Tuesday 31 July, 2001

Today's News by Michael Wood

Evans leaves City

Michel Evans trial with Bradford City has ended with Jim Jefferies telling the former VVV Venlo striker that he will not be offered a contract with the Bantams. Evans played some part in all three tour games for City but did not do enough to convince Jim Jefferies.

There is some speculation that Jefferies will now turn his attention to bringing in a further striker on loan to add depth to the forward line in the Bantams opening few weeks of the campaign but BfB suggests that it is more likely that the striking trio would be bolstered by Eoin Jess, who performed well in that role against Portadown.

Clarke: Price puts them off

Matt Clarke says that City's asking for £4m from Fulham for him prevented the London side from signing him. Clarke would like City to drop his asking price, warning that he may become worthless should the Bantams hold onto him long enough. Clarke is typical off all footballers when it comes to wages and value. He things he should get £20,000 plus a week, the wage he asked City for, but when being transferred is of the opinion that he should be valued at less than £1.5m.

BfB says City should stick to the high price tags. Why let someone else get a good deal? If Clarke is good enough, and he is, then someone will pay it. If teams are put off by Clarke's toy out of the crib routine then Matt only has himself to blame.

Monday 30 July, 2001

Today's News by Michael Wood

City draw final tour game

Eoin Jess and Robbie Blake both scored in City 2-2 draw with Portadown on the final game of City's three match tour.

Crewe, Millwall and Coventry games moved

City's home game with Millwall and the trips to Crewe and Coventry have been moved for TV. The Football League make the fixture list copyright, this is a contentious matter in the webmaster community. Some say that the fixture list is but a list of events and thus can not be copyright of anyone, whoever, these latest changes prove to me once and for all that that the match dates released last month were nothing but a work of fantasy and thus should be covered as creative property.

Saturday 28 July, 2001

Today's News by Michael Wood

Ward shows his stuff as City get four

Ashley Ward showed City fans that he intends to put his dry season behind him as he scored twice in the Bantam's 4-0 in over Bangor in the second game of the Irish tour.

City's other team get a result in Bradford derby

A City team made up mostly of juniors scored a 1-1 draw with rivals Bradford Park Avenue. Adam Hardy scored City's goal while former Chelsea man Eddie Newton played as part of a trial he is on with the Bantams.

Latapy scores

City summer target Russel Latapy got his career with Rangers off to a good start scoring a penalty in a 3-0 win at Aberdeen. Elsewhere on the first day of the SPL Jim Jefferies former side Hearts lost 2-1 to newly promoted Livingstone, Colin Cameron getting the Jambos late consolation, speaking of whom...

Cameron switch?

Rumors has it that Jim Jefferies will be backed in a move for Hearts skipper Colin Cameron should City be challenging for promotion at the Christmas period.

Thursday 26 July, 2001

Today's News by Michael Wood

Glentoran 0 Bradford City 2

trialist Lee Makel and striker Ashley Ward get the goals that give City a 2-0 win on the first game of the three match tour.

Clarke to be frozen out

Jim Jefferies has closed the door on Matt Clarke playing for City while the keeper continues to seek a move away from VP. "You concentrate on the guys who do [want to play for the club]" said Jefferies, "If we could have left him at home we would."

Wednesday 25 July, 2001

Today's News by Michael Wood

Sing when your winning

City are flipping open CD boxes and popping in eight tracks to try find a new tune for the boys to enter the field to, a new theme for the Bantams to replace the A-Team. BfB walked the cyberstreets of Bradford to find out what the locals would have as the tune for promotion...

McCall: We're tired of being kicked around

Stuart McCall has fired a warning to the rest of the First Division saying that City are sick of getting beat every week "We had two great seasons in the Premiership, and you can't take away the experience of playing Liverpool and Manchester United, but sometimes you went into games just hoping for a shot at goal."

"You can have enough of getting sand in your face and it's no fun for anyone getting beaten every week but you listen to certain people going on about it and they seem to think we will be happy with mid-table this season. I'm not looking at it like that and I don't think anyone in the club is. We are positive in every way and hoping for a real push. Look at teams like Manchester City and Watford with their big-name managers and they might attract bigger players. But there's no reason with the players we have at our disposal, that we can't mount a serious challenge as well."

