (about my future). What will be, will be.

"I came up here with high expectations. I really thought we'd do well this season and it's not worked out that way at all."

Jackson watched former Middlesbrough teenager Phil Shead on trial at right back yesterday as the reserves won 1-0 at Port Vale.

But he admits City will have to make do in that role for the remaining six games, with Lee Bullock the most likely to fill in.

The interim boss added: "It's been a problem position since I came to the club but I thought Bullock did okay there on Saturday, although he could have done better with one of the goals.

"It's left us a little bit short, which is not ideal, but one more win will see us safe and ease things a bit."

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

L2 Macclesfield (a) April 5th W1-0

Next fixture
[ L2 Torquay (h) April 9th Ko 3pm  L0-3 ]
L2 Southend (a) Friday April 15th Ko 7.45pm
L2 Burton (h) Tue April 19th Ko 7.45pm


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
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/News/0,,10266~2332311,00.html?

"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


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

Tuesday evening match report

Happy birthday for Jackson as Hanson goal earns welcome victory
8:30am Wednesday 6th April 2011
By Simon Parker

Peter Jackson will today toast his 50th birthday after a win he ranks as one of the best of his managerial life.

City's interim boss got the present he really wanted with three points at Macclesfield last night.

The 1-0 win hoisted the Bantams five places up the League Two table – and revived his own hopes of securing the hot-seat full time after successive defeats against Shrewsbury and Stevenage.

Jackson roared: "I'm delighted for everybody connected with the club because this was a massive win for us. It makes it a wonderful birthday.

"If you rank the five top games in my career as a manager, this is up there as one of them.

"Macclesfield in front of just over 1,000 people will be up there for me personally with the top five victories I've had."

James Hanson headed the only goal but had to limp off later with a slight hamstring injury. He will be struggling to face Torquay at Valley Parade on Saturday.

"That was the one disappointment because I thought Hanson was sharp and back to his old self," said Jackson.

"Everybody was a bit low after Saturday but I knew this team was well capable of getting a result. We had key players back in their positions.

"We thoroughly deserved the victory and could have won by four or five. People will look at the score and think it was a close game but it wasn't.

"We defended well, broke well, got in the right areas and really caused them problems. I can't remember Jonny (McLaughlin) making a save."

The win – City's third during Jackson's seven games in charge – has eased them nine points away from the drop zone.

He said: "We had to beat the teams in and around us after taking two very good teams close without getting anything. We've done that and moved up five places.

"We've gone up to 15th on Peter Jackson's 50th birthday. It's marvellous!

"I'm having a little drink with the staff today and then I'm going out with Mrs Jackson and my beautiful family for a meal. I can enjoy it even more now and I'm so proud of my players."


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

http://www.boyfrombrazil.co.uk/2011/04/bradford-city-made-half-a-million-profit-in-200910-but-its-not-all-good-news/?

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

CASH-STRAPPED CITY WANT RENT TALKS WITH LANDLORDS
By Simon Parker (T&A)

City want to renegotiate the rent with their Valley Parade landlords after
falling late on their last payment.

The club currently pay around £370,000 a year to former chairman Gordon
Gibb's pension fund for the stadium and the same to investment company
Prupim, who own the office block.

The latest quarterly bill was settled a week late because of a cash flow
problem when it was due.

City admit the overheads are hitting finances hard while they remain stuck
in League Two. Joint-chairman Mark Lawn's £2m loan and their £1m chunk from
Fabian Delph's move from Leeds to Aston Villa have been swallowed up by the
team's wage bill.

Director of operations David Baldwin confirmed that they are paying the
price for a failure to win promotion.

He said: "We're trying to be prudent and constantly reviewing outgoings to
see if we can reduce them accordingly.

"Over the last four years we've had (playing) budgets of £1.3m, £1.9m, £1.3m
and £1.5m.

"In reality, the break-even budgets are probably below £1.3m. There are some
big pushes in there, so Mark's extra investment and the Fabian Delph money
have been put in to those because we need to get out of this division.

"When you do that, you can get much greater amounts of money in terms of
advertising and TV rights.

"But four years down the line, we're not out of this division and we've got
to budget according to our measure."

City signed a 25-year lease for the stadium after their second
administration in 2004. But the rent for the ground – and surrounding
offices – is having more and more impact the longer they remain in the
bottom division.

Gibb has been reluctant to hold talks in the past but City are hoping that
he will reconsider their position.

Baldwin added: "We're keen to have discussions with both landlords to see
how we can restructure those rents in order to be sustainable as a feasible
trading service that's not running on deficits.

"We're not running up masses of debt. We've spent the money available to us
and want to make sure going forward that we stay within a break-even budget.

"Other clubs run their stadium for a fraction of the cost of ours. We may
have large crowds but large crowds on a reduced ticket price – and those
numbers have gone down each year.

"We had 12,200 (season-ticket holders) the first time we did the promotion
but are now down to 9,600 last year. That's a lot of income not coming in
over three years and the costs are still creeping up.

"The bottom line is that we're not being alarmist. We're not in debt.

"We're just making sure that we don't get into debt by having expenditure
that we can't sustain."

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

L2 (A) Stevenage, April 2, 2011. K.O. 3PM. L1-2

Next fixture
(Macclesfield April 5th W1-0 ... report out, hmmm, Thursday)
L2 Torquay (h) April 9th Ko 3pm

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
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/News/0,,10266~2330112,00.html?

"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 + team info best viewed online
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/match?id=294779&cc=5739

Stevenage                 Bradford City
10(6)     Shots (on Goal)     4(2)
6     Fouls     10
5     Corner Kicks     5
3     Offsides     1
64%     Time of Possession     36%
1     Yellow Cards     2
0     Red Cards     0
2     Saves     4



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

Saturday evening match report

4:59pm Saturday 2nd April 2011
By Simon Parker

Peter Jackson's bid to keep the City hot-seat suffered another setback at in-form Stevenage this afternoon.

