The Bradford City Onion

A light hearted look at the goings on at Bradford City Football Club in England. I sometimes just larf at the non-news items that is posted between game on the City web site. Typical comments are "if we had scored more goal than the opposition we would have won. We didn't so we lost". DUH! Coupled with the sarcastic news on "theonion.com" this is my blog. Want real BCFC news? Sign up for the City Forward! Email List I edit by sending a blank email to bantams-cfml-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

BPA & Bolton reports

Fixtures

Pre-season
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/News/0,,10266~2372524,00.html

Wed 13 July 2011 Silsden AFC A 7.45pm W7-1
Fri 15 July 2011 Matlock Town A 7.45pm D1-1
Tue 19 July 2011 Guiseley A 7.45pm W3-2
Fri 22 July 2011 Bradford (Park Avenue) A 7.45pm L2-3
Sun 24 July 2011 Bolton Wanderers H 3.00pm L1-4

*** NEW *** Wed 27 July 2011 Hull A 7.45pm
Sat 30 July 2011 Carlisle United H 3.00pm

Full season
Got adobe PDF reader? See the fixtures here
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/staticFiles/3/7a/0,,10266~162307,00.pdf

http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/News/0,,10266~2376580,00.html

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

From the Official BCF Website:

At Horsfall Stadium:

Tom Banks Memorial Trophy (Pre-Season Friendly)
Bradford PA (2) 3 R. O'Brien 3, Denton 25, Law 74
Bradford City (2) 2 Rodney 23, 38

Simon Ramsden made a seemingly successful return to action this Friday as an
unfamiliar looking City side lost the annual Tom Banks Memorial Trophy
friendly fixture to near neighbours Bradford (Park Avenue).

Ramsden managed 45 minutes under his belt on his first appearance of
pre-season and barring any reaction to his run-out, he is now believed to be
under consideration for Sunday's friendly with Bolton Wanderers.

By the time of his planned departure during the interval, four of the
matches five goals had already been netted.

Avenue twice took the lead of the match through fierce efforts from Rob
O'Brien and former City defender Sam Denton, with Nialle Rodney twice
equalising for City after both strikes.

With penalties looking increasingly on the cards to decide the trophy as the
second half progressed still on level terms, Avenue substitute Billy Law
finally settled the contest with a neat finish from a tight angle.

Apart from the likes of Luke O'Brien and Lee Bullock, City's squad on the
night was made up largely of development squad members and trialists.

Including Tom Elliott, who recovered from a recent training ground injury,
City fielded as many as six trialists at one time or another.

After featuring between the sticks against Guiseley on Tuesday, Mark Howard
once again filled the goalkeeping position.

Falkirk winger Jack Compton received a run-out on City's left wing, while
French duo Maxime Blanchard, Loic Lumbilla, youngster Callum Bagshaw and
former Bristol Rovers winger Charlie Reece also featured.

Fresh from penning his one year deal with the Bantams, Nahki Wells featured
in the fixture as a second half substitute.

A trio of City's apprentices - Adam Baker, Nathan Lawless and James Nanje -
came off City's bench to take part in the match as well.

The likes of Guy Branston, Chris Mitchell and Mark Stewart were in the
crowd to lend their support to their team-mates, but there was nothing they
could do to prevent Avenue taking an early lead with a truly stunning
strike.

Midfielder O'Brien took aim from around twenty yards and let rip with a
fierce effort that flew past Howard's outstretched arm and right into the
very top corner of the goal.

City's scratch side were understandably taking their time to find their feet
in the early stages of the match against a clearly motivated opposition, but
Compton did go close with a twelfth minute free-kick from just outside the
area.

Ramsden then crossed for Elliott to send a looping header narrowly over
James Coates' crossbar at the far post.

With City now starting to settle into the match, they grabbed an equaliser
around the midway point of the first period.

After capitalising on a loose pass from James Knowles, Compton led a City
counter-attack deep into Avenue territory.

The winger eventually fed Nialle Rodney, who calmly tucked the ball into the
far corner from an angle.

City didn't stay on level terms for too long, however, as Avenue re-took the
lead barely two minutes later.

Avenue's second goal of the night was nearly as good as their first as
former City defender Sam Denton rifled a low free-kick into the bottom
corner from a yard or so outside the area.

As City went in search of their second equaliser of the night, Luke Dean
went close to finding it as his looping effort from outside the area pinged
off the crossbar.

With time ticking towards the interval, the Bantams did indeed crawl
themselves on level terms after Charlie Reece played Rodney into space
behind Avenue's defence.
The striker needed no second invitation and proceeded to clinically drive
home to double his and City's total for the evening.

As a bitty first half an hour or so, Rodney's latest effort seemed to open
up the game more as the half came to a conclusion.

Both Rodney and Elliott had half-chances in the first period's closing
stages to put City in the lead for the first-time, while Michael Duckworth
side-footed narrowly wide from just inside the area at the other end.

City made a host of changes during the interval as Ramsden was removed from
the action.

During the host of half time alterations, Lumbilla, Baker, Bagshaw, Lawless
and Patrick Lacey were introduced as well.

Early in the second period City made another substitution as Wells was
brought on for Compton.

The changes continued for the Bantams as the second period progressed, with
Nanje being brought on for City's other trialist winger Reece.

With Avenue making a number of substitutions as well, the flow of the match
did seem to naturally suffer as a result.

The slightly mixed up nature of the second period seemed to be summed up
when one of Avenue's subs took to the field wearing last season's strip

Wells did show some bright touches after coming on, but the match continued
to lack clear-cut chances after the restart until a moment of magic from
Law.

The replacement attacker drifted inside a couple of City defenders before
nestling an angled drive in at the near post via a major deflection off the
far post.

City nearly found yet enough equaliser, however, only minutes later but
Coates produced a smart reflex save to turn Wells' close range effort onto
his near post.

With City pushing for what would be their third leveller of the friendly,
Nanje fired a yard or so wide from distance after drifting past a couple of
challenges.

BRADFORD CITY
1. Mark Howard
2. Simon Ramsden
3. Luke O'Brien
4. Scott Brown
5. Lee Bullock (C)
6. Maxime Blanchard
7. Charlie Reece
8. Luke Dean
9. Nialle Rodney
10. Tom Elliott
11. Jack Compton

Substitutes:
12. Patrick Lacey for 2 (46)
13. Tim Dittmer
14. Nahki Wells for 11 (53)
15. Darren Stephenson
16. Adam Baker for 10 (46)
17. Nathan Lawless for 3 (46)
18. James Nanje for 7 (57)
19. Loic Lumbilla for 9 (46)
20. Callum Bagshaw for 4 (46)

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

Bolton report
http://www.burndenaces.co.uk/news/bradford_city_1-4_bolton_wanderers_1938?
http://www.bwfc.co.uk/page/General/0,,1004~2400712,00.html?

From the Official BCFC Website...

Pre-Season Friendly.

At Valley Parade:

Bradford C (0) 1 Rodney 71
Bolton W (1) 4 Petrov pen 14, Pratley 65, Davies 87, Klasnic 90.
Att: 2,349 (Visitors 295).

City boss Peter Jackson will have positives to take out of the Bantams'
first home friendly of the summer despite suffering a heavy defeat at the
hands of Premiership side Bolton Wanderers.

BRADFORD CITY
1. Mark Howard
2. Simon Ramsden
3. Luke O'Brien
4. Michael Flynn
5. Guy Branston (C)
6. Steve Williams
7. Dominic Rowe
8. Chris Mitchell
9. James Hanson
10. Mark Stewart
11. Jack Compton

Substitutes:
12. Nialle Rodney for 10 (67)
13. Jon McLaughlin
14. Andrew Burns for 2 (67)
15. Ross Hannah for 9 (83)
16. Nahki Wells
17. Lee Bullock
18. Scott Brown
19. Patrick Lacey
20. Luke Dean

BOLTON WANDERERS
1. Adam Bodgan
2. Gretar Steinsson (C)
6. Fabrice Muamba
10. Martin Petrov
16. Mark Davies
17. Ivan Klansic
20. Robbie Blake
21. Darren Pratley
25. Marcos Alonso
26. David Wheater
28. Mark Connolly

Substitutes:
4. Paul Robinson
5. Gary Cahill
11. Ricardo Gardner for 16 (59)
12. Zat Knight
13. Rob Lainton
14. Kevin Davies for 20 (74)
30. Tope Obadeyi for 6 (59)

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

Peter Jackson felt encouraged by his side's display against Bolton Wanderers this Sunday, with the only frustrating factor of the day for the City boss coming thanks to two late Trotters goals.

