History
The Fourteen
On the 9th of May, 1999 fourteen Bradford City players went to Wolverhampton. Fourteen Bantam legends returned. This is their stories...
1. Gary Walsh
Started as the Bantams keeper in the Premiership although an injury sustain in a preseason tour and operated on in November 1999 ruled him out until the start of the 2000-2001 season at which point Matt Clarke had taken the position. A couple of errors by Clarke gave Walsh his chance back, a chance Walsh took with both hands excelling for the rest of the season and being voted 2000-1 player of the season by his team mates. Injury the following season cast a doubt over his career but he plans a return to first team football in August 2002.
2. Stephen Wright
Languished in Bradford City reserves, his place in the first team having been taken by Gunnar Halle, for the 99-2k season until he was given a free transfer. Signed for Dundee United on a free transfer.
3. Wayne Jacobs
Fell out with the club over a proposed five year contract in the summer following promotion but started the season in the side after replacement Andy Myers struggled for fitness. Lost his place to Myers only to regain it as the new signing disappointed. Signed a new deal in May 2000 and saw off another challange for his position from Ian Nolan. Was Jim Jefferies prefered left back for 2001-2002 and continues in the City first 11 under Nicky Law.
4. Stuart McCall
Underwent an operation in the summer after promotion and missed the opening games of the Premiership season making his top flight debut for Bradford City in the second half of a 2-0 loss at Arsenal. Captain and inspiration until he left City in the May 2002 and signed for Sheffield United as player/coach and reserve team manager.
5. Darren Moore
Fell out with the club over wage demands (Moore wanted £15,000 a week, City offered about £8,000) and languished in the reserves before joining Portsmouth for £550,000 to prevent him leaving under a free transfer in the summer of 2000. Started his Portsmouth career with rave reviews in the first division, but a question mark over his abilities at the top level still remains. Joined West Brom for £750,000 in Autumn 2001 and led his hometown club to the Premiership in May 2002.
6. John Dreyer
Started the Premiership season a partner to signing David Wetherall but lost his place to Andrew O'Brien. Performed well when called upon before moving to Cambridge United for a two season contract in the summer of 2000, given a free transfer after one year.
7. Jamie Lawrence
Man of the match at Wolves when promotion was clinched Jamie's form has been changeable in the Premiership, as has his hair colour. Won international caps with Jamacia, representing his parent's home in the World Cup qualifiers. Still at City under Nicky Law.
8. Robbie Blake
Fell out with the club over the offer of a new contact and hung around on the fringes of the team for the majority of the Premiership campaign, starring against Leicester City at home but failing to make the impact in the Premiership it was hoped he would. Agreed a new deal in March 2000 and found himself working well in a striking trio with Ashley Ward and Benito Carbone. Big things are expected for 2001-2002 but although Robbie performed, the team did not and so Blake left for Burnley for £1m.
9. Lee Mills
Performed ably in the Premiership before falling out with manager Paul Jewell and leaving in March to join Manchester City until the end of the 1999-2000 season where he played a (very small) part in getting them back into the Premiership, Mills' second promotion in 12 months. Left to join Darren Moore at Portsmouth for £1.135m in the summer of 2000 after the signing of Beni Carbone. Injury blighted first season with Portsmouth, signed for Coventry the next season after reportedly snubbing a return to Valley Parade.
10. Gareth Whalley
In and out of the team following promotion. He left City in the May 2002 after injury prevented him from holding down a place in the team under Jim Jefferies or Nicky Law. Signed for Cardiff in July 2002.
11. Peter Beagrie
Signed an extension to his contract after performing well in the Premiership and seeing off Lee Sharpe's challenge for his position. Freed after Jim Jefferies stopped playing wide men and signed for Wigan, who freed him two months later after a change of manager. Signed for Scunthorpe as player/coach in June 2001.
Lee Sharpe
Loan player at the time signed for the Bantams in the summer but never made a significant impact. Lent to Portsmouth in 2000-2001 and came back refreshed. Did well for a few games, but poorly in others. Left City in the May 2002.
Dean Windass
Established himself as a man for all positions in the Premiership showing determination and no little quality. Turned down £1m move to Wolves despite pressure from supporters during late 1999 and went on to star in the survival campaign. Popular throughout 2000-2001 and worked well with Benito Carbone until cost cutting saw him sold to Middlesbrough for £1m, offered back a few months later. Went on to take Boro to the FA Cup semi-final in April 2002 filling in for a cup tied Benito Carbone at the Riverside.
Gordon Watson
Left the Bantams in the summer to pursue a first team place. Signed for Bournemouth but was released in the summer of 2000. Organised the strippers for the club's Christmas party.
Made his return to football in 2001 with Hartlepool and quickly notched a dozen or so goals with one performance attracting the attentions of a scout from VP who recommended him to Jim Jefferies. His 18 goals fired Hartlepool into the play offs in May 2002.