Spurs want Clarke

Spurs are reported to be interested in Matt Clarke but Clarke's agent says that the Bantams want too high a fee for the keeper which does sort of raise a question as to why Spurs would want a player who own agent thinks is not worth that much money.

At BfB we tire of Matt Clarke's "I'm really great and should be in your first team but am not good enough for anyone to pay more than a tenner for" antics.. It's painfully shallow and very unprofessional. If Matt Clarke is good enough for to move up a division to Spurs then he is good enough to be worth the money we want for him. End of story.

Newton training with City

Eddie Newton has been training with City but the Bantams are not planning a move for the former Chelsea player.

Tuesday 24 July, 2001

Today's News by Michael Wood

It starts here

Bradford City jetted off to Northern Ireland for the start of a nine month campaign that all involved hope will end in promotion to the Premiership. The temperature of the patient is good, spirits are high despite the relegation of last term and the 6-1 drubbing at Elland Road, but nerves have emerged after the cash flow was found to be irregularly low and foreign bodies (Vialli) endered the system (Division One). However the patient managed to save vital limbs and the fears over it's heart going to play for Barnsley have proved unfounded.

Makel goes on tour, Beni back in Italy

Lee Makel jetted out with City to join the tour of Northern Ireland in the hope of convincing manager Jim Jefferies that the former Hearts and Huddersfield player is worth a contract for next season.

Benito Carbone, on the other hand, did not join his team mates. The striker returned to Italy after his son fell ill once more. "It is understandable that Beni wants to be with his wee son who is not too well at the moment and is undergoing hospital treatment back in Italy." Said Jefferies.

The Beni situation poises interesting problems for Jefferies. On the one hand he will be grateful to give the likes of Michel Evans, Gareth Grant and Ben Jones chances in the starting eleven but on the other he has arguably the best player in the division away at a time when he should be gelling into the team.

Carbone adds an extra dimension to City, as he would any team, and the performances of the three friendly games without him will be lessened. For JJ it will be a case of I have this plus Beni when he returns, something that could give rise to false optimism should the tour go badly, or cause problems should it go very well on the forward line and three players stake a claim for a place against Barnsley.

Carbone is expected back in the camp next Wednesday, we await developments.

Boycott Albania

The Albania FA have rejected Valley Parade as a venue for an 21 international on the grounds that it is not in the required one and a half hours travel of Newcastle where the first team game is to be played. Despite protestations from the club and FA ("Yeah, but if you really floored it...") the game is seeking a new venue further north. The FA have promised to offer VP another game.

Sunday 22 July, 2001

Today's News by Michael Wood

Bolton do not want Clarke

Bolton have decided against any move for Matt Clarke. Without wanting to put too finer point on the Matt Clarke situation it would seem to be the case that regardless of how good a player he is, his reputation as an unprofessional troublemaker, a reputation that may or may not be well deserved, precedes him.

Clarke has confirmed that he would like to leave City and no doubt someone will want him soon enough, but one can be sure that his next manager will make it clear that hissy fits and six month sulks because another excellent player has got a chance will not be tolerated.

Friday 20 July, 2001

Today's News by Michael Wood

Evans on his way to Belfast

Jim Jefferies has been suitably impressed with Dutchman Michel Evans and so has offered him the chance to go on City's Northern Irish tour to win himself a contract with the Bantams.

Makel desperate to rejoin Jim's gang

Lee Makel, who it has emerged has been training with the City squad for the past two weeks, is desperate to win a chance to play for City and wants his former Hearts boss Jim Jefferies to take him on the Northern Irish tour so the former Town man can prove himself.

"Hearts are the third best team in Scotland and that's down to Jim." said Makel, "I think I get on well with [JJ] and Billy Brown." Jefferies however, was more reticent. "It's all down to who we can bring in and what positions we can strengthen."