On their first appearance at Valley Parade of pre-season, City put up a commendable effort for the majority of the friendly before strikes from internationals Kevin Davies and Ivan Klasnic in the last three minutes put a slightly unfair gloss on the scoreline.

After the final whistle, Jackson couldn't hide his disappointment at seeing his side marginally spoil their day by conceding those goals,but he felt that a lot could be taken out of the game as a whole.

He said: "I was really pleased with the lads' performance - it wasn't a 4-1 game I felt.

"I think the performance was good, the players' fitness was good, I was just disappointed that they score those two late goals at the end.

"I couldn't really ask anymore of them today. They're a young side, they're a keen side, and I felt there were lots of positives to come out of the game despite the two late goals.

"They brought their full side today, so that meant my boys were playing against full Premiership players out there.

"I thought our fitness levels looked good today against a Premiership side. Pre-season is a lot to do with fitness and I felt we looked good in that aspect.

"I lost count with how many corners we had as well.

"I thought we looked good from corners today. We actually looked like scoring from corners, which I didn't think we did last season.

"I felt we could have scored three times from corners in the first half."

Despite the eventual scoreline, there were several promising performances on show for the Bantams against Owen Coyle's men.

After the match, Jackson took the time to praise some of those performers.

He added: "I thought the centre backs looked a bit shaky the last time they got together at Guiseley, but I thought they formed a good partnership today.

"The power of Guy looked good, and Wilo (Steve Williams) probably had his best match game since I came to the club. Hopefully, Guy's experience seems to be rubbing off on him.

"It was also nice to see the wingers get some crosses in.

Hanson also had another good game. I've told him that if he can give the likes of David Wheater a run for his money, like he did today, then he can certainly trouble defenders in our division.

"He has come back from the summer really focused and looking sharp."

After his first-ever Valley Parade goal following his summer move from Nottingham Forest, Jackson also reserved special praise for City's goalscorer Nialle Rodney.

Rodney's well-taken effort was his fourth in total of pre-season and came barely five minutes after he had been introduced as a second half substitute.

Jackson says the strike is an example of what City fans can hopefully expect from the striker in the future.

"It was an excellent goal. Nialle is very capable of doing things like that,"said Jackson.

"He's got talent and he's a player I really believe in.

"He's another we have brought in to bring pace into the team. I was pleased with the pace and effort of players like Nialle when they came on."

In his post-match press briefing, Jackson also confirmed that both Lewis Hunt and Robbie Threlfall weren't selected because they have been told they are now free to find new clubs ahead of the forthcoming campaign.

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

From the BBC.

BRADFORD CITY BRING IN NAHKI WELLS

Bradford City manager Peter Jackson has given a one-year contract to striker
Nahki Wells after he impressed while on trial with the club.

The 21-year-old Bermuda international, who was released by Carlisle last
season, has been trying to earn a deal since the start of pre-season
training.

"I believe I have the ability to get in the side and score some goals,"
Wells told BBC Radio Leeds.

"I feel that if I'm given the chance I'll take it."

City manager Peter Jackson said: "He has done really well and has got
potential.

"He is one of the quickest players I have seen. When he has come on in
games, he has changed them. We have got a lot to work with at the moment and
I just thought he was worth a chance until the end of the season.

"One thing we talked about all last season was that we didn't have pace in
the side. If you look at the side now then we have a lot of it in the side,
and that's one thing I wanted to improve and we have improved since the end
of last season."

Wells made three substitute appearances for Carlisle last season without
scoring.

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

FULL BACK PAIR SURPLUS TO REQUIREMENTS
By Simon Parker (T&A)

Lewis Hunt and Robbie Threlfall have both been told they have no future with
City.

Peter Jackson is trying to get the two full backs out of Valley Parade to
free up his budget for more signings.

Neither player was in the squad which performed so well in yesterday's 4-1
loss to Bolton and the City boss confirmed: "We've said to them that they
can go if they find a club.

"But it's extremely hard to do that because there are a lot of players out
there.

"It's important that we try to get some out with the budget as tight as it
is. We're looking to maybe bring more in but obviously we've got to get them
out first."

Luke Oliver was also missing as he recovers from injury but he is not on the
manager's exit list.

Jackson said: "Luke's injured at the moment but he doesn't fall into that
bracket."

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

ON-TRIAL PAIR LEAVE BRADFORD CITY
From the T&A Sports Desk

City trialists Jack Compton and Mark Howard have both left the club.

Winger Compton impressed in the games against Bradford Park Avenue and
Bolton but has now returned to Falkirk and appears unlikely to be offered a
permanent deal.

Keeper Howard has not been offered terms either, despite appearing in the
last three pre-season games.

Manager Peter Jackson is keen to bring in a shot-stopper to provide Jon
McLaughlin with competition for the No 1 jersey.

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

Friday, July 22, 2011

Match reports...that's about it

Fixtures

Pre-season
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/News/0,,10266~2372524,00.html

Wed 13 July 2011 Silsden AFC A 7.45pm W7-1
Fri 15 July 2011 Matlock Town A 7.45pm D1-1
Tue 19 July 2011 Guiseley A 7.45pm W3-2

Fri 22 July 2011 Bradford (Park Avenue) A 7.45pm
Sun 24 July 2011 Bolton Wanderers H 3.00pm
Sat 30 July 2011 Carlisle United H 3.00pm

Full season
Got adobe PDF reader? See the fixtures here
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/staticFiles/3/7a/0,,10266~162307,00.pdf

http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/News/0,,10266~2376580,00.html

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

http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/News/0,,10266~2382476,00.html

Match tickets for City's Carling Cup 1st round tie against Leeds United are now available on GENERAL SALE to all City supporters.

Peter Jackson's men are due at Elland Road on Tuesday 9 August 2011, kick off 7:45pm.

Tickets for the tie are available to purchase via the Bantams Ticket Office or via the Ticket Office hotline (0871 978 8000). The Bantams Ticket Office will be open from 9:00am this Monday morning.

Every transaction may over the phone will be subject to a £2.00 administration charge.

Admission prices for the tie will be as follows:

Adults: £15.00
Concessions (60 and over): £8.00
Juniors (15 and under): £8.00

The tickets on sale to City supporters at present are for the South Stand at Elland Road.

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

Pre-Season Friendly.

At the ASDA Foundation Stadium.

Silsden AFC (0) 1 Bradley 85
Bradford C (4) 7 Rodney 19, Flynn 24, Wells 36, 55, Green 38, Stephenson 51,
Kerr 66
Att: 1,125

BRADFORD CITY XI
1. Jon Brain
2. Andrew Burns
3. Robbie Threlfall
4. Michael Flynn
5. Adam Robinson
6. Luke Oliver (c)
14. Leon Osborne
8. Scott Brown
9. Nialle Rodney
10. Nahki Wells
11. Jamie Green

Substitutes:
12. Danny Kerr for 11 (46)
13. Tim Dittmer
15. Luke Dean for 4 (46)
18. Mole Kes for 2 (46)
16. Darren Stephenson for 9 (46)
17. Patrick Lacey for 8 (46)
7. Dominic Rowe for 10 (74)

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

From the Official BCFC Website..
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/News/0,,10266~2393390,00.html?

Pre-Season friendly:

At Causeway Lane, Matlock

Matlock Town (1) 1 Joynes 23
Bradford City (1) 1 Hanson 34

Pre-season really got into gear for the majority of Peter Jackson's squad
this Friday as City drew their second friendly of the summer at Evo-Stik
Premier Division side Matlock Town.

After fielding a largely experimental squad for their opening friendly at
Silsden on Wednesday, Jackson chose Matlock's Causeway Lane as the venue to
introduce most of the more senior member of his ranks.

Summer signings Guy Branston, Chris Mitchell, Ross Hannah - who wore the
skipper's armband for the night against his former club - all featured from
the start, while fellow new boys Mark Stewart and Ritchie Jones received
run-outs from the bench.

Trialist Rhys Evans was given the whole 90 minutes in goal as he tried to
earn himself a third spell with the football club. With Jamie Green missing
out due with a bruised calf, the only other trialist in City's squad for the
night, Nahki Wells, played the final twenty minutes or so.

Green's absence meant Dominic Rowe was another to be given the full match
distance as he worked away all match down the Bantams' left wing.

The quartet of Michael Flynn, Nialle Rodney, Robbie Threlfall and Luke
Oliver all missed out, however, after picking up slight knocks against
Silsden.

