Thursday 30 August, 2001

Today's News by Michael Wood

Oster scouting mission reported

Jim Jefferies watched Sunderland Reserves beat Sheffield Wednesday 4-2 and is reported to be on the verge of a bid to sign former Grimsby and Everton winger John Oster. Oster scored twice in the game and is being linked with a loan move, however, with Jefferies hands tied over signing M'Saddek Senoussi it seems unlikely that money has appeared for the Rokerite's Welshman.

However, Sunderland's second string possess a midfielder, Kevin Kyle who has stood in for Niall Quinn in the past and may have peaked Jefferies curiosity as he searches for back up for Ashley Ward.

That was August 2001

BfB's review of August 2001.

September is the scalping month

Roland Harris looks forward to City's seven game September.

Beagrie kicks of BfB Hall Of Fame

Star winger of the promotion side becomes the first man to be added to the BfB Bradford City Hall of Fame.

Redfearn set for Shay big chair

Following Paul Bracewell's resignation as manager of Halifax fomrer City midfielder Neil Redfearn is set to take the top job at the Shay.

Wednesday 29 August, 2001

Today's News by Michael Wood

Makel snubs Town return for Jefferies reunion

Jim Jefferies has moved quickly after midfield cover Lee Sharpe was ruled out and has signed former Hearts charge Lee Makel on a two month short term deal. "Lee Makel was back training with us today and we've managed to get him for a little while." said Jefferies, "He's had a few offers and did well at Motherwell while Huddersfield were also keen to get him back but I told him to hang on and now we've got him as cover in case anything happens to Gareth. Lee's got a good pedigree and I know him very well from Hearts."

We are back

BfB is back at its proper url and on the superb new hosts KDA after two weeks of technical nightmares caused by Simple Internet. If you followed the site back at the Freeserve address, thanks for following, if you are coming back after the break, we missed you, lets never be apart again.

Tuesday 28 August, 2001

Today's News by Michael Wood

Scots link Jim with Aberdeen job

Scot newspapers are linking Jim Jefferies with a return to Scotland to manage Aberdeen should Ebbe Skovdahl be sacked. It is very unlikely that Jefferies would take a job should it be offered from any Scots club outside the Glasgow two, the current City boss taking a "been there, done that approach" to his career to date and having stated in the past the he intends to be the City boss "In five years time" (Minus one year cause he said it last year).

Wetherall back in three weeks

David Wetherall hopes to be back in three weeks but will not push his recovery. Jim Jefferies has said he may field Wethers against Rotherham in the league cup where JJ has promised a full strength side.

On the injury David Wetherall said "I'm bored of talking about it and I'm sure the readers are bored of it too." David is only half right as the list below proves:

The BfB Office straw poll on what we are bored of hearing coming about City

Most bored at top, least at bottom

  1. Anything to do with Matt Clarke
  2. "Your server is down..."
  3. Jim Jefferies is going to be manager of [INSERT SCOTS CLUB HERE]
  4. Gareth Grant will come good, just give him time...
  5. Benito Carbone, he won't stay in the First Division...
  6. David Wetherall's injury
  7. Lee Sharpe, he is brilliant after all
  8. Gary Locke was better that Colin Cameron all long
  9. Beni's brother Antonio is coming to buy shares in City
Lee Sharpe out long term

Just as it looked like Lee Sharpe would be pressing for a place in the City team it looks like he could be out for a couple of months. Roland will be upset at Sharpe's back fortune.

Monday 27 August, 2001

Today's News by Michael Wood

Moore to West Brom

West Bromich Albion are claiming to have agreed a fee of £750,000 with Portsmouth's former City man Darren Moore that would see the big defender return to his home town. Moore, who was linked with City in the Summer, is the Pompey captain but is not thought to fit into manager Graeme Rix's style of play.

Rotherham away in League Cup

City face an away tie at Rotherham United's Millmoor Ground in the second round of the Worthington Cup. As with the first round against Macclesfield the game will be settled on the night.

Jim Jefferies has yet to give any indication as to whether he intends to play his first choice 11 against a fellow First Division side.