The home side clocked up a sixth win on the bounce to leave the Bantams still looking over their shoulders at the bottom, especially with Barnet's impressive win at Burton.

Tom Adeyemi had a half-chance saved by Chris Day in an even start but it went downhill from there.

The Bantams were lucky to escape on 21 minutes as Stacy Long chipped over a stranded Jon McLaughlin but the ball pinged back off the bar.

Stevenage upped the ante more and more as the half wore on and went in front nine minutes before the break from the penalty spot.

Referee Brendan Malone had done City few favours but there were no complaints after Steve Williams bundled over Long and John Mousinho tucked away the spot-kick.

City were second to the ball too often and would have gone further behind right on the interval but for Lewis Hunt who twice cleared off the line in a matter of seconds from home skipper Mark Roberts.

Jackson had a face like thunder as he headed for the dressing room, no doubt ready to deliver a few choice words.

Former City coach Junior Lewis, sitting in the stand behind the dug-outs, would have known how he felt.

Stevenage resumed as they left off and Darius Charles went close with a header after a mix-up between Williams and McLaughlin.

McLaughlin saved well from Darren Murphy before David Syers nearly equalised in the 70th minute. Getting forward for once from his right-back role, his shot on the turn from Leon Osborne's cross was parried by Day and the rebound fell behind the incoming substitute Chib Chilaka.

City were having more of a go and two minutes later Syers made no mistake, squeezing a cross-shot inside the far post for his ninth goal of the season.

Parity lasted just four minutes as Craig Reid's cutback was swept home by an unmarked Darius Charles from ten yards out to restore Stevenage's lead.

Jackson threw on Luke Oliver up front - a position he'd played in an FA Trophy final for Stevenage - and Jake Speight.

And there was one late chance three minutes into stoppage time but Chilaka nodded wide.
===========================

Monday morning match report

Jackson's inherited problems all too plain to see
6:20am Monday 4th April 2011
By Simon Parker

Stevenage 2, City 1

Peter Jackson and Colin Cooper sat in dugout isolation as they idly watched the players warm down.

It would not be too hard to hazard a guess at what they were thinking.

Not that Jackson gave much away in his post-match press conference. The interim boss, usually the bubbliest of characters, struck a flat and listless character in front of the microphones.

Jacko talked of the need to pick the players up for tomorrow's "massive" encounter with Macclesfield. First he has to get his own chin off the floor.

The prize that he is so desperate to claim remains elusively out of reach. Saturday's result had done him few favours and Jackson knew it.

City had finished with a front three of Jake Speight, Chib Chilaka and Luke Oliver.

That's a striker who has not scored for City from open play since August, another who has not got one at all and a centre half thrown forward as nuisance value.

On the same afternoon, Crewe were smashing Cheltenham for eight – nearly a quarter of what City have managed since August! The problems that Jackson inherited are all too plain to see.

Once again the goal that proved City's undoing was self-inflicted after a mistake by David Syers. But, as it has regularly been pointed out, Syers is no natural defender. The fact that he was his side's most potent attacking threat said it all.

Jackson went on the defensive afterwards when questioned about persisting with employing the season's only bright spot as a makeshift right back.

At least Oliver's presence in the closing stages should allow him to restore the natural order to City's formation at Moss Rose.

Ironically Lewis Hunt was the best performer at centre half, a role he continues to fill with the confidence of someone more than just filling in.

But Oliver's return would allow Hunt to resume his usual right-back duties – and free Syers to go foraging from midfield again. Please.

Jon Worthington, too, must be brought back to add some bite to a midfield where Michael Flynn continues to struggle.

Jackson had tried Leon Osborne for the first time but the winger proved as peripheral a figure as he has done through the many opportunities given him by Peter Taylor.

So once again there was little output from City's flanks.

Scott Dobie was pushed up top to partner James Hanson after Jackson lost patience with Speight. But that move didn't work either as the frontmen got nothing out of the uncompromising Stevenage central defenders.

It highlights the size of City's decline that few eyebrows would have been raised by the final scoreline.

Anyone glancing through the programme would have read the warning signs about Stevenage's finishing power.

Last season they won 14 of the last 15 league games on the way to the Conference crown. The year before it was something similar.

So a sixth straight victory at this stage of the season seems par for the course for a side with an unquenchable belief in their own destiny.

Graham Westley and his team put plenty of non-league noses out of joint on their way up. They clearly thrive on rubbing rivals up the wrong way.

"Our success is deeply resented by the many and appreciated only by the few," is the Westley mantra.

No surprise there were a few sparks flying on the touchline with two such combustible characters a matter of metres apart. The fourth official frequently found himself the meat in the sandwich.

Westley was on referee Brendan Malone's case from the off, picking up on any contact with his targetman Darius Charles.

The striker – who can bizarrely also play left back – looked quite capable of handling himself and dished plenty back. But it was the out-of-sorts Steve Williams who bore the brunt of Westley's ire and, predictably, Malone's whistle.

After an early half-chance for Tom Adeyemi, one of City's bolder performers, the game had quickly settled into an expected pattern as Stevenage pounded away.

Stacy Long left Jon McLaughlin grounded with a deft chip that bounced back into play off the bar.

Then City pressed the self-destruct button once again as Williams bundled into Long. Charles knocked in the loose ball but Malone had already pointed to the spot, John Mousinho making no mistake anyway from 12 yards.

City, having held their ground for the first quarter, were starting to creak.

Hunt kept them in it, first getting a vital touch on Long's drive and then twice defying home skipper Mark Roberts with a game of head tennis on his own goalline.

The outlook remained just as bleak into the second half. Williams and McLaughlin got in each other's way to gift Charles a free header, before the keeper made amends with a smart block from Darren Murphy.