Simon Ramsden also didn't feature on the night as City ease him back into
action following his injury nightmare last season. Jackson confirmed after
the match that Ramsden should be in line to play in one of City's three
friendlies next week.

In the match itself, following half chances for James Hanson and David Syers
in the early stages, Matlock took the lead through former Bantam Nathan
Joynes.

Joynes, who featured fleetingly for City during a loan spell from Barnsley
nearly four years ago, found himself in the right place inside City's area
to send Chris Bettney's cross into the far corner with a stooping header.

City were nearly handed an equaliser on a plate minutes later, however, when Matlock defender Lee Feathersome's attempted clearance rattled against his own unknowing 'keeper. Hannah tried to capitalise on the error, but the shot-stopper was able to recover and clear the danger.

The Bantams' leveller did come soon after though when Hanson connected with a Mitchell cross to power a downward header into the bottom corner.

The start of the second period saw Stewart introduced into the action for goalscorer Hanson, and he was quickly involved with proceedings when he narrowly fired wide less than a minute into the half.

The chance wouldn't be Stewart's only effort of the night as the lively Scottish striker looked keen to impress early into his City career.

The second half didn't manage to produce any more goals to add to the scoreline, but it did the watching City fans their first glimpse of this Wednesday's new recruit Jones.

The former Manchester United midfielder looked at ease in his first City outing, and enjoyed one decent effort on goal in particular with a looping volley that bounced narrowly wide.

Jackson brought on development squad members Scott Brown and Andrew Burns, as well as young midfielder Luke Dean, as the half progressed.

With time almost up, It was another substitute who would been at the heart of the game's final chance when Jones found Wells in space behind Matlock's defence with a finely timed pass.

The Bermudan striker had time to pick his spot, but the home 'keeper seemed to read his intentions and guessed right to palm out the powerfully struck effort.

BRADFORD CITY
1. Rhys Evans
2. Lewis Hunt
3. Luke O'Brien
4. Lee Bullock
5. Guy Branston
6. Steve Williams
7. Chris Mitchell
8. David Syers
9. James Hanson
10. Ross Hannah (c)
11. Dominic Rowe

Substitutes:
12. Mark Stewart for 9 (46)
13. Tim Dittmer (GK)
14. Ritchie Jones for 5 (63)
15. Luke Dean for 7 (78)
16. Nahki Wells for 10 (68)
17. Scott Brown for 8 (78)
18. Andrew Burns for 2 (73)

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

Overtime pays off for Bradford City players
7:00pm Monday 18th July 2011
By Simon Parker

Peter Jackson has praised the extra factor behind City's pre-season regime.

Jackson increased the schedule to get the squad fitter this year and has been impressed by the results.

City are into their fourth week of training – more than any of their rivals.

But Jackson believes the combination of a long schedule and long days is already paying dividends.

He said: "I'm really pleased with how pre-season has gone so far in terms of the fitness of the first team. The standards have been set in how we want to do things.

"The players have shown a fantastic attitude. They've turned up and had a real go from day one. Last year I felt some of them just went through the motions. That's not happening this year."

Jackson is convinced that spending more time together at the new Woodhouse Grove HQ will create a tight-knit group. He said: "I think being here all the time has brought everyone closer together.

"Some are not getting home until 7.30pm because we are having long sessions. But it's not a punishment. We're here to work, here to get fit and here to progress as a club."

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

VP open day pictures

http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/News/0,,10266~2394396,00.html?

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

Pre-season Bradford City forum
3:20pm Friday 15th July 2011
By Simon Parker

Fans will get the chance to quiz City boss Peter Jackson and a couple of his new signings on the eve of the big kick-off.

A pre-season forum is taking place on Wednesday, August 3 in the McCall Suite at Valley Parade.

Jackson will be joined on the panel by Guy Branston and Ross Hannah. Director Roger Owen will also be there alongside Mark Neale, chairman of the Friends of Bradford City who have organised the event.

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

From the Official BCFC Website...

Pre-Season Friendly

At Nethermoor Park, Guiseley.

Guiseley AFC (2) 2 Davidson 22, Rothery 29.
Bradford City (1) 3 Syers 27, Stewart 48, Hanson 56.

Peter Jackson's Bantams twice came from behind to pick up their second
victory of pre-season in an entertaining and keenly-fought contest at near
neighbours Guiseley.

For their third friendly of the summer, the Bantams fielded their third
different trialist goalkeeper of pre-season, as Peter Jackson continues to
search long and hard for another shot-stopper to add to his squad.

Following on from Jon Brain at Silsden, and Rhys Evans at Matlock Town,
Former Aberdeen and Arsenal 'keeper Mark Howard was given his own chance
to impress by Jackson at Guiseley.

In front of Howard, City's defence remained largely the same from the back
four that started at Matlock last week.

The only defensive change made by Jackson was at right back, where the
versatile Chris Mitchell - who featured as a right-sided midfielder on
Friday - replaces Lewis Hunt.

Taking Mitchell's place on the right wing is youngster Dominic Rowe, who
collected ninety minutes under his belt on the opposite flank against
Matlock.

Still pushing for a permanent stay at the Coral Windows Stadium, fit again
trialist Jamie Green will occupy Rowe's vacated position on the left wing.

After substitute appearances on Friday, summer signings Mark Stewart and
Ritchie Jones are also given starting berths at Nethermoor Park.

Former Guiseley striker James Hanson returns to one of his old stomping
grounds to partner Stewart up front. The giant striker has also been made
skipper for the match.

Michael Flynn and Nialle Rodney return to the bench after missing out on the
Matlock fixture, while the pair are joined among the substitutes by the
likes of Ross Hannah and trialist Nahki Wells.

Guiseley's squad for the evening contained as many as five former Bantams
- Luke Sharry, Danny Forrest, Simon Ainge and Mark Bower, plus ex-apprentice
Danny Ellis.

BRADFORD CITY
1. Mark Howard
2. Chris Mitchell
3. Luke O'Brien
4. Ritchie Jones
5. Guy Branston
6. Steve Williams
7. Dominic Rowe
8. David Syers
9. James Hanson (c)
10. Mark Stewart
11. Jamie Green

Substitutes:
12. Ross Hannah for 10 (73)
13. Tim Dittmer
14. Michael Flynn for 8 (46)
15. Nialle Rodney for 9 (73)
16. Nahki Wells for 11 (80)
17. Scott Brown
18. Andrew Burns for 4 (65)
19. Lee Bullock for 6 (78)

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

From the Official BCFC Website.

LEAGUE SUBS REDUCED FROM 7 TO 5

Football League clubs have voted to reduce the number of substitutes that
can be named on the team-sheet for matches in the npower Football League
from 7 to 5.

The vote was taken at an EGM at Leicester City's King Power Stadium.

A Football League spokesman said: "This was felt to be a sensible and
prudent step given the financial challenges facing many football clubs and
the commitment made earlier this summer to adopt UEFA's Financial Fair Play
framework."

Clubs will still be permitted to name 7 substitutes in the Carling Cup and
FA Cup and 5 in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy.

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

http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/9155831./

Bantams unveil new youth team manager

1:27pm Friday 22nd July 2011

The former head of Rotherham United's youth set-up, Steve Thornber, has been appointed as the Bantams' new youth team manager.

The 45-year-old replaces David Wetherall, who left City last month to take up a position within the Football League.

Thornber, who is based in Halifax, was involved in coaching Rotherham's apprentices for eight years before leaving the Don Valley Stadium at the end of last season.

He also enjoyed a brief spell in caretaker charge of the Millers' first team in September 2009 following the departure of then-manager Mark Robins.

During his playing days, the former midfielder featured for the likes of Swansea City, Blackpool and Scunthorpe United in a 15-year spell as a footballer.

"I was interested in this position as soon as I knew it was available," said Thornber.

"I went to school in Bradford and I am based roughly from around this area, so I know all about the size of this club.

"The training facilties and the development squad that is in place here were all selling points for me."

Thornber's introduction into the coaching set-up at Valley Parade will see centre of excellence assistant manager Alan Nevision promoted up to manager, while Peter Horne – the former centre of excellence manager – will start his new role as head of youth operations.

One of Horne's main duties in the newly-created role will be to ensure a controlled balance over both the youth team and the centre of excellence.

Horne, who had a large say in Thornber's appointment, explained: "Having a seperate head of the youth department was something myself and David (Wetherall) were talking about last season.

"The whole point of a youth team manager is for them to get out on the pitch to help develop and progress young players on their way to, hopefully, becoming professionals.