Friday 24 August, 2001

Today's News by Michael Wood

City beat Coventry to go three on the trot

Bradford City continued the winning league run with a 2-1 home win over Coventry City.

Walsh spells it out

Before the Coventry game City's keeper Gary Walsh made the a claim: "This year we're looking to win every game and if we don't get any injuries, I don't see any reason why not."

Cameron joins Wolves

Jim Jefferies former Hearts skipper Colin Cameron has joined Wolves for £1.75m.

Thursday 23 August, 2001

Today's News by Michael Wood

PJ bids £300,000 for Jamie

City accepted a bid of £300,000 from former boss Paul Jewell's Wigan for Jamie Lawrence but the Jamaican International turned the move down. It is hard to see Lawrence, who is essentially a chaotic player, getting much of a first team chance under the disciplined Jim Jefferies. While very exciting to watch Jamie's errors have cost City points in the past, not something that the Scots boss would tolerate.

Jefferies at forum

Jim Jefferies took questions from fans at a his regular forum. In a nutshell this is it:

Loooou-Weeeeesssss

Lewis Emanuel could be set for his home debut from the bench after impressing Jim Jefferies in the 2-1 win over Macclesfield. City will revert to the 11 that ,beat Portsmouth at Fratton Park last week for the visit of Coventry to Valley Parade, the only doubt being Gareth Whalley who limped away from Moss Rose and could be replaced by Lee Sharpe.

Emanuel, who started the game with Macclesfield will be on a bench alongside new signing Andy Tod, who will also be looking to make his home debut after scoring in the week.

Hearts price Cameron out of City's reach

Jim Jefferies hopes of signing his former captain look distant after his Hearts successor Craig Lavine priced the player at "Between £3m-£4m".

Ben sorry

Benito Carbone has apologised for storming off after coming off at Portsmouth. Jim Jefferies has said the substitution was tactical and not about how Beni had played which, IMHO, was pretty rank.

Server wars

The problems with the boyfrombrazil.co.uk address should be sorted out by Monday. Thanks for your pertinence.

Wednesday 22 August, 2001

Today's News by Michael Wood

League cup second round draw on Saturday

The second round of the League cup will be drawn on Saturday at 12.30pm on ITV's On The Ball show. The ties are one leg once more and will be played on 11th of September, 2001.

McCall: Best goal of my career

Stuart McCall hailed his 115th strike against Macclesfield as one of the best goals of his career. "I'm not known for those sort of goals, I normally don't even shoot but it was one of those nights when luckily it went in and we scraped a result." said the City skipper, "I had plenty of space when I got the ball and I intended to have a go. I looked up hoping the keeper would be off his line so I could try a little chip but instead he was rooted to his line but it was downwind against a keeper who was a bit on the short side so I thought 'what the heck' and had a go."

Lee Sharpe, captain for the night and an excellent performer added to the priase "I don't know where that came from. I've never seen Stuart do that in the time I've known him."

Tuesday 21 August, 2001

Today's News by Michael Wood

Jim prioritises as weak team squeezes through

Jim Jefferies sent a weakened team to Macclesfield for the League cup first round and the home team nearly sent them packing until Stuart McCall's 35 yarder settled the tie in extra time.

Jefferies wants funding for Cameron bid

Jim Jefferies is to ask chairman Geoffrey Richmond to increase the club's budget to sign his former Hearts captain Colin Cameron should the Scots international decide to leave the Edinburgh club.

Cameron is being tracked by Everton and Wolves and is reported to be available for £1.5m. While the attraction of the Premiership would be great it is thought that Jefferies relationship with Cameron could swing the deal the Bantams way.

Jefferies sees Cameron slotting into the right hand midfield role currently occupied by Gary Locke with Locke moving back to right back. Jefferies hopes to get the money for a bid in lieu of funds raised by selling Matt Clarke and/or Peter Atherton.

Ostenstad interest confirmed

Billy Brown watched Blackburn Rovers Egil Ostenstad play for his reserve side on Monday night but pointed out that no deal was near. City would like to take the player on loan but after spending two months away at Manchester City last term the Ewood Park team are keen to find a permanent home for the player.

