Wednesday 31 July, 2002

Today's News by Michael Wood

Just vote Yes

The future of Bradford City decided on Thursday

If you have a vote in the CVA ballot on Thursday then please vote for the plan. Football clubs should not die, not like this anyway, with debts that are mostly too football people.

The player leasing company will do less business if it drums clubs into liquidation.

Players will have fewer contracts to go around if they drum clubs into liquidation.

Football will be less if it a single club goes into liquidation. The spell that football casts is weakend when fans of other clubs have to face that fact that their club could be next.

Club's fail, fact of life, but it should not be at the hands of football people. Just vote yes.

Your life may change forever on Thursday

After the CVA meeting at Valley Parade your life may change forever. By the end of the day your football club could be no more. This is how it breaks down.

BPA or 23?

Should the Bantams geta yes vote then the senior pros will turn out in the afternoon against (ironically) Bradford Park Avenue. If the vote is no then the football league will amend the fixture list for next season to omit Bradford City and go with a 23 team First Division.

Beni to sign for Como on Thursday

Benito Carbone will officially go off the Bradford City pay role on Thursday. The PFA's Mick McGuire commented "Benito's co-operation has enabled the club to move forward and we are all very optimistic for its survival."

There has been a suggestion that Geoffrey Richmond told senior members of the squad that if they wanted to safeguard their jobs they should phone Carbone and have him drop his demands for City to pay his tax bill. If this is the case then I for one am glad to see Richmond swallowing his pride and begging for help, it puts him in the same position as the rest of us.

Law marches on

Nicky Law outline the nightmare he had in preparing for the game with Hull City minus his senior squad saying "Come hell or high water we were going to get this match played, We still didn't have a keeper at 11.15am, but Richard Siddal came in and put in a good performance. We were not going to let Hull down and we did our best in the circumstances to get a team out. The lads did really well out there. To say there were trialists and young players out there, they put up a lot of fight and did themselves proud."

Law continued "We are trying to remain positive, The players will be training today and then we will just have to see what happens. We have to get through today, get through tomorrow and then we will see where we are. This clubs means everything to the supporters and I really hope that we can get this all sorted out and get back to the business of preparing for the start of the season."

By this time tomorrow we may not have much of a Bradford City left and the last thing on anybody's mind will be the bald cockney manager but personally I would like to go on record thankinghim for the effort and commitment he has shown on behalf of Bradford City and if he is out of work I hope he gets back into work soon and wish him all the best.

Tuesday 30 July, 2002

Today's News by Michael Wood, Roland Harris and Jonathan Jackson

Is this what the end feels like?

Rumour says loss to Hull could be the final Bradford City game

Perhaps this is where one hundred years of history has come to an end. 3-0 defeat on a cold and rain soaked night in Hull which could be the last football game Bradford City ever play. Word around the few from Bradford who came across is that the numbers for the CVA do not add up and this club is left looking for a miracle to stay in existence beyond Friday. Perhaps we are owed a miracle... Read more.

Have City got the numbers for the CVA?

There is suggestion tonight that Gerling, the insurance company who have the biggest single say in whether the CVA will be passed and City will not go into liquidation, will oppose the deal that would bring the Bantams out of administration and effectively force the club out of business.

The administrators has once again stated that they are optimistic about the future of the club and that they believe that the CVA will be approved on Thursday. These are nervous times indeed.

The Final Straw

BfB columnist Jonathan Jackson pulls no punches for about the striking City players in his column The Final Straw saying "The ones that have voted for it are beneath contempt. I hope the T&A suddenly develop the balls to name the ones who are behind this."

Hull angry, Law worried, Wetherall not optimistic

Hull City chairman Adam Pearson has fumed after City's sixteen refused to play in Tuesday night's friendly against Hull. Pearson said "It has left us very embarrassed. We were hoping for a crowd of five or six thousand but we will be lucky if get two thousand now. Those who do turn up will be disappointed at what they see."

Nicky Law took his usual sideways view at proceedings saying "The other players have taken a decision and that is up to them. People deal with situations differently but that is the course of action they have decided to take and that is up to them. We can't make them play so there is nothing we can do." however the City manager did consider the possibilty of the strike effecting Thursday Creditors meeting "I don't know if this will make a difference either way, We have to get through Thursday. If we don't, then we will all be out of a job."