City needed a lift from somewhere – and got it from the reluctant right back. Syers burst upfield, took a return pass from Osborne in the box, swivelled and forced the save from a startled Chris Day. The rebound, typically, ran just behind substitute Chilaka.

But there were signs of life and City's extra zip was soon rewarded with an equaliser. Again it was that man Syers who squeezed his shot inside the far post for his ninth goal of the term.

Suddenly a few cracks were appearing in the home psyche; the earlier cockiness of the place drifting away as West Yorkshire voices rang out from the far end.

Could City go on and pinch the win? Er, no. Syers played himself into trouble, Williams was caught on his heels and Craig Reid cut back for Charles to fire in from acres of room.

Having punched the air just four minutes before, Jackson was left pounding the top of the dugout in sheer frustration.

It threatened to get worse as Murphy played in Chris Beardsley. This time fortune favoured the bravery of McLaughlin, the shot pinging off his body and safely away from the gathering red and white shirts.

Still there was one final opportunity for City's B-list frontline. With Day in no man's land, Gareth Evans hoisted the ball hopefully into the box and Chilaka planted a free header two yards wide. Same old story.

Westley bellowed at the assistant referee as the clock past the agreed four minutes of added time and the prompt whistle produced a chorus of "another one bites the dust" from the tannoy.

Stevenage crowed over another three points; Jackson and Cooper were left to stew on their own prospects. The future remains unsure for all concerned. Attendance: 3,079

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

Oliver insists Bantams are not far away from getting consistent results
6:10am Tuesday 5th April 2011
By Simon Parker

Luke Oliver reckons City are "two per cent" off being a decent side.

The big defender is set to swell the ranks at Macclesfield tonight after making his comeback from a hamstring injury in the 2-1 loss against Stevenage.

For Oliver, Saturday was another example of the fine margin between success and failure. Eight of City's last nine defeats have been by a single goal.

He admitted: "It's very annoying because it's not as if we've been thumped too many times.

"I don't think there's a lot of difference between the teams in most games. But maybe we're just lacking that extra two per cent to get the result.

"I personally feel on our day we can beat anyone. We've just not had enough of those days.

"We come away every time thinking the performance wasn't too bad and maybe we'll get it right again the next week. It's very frustrating for everyone."

Oliver is not predicting a nasty sting in the tail of a wretched season – and City can do themselves a huge favour by leap-frogging Macc with a victory.

He said: "We're very confident that we won't get caught up in any relegation battle. But we have to bounce back again tonight and get as far away from the bottom two as we can.

"We want to get into mid-table with a strong finish so things are looking up for next season.

"Over the course of the season, we've probably done better against the better teams.

"It's the points that we've dropped against those lower down which is why we are where we are. We need to correct that tonight.

"It will be a battle and we've got to stamp our authority on them."

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

From the Official BCFC Website…

FOOTBALL LEAGUE STRIKE NEW SKY DEAL

The Football League and Sky Sports have signed a new broadcasting agreement
to run for three seasons from 2012/13.

The new deal, worth £195m, will see Sky Sports extend their unrivalled live
coverage of the npower Football League, Carling Cup and Johnstone's Paint
Trophy into 2015.

The League is also engaged in ongoing discussions with broadcasters
regarding free-to-air match highlights.

Under the new agreement Sky Sports will broadcast, exclusively live, each
season:

- 75 matches from across the npower Football League.
- The npower Football League Play-Offs - including all three Finals.
- 15 matches from the Carling Cup, including both legs of each Carling Cup
semi-final and the Carling Cup Final from Wembley Stadium.
- The Johnstone's Paint Trophy Final and at least two matches from the
preceding rounds.

Sky Sports will also broadcast highlights and clips of the npower Football
League, Carling Cup & Johnstone's Paint Trophy. The agreement encompasses
television, broadband internet, video-on-demand and mobile services.

In announcing the new agreement Football League Chairman Greg Clarke said:

"Sky Sports is a highly valued partner of The Football League and we are
delighted to extend our relationship for a further three seasons. They are a
class act and our clubs will welcome their continued support.

"This has been a challenging climate in which to negotiate television
rights, given the state of the economy and the lack of competitive tension
in the sports broadcasting market.

"I am confident that our clubs will take heart from seeing such a
significant ongoing investment in their competitions, despite a reduced
level of broadcasting income, as it provides financial certainty in
uncertain times."

Barney Francis, Managing Director of Sky Sports said:

"Sky Sports has had a long and successful partnership with The Football
League.

"We have seen the growth of attendances, the huge success of the Play-Offs
and some wonderful Carling Cup Finals.

"This new deal will extend the relationship to 2015 and will take us beyond
our 1000th live Football League game.

"Sky Sports will bring viewers more live matches - over 100 a year from
across all divisions and each of The League's competitions - and be the home
of live npower League, Carling Cup and Johnstone's Paint Trophy football."

L2 L1-2 (H) Shrewsbury, March 26, 2011. K.O. 3:00PM.

Next fixture
L2 (A) Stevenage, April 2, 2011. K.O. 3:00PM.


Current table
http://www.sportinglife.com/football/live/tables/cc_league2.html


Why did the game clash with the England v Wales game?

SHREWS FAILED TO PLAY BALL ON KICK OFF CLASH
By Simon Parker (T&A)

Bradford City have told fans they have no choice over clashing with the
England game on Saturday.

Their home match with Shrewsbury is the only league fixture with the same
3pm kick-off as England's Euro 2012 qualifier in Wales.

Shrewsbury rejected the chance to switch days and would only agree to a
lunchtime kick-off if City paid their bill for an overnight stay, an
estimated £2,000-3,000.

City also looked at moving the game back a couple of hours to 5pm but that
would have incurred significant extra policing costs.

Joint-chairman Mark Lawn said: "People always go to have a drink to watch
England games. For us to catch them after that, I can understand why the
police are a bit wary."

