Saturday 31 May, 2003

Today's News by Michael Wood

Norwich looking at Roche?

Norwich City are reported to be interested in signing Manchester United's Lee Roche who, it is believed, was offered a contract by City last week. Meanwhile Crewe's Dave Walton is the latest name to be linked to City although at thirty he would seem to be outside of the age band that Nicky Law is looking to work within.

Former Bantams sacked

Two former City man have been unexpectedly sacked this weekend. Terry Dolan said he was not on the way to Rochdale this on Friday, on Saturday York gave him the chop while Mike Newell, who had a month on loan at Valley Parade, took Hartlepool into Division Two after Chris Turner jumped ship for Sheffield Wednesday and was rewarded with the sack.

Telegram from Brazil

BfB's own Jim Ramsden has been made an honest man of. Congratulations to Jim and Nicola.

Ipswich out of Administration

Ipswich Town's CVA has been passed and the club are now coming out of administration. Having done this over the last twelve months City and City fans can testify to the generally rubbish nature of the situation and the relief that the Portman Road side must feel now.

Friday 30 May, 2003

Today's News by Michael Wood

Dundee United give up on Combe

The BBC are reporting that Dundee United have given up their attempts to resign Alan Combe and that the keeper will be on his way to City next week.

Thursday 29 May, 2003

Today's News by Michael Wood

City offer contracts to six

City have offered deals to six players as Nicky Law begins to shape his new team at Valley Parade. Law confirmed "We've spoken to six people and they've now had offers made to them, the ball's in their court now and we're just waiting for them to come back with a decision. Everyone knows the financial constraints we're working under here, but I still think the offers we've made are good ones. I want to get the ball rolling as soon as possible and so we've moved now rather than wait until later in the summer."

Law continued with a certain vagueness saying "I've spoken to two or three lads from the Premier League and then there's one from the first division and another from a top-flight league that isn't the Premier League. I've also spoken to someone from one of the lower leagues - his contract's up and I think he's a far better player than the level he's playing at." We do not know for sure who the players are but these are...

BfB's educated guesses

Concluding Law said "The majority are young players between the ages of 20 and 25 because that's the market that we're concentrating on. I'd rather sign younger lads anyway because they're hungry and desperate to prove themselves. We've got some older heads at the club to help them out and I'm confident that everyone we bring in will be more than good enough to hold their own in the first division."

It's not McCall over yet

What will we do when Stuart McCall retires and headline writers can no longer make puns based on his name? If Stuart signs the one year contract that Sheffield United have offered him today we shall not have to find out for another season at least.

Aberdeen in for Centenary Tournament

Aberdeen will be playing in the Bradford City Centenary Tournament at VP on 26/27 of July, 2003.

Frannie looking forward to England and back at City

Simon Francis, who joins up with the England u18 squad this week, has spoken about a season that has seen him catapulted from college footballer to England u18 player. Francis said "It is one thing on top of another. It just seems to get better and better for me. When I think a year ago I was playing college football, now I am representing my country in a Tournament abroad and it still hasn't sunk in. I can't thank the club enough for giving me a chance. I was happy enough just to be playing for the Youth Team then I was in the Reserves and almost straight away I found myself in the First Team and managed 25 games. If somebody had said that all this would happen to me I would have laughed at them. I keep pinching myself to prove that it's for real!"

Hamilton gone

Des Hamilton, one of City's two scorers at Wembley, has been released by Cardiff City.

Wednesday 28 May, 2003

Today's News by Michael Wood

The wedding speech

BfB's own Jim Ramsden is getting married and has put his thoughts on paper, thanking all the people who have made a difference in his wedding speech.

Wolves keen on Lewis

Wolves are reported to be interested in signing Lewis Emanuel although have yet to come to City with an offer. The Bantams are thought to favour a lump sum plus bonuses deal for the left back who turned down the offer of a new deal.

Norwich surprised at Jorgi link

Norwich manager Nigel Worthington is playing down his link with Claus Jorgensen "I don't know where that one came from - it certainly wasn't from me, Jorgensen is one one of a long list of players who are available on a Bosman during the summer, that's as far as it goes."

Tuesday 27 May, 2003

Today's News by Michael Wood

Gray plays

Andy Gray got a second Scotland cap in the 1-1 draw with New Zealand.

Roche on his way

Swindon Town manager Andy King would like to sign Manchester United's Lee Roche but has confessed that after talks with the player and his representatives it seems like Roche will be joining Bradford City.

Combe: I wish I were a Bantam

Alan Combe has a mind to join City next season. The Dundee United keeper said "I can't say that Bradford is where I'm going to be next season because I don't know myself but it's fantastic that they are still interested in me and with all that's happened I've been thinking that I would love to go there. I wish it had happened sooner but the club's financial position wasn't great although that seems to be sorted out now."

Wetherall on this year and last

David Wetherall has been speaking about City's season pasted and the one ahead weighing up the prospects of the future thus "I don't know what team we will have but there is the makings of a half-decent one here. Ever since I've been here we've always been accused of being too old. Now I think we're going to get that balance. A team full of kids isn't right but neither is one made up of 33-year-olds. You need that mix and I'm sure that is what the gaffer is trying to get. The bones have got to be built on over the summer and I'm sure the gaffer and the chairman have got players in mind. It's just a case of finding out if they are good enough. But from the club's point of view it augurs well for the future that young lads like Simon Francis, Danny Forrest and Ben Muirhead have come in and done very well. I'm a bit loathed to heap too much pressure on them but they have set their standards and next season will be all about improving on those."

Speaking about last season the City skipper said "Pretty much everybody concerned with the club has to be reasonably satisfied with the way the season went, at the end of it we'd achieved what the bookies didn't think we would and survived in Division One. Before the start of the season everybody was writing us off. We were favourites everywhere to be relegated. The bookies obviously thought we wouldn't have any players and if we did come back, we'd be so dispirited that we wouldn't have the heart to battle it out. I think that was dispelled on the first day of the season when we got the draw against Wolves."