Monday 20 August, 2001

Today's News by Michael Wood

Tod signs on loan

Dunfermline Athletic centreback Andy Tod has joined City on a three month loan as cover for David Wetherall and Peter Atherton. 29 year old Tod has spent the majority of his career at his hometown club after joining from Kelty Hearts in 1993, save spells away on loan at Stockport in 2000 and on trial with Paul Jewell's Wigan in July this year.

Said Jewell of the Scot "The opportunity came up for us to have a look at Andy Tod because he's in dispute with his club and it suited both parties to let him play for us. He played well and put himself in the shop window."

Tod, who is six foot two, has played both up front and in midfield for Dunfermline and could add a stop gap striking solution to Jim Jefferies side should Ashley Ward be injured, he also adds the option of letting David Wetherall be moved into the front line once he has recovered from his groin stain.

Andy Tod takes the number 20 shirt and is expected to play in the first round of the League cup at Macclesfield on Tuesday night.

Ostenstad deal still unsigned

City are believed to be talking to Blackburn Rovers about a deal to bring Egil Ostenstad to Valley Parade but as yet not formal approach has been reported. Ostenstad was seen training with Mark Prudhoe on Sunday.

Sunday 19 August, 2001

Today's News by Michael Wood

Ostenstad on his way to City

Blackburn striker Egil Ostenstad spent Sunday afternoon at City's rain soaked Applely Bridge training ground with some of the Bantams management team in preparation for joining City, a move that Jim Jefferies will try to get through before Tuesday nights game with Macclesfield.

The Norwegian striker has been out of favour at Blackburn since the arrival of Graeme Souness. Ostenstad joined the Ewood Park club for £7.5m move from Southampton. City may try sign the striker, how is available for as little as £500,000 some have reported, on loan until the end of the season although Blackburn are keen to move him on permanently.

Walsh interest to be rebuffed

City and Gary Walsh are set to rebuff any approaches from Middlesbrough for the goalkeeper.

Beni in storm storm

Benito Carbone's reaction to being substituted after 77 minutes of the 1-0 win away at Portsmouth has raised a few predictable eyebrows. Carbone is reported to have flicked a water bottle away and stormed down the Fratton Park tunnel. This has seen the press pack that predicted that Carbone would be off in December 2000 to start the "told you so" line (have they no shame?) but considering Beni's performance on the day, and the number of free kicks the Italian wasted, one might suggest his anger was at himself not at the substitution.

Jim Jefferies played down the suggestion that their had been a fall out saying "He wasn't happy at coming off like no-one is, but it was the right thing to do. He'd worked his socks off and it's a team game. Fresh legs at that stage of the game when we wanted to hold onto the ball wasn't a bad thing."

Jim Jeffeires on being top of the league

"It's nice to be top of the League, but it's the end of the season that you're looking to be top. There's a long way to go and we've a very tough match next Friday against Coventry. We wanted to go into that game with two wins and two clean sheets and confidence is up. We've a great team spirit, and if we stay clear of injuries we'll have a good season."

Blake: "I wouldn't pick me"

Robbie Blake has commented on the poor form that has seen him left out of the City side saying that he is low on confidence and in bad form after failing to do himself justice in the reserves 2-0 defeat to the Premiership's top side (Oh my God) Bolton. "Its a long season", said Blake "I am confident I will be able to turn it around". All this contrasts with the sulky 23 year old who demanded a transfer claiming to b a Premiership quality player who deserves proven Premiership wages.

Saturday 18 August, 2001

Today's News by Michael Wood

Two games, two wins as City beat Portsmouth

A single Eoin Jess goal nicked the points at Portsmouth to give City a second win in two and see the Bantams top of the early season table.

Prizes for the persistent

Thanks to all BfB readers who have come to our temporary home at boyfrombrazil.freeserve.co.uk, thanks for making the extra trip, your reward is two new columns. Reflections on first days past by Jon Blakely and gloriously inaccurate Premiership predictions by Michael Wood

Unchanged for Portsmouth

City will be unchanged for thr trip to Portsmouth save David Wetherall not making the bench. Lee Sharpe is itching to play some part in the game after impressing in the reserves. Sharpe was on loan at Portsmouth for three months of last season.