David Wetherall tried to justify the player's strike that has cast the future of the club into doubt saying "We had a meeting with the chairman which was quite negative in the sense of the future of the club. The players are not in the right frame of mind to play football. We don't want to risk getting injured tonight because we may have to look for jobs with other clubs at the end of the week. We will train as usual and remain hopeful that a resolution can be found to the situation on Thursday."

Sharpe axed after one day

Lee Sharpe has been asked to leave Grimsby Town after one day of a two week trial. Much murmuring about attitude came from the Mariners management.

Monday 29 July, 2002

Today's News by Michael Wood

Strike

The City squad will not play against Hull

As it stands the sacked sixteen will not play against Hull on Tuesday night leaving Nicky Law with a squad of trialists, the five contracted players and the junior squad to select from. The sixteen were reported to be split on the decision but decided to stick together.

What point the City sixteen are hoping to make is anyone's guess. Everyone knows they have not been paid but everyone also knows that City need to get through Thursday meeting before we can start paying players. On Thursday the club could be liquidated and fifteen of the sixteen could find themselves out of jobs. If this situation comes about as a result of a loss of confidence in the club caused by this strike then one would have to wonder if the sixteen have got their wish or made, even from their points of view, a critical error.

All of which talk has provoked BfB columnist Richard Micallef to comment on the grim "A sense of death" that surrounds City at the moment.

Eariler in the day

Eariler in the day David Wetherall, City's PFA man, had laughed off suggestions that the players would strike for Tuesday night's game at Hull. Wetherall said "I don't know where this rumour has come from but it is certainly not true, It would be fair to say things are as bad as normal at the moment; we will be having our usual daily meeting but there is no plan to strike. It is a very difficult and stressful time for us and the next few days are very important for anyone who cares about Bradford City Football Club."

Jamie Lawrence took a level headed view of matters at Valley Parade "Football just takes all the stress off us at the minute. You have to ignore what's going on behind the scenes and coming to work helps you forget about it. What happens will happen and you can't change anything. This is our job even though we aren't getting paid for it."

Jess back

Eoin Jess is back training with City after his move to Nottingham Forest feel down because City would not pay tax on Eoin Jess's compensation from City. The clue Eoin, is in the phrase income tax.

Jamie "We could be up there"

Jamie Lawrence gave a surprisingly upbeat assessment of City's chances for next season saying that the Bantams could be in the final shake up "We could be up there challenging to go up next season. All you have to do is be well-organised, believe in yourself and have a little bit of luck as well. There are no outstanding teams this year. Ipswich will be up there because they always play good football, but apart from that I can't see anybody running away with it. We're coming together and the more games we play the sharper we are looking. We've got a very good balance to the team with a bit of everything. If Ashley Ward stays, and hopefully he will, that will give us a cutting edge up front. And we've also got a bit of pace about us which we lacked last year and that can kill teams."

Taylor goes

Nicky Law will not be following up his interest in Rob Taylor after the striker disappointed in three trial games.

Evans, Gray waiting for the word

Nicky Law is hoping to sign Paul Evans and Andy Gray on Friday should the CVA be approved. Both players have impressed during there time training with the Bantams and with Benito Carbone and Eoin Jess having exited the club City would be allowed to bring two players in.

City boss Law has been especially impressed with the pacy former Nottingham Forest man Gray saying "We had to instil that pace, we've said all along about the need to get the age down and the legs going. And when you look at that team there it's got a lot of pace. We're getting the right blend there and improving."

Sunday 28 July, 2002

Today's News by Michael Wood via The Bradford City Supporters Trust

The web page that could save your football club

We tried, oh how we tried at BfB to do a How to fill in the CVA but the truth was we did not really get it ourselves (Hey come on- this is a difficult time for us too, moving house etc...) so we thank God for Andrew Dean, the BCST and the CVA For Dummies.

Saturday 27 July, 2002

Today's News by Michael Wood

Kearney goal gives City win

Tom Kearney's first half goal gave City a 1-0 win over Hartlepool in today's friendly. City gave a trial to Gus Uhlenbeek who scored City's last league (own) goal in the 2-2 draw with Walsall

Carbone/Jess tax problems

Eoin Jess's move to Nottingham Forest and Benito Carbone's switch to Como are reported to be on hold until the players and City can agree who will pay the tax on the compensation deals that both players have struck. Should both players go off the creditors list then City's £8.5m debut will have been cut to a more palatable £4m.