McCall misses out

Stuart McCall's Sheffield United failed to turn up at the play off final allowing Wolves and easy 3-0 win. McCall played the second half, revitalising The Blades but the tie was already beyond them at that point.

Caldwell for Portugal?

Fellow Bantam on loan Stephen Caldwell is rumoured to be interesting Sporting Lisbon.

No Williams

Rumours that City had signed Gifton Noel-Williams of Watford were wide of the mark, he joined Stoke City on a free transfer over the weekend.

Monday 26 May, 2003

Today's News by Michael Wood

Combe: "It looks like a deal"

Speaking after the final game of the season Alan Combe publicly stated that he is almost certainly joining City next year. Combe said "My agent has been in talks with Bradford and it looks like a deal, but I don't know what is happening at the moment.

Combe played his last game for Dundee United, signing off by gifting a goal to Aberdeen after a shot by Steve Tosh slipped through his fingers. Combe said "It is one of the worst mistakes a goalkeeper can make and, unfortunately for me, it has happened. People are disappointed by it, no one more so than myself, as we wanted to go out on a high. It was the worst shot of the game. It was the easiest shot I had to deal with all game. Maybe it was too easy for me and I took my eye off it and it slipped through my gloves. It was the last game and I had it all worked out - I was going to throw my jersey and my gloves into the crowd, but after a mistake like that they might have thrown my gloves back at me!"

Jacobs: "Stuart is inspirational"

Speaking to the Sheffield press about today's Divison One play off final between Wolves and Sheffield United Wayne Jacobs sung the praises of a former team mate "Stuart is inspirational. I think it's fair to say that everyone in Bradford wants them to win just because of the Stuart McCall factor. No other reason, people just want to see Stuart win promotion again. I know the fans appreciated what Dean Windass did while he was here and will be pleased that he is doing well for Sheffield United. But it's Stuart that everyone wants to see win."

Former Bantams back in Division One

Gareth Whalley and Des Hamilton returned to Division One with Cardiff City after the 1-0 play off final win over QPR. Lennie Lawrence, Cardiff's manager, is also a former Bantam and one would think that we would be happy for our former boys but frankly the Bluebird's visits to VP are never pleasant and a trip to London would not have been a bad thing.

Sunday 24 May, 1903

Football League accept Bradford City

New Association Football club to play in League

Bradford City AFC, the proposed reworking of Manningham Rugby Football club, have been accepted into the Football League without ever playing a game provided the members vote for the switch to Association Football at the forthcoming vote on the 29th May, 1903 at St Paul's Church School, Manningham.

To mark the occasion the promoters have hired the upstairs room at the Belle Vue tonight for a celebration of the birth of West Yorkshire's newest football club.

Sunday 25 May, 2003

Today's News by Michael Wood

Windass walks out of The Blades

After being told that he may not even make the bench for Sheffield United in the play off final against Wolves on Monday Dean Windass has walked out of The Blades. Windass cost £250,000 six months ago.

Law looks at some, not at others

Nicky Law is said to be looking at signing Hartlepool's out of contract defender Graeme Lee after the 24 year old stuttered on a new deal at the Victoria Ground. Lee is also a target for Sheffield Wednesday. 27 year old Port Vale skipper Matt Carragher, who has also been freed by his club, has peaked Law's interest.

Barnsley's 28 year old Bruce Dyer is not thought to be on Nicky Law's shopping list despite his regular links to VP elsewhere unless by one freak chance Ashley Ward finds another club. Crewe's Rodney Jack, who has had his contract offer withdrawn by the Gresty Road side, has been mentioned at VP as has West Brom midfielder Matt Collins.

Phil Babb has been released by Sunderland, but we can only dream of a return for the Babbster.

Saturday 24 May, 2003

Today's News by Michael Wood

Tod will not feature for City

Andy Tod has been told that he has no future at Bradford City owing to the hanging £25,000 payment that would be activated should the player take to the field for the Bantams again. Gordon Gibb confirmed "We've bargained on life without Andy in terms of our plans for the future. We don't think there is an immediate need for him at centre-half, his strongest position. And we don't want to play him out of position and have to pay that figure, especially early in the season when by definition there is no such thing as a crunch game. It's something Andy will have to consider and I'm sure we'll hear from him and his agent." Tod has been on loan at Dundee United for the last four months.

Friday 23 May, 2003

Today's News by Michael Wood

City keen on Llewellyn

Bradford City are keen on former 23 year old Norwich City winger Chris Llewellyn. Welsh international Llewellyn has also been in talks with home town club Swansea City about a move as well as clubs from Divisions One, Two and Three and from the Scottish Premier Division.

Llewellyn made his international debut aged 18 and big things were expected at Carrow Road and in Cardiff. Things obviously have not panned out so well at the Canaries and the winger has been freed to find another club.

E-Bay seller apologises to City fans

The seller of a copy of the News Of The World from 12th of May, 1985 has apologised to Bradford City folowers for any offence that may have been caused. Michelle mailed BfB to say "I offer my sincere apologies for any hurt, grief, or sorrow that was caused by my newspaper, and rest assured that the articles I have are going to a place where their loved ones memories will live on in the hearts of others whom also lost their loved ones in the tradgedy."

The seller, Michelle, has also forwarded two other newspapers to the buyer stating "I would not want to hurt or cause grief to anybody which was definately not my intention. Because [the buyer] has brought this article to show his children how and under what terrible circumstances his Father and Brothers and Aunt died, I have told him I am sending him the paper, along with other papers pertaining to this tradgedy for his children to have some memorial of their relatives. And of course under these circumstances I would not be charging him."