News on new server

We are giving up on the people at simpleinfo.co.uk, our old old web servers, because they will not answer calls. Hopefully a new deal can be sorted out soon and we can return to boyfrombrazil.co.uk soon. Thanks for sticking with us. Also much of teh mail that has been sent to mail@boyfrombrazil.co.uk over the past week will probably be lost. Anyone wanting to send mail to us use mail at boyfrombrazil.freeserve.co.uk for now. Anyone who has sent mail over the last week should also resend it to that address.

Wednesday 15 August, 2001

Today's News by Michael Wood

Lee's Sharp

We told Roland Harris he should get out more, he did, but only as far as last night's reserve game with Bolton and Roland returned inspired by the play of one Lee Sharpe.

Ward wants goals

Ashley Ward says he wants to have 13 goals by November as opposed to last year's none until March. More power to him we say.

Trialists move about

Lee Makel has gone on trial at Motherwell after City failed to offer him a deal while M'sadekk Sennousi has returned to France unsure as to if he will be offered a one year loan at City. Jim Jefferies is said to be keen on the player but is at the maximum of the wage bill and needs to rid himself of players before signing any new ones.

Spurious Des Walker link

Rumour has it that City will look at out of contract Des Walker to solve the "defensive injury crisis" after David Wetherall and Peter Atherton both were ruled out for over a month. Wetherall's injury has been confirmed as a reoccurrence of the groin strain that kept him out of long spells last term.

Tuesday 14 August, 2001

Today's News by Michael Wood

Reserves lose opener

City's second string 2-0 lost to Bolton in the first game of the FA Premiership Reserve League North. £3.5m striker Dean Holdsworth scoring twice, something that may have been noted by Jim Jefferies who has admitted City are looking for a striker.

trialist Damian Lynch played a decent game while Lee Sharpe was very good despite being seen out on the beer at 3:15 in Newcastle on Saturday night.

Wetherall blow

David Wetherall has been taken out of training and may be out for up to a month after sustaining an injury on Monday. Peter Atherton has also been ruled out for a month leaving City short of centrebacks for the trip to Portsmouth on Saturday.

Lynch on trial

City are giving a trial to released Leeds defender Damian Lynch. He will play for the reserves against Bolton and could be offered a short term deal considering the news about David Wetherall and Peter Atherton.

Clarke Ipswich talk agian

Matt Clarke is once again being linked with a move to Ipswich who have failed in a bid to sign Mart Poom of Derby to replace New Gunner Richard Wright.

Prosnecki for Pompey debut

Croat legend Robert Prosnecki is set to make his debut for Portsmouth against City on Saturday after being granted a work permit on Tuesday.

Lucky escape

Walsall's winger Dino Minnillo, who almost joined City in the summer, has been released by the Midlands club after "failing to settle". He is expect to join a Greek side.

Welcome to our Valley Parade

Just like the Bulls are at VP while Odsal is done up, so BfB is back at Freeserve while the (INSERT WORD HERE) at Simple Internet fix the server that we normally live on which the broke on Friday. BfB will be back at www.boyfrombrazil.co.uk as soon as Simple Internet fix the service or we get hacked off with them not answering our calls and take our business elsewhere.

Monday 13 August, 2001

Today's News by Michael Wood

Town's Heary watched

Jim Jefferies has noted the name of Huddersfield's 20 year old right back Thomas Heary and will watch the player over the coming months before contemplating a bid.

Server down

BfB has been off line since Friday night. Sorry about that. It is not our fault, it is the fault of our web hosts.

Sunday 12 August, 2001

Today's News by Michael Wood

Ward inspires City to first day thumping of Tykes

Ashley Ward won his fitness battle and three points for the Bantams with a fine display as City routed Barnsley 4-0 at Valley Parade.

Are City the real deal?