City must tread carefully following recent incidents of items being thrown
on the pitch. The Football Association are closely monitoring Valley Parade
crowd behaviour.

City anticipate a "ten per cent" drop in attendance, around 1,000 fewer
fans, because of the clash – although the high number of season-ticket
holders will limit losses.

Lawn added: "Obviously there will be fewer away fans but, to be fair, I
don't think they'd have come if it was a 1pm or 5pm kick-off.

"They might have come Friday night or on Sunday but Shrewsbury weren't
willing to play then. There's nothing we can do about it. It's got to be a
joint effort with both teams and we weren't prepared to pay that extra money
to play at 1pm."


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

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

Npower League Two
Bradford C (0) 1 Adeyemi 67
Shrewsbury (0) 2 Bradshaw 77, 87
Att: 10,735

Stats: Bradford C - Shrewsbury
Possession: 50 - 50%
Shots on target: 5 - 13
Shots off target: 6 - 1
Fouls: 11 - 15
Corners: 3 - 9

Ref: Peter Quinn
Yellow cards:
Bradford C: Hanson (42 min).
Shrewsbury: Davies (51 min).

Bradford C: 1. Jon McLaughlin, 15. Lewis Hunt, 12. Steve Williams, 23. David
Syers, 3. Luke O'Brien, 9. Gareth Evans, 4. Michael Flynn, 20. Tom Adeyemi,
11. Scott Dobie (88), 17. James Hanson, 10. Jake Speight (60).
SUBS: 40. Lenny Pidgeley (GK), 14. Leon Osborne (88), 22. Lee Bullock, 27.
Louis Horne, 28. Robbie Threlfall, 29. Darren Stephenson (60), 32. Dominic
Rowe.

Shrewsbury: 25. Benjamin Smith, 2. David Raven, 5. Ian Sharps, 6. Shane
Cansdell-Sherriff, 3. Mat Sadler, 23. Jon Taylor, 12. Nicky Wroe, 29. David
Davies, 7. Mark Wright (75), 9. Matt Harrold, 14. James Collins (74).
SUBS: 1. Chris Neal (GK), 8. Kevin McIntyre, 16. Lionel Ainsworth (75), 19.
Connor Goldson, 20. Craig Disley, 26. Kelvin Lomax, 34. Tom Bradshaw (74).

Position: 18th


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

Saturday evening match report

By Simon Parker (T&A)

Wales got their own back at Valley Parade this afternoon as Welsh under-19
international Tom Bradshaw came off the bench to stun City.

Shrewsbury sub Bradshaw scored twice in the final 15 minutes to end Peter
Jackson's unbeaten three-game run.

Tom Adeyemi's thunderbolt had fired City in front but, as with their first
meeting on the opening day, Shrewsbury came from behind to win.

The scoreline was particularly harsh on Jon McLaughlin, who had pulled off a
string of fine saves to frustrate the promotion-hunting visitors.

The game took an age to crank into gear before James Hanson headed wide with
the first chance after 23 minutes.

Shrewsbury, who looked the more effective side, missed a glorious
opportunity to go in front four minutes later.

McLaughlin parried from Matt Harold and Mark Wright should have buried the
rebound. It looked a certain goal but the winger kept his shot low instead
of blasting it and the City keeper was able to pull off a fine save.

James Collins played Nicky Wroe through as half-time approached but the
midfielder's heavy touch allowed McLaughlin to block.

McLaughlin made another superb block just seconds after the break to tip
over from David Davis.

Peter Jackson gave Darren Stephenson his debut on the hour to replace the
ineffective Jake Speight.

But it was McLaughlin who kept City in it again four minutes later with a
one-handed save to his right to keep out Wright's header.

That became even more significant within two minutes as the home side
grabbed the lead. Luke O'Brien's free-kick was punched out by keeper Ben
Smith as far as Adeyemi to send it back with interest, thundering home a
half-volley from outside the box.

A third win in four was tantalisingly in sight but Shrewsbury hit back 13
minutes from time. Bradshaw had only been on two minutes when a throw-in was
flicked into his path and he blasted past McLaughlin from a tight angle.

Scott Dobie should have restored City's advantage but failed to convert a
close-range header.

And Shrewsbury made them pay in the 88th minute when Bradshaw grabbed his
second, shooting into the ground and over McLaughlin after Jon Taylor had
carved the defence open.

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

Monday morning match report


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

Stephenson called up by Bradford City
By Simon Parker (T&A)

Rookie striker Darren Stephenson will be on City's bench against Shrewsbury
on Saturday.

The 18-year-old has been given his chance by Peter Jackson after scoring in
the last two reserve games.

Jackson said: "He's a big, strong and physical lad and he has a certain
presence about him.

"Darren's inclusion will hopefully be the first of many players to come
through the youth ranks.

"With the help of David Wetherall and Peter Horne in the youth set-up, I
want to start bringing through more of the younger players into the first
team.

"Darren is just one of several that we have high hopes for. It is up to him
now to take his opportunity if and when it arises."

Second-year scholar Stephenson, who has been given the number 29 shirt, has
also netted four goals for the youth team.

---

Paul Farndale wrote
"Boy from Brazil has a good article comparing his situation with that of
Michael Boulding who also played in the match [Derby reserves]".

http://www.boyfrombrazil.co.uk/2011/03/differing-career-directions/

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

SPOT-ON SPEIGHT GETS THE JOB FOR BANTAMS
By Simon Parker (T&A) (Mar 23rd)

Jake Speight has been confirmed as Bradford City's penalty-taker after his
successful spot-kick against Northampton.

Speight notched his first league goal for the club on Saturday, following
recent penalty misses by Gareth Evans and James Hanson.

Jackson wants to avoid any future arguments by nominating City's number ten
for the job.

He said: "All three strikers have had a go but Speight will be on pens now.
I thought he struck it really well.