Tod back

Andy Tod will rejoin City after his loan at Dundee United. Ian McCall said "Andy has been excellent for us. He is an honest type and I am grateful for what he has done but he is still under contract for another year at Bradford City and we are going to send him back

K-League block Icons

Busan Icons will not be playing in the Bradford City Centenary Tournament after the K-League refused to allow them to rearrange their fixture for the weekend of 26/27 July. Shaun Harvey spoke for all saying "Naturally we are very disappointed at the news, especially as it was intimated that the rearrangement of their game would be no problem."

Gray's Scotland future arrives

Andy Gray, who has featured in many Scotland Future squad, has been called into the real Scotland squad the forthcoming games with New Zealand and Germany.

McHugh pits pen to paper

Frazer McHugh has signed the one year contract Nicky Law offered after the City boss was impressed with the player who joined the club on trial at the end of the season.

Myers and Davison talking to Ronnie

Rotherham boss Ronnie Moore is believed to be keen on signing up Andy Myers and Aidan Davison.

Bowyer and Woodgate, together again

Lee Bowyer on how he intends to dislodge England Internationals Keiron Dyer and Jermaine Jenas from the right side of the midfield at Newcastle United... "I thought it's chance them for a bit then kick them in the heads."

Thursday 22 May, 2003

Today's News by Michael Wood

PJ pens new deal

Paul Jewell has put pen to paper of a deal that will keep him at Wigan until the Summer of 2006 although Wigan fans should note that Jewell was under contract at Bradford City when he decided he would leave and the document did not prevent the then Bantam boss from joining Sheffield Wednesday.

Jewell has cash to flash at Wigan and is looking at making a challenge for one of the six play off spots next season. Should Jewell take Wigan up, which is not out of the question when one considers that next term the likes the most ordinary team in the division Norwich City will be due a play off place, then one would have to start looking at where PJ's career will take him.

With two promotions at such a young age Paul Jewell could be the new Graham Taylor, which is a good thing, sort of.

£22 profit from the City dead

As detailed below a copy of The News of the World from the 12th of May, 1985 has been sold on E-Bay for £22. If you have an opinion a person making profit out of the death of Bradford City fans you could get in touch with the seller Michelle through E-Bay [You may have to register].

Our mails with the buyer

BfB mailed the buyer of this item to see what he had to say. His response is below.

Please could you tell BfB readers why you have paid £22 for a newspaper, if I can use such a word to describe The News Of The World, about the Fire at Valley Parade that killed 56 people?

This is not an attack on you however many of my readers are disgusted that the seller has made profit out of the deaths of our families and friends and I am curious as to your reasons for buying this article.
Thanks

Dear Michael
With all due respect, the reason I bought the [newspaper] for, is to show my children, how and where there grandfather died, there uncles, and aunt. I am a Bradford lad now living state side. I never made the match that day, I was working away from home, the grim memory of that day is tattoed in my heart.

I do not blame you for being annoyed, I know how you feel, I just had to have something from that tragic infamous day, I may not view the paper the way you do, but I respect you opinion.
Sincerly Rich.

Tod might be coming back

Dundee United boss Ian McCall, who seems to be having a much greater influence on City these days than he ever managed when he used to trundle up and down the left wing for us, is to decide what he will do with on loan defender Andy Tod before Saturday's final SPL games. Presently it looks like McCall will let Tod return to City.

City might play Barnsley

City might play Barnsley on the 2nd of August in a friendly unless the Bantams can line up a Premiership club to play.

Keeper Gray rumour

City are rumoured to be interested in Rotherham's recently released keeper Ian Gray. Gray is six foot two, a good height for a keeper me thinks, was born in Manchester and has previously played for Stockport and Rochdale after coming through the ranks at Oldham.

Wednesday 21 May, 2003

Today's News by Michael Wood

E-Bay selling post-Fire items

You may have your own opinions on someone selling a copy of the News of the World from the day after the fire on eBay and you might want to express your views to this person by through E-Bay [You may have to register].

Our mails with the seller

After this was brought to our attention and we has viewed the some what sensational selling page we mailed the seller to ask for the item to be withdrawn.

Good morning,
You are selling a newspaper on the strength of it's connection to the Bradford City Fire Disaster in 1985 in which 56 people died. You are profiting from those deaths, something that I and many people in Bradford and Lincoln find deeply distasteful and something that I would be forced bring up elsewhere should you continue to profit from our misery.

May I suggest you contact Valley Parade, home of Bradford City, and offer to donate this to the club's records of that tragic day as opposed to trying to make money from it.
Yours
BfB

Good Morning Michael
I am very sorry if this paper has offended you in any way and can assure you that is not my intention. The papers for sale as you will see from many others which I am selling have been collected over many years, and as such they hold a great deal of historical content, and in no way are they intended to capitalise on anybody's grief.

As you will see there are papers which contain the Aberfan Disaster, The Zeebrugge Disaster, Princess Diana's Death, Churchills Death, John Lennons Death, all part of History, and many collecters buy these papers. Some collecters have brought many of these papers specifically for Archives of these disasters.

Please accept my apologies if this item has offended you or the people of Bradford as capitalising on grief is definately not my intention and these papers are sold for historical reference.

I thank you for your concern, and take on board your comments.
Yours sincereley
Michelle

Here at BfB we agree with Michelle's assertion that newspapers, even stretching the term to include the News of the World, are important historical documents worth preserving but we feel that the tone of the selling page and the profit being made from this sale are inappropriate. You may have your own opinions and can contact Michelle through E-Bay [You may have to register] with them.

Youds freed from Town

City's Wembley skipper Eddie Youds has been freed from Huddersfield Town. Highly rated full back and one time City target Thomas Heary has also been let go by the Third Division outfit.