Roland Harris reads through the papers and wonders why they are not convinced that City are the real deal after the 4-0 win over Barnsley.

Senoussi deal done but not dusted

Jim Jefferies and M'Saddek Senoussi have agreed a deal that will take the midfielder on loan to Valley Parade for a season, however, the deal haas hit a stumbling block along the way. It is thought that Jefferies has not the resources to bring the player in until he rids the club of one of it's reserve big earners (Peter Atherton and Lee Sharpe) or sells Matt Clarke.

Friday 10 August, 2001

Today's News by Michael Wood

Striker search fails

Jim Jefferies 11th hour search for cover for Ashley Ward has turned out fruitless with the club unable to find a striker that was available for loan or to buy within the club's price range. Informed opinion has it that City tried to buy Aaron Wilbraham of Stockport and another player who's identity we can only guess at (Darius Vassell of Villa?) but were put off by £1m plus price tags in both cases. Sunderland's Danny Dichio has been asked about for a loan but is not available despite his being left out of the Rokerites tour of Holland. Also unavailable when City called to see if he would be back from his injury was Michael Bridges of Leeds.

Thursday 09 August, 2001

Today's News by Michael Wood

City squad only want win bonus for being in the top ten

In a repeat of the 1998-99 system of rewarding the squad for wins in the top half of the table City's 2001-2002 squad have agreed that they will only be paid bonuses for victories and draws when City are in the top ten of the division.

A pool of bonuses will be shared amongst the 16 man squad for every result while in the top ten. That pool grows further should the Bantams be in the top six and further still should they be first or second. In 1998-1999 the 14 members of the match day squad shared £17,000 for wins within the top two places. A reported £10,000 for wins in the top six.

Geoffrey Richmond welcomed the news saying that it categorically stated that there was great belief in the club that this season would be successful. "It is very comforting for me as chairman, our manager Jim Jefferies and the supporters to know that the players believe they are going to do very well. I personally believe we will do very well this season." Said the chairman.

"It is very comforting for me as chairman, our manager Jim Jefferies and the supporters to know that the players believe they are going to do very well. I personally believe we will do very well this season." Richmond stated.

Clarke in the cold

Aidan Davison will be considered before Matt Clarke as Jim Jefferies rewarded the former for pledging his future to the club, something the latter refuses to do.

The Web

Olympique Lyonnais pong!

While looking for information on M'Saddek Senoussi of Lyon BfB enjoyed Olympique Lyonnais pong [flash required]

Wednesday 08 August, 2001

Today's News by Michael Wood

BBC tip City for the title

BBC Sport has backed Bradford City as a title contender for the Division One championship next season.

More on Senoussi

Since his shock trial for City against Huddersfield Town more is emerging about midfielder M'Saddek Senoussi. Senoussi is contracted to Lyon who are unwilling to sell the 23 year old but will allow him to join another club for a years loan to build up his experience. He contracted until 2002 with the French side.

Naturally right footed Senoussi plays in central midfield or on the right hand side and would fit into JJ's 433 alongside Stuart McCall (Holding midfielder) and Gareth Whalley (Left sided).

JJ has said the he would like to sign the player, although he would prefer to see him in action more, and so should City be able to do a deal with Lyon before Friday afternoon, Senoussi could make his debut on Saturday.

Tevreden not to be offered a contract

Dutch man Brian Tevreden failed to impress Jim Jefferies suitably last night and will not be offered a contract.

Tuesday 07 August, 2001

Today's News by Michael Wood

Huddersfield Town 0 Bradford City 0

A second string City team share the spoils with a local second division side.

Two on trial from Europe

City have taken French Division 3 side Creteil's striker M'Saddek Senoussi and Dutchman Brian Tevreden on trial. Both played in the 0-0 draw with Huddersfield on Tuesday night.

Brian Tevreden

Dutch right back born 17th of June 1969 in Amsterdam. Played for SC Heerenveen, Cambuur Leeuwarden, SC Telstar, FC Haarlem and Herenmarkt

M'Saddek Senoussi

Born 24th of September 1977 in Kebili, Tunisia but has a Fench passport. Started his career with Lyon before dropping to Creteil.