"It's hard for any manager to do that when they have countless other issues to sort out as well, such as various bits of paperwork, legalisations and regulations.

"We felt it best to remove all the other issues that come from within the youth department, so that our new youth manager can simply coach.

"As soon as we announced that David was leaving, we have a far number of applications for the position.

"People will be surprised by some of the names that applied for the position but I felt sure Steve was the right man for the job as soon as his name cropped up.

"He did an excellent job at Rotherham and has good experience of working within restricted budgets."

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

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

New Hull fixture / Player updates / VP open day

Wednesday, July 06, 2011

New kit / Weatherall leaves /

Fixtures

Pre-season
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/News/0,,10266~2372524,00.html

Wed 13 July 2011 Silsden AFC A 7.45pm
Fri 15 July 2011 Matlock Town A 7.45pm
Tue 19 July 2011 Guiseley A 7.45pm
Fri 22 July 2011 Bradford (Park Avenue) A 7.45pm
Sun 24 July 2011 Bolton Wanderers H 3.00pm
Sat 30 July 2011 Carlisle United H 3.00pm

Full season
Got adobe PDF reader? See the fixtures here
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/staticFiles/3/7a/0,,10266~162307,00.pdf

http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/News/0,,10266~2376580,00.html

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

New kit

http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/ClubShop/0,,10266~2385335,00.html

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

DAVID WETHERALL LEAVES CITY FOR TOP JOB WITH FOOTBALL LEAGUE
By Simon Parker (T&A)

David Wetherall is ending a 12-year era at City after accepting a new job
with the Football League.

Wetherall has been appointed the league's head of youth development and will
take up the post at their Preston headquarters next month.

The 40-year-old joined the Bantams for £1.4m from Leeds in June 1999 ahead
of the club's first season in the Premier League.

He made 330 appearances at centre half for City, despite suffering a couple
of serious injuries, before hanging up his boots in May 2008. He scored 21
goals - including the famous header against Liverpool which ensured the club
stayed up in the top flight.

Wetherall had a spell as caretaker manager while still playing, reluctantly
taking the reins when Colin Todd was sacked in February 2007. But he was
unable to prevent the club from relegation to the bottom division.

He has run the youth team for the past two seasons, flourishing in the role,
before earning the chance to work for the league.

Wetherall said: "It was a difficult decision to leave because I've developed
a great affinity for the place.

"But this is a top job in youth development football. These opportunities
don't come along very often and it is something I couldn't afford to turn
down."

---

It was an offer I couldn't refuse, says Bradford City hero David Wetherall
7:40am Thursday 23rd June 2011
By Simon Parker

David Wetherall today looked towards life beyond Bradford City and admitted: It's going to be strange.

Wetherall is leaving Valley Parade to take up a prestige post as the Football League's head of youth development.

It will end a 12-year spell with the Bantams as captain and centre half, caretaker manager and assistant, first-team coach and – for the last two years – boss of the youth department.

The 40-year-old is excited by the prospect of helping to improve the level of young talent around the country.

But it is still a huge wrench to quit the club he served with distinction on and off the field.

Wetherall said: "Despite this being such a great opportunity, part of me has a certain sadness about it. It's the end of a big chapter in my life. It will be strange not driving into Bradford anymore.

"I've built up a great affinity with the club over the years and that won't change. But an opportunity like this one does not come around often."

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

From the BBC...

BRADFORD CITY SCOUT ARCHIE CHRISTIE EYES CHAMPIONSHIP

Bradford City's new chief scout believes the club will be playing in the
Championship within five seasons.

Archie Christie arrived at Valley Parade on Tuesday after a successful spell
with Dagenham & Redbridge.

He told BBC Radio Leeds: "My target is that in four to five years time we'll
be in the Championship.

"I believe over the next two years we'll have a promotion, and I believe two
years after that we'll have another promotion," he added.

"It'll be with a squad that we've developed over four or five years without
spending any money. It'll take us into the Championship and then we can
compete on a level playing field at our level.

"We're a Championship club at the moment playing in League Two."

The recruitment process will see four scouts employed by the club to bring
in new talent.

"We've quality scouts who know what we're looking for," said Christie.

"One scout is ex-Celtic, one is ex-Arsenal. We're not looking for players
for the youth team because Peter Horne has done a stunning and magnificent
job.

"There is a gap between the first team and the youth team, and we're going
to fill that gap.

"We're going to bring in six to eight players who will be part of a
development team that is under my own budget."

And Christie revealed he had already made moves to bring in players.

"I've already signed a 17-year old international who's coming on 1 July," he
said

"I've signed an under-19 international who's coming on 1 July, and I've got
two others coming who are not good enough for the Premiership, but if we
develop them, we'll then take them on."

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

From the Official BCFC Website…

LEEDS TICKET PRICES AGREED

Ticket prices for City's Carling Cup 1st round tie at Elland Road have now
been agreed by the football club and Leeds United.

Match tickets for the tie - set to take place on Tuesday 9 August 2011 -
will cost £15.00 for adults and £8.00 for concessions.

Concessions at Elland Road will be deemed as juniors under 16 and senior
citizens 60 and over.

City fans will be allocated the whole of the South Stand at Elland Road with
the option to also use the South East corner if needed.

The official website will be in a position to supply further information,
such as the first date of ticket sales, in due course.

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

The football club are now in a position to release the admission details for City's two home pre-season friendlies this summer against Bolton Wanderers and Carlisle United.

City are due to host matches against the Premier League and League 1 outfits on Sunday 24 July and Saturday 30 July respectively.

Entry into either one of these fixtures will cost £10.00 for adults and £5.00 for concessions.

There will also be no advance sales for either match - supporters are therefore asked to pay on the turnstiles.

City supporters will have access to the Co-operative Main Stand on an unreserved basis for both matches.

Bolton Wanderers and Carlisle United supporters will be allocated the Betrescue Stand, equally on an unreserved basis.

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

From the YP

Bantams in 'positive' takeover talks with Parkin

Published on Wednesday 22 June 2011 03:26

BRADFORD CITY joint chairman Julian Rhodes has confirmed fresh talks have taken place with millionaire businessman Steve Parkin over his attempts to buy the club.

As exclusively revealed in yesterday's Yorkshire Post, the chief executive of Brighouse-based Clipper Group wants to purchase the Bantams as part of his grand vision to set up a Bradford Sporting Club that would include both the city's senior football and rugby league teams.

Parkin met both Rhodes and fellow joint chairman Mark Lawn at Valley Parade yesterday afternoon in an attempt to move the deal along.

Rhodes confirmed last night: "We have had a meeting with Steve and those talks are on-going. It was a positive meeting that saw a whole host of issues discussed.

"Steve has now gone away and is going to get back to us in the next few days. What we all want is the best for Bradford City. Steve is someone who sees the potential that exists at Bradford City and we all want what is best for the club."

It is understood that, along with Parkin's intention to buy out the existing shareholders, a possible joint venture was also suggested by Lawn and Rhodes that would see all three men work together to drive City forward.

As part of the proposal put forward by City's joint chairmen, Parkin would invest in the Bantams to purchase a third of the shareholding in the League Two club.

This would appear to fly in the face of Parkin's original intention of taking overall control and then installing his own hand-picked management team to run the Bantams on a day-to-day basis.

His grand plan for Bradford sport, which was revealed in this newspaper at the start of last week, would see a similar set-up installed at the Bulls.

The two clubs would also be housed in one stadium with the eventual plan being to build a purpose-built stadium in the city for them both to share.

Rhodes has been on the Valley Parade board since the late Nineties along with his father, Professor David Rhodes, while Lawn joined in 2007. The three men recently bought the office block that stands next to City's home to ease what was, at the time, a crippling rent bill

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

JONES, GRIMES ELUDE CITY
Rochdale midfielder Gary Jones and Millwall striker Ashley Grimes have both eluded Peter Jackson's attempts to bring them to Valley Parade next season. Clayton Donaldson has said he will not play at League 2 level.

As "Boy from Brazil" states "...the City boss seems to be moving onto his Plan B list".

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

From the Official BCFC Website...

SCOTTISH DUO JOIN THE BANTAMS

City have today (Friday) managed to double their purchases for the summer by
completing deals to bring Scottish duo Mark Stewart and Chris Mitchell to
Valley Parade.

The pair, who both featured for Scottish First Division side Falkirk last
season, become City's third and fourth signings of the summer following the
arrivals of Guy Branston and Ross Hannah earlier in the close season.