Yes, read it back: "The Third Division outfit", sounds so good doesn't it?

Gray gets twenty for Scotland

Andy Gray came on for the last twenty minutes as Scotland Future beat Northern Ireland B 2-1.

City in Scotland

City will play Falkirk on Saturday 19 July, 2003 and Raith Rovers on Tuesday the 22nd.

Tuesday 20 May, 2003

Today's News by Michael Wood

Bantams close to signing Roche

Nicky Law is set to make a second raid of Manchester United's Old Trafford to add Lee Roche to former Red Devil Ben Muirhead who signed for the club last week. Roche, a right back, is looking for first team football and with the unmoveable Gary Neville in front of he has decided that it will most likely come away from the Champions.

The increasingly vocal Gordon Gibb said "To sign Lee would be great news, these young lads have been brought up with the right values at a club like Manchester United and though they may still be young, they are experienced in playing at a higher level and with better players. Lee wants to play regular first-team football and he sees that he has an opportunity to do that here with us. He does not believe that he will have much of a chance to break through into the United first team and we are in the market for a right-sided defender because Gus Ulhenbeek has left us."

Monday 19 May, 2003

Today's News by Michael Wood

Lester on Law's list?

Nicky Law is a confirmed admirer of Nottingham Forest's former Grimsby Town man Jack Lester and will have pricked up his ears when he heard that Lester has been released by the City Ground club.

Yorath no dignity

Yesterday Terry Yorath told the world that he wanted to be Huddersfield manager, today he coughs up that he wants to be Fulham's number two. Hardly the most dignified way to act.

Molenaar: I'll be back

Robert Molenaar is planning to play on for a further two season. Bob, nicknamed The Terminator, is hoping that the third instalment of James Cameron's robots from the future franchise will help reignite his career. Molenaar should have said "Everyone is getting excited about the release of the new film [Terminator 3, Rise of the Machines] and the test screening's have been good. I'm hoping that the idea of large men causing mayhem will come back in and someone will give El Boberino a call for next season."

The Sun link Sheringham

The last bastion of honesty in the press, The Sun, reported that Teddy Sheringham was to join City on a free transfer. After a weekend of head scratching BfB decided that they had probably unearthed a link between Cockney Nicky Law and Teddy from the former Spurs man's time at Millwall. Nevertheless the rumours is not so much a non-starter as it was shot in the sables however should Ted decide to play out the twilight of his career for £1,500 a week in the Grim North we would be happy to have him.

Proctor gets BBC award

Michael Proctor has become something of a legend at Bradford City, decent strikers being our Dulcinea, but the BBC have given him an award for his two own goals for Sunderland.

Sunday, 18 May, 2003

Today's News by Michael Wood, Keiron Brear, Chico Hepton, Kevin Narey, S Narey and Kieran Wilkinson

Jorgensen's Norwich link strengthens

Newspapers have started to link Claus Jorgensen to Norwich City. Claus, you could do better.

Tinnion gets coaching role

Former City man Brian Tinnon has been given a coaching role at Bristol City leading BfB to think about which or the more recent former Bantams players had management and coaching jobs. Our shortlist...

Cityites with management profiles

Both Jon Ford and Carl Shutt have been sacked as managers in the last month, one from Bromsgrove Rovers and the other from Kettering although Shutty might be required for a return to Leeds should the current player exodus continue.

Mail us with anymore you can think of.

Friday 16 May, 2003

Today's News by Michael Wood

Centenary game off

The game between City circa 1996 and the Bantams of 1999 has been called off after Stuart McCall et al pulled out because they were in the play offs and other players went on holiday. The game will be fitted into the pre-season in July.

Combe McGuffin for Marshall and Milosevic

Word has reached BfB that City's interest in Alan Combe is a bit of misdirection and that the Bantams two keeping targets are former Ipswich and Norwich keeper Andy Marshall and the man who has seen Paul Robinson surge past him at Leeds, Danny Milosevic.

City tempt Atherton with coaching offer

Nicky Law would like Peter Atherton to rejoin City and take a place in the coaching set up at Valley Parade. Law said "Peter is so versatile and has a big influence on and off the pitch. He's a great person to have around the place and everybody respects him. He's got a very level head and I can see him going into coaching and possibly into management. That's why I tell him to make sure he does all the coaches badges. I see Peter as the ideal candidate to do what Stuart McCall has done at Sheffield United. As well as playing, Stuart has a hand in the reserves and working with the young boys and Peter should be doing a job like that. Pete's had his injuries during the season but has still made a massive contribution. The young lads look up to him. He praises the lads and helps them along but he isn't scared to give them a rollicking when it's warranted."

At £12,000 a week Atherton was behind only Ashley Ward and David Wetherall in the wage league at City and it is thought that the new offer City are making is much, much lower but with Atherton being a sensible chap the Bantams offer has not been rejected out of hand. Shaun Harvey commented on the negotiations with Atherton "Discussions are on-going in a very sensible manner. All parties understand the position and I certainly haven't given up hope of Peter Atherton being a Bradford City player next season."

It would seem that Atherton's level of respect in the club is greater than it is in the stands. Atherton has never won over the Valley Parade faithful but rather gets a grudging respect for his honest play and the fact that no matter how foolish and poor his signing was, he was not Ian Nolan.

Being good costs City

The forthcoming game between the promotion squad of 1996 and 1999 has suffered a few withdrawals after members of those teams reached the play off finals. Stuart McCall is the most notable absentee after Sheffield United lumped their way to Cardiff, Dean Windass will also not be back after the Blades' success. Cardiff themselves will be playing in the Second Division final with Gareth Whalley from 1999 and the goal machine that was Des Hamilton away.

Fellow Wembley scorer Mark Stallard will be returning and some suggestion has it that Nicky Law will be watching with one eye on bringing the Notts County man back to Valley Parade.