Monday 06 August, 2001

Today's News by Michael Wood

JJ wants another forward

Jim Jefferies has recognised City's weakness should solo target man Ashley Ward be injured. "Without him up there, we lack the inches in the air and a wee bit of a goal threat. If everybody's fit then we have a strong squad but our problems come if we get one or two injuries." Said the City boss. City have been offered Celtic's Tommy Johnson on a free this week but JJ is expected to look out for a more robust striker.

One deal mooted was a possible swap with Portsmouth that would see Lee Mills return and Lee Sharpe join Pompey.

Saturday 04 August, 2001

Today's News by Michael Wood

Bradford City 0 Blackburn Rovers 2

City lose a pedestrian friendly 2-0 to Premiership Blackburn.

Friday 03 August, 2001

Today's News by Michael Wood

Makel signing depends on Clarke move

Jim Jefferies has revealed that even though he may like to offer a contract to Lee Makel or attempt to make other signings the club's wage bill is at a maximum at the moment. JJ must wait until Matt Clarke or one of the other unsettled players moves before he has funds to work with. Jeffeires may also be interested in ridding the club of highly paid Peter Atherton and/or Lee Sharpe to give more scope for an offer to Makel.

Jefferies eyes McNaughton?

Aberdeen's 19 year old right back Kevin McNaughton is believed to have interested Jim Jefferies. The young full back is capable of playing down both sides but is naturally right footed. Don's central midfielder Cato Guntveit has also caught the Jefferies eye but a move for the 27 year old midfielder/wing back is thought less likely than one for the younger man.

GR to decide on Dons

Geoffrey Richmond will sit on the committee that will decide on Wimbledon's proposed move to Milton Keynes described as "An absolute calamity for us" by Don's fan Niall Couper who point out that such a move would "Set a nasty precedent for dozens of other cash-strapped clubs"

City fans wanting to support the Dons can go to wisa.org.uk or weirdandwonderfulworld.com to add weight to their campaign or contact GR at City and lobby him because, as Niall points out, they did get relegated for us so we sort of caused this sticky mess they are in.

City's pies rated 5th best in UK football

City's famed Chicken Balti pie has been rated 5th in Total Football's King Pie contest getting an 88% approval rating. "Wonderful pastry, fantastic curry sauce and lean chicken breast. Superb!" said an expert taster. Of course on the subject of pies BfB bows to the knowledge of once Watford, now Reading Mick Cutherbertson when he says "Balti pies are a crime against nature."

Wednesday 01 August, 2001

Today's News by Michael Wood

Richmond wants Pig Bag

The masses have spoken as to what they would like to hear City run onto Valley Parade to and the Skids Into The Valley would seem to be the popular choice, however, Geoffrey Richmond favours the tune Pig Bag by Pig Bag as heard at the Riverside Stadium, Middlesbrough and without prejudging the final debates on the subject one might suggest that Richmond has the decision in the (pig) bag.

Carbone back

Benito Carbone returned to training with City after his expended stay in Italy.

Ward: Tour will do us good

Ashley Ward believes that the experience of being big boys to be shot at as opposed to little boys to do the shooting will stand City in good stead for next season's division one campaign.

New City site planned for September launch

Bradford City's official site is to be re-launched on the 1st of September and, if the word in the web designers who do football site's community is to be believed, it will be a branded version of the new NTL affiliated site that over 50 clubs have agreed to switch to.

Birmingham City's official site was the first of this type to be launched and although it looks reasonable, it is a long way from what web sites should be (Try looking at it on your PDA, try using a aural browser like the deaf do...) but more importantly it will rob the Bantams site of it's individuality.

The current site has it's faults, but what is does well it does very well. The news is well presented, the forum works well and advertising is kept to a minimum. Instead, should the site change to the ad filled generic Birmingham have, we will lose tidy important news to tempting "click here" style headlines designed to draw you in and spawn yet another advert. Of course ad bringing money into the club should be no bad thing but ad's don't work on-line.

The month by month news index.