"There was a little bit of pressure on him. We're in March and he had not
scored a league goal since being here and the referee made him replace the
ball (on the spot).

"But I was really pleased with the way he tucked it away and you could see
from his reaction how delighted he was."


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

L2 (H) v Northampton March 19, 2011. K.O. 3:00PM

Next fixture
L2 (H) Shrewsbury, March 26, 2011. K.O. 3:00PM.

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

NPower League Two
Bradford C (1) 1 Speight (pen) 8.
Northampton (0) 1 Harrad (pen) 60
Att: 10,684

Stats: Bradford C - Northampton
Possession: 49 - 51%
Shots on target: 3 - 7
Shots off target: 4 - 5
Fouls: 21 - 19
Corners: 5 - 5

Ref: Rob Lewis (Shropshire).
Red card:
Bradford C: Worthington (90+3).
Yellow cards:
Bradford C: Worthington (11 min), Oliver (39), Flynn (42), Speight (85),
Ellison (90+4).
Northampton: Bauza (46), Ofori-Twumasi (48), Johnson (73), Reckord (83).

Bradford C: 1. Jon McLaughlin, 15. Lewis Hunt, 12. Steve Williams, 6. Luke
Oliver (46), 3. Luke O'Brien, 9. Gareth Evans, 19. Jonathan Worthington, 4.
Michael Flynn (71), 26. Kevin Ellison, 10. Jake Speight (87), 17. James
Hanson.
SUBS: 13. Lloyd Saxton (GK), 11. Scott Dobie (87), 14. Leon Osborne, 20. Tom
Adeyemi (71), 22. Lee Bullock, 23. David Syers (46), 28. Robbie Threlfall.

Northampton: 1. Chris Dunn, 14. John Johnson, 5. Byron Webster (87), 33.
Seth Nana Ofori-Twumasi, 3. Marcus Hall, 17. Michael Jacobs, 23. Liam Davis
(79), 8. Abdul Osman (76), 30. Josh Walker, 9. Shaun Harrad, 21. Guillem
Bauza.
SUBS: 34. Steve Collis (GK), 2. Paul Rodgers, 6. Dean Beckwith (87), 7. Ryan
Gilligan, 11. Andrew Holt, 12. Nathaniel Wedderburn (76), 32. Jamie Reckord
(79).

Position: 17th (10 points & goal difference of +10 from relegation).

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

Saturday evening match report

By Simon Parker (T&A)

Bradford City's bid for a third straight win came to a stuttering halt
against Northampton this afternoon.

But it was referee Rob Lewis who took centre stage after Jon Worthington was
sent off - and nine other players were booked.

Lewis blew up for 40 fouls and it was no surprise that both goals came from
the penalty spot.

City's eighth-minute spot-kick looked a generous decision when Kevin
Ellison's cross hit the arm of right back Seth Nana Ofori-Twumasi.

But Jake Speight showed no mercy by sending the keeper the wrong way with a
confident penalty. It was the £25,000 signing's first league goal for the
club.

It was a bitty first half with little quality on either side. Other than
City's goal, the most memorable incident came from Luke O'Brien whose
25-yarder was tipped over the bar by Chris Dunn.

Luke Oliver did not appear after half-time because of a suspected hamstring
pull which meant a reshuffle at the back. David Syers came on at full back
while Lewis Hunt moved into the central role he had played against Wycombe a
month ago.

It was City's turn to moan about Lewis on the hour mark when the official
pointed to the spot for the second time.

Lewis Hunt was adjudged to have checked Shaun Harrad and the former Burton
striker scored against City for the third successive game by blasting home
the penalty.

There was no late winner for City this time and it needed an alert piece of
defending from Steve Williams to prevent Guillem Bauza nicking a second for
the Cobblers.

With Lewis blowing for everything, it looked inevitable that somebody would
see red before the end. And Worthington was given his marching orders in
stoppage time for a second foul.

The draw made it seven points out of the last nine for interim boss Peter
Jackson. But it was an unsatisfying afternoon.

The boos afterwards for the referee said it all.

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

Monday morning match report


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

REPREIVE FOR BRADFORD CITY OVER FANS
By Simon Parker (T&A)

Bradford City have escaped punishment from the Football Association after
items were thrown on the pitch in the Stockport and Chesterfield games.

But the FA will continue to monitor future behaviour of home fans.

Supporters can text 07949-814243 to report incidents of misbehaviour at
Valley Parade.

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

David Syers will line up in City colours again next season after earning a new deal.

The rookie midfielder, a stand-out success in his first year in league football, has triggered the one-year option in his current contract.

Syers made his 20th league start in the win over Stockport last month, which automatically guaranteed him another season with the club.

And Peter Jackson hopes to pin him down for longer, should the caretaker boss get appointed full-time.

Jackson said: "The clause has kicked in to trigger another year, which I'm delighted about.

"David has not been involved as much as he likes since I've come in but I really see him as part of my plans for the next couple of seasons if I get the job.

"We've got him for next year and I want to sit down with him at some point and talk about a contract for the following one."

Syers, who played non-league for Farsley Celtic, Ossett and Harrogate, was signed last summer by Taylor after a trial and has proved an instant hit. He is joint top scorer with James Hansonwith eight goals and has impressed with his high-octane performances.

But the 23-year-old is yet to start under Jackson, playing only 19 minutes from the bench against Rotherham.

Jackson admits he has opted for Jon Worthington and Michael Flynn in the centre of City's midfield for their greater experience.

He added: "I just went with Worthington and Flynn because they are players I know and we had big games coming up. I don't know that much about Syers.

"I have explained that to David and he's well aware of the situation.

"We've got four of five in our squad (coming from non-league) and it's a big jump up for them. But he's done well, like Hanson has. The priority is to pick a side that could win games and I wanted players I knew well. That's nothing against David, who will definitely get his chance."