Thursday 15 May, 2003

Today's News by Michael Wood

Hearts to steal Combe?

BBC Scotland are reporting that Hearts will sign Alan Combe in the summer. Combe, who was expected to join City, is being lined up as a replacement for Antti Niemi.

Jorgi going: BfB gets mean

Gordon Gibb has confirmed that Claus Jorgensen will be leaving City after rejecting the club's best offer of a new deal. Gibb said "It's safe to assume that Claus will be playing elsewhere next year. We had a chat with his agent, who is Andy Gray's father, and quoted him the figure and were told that it was not acceptable. Claus scored some very valuable goals for which we were obviously grateful for. But when we made the offer we had to weigh up his pluses and minuses in terms of the squad for next season. We had to ask ourselves if Claus was going to be an 11-goal a season man every year. We don't think he is going to contribute that amount of goals every time so we will have to look somewhere else for that." Norwich and Burnley are the rather unimpressive destinations that Jorgensen is tipped to be travelling.

Here at BfB we are big fans of Jorgi from old but because he has basically left the club to join one of our rivals who will pay him a little bit more folding green we have decided that we will apply to Claus the stringency we apply to Ashley Ward or Aidan Davison...

If Jorgi was Wardy

For a start what is Jorgensen's best position? He is a little too light for the centre of a first division midfield and needs looking after by a minder like Tom Kearney meaning that if you play Jorgi in that position, you are forced to make him the only creative point in that area which makes the pattern of play too predictable. HE does not get wide enough to play on the wing and his crossing is not of a high enough quality to play that role. He is very good at drifting into forward positions but can be guilty of leaving the defensive duties to others and lets face it the fact that both the City managers who had him did not really want him suggests that something off the field must be wrong.

Wednesday 14 May, 2003

Today's News by Michael Wood

Law looking at Blondel?

Some kind of whisper [Rumour rating 3/10] has reached BfB that Nicky Law is looking at Spurs Jonathan Blondel and that the Bantams might be interested in taking the player on a season long loan deal. It is thought that Law will rethink his approach to loan deals following last season's mixed bag and is keen to use the long term rules to bring in aspiring Premiership players on cheap rates.

Tuesday 13 May, 2003

Today's News by Michael Wood

Jackson's Town bid gives Emanuel a conflict of interest

Lewis Emanuel's future at City could be being adversely effected after his agent, Peter Jackson, revealed that he would be interested in retaking the manager's job with one of City's rivals Huddersfield Town. Jackson, who represents Emanuel for agent Hayden Evans' organisation said when asked about the Town job following Terry Fisher's takeover "Everybody knows my affection for the club. I had a great time here as a manager and a player. I would obviously be interested if the job became available and they asked me."

A man who has his sights on being a club manager in the short to medium term is an obvious conflict of interest with the possibility of the agent/manager Jackson pushing his player towards a club that could reward that involvement with favourable terms on other deals when Jackson is in the Town job. Obviously should Lewis join, for example, Blackburn and then Rovers allow Jackson's Town to have a few good young players on loan the spectre of a impropriety would lurk.

BfB suggests that City ask Hayden Evans, who also represents David Wetherall, to replace Jackson or that Evans suspend Jackson the situation at Huddersfield is resolved. That or Lewis Emanuel phone his agent and ask how exactly Jackson trying to take over a club that he has previously attempted to get City's young midfielder to join is the best representation he can have.

Francis in u18s

Simon Francis has been picked for the England u18s to play in an u18s Tournament in Portugal at the start of June.

Wolleaston to be a Bantam soon

Shaun Harvey has confirmed that City are in advanced discussions with Chelsea's Robert Wolleaston over joining City. Harvey said "Discussions have started and are at an advanced stage. Robert is still under contract at Chelsea at this moment in time but we are trying to conclude a deal very quickly. Nicky rates him highly and we think he has got every chance of becoming a good player for us."

Wolleaston, who featured twice for City's reserves, was physically likened to Nicola Anelka in his younger days. He was regarded as something of a prospect at Chelsea but the influx of foreign talent has prevented that club from brining any player through in the past ten years. City's last signing from Chelsea was the infamous Dan Petrescu for £1m.

Teams line up for tournament

City have some good names lined up for the four team centenary tournament the club are planning. Visitors could include Aberdeen, Paris St Germain, Austria Vienna, Sergio Pinto's Schalke 04 and South Koreans Busan. Shaun Harvey was especially keen on Busan saying "To bring over a team from one of the fastest developing football nations will increase the exposure of Bradford. And they are interested in coming to play us to boost the experience within their squad. We all saw during the World Cup how fast football is progressing in South Korea and hopefully this will be a fantastic opportunity for our supporters to see this close up."

McHugh signs deal

Frazer McHugh has signed a one year deal with Bradford City leaving he bright lights of Halesowen Town for Valley Parade after two six out of ten performances at the back end of the Bantams season.

Jewell looking at play offs

Paul Jewell believes that with four or five signings his Wigan side can get into teh First Division play offs next season.

City line up for CM4

Those interested in maintaining the club proper name will turn cartwheels over the fact that the Bantams are now known as Bradford City and not Bradford in version 3 of Championship Manager 4.

Monday 12 May, 2003

Today's News by Michael Wood

Preseason games

City have started to shape the pre-season schedule:

Law to have a go

Nicky Law was heard on Radio Five Live singing the praises of Gordon Gibb and Julian Rhodes for the even handed approach the club they have shown. The City boss stated that he would be bringing in between eight and twelve new faces to VP and that he thought next season would be time to "have a real go" at the division.