What role Makel would play at City is not clear. The former Newcastle, Blackburn and Town midfielder has a reputation as a quality passer of a bass and is left footed, not unlike the man he will be looking to unseat at City, Gareth Whalley.

Like Whalley, Makel has a reputation as more craftsman than combatter. With resources still relatively thin on the ground JJ may see the acquisition of his former Hearts charge as a duplication of assets he already has.

Mennillo joins Walsall

Aussie left winger Dino Mennillo has joined Walsall on a three year deal, turning down the chance to join city on a one year agreement. Jim Jefferies would still like to acquire a natural wide man.

Thursday 19 July, 2001

Today's News by Michael Wood

City turn down £1m for Ashley Ward

Barnsley have had a bid of £1m for their former striker Ashley Ward rejected by City. Ward, who left Oakwell to join Blackburn for £4.5m before joining City last summer, has been declared not for sale by City boss Jim Jefferies who sees the hard working forward as a key part of his play for next season.

Evans to be offered contract

Dutch trialist Michel Evans has won over Jim Jefferies and Billy Brown and, word has it, will be offered a contract by City providing he shows well in the Northern Irish tour. Jefferies is impressed with the forwards hard working attitude and will decide to take the player on the tour before the weekend.

Evans potential signing and the refusal to sell Ward would suggest that Jim Jefferies has settled on his forwards for next season with Ward, Carbone and Blake starting as the men in possession and Evans, Ben Jones and Gareth Grant pushing for places. From this we may also take it than any bid for Allan Smart has ended.

Menillo at Walsall

Australian winger Dino Menillo is having a weeks trial at Walsall. City are prepared to offer him a one year deal, the midlands club, who one would be forced to say offer less prospects than the Bantams, may offer more giving the player a chance to step stone into the Premiership should he perform in Division one.

Wednesday 18 July, 2001

Today's News by Michael Wood

Wetherall getting back on track

David Wetherall will be going on City's tour of Ulster after his recovery from the groin injury that cursed last season continued ahead of schedule. "Hopefully he will play 30 minutes of the first game, 30 of the second and we will see if he can last the full 90 in the third" said number two Billy Brown. Jim Jefferies urged caution "We don't want to rush him back".

Much of City's defensive woes last term were caused by the prolonged absence of David Wetherall and Jim Jefferies sees the one time record signing as the key man in City's promotion push, arguably more important than Benito Carbone. Prime in JJ's thoughts must be to get Wetherall fully fit for the majority of the season, even at the expense of Wethers presence in the first few weeks.

Going into the Valley

Word has it that City are to change from the A Team theme to a new song, possibly punk class "Into the Valley" by The Skids, for the run out music next season. Before BfB nails it's colours to the mast mail us at song@boyfrombrazil.co.uk and tell us what you think the Bantams should charge into VP to and we will post them here for the club to take note of/

Falsh back

Gordon Watson is looking for a club for next season two years after his last professional game for Bournemouth "I've been back training with Portsmouth and feel good as a result of it. I'm now officially on the transfer list and am looking for a club which will take me on." Said one of City's former favourites. BfB will keep it's fingers cross for him.

Tuesday 17 July, 2001

Today's News by Michael Wood

Beni wants an immediate return to the Premiership with City

Benito Carbone has boosted City fans by backing the Bantams to make an immediate return to the top flight and pledging himself to this new, unusual for a player of his ability, cause. "It's a new experience for me playing in the First Division but there is no problem with it. You never say never and although I don't promise anything to anyone, I'm still here and still enjoying playing for Bradford. Before I left England at the end of last season I said I wouldn't do anything to try to leave and I'm here again now to help Bradford get straight back to the Premier League. They are nice people at the club and it's not a problem for me to stay."

Carbone continued "It doesn't worry me playing in the First Division. It's the same in Italy as well, you get big clubs and good teams going down for one year but you know you have a chance of going back up again. Here it will be no different. It's no problem for Vialli or Carbone or Keegan or Molenaar being in the First Division if you are doing well." The Dutch defender apparently slipping the Italian a bob or too to be included in such company.