Jackson championed the Academy products during his time with Huddersfield and also hopes to blood some of City's youngsters. Reserve-team regulars Dominic Rowe and Alex Flett were both recently given squad numbers.

Jackson said: "We know money's tight and it will be next season. You sometimes have to take a chance with lads from non-league and youngsters coming from the youth system.

"Peter Horne and David Wetherall are doing a great job there and I will try to involve these young lads. It's something I've done before.

"We need to get safe first and then obviously I will try to look at everyone, especially those who will be out of contract. But the important thing is that we keep getting more points."

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

MANAGERS UNITE IN REF FRUSTRATION

Both managers criticised referee Rob Lewis' performance as Bradford City and
Northampton drew 1-1 at Valley Parade.

Referee Lewis sent off Bradford midfielder Jon Worthington for a second
bookable offence in stoppage time and also booked nine other players - four
from the Bantams and five from Northampton.

Striker Jake Speight put Bradford in front from the spot after eight minutes
when Cobblers right-back Seth Nana Ofori-Twumasi handled Kevin Ellison's
cross. But Shaun Harrad equalised for the visitors after 59 minutes after he
had been brought down by defender Lewis Hunt.

Bradford interim manager Peter Jackson said: "I was disappointed with the
referee's performance. There were too many cards and I was also disappointed
with the Northampton penalty and the sending off.

"I thought Jon Worthington slipped for the foul for which he was sent off.
We didn't play as well as we have been doing. We didn't really get going. We
got the perfect start with Jake Speight's penalty, but I couldn't understand
why we were a bit flat.

"It was a stop-start game, but, although we were disappointed to drop two
home points, we extended our unbeaten run to three matches."

Northampton manager Gary Johnson also felt referee Lewis did not have one of
his better days.

He said: "We were disappointed we didn't win the game. We thought we did
enough to win and were disappointed with the penalty that Bradford were
given, but the lads kept going and kept their spirit.

"I thought our back four did well. They survived a bombardment. There were
lots of free-kicks and corners and we had to deal with them.

"There were 43 fouls and 11 cautions in the match which is an extraordinary
ratio. I don't think every foul that the referee awarded was a foul let
alone a booking. Once you start showing yellow cards you have to show
consistency and then someone gets sent off."

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

ROB LEWIS - REFEREE

A few notes on the ref from Saturday.

News & Star Sport can reveal that Rob Lewis is no stranger to controversial
decisions - because he was running the line for the infamous Pedro Mendes
'goal' at Manchester United in 2005.

Lewis failed to spot the Tottenham player's long-distance shot had crossed
the line by more than a metre before goalkeeper Roy Carroll scooped it back
into play.

- - - - - - - -
Carlisle Utd boss pledges never to speak to ref Rob Lewis again.
(Southampton v Carlisle)

The ref's latest controversial call, which saw Borrowdale dismissed after 41
minutes at St Mary's, was cited by angry United players and staff as the
turning point in a tight game in which they performed well against the odds.

Boss Greg Abbott, whose side will bid to end their four-match losing run at
Oldham without the suspended defender tomorrow, said Lewis had got the big
call wrong and would "never speak to him again".

- - - - - - - -
By Simon Parker (T&A)

City 1, Northampton Town 1

It's hard to trust anyone who has sent off David Wetherall. So maybe we
should not be too surprised that referee Rob Lewis dished out more cards
than a Las Vegas croupier.
...

Wetherall aside, Lewis' major claim to fame was the night he ran the line at
Old Trafford and somehow managed to miss a Pedro Mendes 'goal' from the
halfway line that landed a couple of feet behind the line.

- - - - - - - -

Ref Stats for Rob Lewis (2010-11)

http://www.andysstats.co.uk/refs.asp?ref=R Lewis&division=CONF&season=201011

L2 W1-0 (A) v Morecombe March 12, 2011. K.O. 3:00PM

Next fixture
L2 (H) v Northampton March 19, 2011. K.O. 3:00PM

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

Penalty Miss
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ti8cSlttWt4

Penalty Miss and end of game celebrations
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0iRHzL3qqgE

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

Match stats

Npower League Two
Morecambe (0) 0
Bradford C (1) 1 Hanson 33
Att: 3,521 (1,513 away fans)

Stats: Morecambe - Bradford C
Possession: 54 - 46%
Shots on target: 2 - 9
Shots off target: 11 - 6
Fouls: 12 - 8
Corners: 2 - 4

Ref: Nigel Miller (Durham).
Yellow cards:
Morecambe: Charnock (4 min).
Bradford C: (Hanson (60 min).

Morecambe: 32. Joe Anyon, 19. Laurence Wilson, 27. Kieran Charnock, 15.
Chris McCready, 22. Andy Parrish, 18. Kevan Hurst, 17. Andrew Fleming, 16.
Stewart Drummond, 8. Garry Hunter (66), 30. Danny Carlton (86), 14. James
Spencer (68).
SUBS: 2. Andy Holdsworth, 9. Chris Shuker (66), 10. Phil Jevons (68), 11.
Neil Wainwright, 26. Tony Capaldi, 29. Scott Brown (86), 31. Laurie Walker
(GK).

Bradford C: . Jon McLaughlin, 3. Luke O'Brien, 6. Luke Oliver, 12. Steve
Williams, 15. Lewis Hunt, 11. Scott Dobie (64), 19. Jonathan Worthington, 4.
Michael Flynn, 9. Gareth Evans, 17. James Hanson, 10. Jake Speight.
SUBS: 13. Lloyd Saxton (GK), 14. Leon Osborne, 20. Tom Adeyemi, 22. Lee
Bullock, 23. David Syers, 26. Kevin Ellison (64), 28. Robbie Threlfall.

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

Saturday evening match report

By Simon Parker (T&A)

Peter Jackson strengthened his grip on the Bradford City hot-seat with a
second win in four days.