Sunday 11 May, 2003

Today's News by Michael Wood

McCall back in Bradford for memorial service

Stuart McCall joined City's longest serving player Wayne Jacobs and club captain David Wetherall at the annual memorial service held in Centenary Square, Bradford, remembering the 56 supporters who lost their lives in the Bradford Fire at Valley Parade 18 years ago. City chairman Gordon Gibb took over wreath laying duties form Geoffrey Richmond.

Saturday 10 May, 2003

Today's News by Michael Wood

Memorial service

The memorial service for those who suffered in the Bradford Fire in 1985 will be held on Sunday 11 May at 11.00 in Centenary Square.

Links begin

City are being linked with any number of players since the word got out that the Bantams are hiring. The rumour range from the reasonable, such as Steve Banks coming back as keeper, to the ridiculous such as David Ginola.

Interesting links include Luke Beckett, the signing of whom cost Nicky Law's Chesterfield nine points for back hand payments and Simon Donelly formerly of Celtic and most recently doing knack all for Sheffield Wednesday.

Swindon's Danny Invincible's name has been raised as has fancy foreigner Johnathon Edvardson, Matthew Etherington from horrible Spurs and Simon Johnson and David Batty from Leeds United.

Back in the world of more concrete rumours BfB has it on fairly good authority that Gifton Noel Williams, Alan Combe, John Oster and Robert Wolleaston will be joining City in the next few months.

Liverpool win remembered

Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier has recalled the 1-0 defeat to City that cost the Red's a Champions League place back in May 2000. In the past BfB has suggested that the game, settled by a single David Wetherall header, represents the pinicle of supporting City.

Friday 9 May, 2003

Today's News by Roland Harris

Jacko bites back

Lewis Emanuel's sgent Peter Jackson has responded the Gordon Gibb's commewnts that City's young left midfielder is bieng badly advised saying "It is a very straightforward case of the improvement offered, given that Lewis is already one of the lowest-paid players at the club, is insufficient. I refute the allegations that he has been badly advised. The decision not to accept the deal and to put in a transfer request was arrived at after lengthy discussions with Lewis' family. Our involvement is very much necessary when the club have utilised the services of the player on an extremely low salary and by their own admission simply 'want to get the paperwork done.'"

Jackson continued "It is my position to protect the player's interests. In this particular case, as there is no compromise from the club, the player is left with no choice. The transfer request is not designed to cause a stir, as the chairman claimed, but is simply a correct and factual way to deal with our client's response to what he and we believe was a derisory offer."

Former Grattan man of the year Jackson concluded "There is absolutely no need for any of these amateur dramatics. The player is happy to continue to do what he has always done, which is to give 100 per cent to Bradford City until such time as a better contract is offered or indeed a transfer affected."

Myers wanted by Gillingham

Gillingham boss Andy Hessenthaler has confimred that he is interested in former City man Andy Myers.

Fitness the key as Roe signs up

John Roe, who is turns out is City's Fitness Coach, will be staying with the club next season and has provided the players with a what you can and what you can't eat guide for the summer pig out months. Nicky Law is pleased to be keeping Roe about saying "John has come in and done a great job for us and has proved very popular with the players. That's a big part of it as well because when you bring somebody into this environment you have to be able to fit in which John has done well. It is no coincidence that the lads are looking stronger later in the games. I had identified the problems I felt we had about our general fitness and the injuries we were picking up and John has helped a lot on that side."

It's hard to see any modern day footballers not following this sort of fitness plan however, if you do see David Wetherall tucking into a bacon butty feel free to shout "Roe'll get ya!" at him.

Thursday 8 May, 2003

Today's News by Michael Wood

Reserves beaten 5-0 in final Premiership game

City's reserves were beaten 5-0 by Manchester City in the club's final game in the FA Premiership Reserve League North before the second string Bantams rejoin the lower league set up and one cannot help but feel that it will be a relief to all that the weekly thrashings will stop. However one recalls the games in which Danny Forrest impressed against Manchester United's second string and wonders if the experience of playing against better players, even if they are trashing you, may be beneficial.

Law cagey on Combe

Nicky Law has started rebuilding his squad for next season confirming his interest in Dundee United's Alan Combe saying "Alan [Combe] is obviously an option we've got, along with several other goalkeepers. Gary Walsh and Aidan Davison have been great servants for the club but it's probably time to change things. I need to get the age of the squad down."

Law explained why he has not seen Mrs Law for sometime saying "We've been out looking at games over the last couple of months on the understanding we would probably lose the players who've now gone. All along we tried to come up with deals to raise the money to keep some of them but we just couldn't do it. So I will now be talking to other players and their agents and hopefully getting some deals done as soon as possible before the start of next season. Building a squad for then starts now."

Meanwhile Bantam keeper in waiting Alan Combe has been offered a chance to stay with Dundee United although the 29 year old keeper is set to turn it down and leave the club, perhaps to join City. Combe said "I know Ian McCall has spoken about me possibly getting a new deal, you can never say never, but I'd say that was extremely unlikely. I think I'll be playing my football elsewhere when the season kicks off again maybe that will be the best thing for me. Maybe I need a new challenge."

Gray back to the future

Andy Gray is included in the Scotland Future squad against Northern Ireland in Glasgow on Tuesday 20 May. Stephen Caldwell is also in the squad.

Westwood freed

Ashley Westwood, who would have been one of the fourteen had he not been sent off two week previous in the promotion season, has been freed by Sheffield Wednesday. The Owls have also axed cheating Danny Maddix and big money former Celtic pair Phil O'Donnell and Simon Donnelly

Mehmet moves

Reported Nicky Law target Billy Mehmet has joined Dunfirmline.

Tuesday 7 May, 2003

Today's News by Michael Wood

Gibb: Mani is being badly advised

Gordon Gibb has spoken about Lewis Emanuel's transfer request after the 19 year old turned down City's offer of £400 a week. Gibb believes that Lewis is being badly advised, something BfB suggested yesterday evening, saying "We've had a letter that's obviously been written by his representative and whether Lewis understands the reality I don't know. We offered him the improved deal to show that he was valued and a big part of the squad. I think it's a case of an agent getting involved when there was really no need."