"We've got a lot of experience in the team and as long as we have full concentration at all times then I think we can return. But we must play every game like a final and put 100 per cent in our training every day. We've got a big chance to come back as long as we are careful and don't think it will be easy."

"We had better not talk about last season because we made a lot of mistakes." continued Carbone "But the last two months we played very well and if we can carry on like that for the first two or three months in Division One then our confidence will be really high. I think we need to win our first four or five games to be up there and get the players and the fans confident. Last season we did all right for the first two games but then it went down and down. A year ago we had six or seven new players in at the same time which was too many. Now we have the same team who have played together for a season and it will be easier to be compact."

All of which talk got our columnist Roland Harris into contemplating the significance of The Word from Rome (Geography never being Roland's strong point)

Neil Tolson retires

One time City striker Neil Tolson has retired from football aged 27 after an injury. Tolson is one of many players who played a role in taking City from the middle of nowhere (Division Two) to the Premiership only, unfortunately, to be left behind. BfB wishes Tolly all the best for the future.

Monday 16 July, 2001

Today's News by Michael Wood

Wetherall back in training

David Wetherall reenter medium training following the groin injury that kept him out of a large part of last season.

McKnacked

Perhaps regreting the one year deal he signed with City Stuart McCall spoke for the squad when he said that his ached in every bone in his body after Jim Jefferies boot camp training. "I don't think there's one bone in my body that isn't aching or one muscle that isn't throbbing. But having spent what must be the toughest three consecutive days of training I've ever done, I've got say we all thoroughly enjoyed it." said the City skipper.

Heavy legs aside McCall was happy with the training saying "Overall the spirit and bonding between the lads was superb and the talk on the way home began to turn to football and the season ahead. We are all confident in each other and the squad we have and Bradford City should be looking forward to a successful promotion push."

via [maccas.co.uk]

Mennillo holding out on Walsall

Potential City signing Dino Mennillo came to England on Monday with an offer of a permanent deal at Walsall that, it I said, he will treat coolly until he assesses his chances of securing a deal with City or Wolves, who are also said to have expressed an interest in the player.

Sunday 15 July, 2001

Today's News by Michael Wood

Evans on Bradford

Dutch trialist Michel Evans has spoken of his wish to join City. "This is the first time I've ever played outside Holland and I would love to be able to join Bradford. At first I was only due to be here for one week but because that was only conditioning training, I am here next week as well to show what I can do. If Bradford like what I do then I aim to go on tour with them to Northern Ireland and hopefully get my chance to sign.

Evans continued "I think I can settle here. I would love to get a contract and I am confident I could play well with Bradford."

Ouedec watched?

Rumour has it that City scouts checked out former Nantes and France international striker Nicolas Ouedec in a trial game he played for Bolton against Radcliffe Brough on Saturday. Ouedec scored in the trotter's 3-1 win. Should JJ want the player whom he was linked with while at Hearts, then he is available for free.

Wolves talking to Stan

Former Bantam Stan Collymore could be set to face City next season for Wolves should he be able to agree terms with the club that booted him out as a youngster. "Stan didn't realise how much he would miss football" said Collymore's advisor.

Saturday 14 July, 2001

Today's News by Michael Wood

Beni relishing next season

Back in training after his delay with a ill child Benito Carbone declared himself to be relishing the chance to take on First Division defences next season.

Clarke confusion

As Matt Clarke makes noises about staying at City to fight for his place his agent and the club talk about interest from four clubs including Bolton, Everton and Fulham. BfB asks Six months later and a promotion later and where is Matt Clarke?

Thursday 12 July, 2001

Today's News by Michael Wood

All about Evans

VVV Venlo fan Davy of The VVV site has been in touch with BfB about trialist Michel Evans. "He is a very good attacker", said Davy, "Michael is a very fast player but he isn't a scoring type. Michael is a player who created many goals. He a real teamplayer.", fitting very much in with the Jim Jefferies style.

Evans' bad points, Davy says, are that he tried to take on and beat too many players. Should fit in alongside Robbie Blake then.