Striker Stewart, 23, arrives at the Coral Windows Stadium after finishing
last season as Falkirk's top scorer - a feat which also left him as one of
the top scorers in the whole division in the process.

Stewart is known to be comfortable playing in several different
attacking positions including as a winger or a central striker, and has
penned a two year contract with the Bantams.

The arrival of defender Mitchell should add some extra depth to the Bantams'
squad as the Stirling-born full back is familiar playing as either a right
or left back.

Mitchell can also feature as a right winger or central midfielder, with the
City new boy playing several games for Falkirk in that position last season.

The 22 year old former Scottish under 21 international has signed for City
on an initial one year deal.
City boss Peter Jackson, who has been tracking the pair for several weeks,
said: "Mark Stewart is a really exciting prospect and finished as one of the
top scorers in the Scottish First Division last season.

"He has a lot of pace and can easily play down the middle or out wide on
either side."

"He can score a variety of different goals - I've seen him score goals with
his left foot, right foot and his head.

"Chris Mitchell is very versatile and can easily play right back or left
back. He could also do a job for us at right midfield or central midfield,
so he can fill at least one or two positions for us.

"His presence in the squad will be a real benefit for us given his
versatility, and he is extremely hungry and determined to succeed in
England.

"His deliveries from set-pieces should also prove to be a great asset for
us.

"The pair of them are really keen to impress and they are both looking to
the challenge - these are two players that I am really excited about."

Stewart, a former youth player with Celtic, moved to Falkirk in
2006 following a brief spell with Patrick Thistle.

In total, Stewart made 90 appearances for the Bairns - 42 of them coming in
the Scottish Premier League over recent seasons.

Apart from a loan spell with Ayr United during the latter part of the
2009/10 season, his former Falkirk team-mate Mitchell has previously played
all his career at Falkirk Stadium.

Like Stewart, Mitchell has also featured in the SPL for Falkirk.

During his time with Falkirk, Mitchell earned his seven caps at under 21 for
Scotland - five of which came in UEFA Under 21 European Championship
qualifiers.

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

STEVE PARKIN DEAL FOR BRADFORD CITY 'COOLING OFF'
Exclusive By Simon Parker (T&A)

Steve Parkin's bid to buy into City looks to be fading as he admitted: We're
somewhat adrift.

The millionaire businessman had wanted to take over the club from
joint-chairmen Mark Lawn and Julian Rhodes and team them up with the Bulls
in one grand sporting organisation.

When his initial offer was knocked back, Parkin was given the chance to come
on board alongside the current owners at Valley Parade as a third investor.

But it appears that the two sides have not managed to find common ground up
to now.

Parkin revealed that his interest in City had been pushed to one side while
he concentrated his efforts on a separate business commitment.

He said: "It's cooled off a little bit. We've had further talks and can't
get to a deal.

"Unfortunately I've got a very big deal going down right now with something
else which I've got to get over the line. That's focusing my mind at the
moment."

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

BRADFORD CITY SIGN SCOTTISH WHIZZ-KID
By Simon Parker (T&A)

Peter Jackson will today sign a teenage midfielder he calls "the best
16-year-old I have seen".

Scotland under-17 international Scott Brown has agreed a two-year deal with
City after making a big impression in pre-season training. The club also
have the option to extend the contract by a further two years.

Six-footer Brown, spotted by chief scout Archie Christie, has already made
one senior appearance for Clyde.

Friday, June 24, 2011

Weatherall leaves / New chief scout / Parkin latest

Friday, June 17, 2011

League fixtures announced / Carling cup tie / 2 players sign

Fixtures

Got adobe PDF reader? See the fixtures here
http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/staticFiles/3/7a/0,,10266~162307,00.pdf

http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/News/0,,10266~2376580,00.html

(extract of article follows)

Season opener v Aldershot on Saturday 6 August 2011. No doubt many City fans will be hoping for a repeat of the Bantams' dramatic victory when the sides last met at Valley Parade as early as this April.

City's maiden journey to big spending Crawley Town is pencilled in for Saturday 17 September, while the Bantams are also due to make their first trip to fellow newly promoted side AFC Wimbledon on Saturday 11 February.

Over Christmas City will host Crewe Alexandra and Shrewsbury Town on Boxing Day and New Year's Eve respectively.

A visit to the Don Valley Stadium to face Rotherham United on 2 January will mark the start of City's 2012 fixtures.

City's longest journey of the season - the trip to Plymouth Argyle - is scheduled for Saturday 31 March.

Shortly afterwards, the Bantams will face Southend United at home (Saturday 7 April) and then Shrewsbury Town away (Monday 9 April) over the Easter weekend.

The Bantams' final away match of the regular season will take them to Cheltenham Town, before they close out their league fixtures with a home fixture against Paolo Di Canio's Swindon Town the following Saturday (5 May 2011).

Understandably with the fixture list barely a day old, there will, as of yet, be no fixture cards available around the Club.

Staff at the Bantams Ticket Office and Surridge Superstore will be on hand, however, to give out printed A4 lists of City's 2011/2012 fixtures if supporters require them.

---

Carling cup draw - Leeds United (a)

*Ties will be played during the week commencing 8th August 2011.*

City have been handed a mouth-watering West Yorkshire derby with Leeds in the first round of the Carling Cup.

Peter Jackson's men will head to Elland Road in the week beginning August 8. The clubs last met there in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy in 2008, when more than 20,000 fans saw Leeds edge a 2-1 victory.

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

Branston joins City

City have today secured their second signing of the summer with the arrival of experienced defender Guy Branston from Torquay United.
Branston, 32, has put pen to paper on a two year deal this Monday morning and will officially join the football club on 1 July following the conclusion of his contract at Plainmoor.
The 6' 1'' centre half will take his place in Peter Jackson's squad off the back of an extremely successful 2010/2011 campaign with Torquay.
After helping to lead the Gulls to the League 2 Play-Off Final, Branston was named the club's Player of the Year and was also selected in the PFA League 2 Team of the Year.
He featured heavily throughout last season - starting almost every League 2 fixture - in a Torquay back four that only conceded 53 goals during the 46 game league campaign.
He also played a large part in the Gulls' record-breaking run of ten straight clean sheets in league fixtures which stretched over the 2009/2010 and 2010/2011seasons.
As well as Torquay, Branston has featured for the likes of Rotherham United, Oldham Athletic, Peterborough United, Sheffield Wednesday and Burton Albion during his 14 year professional career so far.
With the ink drying on Branston's Bantams contract, a thrilled Jackson said: "I'm delighted that we have managed to sign Guy - I think he will prove to be a terrific signing for the club.
"He will offer us a lot on and off the field because he is a real leader. He is a winner and a real inspiration to players around him.
"I felt that last season we needed a leader in the dressing room and now we've got one.
"He can't wait to come here and pull the shirt on. He had his choice of about four or five other clubs but he wanted to come here.
"He's bang in form at the moment following the season he has just had and he will add a lot of experience to our defence.

---

Guy Branston on his decision to swap Torquay for Bradford City
7:20am Tuesday 14th June 2011
By Simon Parker

Adopted Yorkshireman Guy Branston is thrilled to be "back home" after making City his 17th club.

The no-nonsense central defender, who helped Torquay reach the League Two play-off final, signed a two-year deal for Peter Jackson.

Branston jumped at the chance to come to Valley Parade – even if it has meant upsetting the missus.

He said: "I loved my time down there and she's not happy with the move but I'm a footballer and this is a massive club – you can't turn stuff like this down.

"My home is Leicester but I came up here for six years around Sheffield. My brother lives in the top end of Barnsley and I've got an aunty in Leeds. I've always classed myself as a Yorkshireman because of the great years I had playing for Rotherham and Sheffield Wednesday.

"I'm absolutely ecstatic at the chance to be at another big club."

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

From the Falkirk Herald...

FALKIRK'S CHRIS MITCHELL JOINS BRADFORD CITY

Falkirk Academy graduate Chris Mitchell has joined Bradford City.

The midfielder, who can also play on the right side of defence, agreed a
two-year deal with the Yorkshire club today.

Mitchell came through the Bairns ranks at Stirling University and earned
Scotland under-21 caps.

He had been on the radar of Dagenham and Redbridge before agreeing a move to
the Bantams.

Mitchell has also played on loan for Ayr United. His friend and former
team-mate Mark Stewart is also interesting the League Two club, though
compensation for the Irn Bru First Division's top scorer is due if any move
is agreed.

No official contact had been made between the clubs over the transfer of
Stewart - another Academy product.