Gibb continued "It's very much in the boy's interests to get the paper work done so that he can concentrate on his career development. Then the next contract he signs will be an extremely lucrative one. Putting in a transfer request is a clear case of an agent spitting the dummy. It's a terrible decision and I just hope that Lewis is not too badly affected by this."

On a possible transfer Gibb said "This doesn't change anything with regards to our relationship with Lewis. He will continue to be a Bradford City player. Putting in a transfer request is dramatic and designed to cause a stir. But anybody who knows the financial state of the industry now knows that every Bradford player is available for transfer and it's the same at most clubs. We were offering more money for another two years plus a third year on top but Lewis feels he can get better, if at any stage there is a bid for him then we will consider it like we would for any player."

Meanwhile there has been suggestion that Emanuel's agent Peter Jackson already has another club lined up for the youngster with Sheffield United topping the list and Newcastle United, who offer Mani the chance to be the new Des Hamilton, also featuring.

Dealings with Peter Jackson are always difficult for City fans. While some players are called heroic for playing well on the field, Jackson's heroism stretches much further and post-May 1985 his role as City captain ran into areas that no one could have foreseen but Jackson performed superbly. However since then he went to Newcastle, returned for too much money, did knack all to justify that fee, went to Town and was good, managed Town until he was sacked and last season tried to get Lewis Emanuel to leave City to join the Terriers despite the facts that not only was Lewis not sacked in administration Town were heading for a worse financial situation than City. You want to love Jackson but the fact is since he left us he has been at best inept in his dealings and when it threatens the career of one of City's bright young things he becomes a worry.

Korean invited to centenary tournament

Gordon Gibb is hoping to make City's centenary tournamen a intercontinental affair having issued invites to a number of K-League teams hope to tap a market in Asia for English football. The Korean's were forth in last summer's World Cup, involved and it is estimated City could get £15,000 for the TV rights should a club from that nation be involved.

The long summer months #1

Forewarned is forearmed is the BfB motto for the summer months and to this effect we are planning what we will be doing on our Saturday afternoon's over the next few months starting with weekly trips to a proper cinema. BfB points all lost Bantams to the Pictureville in the nmpft, Bradford for...

Monday 6 May, 2003

Today's News by Michael Wood

The season might be over but the reserves are still losing

The Bantam reserves will be glad to be out of the weekly hammerings by Premiership squad men and after tonight's 3-0 defeat by Everton the second string only have a game with Manchester City to go before we exit the FA Premiership Reserves League North. Nick Chadwick got two and Leon Osman a single past a trialist Bantam keeper Craig Dootson who has been playing for Stalybridge Celtic.

The Bantams also fielded Welling United's Anthony Riviere, Middlesborough defender Jonathan Agbatar.

Emanuel hands in transfer request

Lewis Emanuel has handed in a transfer request after turning down a new three year deal with the Bantams. The club have exercised the option in his current contract for another two years, which would see City, get greater compensation should he leave. The club have stated that he does not want to go and that the three year offer is still on the table

Without wanting to be overtly critical of Lewis and the way he handles his career one cannot help but be reminded of the Robbie Blake/Darren Moore situation after the Bantams were promoted in 1999. Both Moore and Blake's agents told their players to hold out for more money or for a transfer to a club that would pay more as an attempt to strong arm City into offering a better deal. Neither benefited from this tactic and one doubts Emanuel will.

Bradford City have been more than accommodating of Mani, who has had problems in the past that have been kept out of the public eye in no small part thanks to the club, and while no one expects loyalty in football one hopes that reckless actions of the agent chasing a larger signing on fee do not ruin a promising career. In this case it is former City man Peter Jackson advising the City midfielder and without putting too fine a point on it if I were Lewis Emanuel I would have fired the man who told me to join Huddersfield Town, a third division club whos players have put them into liquidation, a long time ago.

Jacobs on the end of the season and next year

Wayne Jacobs has spoken about the end of the season at Valley Parade saying "What has happened in the last few days is still an after-effect of being relegated. Even two years on, it is still hitting us. We took the big hit of relegation from the Premiership and on the back of that going into administration. It has just not stopped and that is the sole reason so many players have had to go. It affects every club who goes down. When you look at someone like Sheffield Wednesday dropping into the Second Division it's incredible but hopefully that is now it. This will signal the end of those dark days and we can start to look forward again."

On the outcome of this year City's longest serving player said "The mood is a bit sullen and down because people are leaving. It's always hard to say goodbye to good friends you've played with for years but credit to everybody involved for achieving our goal of staying up. We must not under-estimate that because there has been so much chopping and changing with what happened at the start of the season. It's been a great achievement and I think the fans appreciate it."

On next term Jakes said "It is going to be an interesting time for everyone and I'm sure the optimism will start to rise. Hopefully when we come back the clock will be set at zero and we can all start looking forward again."

Names on contracts

Nicky Law favourite Paul Reid has signed the one year deal the club offered him today while everybody's favourite Simon Francis has signed a pro contract until June 2006 with an option of another season.

Sunday 4 May, 2003

Today's News by Michael Wood

City end season in a slump

Portsmouth get 5-0 win at VP

City lost a forth game on the trot as Portsmouth got a 5-0 win at VP

Gibb pension fund aquires Valley Parade

City go into the second 100 years not owning Valley Parade although the new landlord, The Gibb Pension Fund, are just about the most amicable benefactor that the Bantams could wish for and in buying the ground Gordon Gibb has ensured the club has an economically viable future.

The Gibb pension fund has agreed a 50-year lease with City on VP which will mean that should we still be writing BfB when we are pushing eighty then this could become an issue again.