Michel Evans has been given City squad number 20 in preperation for the tour of Nortern Ireland.

City make £500,000 bid for Smart

It is being reported that City have bid £500,000 for Watford's toiling forward Allan Smart and that the Bantams face a tug of war with Nottingham Forest for the player.

Smart, scorer of Watford's second goal in the play off final that secured their return to the top flight in the season City went up, is not part of Luca Vialli's plans for the Hornets and has been told he could leave. Well respected for his hard work but at times lampooned for his finishing one could draw comparisons between Smart and former City front man Lee Mills who joined the Bantams with a similar reputation only to go on to score a quarter century of goals in a season.

Four bids for Clarke

Fulham are one of four clubs who have put in bids for City's Matt Clarke who turned down a loan to the London club earlier in the week.

Richmond turns 180 on Blake

In the two years since promotion was soured by Robbie Blake demanding a transfer and being listed by the club Geoffrey Richmond confirmed the players rehabiliation saying "We have not received an offer for Robbie Blake but we are not looking to sell him anyway. I've heard nothing from Burnley, but Robbie is going nowhere."

Wednesday 11 July, 2001

Today's News by Michael Wood

A way back for Clarke?

While Jim Jefferies has stated that he will make Matt Clarke no assurances about a place in the City team it is thought that the boss is ready to offer Clarke the chance to return to scrapping for the number one shirt with Gary Walsh, the process of which irritated Clarke so when Walsh regained his place following bad form from the now wantaway goalkeeper.

Meanwhile Aston Villa are the latest club to be linked with Clarke.

Portsmouth cough up for Mills

Portsmouth have paid City what they owe for Lee Mills and are set to have the transfer embargo placed on them lifted.

Ready to Motherwell?

Reported City target Karl Ready of QPR is set to join Motherwell by the weekend. Once Robert Molenaar signed up for the season it is thought that City's interest in the player diminished.

Tuesday 10 July, 2001

Today's News by Michael Wood

Bebe Carbone holds up Beni

Benito Carbone missed the first two days of City's pre season after his son was taken ill in Italy. In a pre-emptive strike against those who would say that he player had walked out Jim Jefferies commented that the Italian would not use the illness of a child as an excuse and that he believed Beni would have kept his fitness up during the break and so would not be too effected by missing time in the JJ boot camp.

The club noted that it had received medical evidence verifying Carbone's story.

Blake backs City's season

Robbie Blake has cast of rumours linking him with Burnley saying he thought this would be a big year for the Bantams and that (quote) "I can see us doing well.". Blakes comments point to the underlying confidence that seems to be in the City squad, a trait targeted and it seems engendered by Jim Jefferies.

Sharpe wants to start again

Lee Sharpe has said that he wants to continue at city following the breakdown of his move to Portsmouth hoping for a "Clean Slate". Frankly if Sharpe can get through the boot camp then he should be taken at his word.

Dewsbury Up Front

An new branch of Up Front Superstore has opened in on Railway Street in Dewsbury.

Clarke: "I don't want to go to Fulham"

Tiresome but excellent between the sticks keeper Matt Clarke has decided that he does not want to go to Fulham. Whisper had it that Glenn Hoddle looked at Clarke as a back up and perhaps eventual replacement for Neil Sullivan at Spurs but the former England boss went for Blackburn's Alan Kelly.

Monday 09 July, 2001

Today's News by Michael Wood

City back for hard training

Jim Jefferies took the City team, minus David Wetherall, for his first preseason. "It's going to be a week of graft for everyone. The first few days will be all about fitness before we get into conditioning and ball work. We've got a couple of days to get used to training again and then we are off to Catterick for the really strenuous stuff." Promised Jefferies.

Gary Locke, veteran of Hearts boot camps commented "I can guarantee the boys will be getting plenty of sleep in the next couple of weeks! He really puts you through it and I remember always feeling absolutely shattered at the end of each session. "But it's all about getting yourself fit, and we will feel the benefit come the start of the league. The gap between football seasons seems to get shorter and shorter so we all try to keep ourselves ticking over fitness-wise."