James Hanson's eighth goal of the season sent 1,513 travelling fans into
raptures - and gave the interim boss further ammunition in his bid to land
the job full-time.

City had a scare after just 25 seconds when Kevan Hurst burst through but
went too wide to squeeze his shot on target.

Morecambe's on-loan keeper Joe Anyon made a blunder at Bury on his debut
from a long shot and he looked uncomfortable dealing with two early
25-yarders from Michael Flynn.

Morecambe had the better of the first half but failed to hit the target with
numerous efforts on goal.

And City made them pay after 33 minutes when Kieran Charnock's clearance
ballooned off Gareth Evans and Hanson steered a precise header across the
keeper.

City could have extended their lead after the break. Anyon pulled off two
good saves from Evans, and Hanson crashed a close-range volley wide when he
should have scored.

Morecambe pushed for an equaliser as Danny Carlton's cross-shot slid wide
after a Flynn mistake and Stewart Drummond headed straight at Jon
McLaughlin.

Evans missed the chance to double the lead in stoppage time when his penalty
was saved after Kevin Ellison was brought down. But it proved the last kick
of the game and the away celebrations could begin.

City's defence didn't always look comfortable but they worked their socks
off to protect the clean sheet that Jackson had asked for. And it clinched
another win he was desperate for.

His victory punch in the air in front of the City fans showed how much it
meant.

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

Monday morning match report

Just the job as Jackson finds winning formula for Bradford City
7:10am Monday 14th March 2011
By Simon Parker

Morecambe 0 Bradford City 1

So that's two of City's biggest critics put to the sword.

First Ronnie Moore at Valley Parade followed by Morecambe's Sammy McIlroy on Saturday.

Neither of them are thought of too fondly in these parts and now both have been seen off inside a week.

No wonder the "vote Jacko" bandwagon continues to build up a head of steam.

Peter Jackson admitted he doesn't like the word interim anymore. Other more appealing epithets are surely beckoning with more results like this.

He headed to the Lancashire coast with the promise from Mark Lawn that there will be at least two or three more opportunities to stake his claim.

Another win at home to Northampton next week could make it impossible for the board to look beyond Jackson – for the rest of the season at least.

Morecambe's award-winning pies may be the best in the league but Jackson's rejuvenated visitors delivered one of the strictly custard variety.

This was no rousing cavalry charge like Rotherham. The football on City's first visit to the Globe Arena was anything but out of this world.

It was, though, a textbook away performance. An ugly win in front of a mass of fans who have grown too used to just seeing their side play ugly.

The following from Bradford made up nearly half of Morecambe's biggest league crowd in their new home. Their constant noise level accounted for double that.

And all this for a game between two teams sandwiched together at the wrong end of the table.

"Taking 1,500 away and you're fifth bottom is unbelievable," said Jackson. "Just imagine if we were fifth top?

"They've not had many away days like that this season so I'm glad they enjoyed it.

"I knew it would be difficult because we'd had a hard game in midweek. We know we can play a lot better.

"We didn't start well and could have been one down in the first minute. But once again the players gave me everything.

"I told them before the game that if we kept a clean sheet we'd win again and I'm delighted we did that.

"The supporters will look at the spirit and desire out there and you can't ask for more. I'm so proud of them."

Most of those fans were still settling in when Morecambe carved through from the kick-off. The game was only 25 seconds old as Kevan Hurst failed to get his angles right after being sent through.

It was to sum up Morecambe's finishing prowess all afternoon. They created plenty of chances but the shooting was of the "barn door" variety.

While injured Lenny Pidgeley watched on from the main stand, Jon McLaughlin notched up a clean sheet on his return to City's goal. He is unlikely to get an easier one.

Morecambe sprayed their shots here, there and everywhere – everywhere, that is, except on target, with McLaughlin limited to taking the odd cross and overhit set-piece.

There were a few wobbles which seemed to be caused by a lack of communication with the back four but generally Luke Oliver and Steve Williams dealt with most things and Morecambe's dicky radar accounted for the rest.

City's play was far from perfect and Michael Flynn is still not the player we all know. He was guilty of some loose passes, one in particular straight to Chris Shuker could have spelled trouble if Danny Carlton had worked out where he should have been aiming.

It's almost as if the Welshman was trying too hard. But that's hardly the crime of the century.

The effort being put in across the board shows how much the players have bought into Jackson's philosophy. New number two Colin Cooper was also evident in the dug-out, where he offered a more calming assessment next to his animated boss.

Flynn's shooting was at least a level above that of the home side and he fired two early long-range tests for keeper Joe Anyon, who had let a similar 30-yarder slither through his hands at Bury in the previous game.

Anyon actually got better as the afternoon wore on and pulled off a tremendous flying save from a Gareth Evans screamer that had goal written all over it.

Evans had been a tad lucky to escape with a nudge on Stewart Drummond as the Morecambe skipper sneaked along the byline. It looked a penalty but referee Nigel Miller enraged McIlroy by awarding a corner.

It was the first of several calls from the County Durham official that got Morecambe backs up. But then maybe that was karma for the Peter Thorne "non goal" he did not blow for at Christie Park two Easters ago.

Fortune continues to favour the brave for City.

After Tuesday's "was it or wasn't it over" winner from Tom Adeyemi, their goal on Saturday received an unexpected helping hand.

The charity came from home defender Kieran Charnock, whose clearing tackle on Evans pinged up off the City man and turned into the perfect cross for James Hanson to nod his first goal for six games.

It was the perfect response from the targetman after Jackson's little chat with his parents the day before.

Hanson was unlucky not to double his tally with a rocket of a volley that was diverted fractionally off course by Jake Speight's hip. He also drilled another couple of efforts high up into the stand, Morecambe-style.

The Shrimps had one final go in stoppage time but Chris McCready blazed over from ten yards.

Then sub Kevin Ellison burst away from the halfway line, only to be cut down by right back Andy Parrish.