2002-2003 Review

Saturday 3 May, 2003

Today's News by Michael Wood

Jorgi knocks back the Bantams

Claus Jorgensen is set to join the six City players leaving Valley Parade after tomorrow's final game of the season after the Dane rejected the club's contract offer. Nicky Law explained "His agent explained that the offer we've made isn't sufficient. He's going to be off in the next couple of weeks talking to other clubs. It's disappointing but the offer has been made. I've gone to the maximum I can and if the answer is no, there's nothing I can do."

Without wanting to go over old ground BfB restates that we would like to see Jorgi stay but would not break the bank to do it.

Wright looking at debut

Full back Jake Wright has been added to the City squad for the game with Portsmouth although Nicky Law will not blood all his youngsters for fear of the game turning into "A farce". Of the kids Law said "Hopefully I can get Jake on for some part because I really believe I need to be looking at the youngsters. The experience of just being there is great but to get on is something else. Tom Penford has already cemented my thoughts that he is going to be a good player."

Friday 2 May, 2003

Today's News by Michael Wood

Keeper confusion as Combe gets back in the Dundee United team

Dundee United boss Ian McCall has thrown the City goalkeeping situation into confusion after he publicly questioned his number one keeper, Paul Gallacher, and put supposedly City bound Alan Combe back into the first team for this weekend's game with Motherwell. McCall said that he was surprised that Scotland picked Gallacher after the keeper had made a clanger in a league game. Gallacher went on to do the same during the Scots 2-0 home deat to Austria.

Of course the confidence City showed in axing all three keepers at the club this week suggest that Combe has already agreed a deal to join the Bantams and that McCall is using him to provide cover for Gallacher who is reported to be "At a low ebb" however the return to the supposed City stopper to first team action does put a question mark over whether such a deal exists. Should Gallacher decide that McCall's public outbursts are not for him and up sticks one hopes that City have got something on paper with Combe.

Gibb sets play off target

Gordon Gibb has made the club's aims for next season clear saying that he believes the Bantams can get into the play offs for the Premiership next season. Gibb put down his marker for boss after freeing up funds for Nicky Law to manufacture a squad. Gibb said "This is a great opportunity for [Nicky Law] to bring in his own players, not by spending money, but through freeing salaries. I believe that we can build a squad for the supporters of Bradford City to be proud of and which can push for a place in the play-offs next season. That has to be our aim and I firmly believe that we can achieve that. This last season was all about survival and now we can concentrate on achieving success."

Gray gets the go at the gong show

Andy Gray has capped a breakthrough year in football with the both the Player of the Season and the Player's Player of the Season awards. The night's other big winner were Danny Forrest and Simon Francis the former who getting Supporters Club/Supporters Trust Junior Player of the Year and Goal of the Season for his strike against Walsall and the latter scooping two young player gongs. Claus Jorgensen, who tonight stated that he had not been offered a new deal by City as yet, took three other Player of the Season awards. Jorgensen said "I have not been offered any contract extension, these are not good times in football and if Bradford wanted to extend with me, they would have alreadymade an offer."

Naturally, dear reader, your breath is baited waiting to find out who has pickup up BfB's honours. Call us silly but we tend to wait until after the season to judge who was best over the full season but check back on Sunday sometime and you might just find out...

In the name of research...

The head scratching design monkey at BfB is looking into a few issues on the site and is interested in which of the various styles, namely as Home, Away, Fresh, Clean, Nostalgic, Image, White and Bambino, readers use. If you can spare a second mail us and tell us which one you like and why. Thanks.

Thursday 1 May, 2003

Today's News by Michael Wood

Six names leave City as retained list comes out

Molenaar, Davison, Walsh, Juanjo, Ulhenbeek and Myers all out

Robert Molenaar, Aidan Davison, Gary Walsh, Juanjo, Gus Ulhenbeek and Andy Myers are all in in their last week at Valley Parade after the club announced the retained list for next season. Of those players only Ulhenbeek was offered a new deal which the player rejected and perhaps it is the Surinam born full back who will be most missed from the squad. It is a shame to see Gary Walsh leave the club, his departure leaves only Wayne Jacobs of the fourteen left at City.

A clutch of promising reserves have been released. Mark Danks will not be missed and Stefan Magnusson did not even make a start. Andy Lee never broke into the first team nor did Robert Morgan although the juniors skipper showed much promise and his release is something of a disappointment. Criag Fishlock and Keith Brodie also leave the club.

The club have an agreement with Peter Atherton that he will be able to come back to the club in August, perhaps on a week to week contract, should he not find another deal in the summer. Wigan head up his list of admirers. Claus Jorgensen, Paul Reid and Fraser McHugh have been offered new deals by City although the scale and status of those deals is not known.

Reserves lose second Bolton game in a week

City's reserves lost 3-1 to Bolton Wanderers at VP. City gave a trial to young Middlesborough defender Jonathan Agbatar.

Gibb completes stadium purchase

Gordon Gibb has completed the purchase of Valley Parade spending £6.3m to clear the club's last major debt. Gibb will reveal the detail of the deal before Sunday's game with Portsmouth however it is though that the plan will save City some £800,000 a year. The City Gent discusses the issue in greater depth.

The kids are alright

City's u12's won the Ado Den Haag Pro Youth Tournament in Holland adding to the idea that the future at VP is bright.

Town fan gives up

Superb letter to the Huddersfield Examiner from Simon from Brighouse... "Town might as well give up. For all their so-called potential, the club have spent longer in the lower divisions than the top two in the last thirty years and in that time achieved nothing. I'm getting a season ticket at Bradford City. At last they offer entertainment and First Division football."

If Simon wants to get in touch BfB has some spares for Sunday to give him a taste of proper football.

The month by month news index.