Carteron interest confirmed

Jim Jefferies has stepped up his search for a right sided fullback looking at St Etienne's Patrice Carteron who spent the end of last season at Sunderland.

Good Evans

Dutch trialist Michel Evans joined the City players in preseason training today. Word has it tat should he be able to get through Jim Jeffeires boot camp approach to preseason then he will get taken on the Irish tour.

Burnley's Blake interest rebuffed

Sources close to City say that any approach for Robbie Blake from Burnley will be rebuffed. Blake forms a key part of Jim Jefferies plans for next season.

Sunday 8 July, 2001

Today's News by Michael Wood

City masters to lose Beagrie to Scunthorpe regulars

City legend Peter Beagrie, who's display's powered the masters team into the final beating Newcastle, Sunderland and Middlesbrough on the way, is on the verge of a move to Scunthorpe which will in all likelihood put an end to his play in the seniors competition. Beagrie should join Scunthorpe on Monday.

Jorgensen rejected Cardiff

New signing Claus Jorgensen's agent has revealed that the player turned down Sheffield United and ambitious Cardiff to join City.

Friday 6 July, 2001

Today's News by Michael Wood

Jim make surprise Jorgensen signing

Jim Jefferies has signed his first player of the summer making a low key move for AFC Bournemouth's Danish midfielder Claus Jorgensen.

Jorgensen is rated highly at Dean Court, having taken the player of the season award on his first year at the club. He can play across the midfielde and is noted for his work rate, a feature Jim Jefferies will have required in any potential signing and his ability to take on and beat defenders.

Aged 25 he joins City under the Bosman ruling after two years on the south coast having come to English football from AC Horsens. Jorgensen will ware the number 19 shirt he had at Bournemouth. Gary Locke relocates into Andy O'Brien's 14.

Sharpe not going to Portsmouth

Lee Sharpe will not be joining to Portsmouth after his three month loan but with Gareth Whalley, Dino Minelli and new signing Claus Jorgensen all looking for a place on the left side of midfield, it is hard to see the former Man U player getting much of a chance with the Bantams.

Bower not going to York

York City have dropped their interest in Mark Bower.

Clarke: It gets stranger...

Matt Clarke has joined Fulham on a loan that will take him up to but will not include the first game of the Premiership season. Clarke joins the Premiership's most expected side for preseaon and hopes to impress enough to secure a move to London, otherwise he will return to Valley Parade in a months time.

With Clarke making what is in effect a move up and looking at the (Al) Fayed wealth that powers the former scummy London team it is doubtful City will allow the player to leave for the minimal fee that he would like. Indeed why should the Bantams be the only club that gives Fulham a break on transfer fees, the club is clearly a bottomless well of money which the rest of the game have tapped to some effect and if the player is good enough to take ot the Premiership then he is good enough to pay money for.

Clarke swap for Collins and cash?

City may ask Fulham to include former Crewe midfielder Wayne Collins in any deal that will see Matt Clarke join the London club. Collins, 23, signed for the London club under Kevin Keegan but has failed to win a place in Jean Tigana's side and is available for a move.

Welcome back

Offline for a while, came back in a nice new coat...

You should be Dansen, yeah.

BfB reader James Gracey believes that trialist Michel Evans' self confessed love of "Dansen" may in fact be an admission the he likes a good boogie. "Could at least gain a coaching/playing contract", comments James, "For the Bantam Belles!"

Wednesday 4 July, 2001

Today's News by Michael Wood

The mysterious world of Matthew Clarke

With Bolton deciding they no longer interested in signing City's Matt Clarke attention has turned to "A London Premiership club" who have, Clarke's agent says, made a bid for the keeper. Charlton are prime candidates after their bid for City target (but out of our price bracket now) Annti Neimi of Hearts was rejected.

Clarke's agent went on to describe Matt as "The best keeper available" which does question why City should be prepared to listen to Clarke's pleas to not put a high price tag on him. Parma Buffon joined Juventus for £32m today, Neimi is valued at some £2m. One wonders why if Clarke is so good, City should let him go for a lower fee.