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

SCOUT IN KEY ROLE FOR BANTAMS

Bradford City have appointed Archie Christie as chief scout and head of
football development.

Christie, 44, will be responsible for the development of youngsters aged 17
to 19 to bridge the gap between the youth and senior squads.

The Scot recently occupied a similar role at Dagenham & Redbridge for four
years and played an integral part in helping the Daggers rise up the
leagues.

"I don't think we've had anything like this since Maurice Lindley was here
nearly 30 years ago," Bradford boss Peter Jackson told the club's official
website.

"It's so important for clubs at this level. We can't go out and pay x, y, z
for players so we need to have scouts all over the place.

"I'm excited by it. Archie is keen, enthusiastic and busy, which you need to
be as a chief scout. He's a big personality, gets things done and generates
interest in players

"His track record at Dagenham is excellent so this is a major coup for us."

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

F.A Cup receives new sponsorship
Posted on: Fri 17 Jun 2011

US beer brand Budweiser has agreed a three year deal with the Football Association to become the title sponsors of the F.A Cup, beginning from next season.

The deal means that Peter Jackson's Bantams will now compete in the competition called 'the F.A Cup with Budweiser' during the 2011/12 campaign.

The F.A Cup had previously been sponsored by energy giant E.ON for the past five years.

City are due to enter the F.A Cup at the 1st round stage proper, which is scheduled to begin on Saturday 12 November.

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

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

Exclusive: Bradford's big two wanted by haulage chief

By Richard Sutcliffe
Published on Tuesday 14 June 2011 01:49

MILLIONAIRE businessman Steve Parkin wants to purchase both Bradford City and Bulls to form a joint sporting club in the city.

The chief executive of Brighouse-based Clipper Group has been in secret talks with representatives of both clubs for several weeks and has made a firm bid for the Bantams to joint-chairmen Mark Lawn and Julian Rhodes.

As part of the plan, Parkin, who is currently on the board of Conference North side Guiseley, wants to build a purpose-built new stadium in Bradford for the two clubs to share.

Full article

http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/sport/football/bradford-city/exclusive_bradford_s_big_two_wanted_by_haulage_chief_1_3475954

---

BULLS NOT HEARD FROM STEVE PARKIN

Commenting on media reports that logistics and football entrepreneur Steve
Parkin wants to seize control of both Bradford City and Bradford Bulls to
create a single 'Bradford sporting club' to be housed in a brand new
purpose-built stadium, Bulls' chairman Peter Hood made it clear the Super
League club has had no approach.

Speaking from his office at Odsal Stadium, Hood said:

"Neither I nor any of the Club's directors has had any dialogue with Mr
Parkin. Neither have we received any expression of interest on his behalf or
on behalf of any of his business interests. Mr Parkin is quoted in the media
as having 'had tentative discussions with the shareholders of Bradford
Bulls' but I have to say that is news to me.

"The takeover question pops up from time to time and our answer is always
the same - we will gladly sit down in confidence with any credible
individual or consortium of would-be investors and listen to what he, she or
they have to say. Any recommendation we subsequently made, or any decision
we took, would be guided by what we judged to be in the best long-term
interests of Bradford Bulls.

"If Mr Parkin wishes to have that conversation he will be most welcome. In
the meantime we continue to engage with Bradford Council and with private
sector developers with a view to turning Odsal into a stadium that is fully
fit for purpose for the 21st century and potentially, therefore, into a
venue that the supporters of both Bradford Bulls and Bradford City could
enjoy."

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

OMAR DALEY SCORES WONDER 4TH GOAL

Reggae Boyz midfielder Omar Daley scored a wonder goal against Grenada
during the second half of the CONCACAF Gold Cup match on Monday in Carson,
California. Jamaica won 4-0.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qg_iKU4yJJk
(End view, no commentary)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQWdFrAdA7o&feature=related
(Better highlights, Spanish commentary)

The CONCACAF Gold Cup football tournament could not have come at a more
opportune time for Omar Daley, as his contract with English League Two team,
Bradford City, has expired.

Daley, who had been out of the Jamaica senior team for almost 18 months,
said he was delighted at the call-up that gives him a chance to showcase his
skills yet again.

"I'm always positive that I'd be called up and when the chance and
opportunity came I was very excited because I was coming to the end of my
contract with Bradford City and it was good, so I can put back myself in the
shop window," he told Star Sports yesterday.

However, the utility player, who scored a spectacular goal in Jamaica's 4-0
first-game victory over Grenada at the Home Depot Center in California -
pointed out that while he is currently out of contract, there are offers on
the table, that may see him staying in England or crossing over to the
United States' Major League Soccer (MLS).

"My career is flourishing, there are options on the table," he said ahead of
the Jamaica team's outdoor practice session in Miami yesterday. "But the
business side of it, I have no control over it, I just have to play.

"My agent, at this point, has to look for the best deal for Omar and the
best deal for Omar's family, so it's just a waiting game and I think God has
a plan for me," he added.

During his near five-year stint at Bradford, Daley believed he was one of
their top performers, noting that he netted the goal that enabled the team
to avoid the drop this season.

"I've been one of the best players," he said. "I've been in the 'Team of the
Year', so I think I've had a pretty good four years. This season I scored
seven goals, so it's just unfortunate that my contract is finished. Just
this season I played really well, I scored the goal that saved Bradford from
relegation.

"I'm just playing the patient game and seeing if someone's coming to sign
me," he noted.
Continuing, he expressed gratitude to the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF),
for inviting him to the Gold Cup squad.

"I'm really grateful and I have to give thanks for the JFF programme.
They've really done a lot for Omar Daley from Under-20 coming through, until
I got to Bradford City, where I was with my friend, Donovan Ricketts," he
noted of the Jamaica first-team goalkeeper.

"Donovan Ricketts was the one who influenced me at Bradford, he's telling me
about the MLS and I'm thinking about the MLS seriously."

His goal against Grenada may have others thinking about him too.

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

Friday, June 10, 2011

Pre season news #5

Pre-season fixtures

http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/News/0,,10266~2372524,00.html?

Wed 13 July 2011 Silsden AFC A 7.45pm
Fri 15 July 2011 Matlock Town A 7.45pm
Tue 19 July 2011 Guiseley A 7.45pm
Fri 22 July 2011 Bradford (Park Avenue) A 7.45pm
Sun 24 July 2011 Bolton Wanderers H 3.00pm
Sat 30 July 2011 Carlisle United H 3.00pm

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

Player news

GARRETH EVANS SET TO SIGN FOR ROTHERHAM
(He signed the same day Friday June 3rd)

According to the Rotherham Advertiser, ex-City striker Gareth Evans is set
to join League Two rivals Rotherham United. The 23-year-old is expected to
join on a one-year contract with the option of a further year.

Evans was released by Bradford City last month following the expiry of his
contract with the club. He was signed from Macclesfield Town in July 2009
for an undisclosed fee believed to be in the region £30,000. In his two
seasons at Valley Parade, Evans made 85 appearances and scored 14 goals.

---

June 9th

Wrexham are set to sign striker Jake Speight from Bradford City on a two-year contract for an undisclosed fee.

The 25-year-old scored six goals in 36 appearances last season, with one of those goals coming during a short loan spell at Port Vale.

Speight was given a 12-week prison sentence for assault in July 2010, shortly after joining Bradford from Mansfield Town for £25,000.

"He's a proven goalscorer," said Wrexham manager Dean Saunders.

"He'll do well for us. We need players like him."

Saunders has been looking to sign a striker since losing last season's top-scorer Andy Mangan to Fleetwood Town in May.

Speight, who had a year left on his contract with League Two side Bradford, will finalise the move on Thursday. He will officially join the club on 1 July.

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

From the Official BCFC Website…

EXHIBITION NEARING ITS END

Any Bradford City supporters still to enjoy the 'When the F.A Cup came home'
exhibition at the Bradford Industrial Museum have only until Sunday 12 June
2011 to do so before it finishes for good.

The exhibition, which celebrates the centenary of the Bantams' epic 1911 F.A
Cup victory over Newcastle United, aims to illustrate how the team, staff,
supporters and wider community all played their part in arguably City's
greatest ever achievement.

Items on show at the exhibition include match shirts and the match ball from
the final against Newcastle, plus a selection of winners' medals from the
1911 City side.

There is also numerous items of memorabilia on display that have been taken
from City's journey through the various rounds of the competition on their
way to the final.

The Bradford Industrial Museum is situated in Eccleshill, Bradford, and is
open on weekends - Saturday and Sunday - between the hours of 11:00am and
4:00pm.