Ellison wanted to take the penalty but Flynn grabbed the ball off him for nominated kicker Evans – whose disappointing effort was comfortably saved. It scarcely mattered as Miller promptly whistled for full time.

So Hanson's first goal since Lincoln at home had bagged City's first win on the road since Lincoln away on New Year's Day.

And a former Lincoln manager added another three points to his Valley Parade manifesto.

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Anyone got any idea why Morecambe wore their 3rd kit (blue shirts white
shorts) for yesterdays (Saturday) game?

Yesterday was Marie Curie Cancer Care Day and Morecambe played in blue shirts in recognition of the official charity of the football league. Their programme was also changed from red/white to blue/yellow.



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The football club can confirm that the Bantams' forthcoming npower League 2 fixture with Shrewsbury Town will still kick off at 3:00pm on Saturday 26 March 2011.

After discussions with opponents Shrewsbury, it has been decided that the fixture will take place at it's original time and date despite England playing Wales in an International Euro 2012 Qualifier at the same time.

Given England's fixture at the Millennium Stadium, and to avoid any confusion, the football club felt it was in the best interest of all City supporters to confirm that the exact date and time of the Shrews fixture in advance.

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Jackson gets extra time to stake his claim for Bradford City job
                
City are ready to keep Peter Jackson in the hot-seat for the rest of the season.

Jackson has made a bright start with two wins from three games since being put in temporary charge following Peter Taylor's departure.

The former Bantams skipper, who is desperate to land the post for good, was installed on a game-by-game basis.

But with the club's two chairmen in no hurry to draw up their shortlist for the job, Jackson is expected to hang on to the reins until the end of the campaign.

Julian Rhodes hinted that would be the case after back-to-back wins lifted City nine points clear of the drop zone.

He said: "Peter was brought in to keep us up while we interviewed people and he's going about it the right way.

"If he keeps on picking up results then obviously it gives him the chance (to be here longer). That's two wins out of three so he is clearly doing something right.

"We are in no rush and it's nice for Peter to be given a bit of time. He wants the job permanently and who wouldn't. He's doing everything right at the moment and we're taking our time to allow him the opportunity."

Only two interviews have taken place so far – one of them understood to be John Hughes – and Jackson believes a string of results will reinforce his own claims.

With the concern over City's league position easing, the board are under less pressure to make an early appointment.

Rhodes added: "We are still going to interview people and a few will happen through April. Hopefully we can secure our league status for this season in the next few weeks but then next season is a whole new ball game.

"We've had a lot more than 40 applicants. We've got a great bag-full which we are just going through, looking at the CVs and dealing with the ones we want to talk to.

"We aren't safe yet. Jacko has to keep doing what he has been and the players need to keep responding.

"But the position looks much better after three wins out of four, especially when you think back to half-time against Stockport only two weeks ago.

"At long last it looks like we are getting that initial burst you get from a new manager. I was a bit worried after Gillingham but I think we have done well in all three of his games.

"There were a few decent chances on Saturday to have won more comfortably and I don't know what game Ronnie Moore was watching last week. Apart from a 20-minute period when Rotherham were on top, I thought we thoroughly deserved to beat them."

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http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/News/0,,10266~2316403,00.html?

Jacobs and Lewis leave Bradford City
Posted on: Tue 15 Mar 2011
The football club can now confirm that both Wayne Jacobs and Junior Lewis have left the football club by mutual consent this week.

The pair had been on gardening leave since the appointment of Peter Jackson as interim manager back on Sunday 27 February 2011.

Bradford City would like to take this opportunity to express their sincere gratitude to both Wayne and Junior for their efforts during the course of their employment with the football club.

The football club would like to especially thank Wayne for his dedication and commitment to Bradford City, traits which were shown on numerous occasions during his 14 years as a player and a coach at Valley Parade.

Both Wayne and Junior will be more than welcome back at the Coral Windows Stadium should they wish to attend a fixture in the future, and the football club would like to wish the pair the very best for the future.

Supporters may still see Wayne around the offices of the football club, however, as he will continue to be heavily involved with his charity, One in a Million, which is based at Valley Parade.

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Jackson urges Bradford City to keep it clean
7:40am Wednesday 16th March 2011
By Simon Parker

Peter Jackson has told City's defence to keep cleaning up after notching the first shut-out of his reign.

Jackson was thrilled with the clean sheet his side claimed in the win at Morecambe.

It was only the second time in four months that City had prevented the opposition from scoring.

Jackson has been drumming in the message to keep it tight at the back and wants to see more of the same.

He said: "The three goals we've conceded (since I got the interim job) have all been avoidable. That's why the clean sheet on Saturday was one of the most pleasing things.

"We've drilled it into them in training about the importance of a clean sheet. You can build on that.

"You get clean sheets, you get points, you get up the table, you get in the play-offs.

"You look at the team and our strength is going forward with the attacking players we have. But a clean sheet is such a big part and that will be great for confidence."

Jon McLaughlin was back in goal for Lenny Pidgeley, who injured his thigh in the win over Rotherham, and Jackson was pleased with the keeper's response.

"I thought about giving Lennie a fitness test the morning of the game but felt it was better for everyone's sake if we pulled him out early so that Jon could be focused.

"Jon came in and did everything asked of him. It was my first clean sheet as a manager and I'm delighted for him.

"He didn't have that much to do but dealt with things when we did come under pressure.

"We looked really comfortable after the first ten minutes and it was nice for Jonny to come in and do the job."

Pidgeley did not train yesterday but Jackson has better news over casualties Tommy Doherty and Simon Ramsden, who are likely to be back in the reckoning before the end of the month.

Doherty has not featured since December and recently underwent ankle surgery. Ramsden, recovering from a thigh injury picked up in training, has played only one game in seven months during an injury-ravaged season.

Jackson said: "Both have stepped up their training and Doherty may even be back next week."


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