Schemmel joins West Ham

As expected Metz right back Sebastien Schemmel has joined West Ham in preference to City. "Boo Sucks" to him we say.

Tuesday 3 July, 2001

Today's News by Michael Wood

Dansen loving Dutch striker joins City on trial

VVV Venlo striker Michel Evans will join City on a pre season trial after coming recommended to Jim Jefferies by Robert Molenaar's agent. A cautious Jefferies said "We have seen the videos of Michael and he looks worth a trial. He is out of contract so we have nothing to lose."

Venlo finished bottom of the Dutch first division last term, Evans scoring six goals that season and 30 in the five years and 159 games he has spent at the club. He has an American father and claims, according to the Venlo website, to be interested in "Films, computers and dansen", whatever Dansen is.

McAteer link

City are being linked with a move for Blackburn's out of favour right wing back Jason McAteer. It is known that JJ would like to bring in a new right back and that McAteer is desperate to leave Ewood Park after first team chances dried up, however the Eire international is hoping for a Premiership club.

Matt Clarke stuff

Matt Clarke might join Bolton, but he might not and frankly I'm past caring.

McCall goes back to school

Stuart McCall spent ten days of the summer on a coaching course which he described as "Intense both physically and mentally." This shows a rekindling of McCall's interest in management after his unsuccessful spell as Assistant to Chris Hutchings and caretaker.

Pollock link

Flimsy rumour has City linked with Crystal Palace's former Man City captain Jamie Pollock. However as he approaches 30 Pollock would seem to be outside Jim Jefferies target age of mid twenties.

Jess takes up Beagrie's shirt

After signing full time for City Eoin Jess has taken up Peter Beagrioe's old number 11 shirt.

Monday 2 July, 2001

Today's News by Michael Wood

McCall turned his back on Goodison return

Word has reached BfB that Stuart McCall turned his back on a Premiership return to Everton and a second pairing with former Gers boss Walter Smith when he signed up for a final year at City. Smith wanted McCall to pair up with former Gers team mate Paul Gascoigne in the Toffee's midfield.

Cadamatari link resurfaces

BfB has also heard a whisper that Everton's Bradford born Danny Cadamatari is being linked with City once more.

Saturday 30 June, 2001

Today's News by Michael Wood

Jess finally becomes a City player

Eoin Jess finally but pen to paper on a three year deal that official makes him a Bradford City player. Jess, the only player to be transferred for £1m to a Scots club outside of the Glasgow two (Is that Celtic and Motherwell these days?) joins City on a free transfer after falling out of favour at Aberdeen but doing well for the Bantams.

Molenaar to sign on Monday

Robert Molenaar will sign a new deal with City on Monday.

Mc: I stayed for the fans

Stuart McCall revealed that the motivation behind him turning his back on an 11th hour offer to join a Premiership club was the support of City fans.

Thursday 28 June, 2001

Today's News by Michael Wood

McCall speaks on new contract

After signing up for a final year in football with Bradford City City's leader Stuart McCall expressed relief that he and the club had been able to hammer out a deal. "There had been other clubs interested and I had a phone call this week with an offer that sounded particularly appealing. But I never really wanted to leave Bradford and I'm glad this has been sorted out at last. It's been an unsettling couple of months but now I can look forward to next season and giving it all I've got for one last time."

Rip up the fixture list

City's fixture list got further reorganisation after the ITV motivated movement of games with Sheffield Wednesday and Nottingham Forest. Now City's match with Preston North End has been moved as it clashes with the Tory Party Conference in Blackpool (Not that one would have thought that that many people would be at that event while the game with Burnley at VP has been put back to allow City fans the chance to watch Germany v England on TV.

The overwhelming feeling in the week the fixtures have been out is that the list should be considered a first draft. The days when a man could book his days off for April the following year would seem to be gone.

City miss out on Latapy and Glass

Jim Jefferies targets Russell Latapy and Stephen Glass seem to have evaded the City boss with them both set to complete moves on Friday. Latapy is reported to be on the verge of a shock move to Rangers after failing to agree terms with Celtic while Glass will join Watford from Newcastle.