Admission into the exhibition is free.

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

From the Official BCFC Website...

BANTAMS AWARDED CARBON TRUST STANDARD

Bradford City has been awarded the Carbon Trust Standard after taking action
on climate change by measuring, managing and reducing its carbon footprint
by almost 15%.

The Carbon Trust Standard recognises organisations for real carbon
reduction. Based on a rigorous, independent assessment, it certifies that
organisations have measured, managed and reduced their carbon emissions
across their own operations and are committed to reducing them year on year.

Bradford City is only the third professional football club in the World to
achieve this accolade with Manchester United's Old Trafford and the Reebok
of Bolton Wanderers previously achieving the Standard. It is an achievement
of which the Club is rightly very proud and feels it is in top-class company
in being awarded the Carbon Trust Standard.

Bantams Director, Roger Owen said: "We're delighted to have achieved the
Carbon Trust Standard. It is a great way of showing that we are on the front
foot when it comes to carbon management best practices and gives us an
opportunity to communicate our environmental credentials with integrity to
those that matter.

"Bradford City set out on the path to reduce its energy costs to enable more
money to be available for playing budgets to produce a successful side. We
are delighted that we are able to achieve the cost-cutting aims while
cutting our carbon emissions and, being one of the most talked about
companies in Bradford, that we can now highlight to all supporters the
importance of making carbon reductions. Going through the assessment process
to achieve the Carbon Trust Standard has helped us to reduce our carbon
footprint, make essential cost savings and will help us to stay competitive
and ahead of the game in the future."

The Club achievement also marked another first for the Carbon Trust Standard
as the cost of the assessment process was sponsored by another local
company, Pitts Wilson Electrical. The Club could foresee real benefits from
both a cost and reputation perspective of pursuing the Standard, but with
difficult financial restrictions, PWE stepped-in to cover the costs
involved.

PWE's Managing Director, Mark Flude said earlier today "We were delighted to
be able to support Bradford City with their endeavours to reduce its carbon
emissions and release funds for the further development of the Club. We hope
that our support will mean the Club can continue to achieve the benefits of
greater cost reductions while the community at large benefits from the
Club's reduced carbon footprint."

Harry Morrison, General Manager of the Carbon Trust said "Achieving the
Carbon Trust Standard shows that Bradford City FC is taking serious and
credible steps to manger their carbon footprint. Based on a rigorous,
independently assessed methodology, the Carbon Trust Standard allows
organisations to talk with integrity to their stakeholders, consumers and
investors about what they are doing to reduce their carbon emissions. We
congratulate the Club on its achievement."

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

Ready for a cup run?

http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/9067645.Bradford_City_boss_Jackson_up_for_the_cup_next_season
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/9067645.print/

Bradford City boss Peter Jackson up for the cup next season
7:50am Tuesday 7th June 2011
By Simon Parker

Peter Jackson wants to end City's knock-out jinx and deliver a long-overdue cup run for the fans.

The club have been starved of success in the cup competitions while tumbling down the divisions.

City's last memorable cup win was back in January 1997 when Chris Waddle's outrageous 40-yard lob helped topple Everton.

Jackson knows the impact that a big cup day out can have on a lower-division club and their supporters. He took Huddersfield to Chelsea in the FA Cup third round – and would love to do the same with his home-town team.

He said: "I want us to do as well as we can in all competitions next season and that includes going well in the cups.

"We need a cup run in terms of finances for the club and the huge interest and buzz that it can bring.

"I've been away to Chelsea with a previous club and it was a fantastic experience, both for the fans and the players. We also made a lot of money that day.

"Financially a cup run can make such a difference and I can't emphasise enough that every penny counts here.

"A decent draw away to a Premier League club can pay the wages for a year." In the 14 years since City's FA Cup giant-killing at Goodison, supporters have grown used to seeing the Bantams trip at the first hurdle.

City did not win a single tie in the competition between 2000 and 2005.

The only minor knock-out excitement in recent years came two seasons ago when Stuart McCall's side reached the area semi-finals of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy.

Jackson added: "You need that little bit of luck as well. That year Huddersfield went to Chelsea they played Welling then Worcester City first.

"We had Colchester away last year in the first round. It was one of the hardest away trips you could get, especially with the travelling as well.

"Colchester or Chelsea? That's the luck of the draw. But I can promise that we'll be up for the challenge."

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

http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/9070523.Jackson_calls_for_united_front_from_Bradford_City_fans

Jackson calls for united front from Bradford City fans
7:00am Wednesday 8th June 2011
By Connor Murphy

Peter Jackson insists City's fight for survival is not over yet.

Despite avoiding a brush with disaster on and off the pitch, the Bantams boss has called on supporters to stick together for the future health of the club.

Administration and a move to Odsal had both been on the cards before the owners struck a deal to buy the office block adjacent to Valley Parade.

Meanwhile, Jackson steered his side away from the Football League trapdoor, and he hopes fans will do their bit by signing up for season tickets.

He said: "I'm sure there will be a good reception to the new offer, even on the back of a disappointing season.

"We need the fans to get behind us, and they did that last season when times were tough.

"It's been difficult but hopefully the threat of moving to Odsal and the possibility of administration will really bring people together.

"You can see we could've gone out of business if everything hadn't been sorted out.

"Money was really tight and we have just escaped so it's important we stick together as a group of supporters, players and staff."

As part of City's latest cut-price offer, adult season tickets cost £195, with youngsters aged 11 to 16 paying £87.50. The prices are £150 or £75 respectively in the TL Dallas Stand.

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http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/9073173.Bradford_City_will_entertain_you_next_season___Lawn/

Mark Lawn backs Bradford City to entertain next season
7:00am Thursday 9th June 2011
By Connor Murphy

Joint-chairman Mark Lawn has urged supporters to snap up City's cut-price season tickets with the promise: we will entertain you.

An attacking outlook has become one of the key priorities as boss Peter Jackson embarks on an off-season overhaul.

Having scored just 43 goals last season, the club are looking for a clean break from the cagey style employed by previous manager Peter Taylor.

Non-league hot-shot Ross Hannah has already arrived, after scoring 52 goals for Matlock last season, and Lawn expects more striking talent to soon follow him through the door.

He said: "Peter Jackson will be looking to play a more entertaining style of football next year, and that's something to look forward to.

"He's made one signing already, and although Ross has been a player at a lower level, anyone who scores as many goals as he did last year has an eye for goal.

"He's looking at other attacking talent he can bring in too and is speaking to players and agents all the time."

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Friday, June 03, 2011

Jacko / New season ticket deal / Friends of BCFC / Office buyback

Finally, Jackson appointed Bradford City manager
6:30am Wednesday 25th May 2011
By Simon Parker

Peter Jackson was today given the City job for keeps and admitted: That must be the longest job interview in British football.

Eighty seven days after replacing Peter Taylor in a caretaker role, Jackson has signed a one-year deal at the helm. His assistant Colin Cooper, who arrived a week later, is also staying on.

The former City skipper has now promised to put everything into dragging the club out of the doldrums after their lowest finish since 1966.

"The Peter Taylor era has gone now," he said. "I will be judged on my team, my results and my performances and I'm really excited by what's ahead.

"This club cannot go any lower and the most important thing is to build for the next couple of years. There has been far too much doom and gloom surrounding the place and that's got to change."

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

May 31st...
NEW DEALS TO WOO BACK BRADFORD CITY FANS
By Simon Parker (T&A)

Bradford City will officially relaunch their season tickets tomorrow as
preparations crank up a gear for the new campaign.

Adult tickets will cost £195 – which works out around £8.50 a game – with
youngsters aged 11 to 16 paying £87.50. Under-11s go free subject to the
usual conditions.

Fans choosing to watch from the TL Dallas Stand will pay £150 or £75. There
will also be suite upgrades for the corporate areas, including the Bantams
Bar, for an extra £110 or £55.

City have also set up an easy payment plan, allowing fans to spread the cost
over the season. Supporters will pay nine monthly installments of £26 (£13
for juniors) between August and April at a total cost of £234.

With the recent off-pitch turmoil put to bed, the club can concentrate on
attracting fans back to Valley Parade once more.

The deal will run for six weeks until close of business on Saturday, July
16. After that, adult prices will revert to £275.

Tickets go on sale tomorrow from the ground and details can also be found
online at the club's website www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk.

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

Friends set to provide cash lifeline to Bradford City

http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/9055037.Friends_set_to_provide_cash_lifeline_to_Bradford_City

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

From the Official BCFC Website...