Wednesday 27 June, 2001

Today's News by Michael Wood

McCall signs up, now for promotion

Stuart McCall signed a one year deal with City that will take him to the end of his career with the club that he started with some twenty years ago. McCall' s signature on a one year deal that will include a testimonial for the player sees Jim Jefferies get the third of three out of contract players to sign up for the Premiership return push.

Speaking about signing up the skipper chairman Geoffrey Richmond said "I am delighted that this (McCall's contract) has been brought to a successful conclusion, It was unthinkable Stuart would finish his career playing for anyone other than Bradford City. We now hope that what is likely to be Stuart's final year at this level will finish with an emotional return to the Premier League.". So do we GR, so do we.

New City Club site

Word in the football web site development community is that as part of the Football Leagues deal with NTL all the 72 club's sites are to be remade using a single, rebranded template (Which, by the way, I think is rubbish by don't let that put you off).

The first of these sites out of the box is Birmingham City's. Picture this is claret and amber and that will, if the rumours are true, be City's.

Thursday Night Football!

City's first Thursday Night ITV digital game will be on September 20th at Nottingham Forest. Good game, bad time.

Tuesday 26th June, 2001

Today's News by Michael Wood

Richmond puts it straight: "Beni is not for sale"

Geoffrey Richmond has rebuffed any potential approaches for City's Italian striker Benito Carbone by saying that the play is not for sale. "Any clubs that come in (for Carbone) will be firmly rebuffed" said City's chairman. West Ham United had been linked with a £3m move for the player.

City Legends Unlike Appearance Number 1

Stan back in British football?

City legend Stan Collymore is in bizarre talks with Boston United over a move to the Lincolnshire club.

Wethers to miss two week of preseason

David Wetherall has undergone an operation but should be fit to join preseason two weeks after the rest of his team mates and is expected to make the first game of the season. Peter Atherton and Andy Myers both stand by as cover to partner Robert Molenaar should Wetherall not be fit.

City Legends Unlike Appearance Number 2

Mills on heavy MTV rotation

City's 25 goal striker Lee Mills would seem to have Tyler Durdened his way into the new Robbie William video. "L Mills Demolition" is the subliminal message on the side of a van in the Port Vale supporting former Take That man's latest. Mills joined City for a million (That's 20 minutes work to Robbie) in 1998.

Scott Kerr on why he quit City

Scott Kerr has said that he had to leave City to get first team football, as he has with Hull. Fair does then.

Sunday 24th June, 2001

Today's News by Michael Wood

Nantes confirm City approach for Winclon

French Champions FC Nantes have confirmed that City have approached them over striker Christophe Winclon. 23 year old Winclon, who has fallen out with the club, is looking for a move to England where some of his family live (A sister in Manchester).

The deal is not thought ot have gone beyond the approach stage and no fee has been agreed. Nantes rate Winclon at £1m but could sell for less with him being at logger heads with the management.

Reggina link shot down

Italian side Reggina's rather bold claims that they would unveil Benito Carbone as a new signing on their tour of Australia have been shot down by City boss Jim Jefferies and, as BfB, by Carbone himself.

"As we have said before, we don't need to sell Beni. Talk of price tags is immaterial" said Jefferies, "Provided we are ambitious and can keep the players we have then he would be happy to stay." Continued the City boss.

Word leaked to BfB backed this up with Benito Carbone reported to be "Uninterested" in joining another relegation fight regardless of the country. It is said that Carbone's agent has been instructed by the forward that he is only interested in going to teams "that will be finishing in the top half of their tables this year".

Saturday 23rd June, 2001

Today's News by Michael Wood

Jess and Molenaar sign up for next season

Eoin Jess and Robert Molenaar agreed to new deals for Bradford City as Jim Jefferies set off for a summer holiday with only Stuart McCall of the current squad not signed up for next year. "We have agreed terms with Eoin and Robert and it is just a case of getting something put in writing." Said Jim Jefferies.

The month by month news index.