BANTAMS WIN BOARDROOM OF THE YEAR - AGAIN!

For the third year in succession, Bantams officials have a reason to
celebrate after retaining their title of League 2's Boardroom of the Year at
the Official Football Hospitality Awards.

After picking up the award at the end of the 2008/09 and 2009/10 seasons,
City made it a hat-trick of wins this Thursday evening during a ceremony at
Wolverhampton Wanderers' Molinenux Stadium.

Decided by directors of fellow League 2 clubs, the award is given to the
football club who is deemed to have offered the best overall boardroom
experience to officials from visiting clubs.

Upon receiving the award, the Bantams were praised for their friendly and
welcoming attitude shown towards visiting directors throughout the whole of
the 2010/2011 season.

Club Director Graham Jones, who picked up the award along with Associate
Director Mark Richardson, admitted he was delighted to see City win for the
third year on the trot.

"It's an incredible achievement for the football club and a nice reward for
the team's efforts throughout the season": said Mr. Jones.

"To win this award for the third year in succession makes it even more
special.

"I hope the fact that we have won this now three times shows that we really
aim to make everyone who attends a match at the Coral Windows Stadium feel
welcome, not just home supporters."

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

Bradford City shareholders buy office block to ease rent worries and avert move to Odsal
6:30am Tuesday 24th May 2011
By Simon Parker

City are staying at Valley Parade next season after the owners pulled off a deal to buy the office block.

Joint chairmen Julian Rhodes, Mark Lawn and fellow shareholder Professor David Rhodes have set up their own parent company, BC Bantams Limited, to purchase the building and take over control of the club.

The deal, which was completed late on Friday, eases the overheads burden on City which had threatened their existence at their 108-year home.

It will come as a huge relief to fans, who feared they could be forced to watch football at Odsal from August.

City claim they would not have been in a position to pay the May wages at the end of the week if the deal had not gone through.

Julian Rhodes, who opened talks with previous owners Prupim in January, confirmed: "We're saving the club a hell of a lot of money. It also gives us complete flexibility because it means the club can pay rent when it can afford to do so.

"It alleviates all our more pressing problems. I'm not saying it solves everything but it means we will be here for next season."

---
Additional article
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/9043764.Relief_as_Bradford_City_chiefs_toast__good_Friday__agreement/

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

The Bantams will host Premier League side Bolton Wanderers in late July in
one of six now confirmed pre-season fixtures for City this summer.

Along with the previously announced Carlisle United home fixture, the
Bantams will welcome Owen Coyle's Bolton to Bradford on Sunday 24 July 2011
(kick off 3:00pm).

The Bantams will kick off their preparations for another season on Wednesday
13th July 2011 at Silsden before moving to face Matlock two days later.

As part of the agreement that saw James Hanson move to the Coral Windows
Stadium nearly two years ago, City will then eventually play their
long-arranged fixture at Guiseley on Tuesday 19 July 2011.

The trip to Horsfall Stadium to face Avenue for the annual Tom Banks
Memorial Trophy fixture, which City won last season, will be sandwiched
between the Bolton and Carlisle match on Wednesday 27 July 2011.

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

Bradford Show Price Matters

ATTENDANCES STAY HEALTHY AS BRADFORD SHOW PRICE MATTERS
By Paul Newman (The Independent)

The Football League Column: Bradford City's example shows what can be
achieved with a sensible pricing policy
Figures released last week showed a drop in Football League attendances this
season, yet support for the fourth-most successful competition in Europe is
still impressive.

More than 16 million spectators watched Football League matches in 2010-11,
which will be bettered only by the Premier League, the Bundesliga and La
Liga. A six per cent drop on last season's 50-year high is put down to the
difficult economic climate.

Championship matches were watched by more than 9,500,000 fans at an average
of 17,389. Leeds topped the list, with average gates of 27,299, while
Scunthorpe were the only Championship club to average fewer than 10,000.
Southampton, League One's best supported team, averaged 22,160, which was
more than 18 Championship clubs, while Sheffield Wednesday (17,817),
Charlton (15,582) and Huddersfield (13,728) all broke the 10,000 mark.

The most remarkable attendances of all, however, were Bradford City's in
League Two. The Yorkshire club finished 18th – their worst end-of-season
position for nearly half a century – yet enjoyed average crowds of 11,127,
nearly 4,000 more than the second-best supported club, Oxford United. The
Bantams' lowest gate of 10,392 was higher than the best crowd at any other
League Two match.

Bradford's example shows what can be achieved with a sensible pricing
policy. When they were relegated four years ago for the third time in seven
seasons – their first return to the League's bottom division for 25 years –
their gates averaged 8,694. The club reduced season-ticket prices to £138
and the response to what was named as the Football League's marketing
campaign of the year was hugely positive, with 12,200 fans buying season
tickets to boost the average to 13,756.

The average attendance dropped by 1,000 in the second season and by about
the same figure in each of the subsequent campaigns as the players'
performances failed to match those of the fans: in their four seasons in
League Two Bradford have finished 10th, ninth, 14th and 18th.

Since the new pricing policy was introduced, the current season has been the
only year in which season ticket sales fell below 10,000 (to 9,600).

Some 6,000 tickets for 2011-12 were sold (at an advance price of £150 each)
in December last year, putting the club on course to match the 2010-11
figure. David Baldwin, the club's director of operations, said: "We started
the Christmas campaign simply because I had a request from a grandparent
asking: 'Why can't I buy a season ticket now for my grandson for next year
as a Christmas present?' The first year we ran it 2,000 people took up the
option, the second year 4,000 and the third year 6,000."

The final phase of sales for next season will start soon. Prices have not
been announced yet, but the club have always kept the cost below £200.
"Pricing is important," Baldwin said. "You have to realise that in the
current economic climate."

Bradford offer season tickets at half-price to under-16s, while under-11s
are admitted free if accompanied by an adult. "We know that around 18 per
cent of a crowd of 10,000 are under-11s," Baldwin said.

"There's no greater way of promoting future fans than creating a situation
where a dad can bring his son or daughter to a game for free. We hope that
they become Bradford City fans for life."

The club's support is all the more remarkable when you consider what they
have been through since losing their Premier League place 10 years ago. One
of the last clubs to be relegated before the introduction of parachute
payments, Bradford went into administration three years later, which
resulted in their stadium and offices being sold off. They now have to pay
£1.3m a year just to use the premises, including £750,000 in rent for the
25,500-capacity stadium.

"I think the vast majority of fans realise that we're operating in a
difficult set of circumstances," Baldwin said. "We're carrying the costs of
a Championship stadium and operating on a League Two budget."

He added: "We've had fantastic support when you consider the decade we've
had as a club. We have very long-suffering fans and we're desperate to give
them something to smile about in the future."

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

DONALDSON BEGINS TALKS WITH OTHER CLUBS

Clayton Donaldson has spoken to Bradford City over a possible move whilst
Carlisle, Chesterfield and Oxford are all interested in the Alex's top
goalscorer.

New Bradford City manager Peter Jackson confirmed today that he spoke to
Donaldson on Tuesday about a move to Valley Parade but admitted they faced a
fight for his signature, suggesting 'eight or nine' clubs have expressed an
interest.

A few clubs we already know are interested include fellow League Two rivals
Oxford United and Gillingham. Oxford's chairman has recently said they'd
like Donaldson in yellow whilst Gills boss Andy Hessenthaler almost admitted
defeat in his pursuit.

Speaking for the first time about his top target, the City chief said: "I've
spoken to Clayton and met him and hopefully I'll be talking to him again.

"Obviously he is expecting interest coming in but we've put our marker down
with Clayton Donaldson. We have to invest in strikers.

"Strikers that can score you 20 to 25 goals a season can push you into the
play-offs. Strikers who get 30 to 35 goals, which Clayton is well capable of
doing, can get you to promotion."

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

From the Official BCFC Website…

HANNAH PICKS UP GOLDEN BOOT AWARD

New Bradford City striker Ross Hannah was at Chelsea's Stamford Bridge this
Thursday to collect his Non-League Golden Boot award for the 2010/2011
season.

Hannah earned the honour - given to the player who has scored the most goals
in the whole Non-League pyramid - thanks to his amazing tally of 52 goals
last season for previous club Matlock Town.

The 25 year old picked up his award during the ESPN Soccernet.com National
Games Awards ceremony - the Non-League's own end of the season awards
dinner.

Hannah is also scheduled to pick up the Evo-Stik Premier Division Golden
Boot award at the league's end of season presentation evening at Blackpool
on Saturday 18 June.

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