Herrera loan back on?

City are said to have made contact with Boca Juniors over bringing Esteban Herrera to Valley Parade towards the end of next week as Nicky Law prepares for both the loss of Eoin Jess and the club's emergence from administration.

Grimsby want Davison back?

Aidan Davison, who said in April that he would like to leave City for first team football, is being looked at by one of his former club's Grimsby Town.

Ward to miss start of season

Ashley Ward will miss the start of City's season with a thigh strain leaving Nicky Law short on decent target men for the beginning of the new campaign. There is also talk of Ward having rejected an approach for his services by Portuguese side Boavista.

Friday 26 July, 2002

Today's News by Michael Wood and James Ramsden

Bantam Brother: The End

Its the final week in the Bantam Brother house and Ashley is confident...

Taylor's last chance

Rob Taylor will have his final chance to earn a contract with City at Hartlepool on Saturday after failing to impress Nicky Law in the previous two games.

Law would like to change his attacking options and anticipates the loss of £18,000 a week Ashley Ward but has not been convinced about the former Gillingham and Manchester City man.

Jess rubber stamp

Eoin Jess is waiting for his move to Forest to be rubber stamped. Lets keep our fingers crossed.

Thursday 25 July, 2002

Today's News by Michael Wood

City and Town draw 1-1

City drew 1-1 with local rivals Huddersfield Town in a closed doors three 25 minute period training game at Storthes Hall, Huddersfield on Thursday night. Danny Cadamarteri scored for City.

Carbone takes the deal

Benito Carbone is understood to have accepted Bradford City's offer of a settlement on his contract to remove him from the Bantams debtors and allow him to finally sign for Como.

Jess goes, grown men weep

Eoin Jess will joining Nottingham Forest bringing to a close his troubled Bantam career. Jess, who Jim Jefferies rated as good enough to "boss" a Premiership game (yeah Jim, right) ended last season being hidden from the Valley Parade supporters for fear of the wrath his languid performances would bring.

Jess is a half decent player, but the half that is lacking is the commitment and ability to look as if you are bothered if the team wins or loses. Too often Jess, who was top scorer last season thanks to his early season form, appeared to be strolling. Should Bradford City ever kick a ball again in the Football League it will be because of the hard work and effort that Jess's play never reflected.

Jess leaving will mean that City owe less and are able to bring in a new face with former Forest man Andy Gray looking like Nicky Law's prime target.

Day in High Court

The Football League get to take ITV Digital to the High Court hoping to get back some of the money owed after the TV company pulled out of it's deal plunging football into some sort of crisis and Bradford City further in than most. A positive result from the High Court could see City's creditors able to claim an extra 10p in the pound under the provisions of the CVA although such an outcome does seem a long way away.

Carbone could kill City

Nicky Law has issued a stark warning to Benito Carbone that if he cannot agree a reasonable deal for the remainder of his contract at Valley Parade, some £3.5m, then the club will fold. Speaking on Radio Five Live Law said "What he (Carbone) has to realise is that in three weeks time there will be no Bradford City Football Club. He will then get a cut of nothing. Without the Carbone deal being sorted out we cannot afford to carry on. We would not survive if he was to come back."

Kearney contract plans

Nicky Law has confirmed that City would like to offer Tom Kearney a new contract should the club come out of administration. Law has been impressed by the former Everton man's level headed approach and ability to adapt to his new surroundings.

[Life at the] Sharpe end

Lee Sharpe is training with Grimsby with a view to a move. Oh dear.

Wednesday 24 July, 2002

Today's News by Michael Wood

Bantams go to Wales

City have been drawn away at Wrexham in the first round of the League Cup. City's last cup trip to that part of Wales resulted in a 6-1 loss and Dean Richards and John Taylor knocking seven bells out of each other at half time.

BfB debate rages

Mike Vickerman's article Geoffrey Richmond and the Real World has caused a stir with fellow BfB columnist Jon Blakely. Read the debate here.

City vs Town behind closed doors

City will take on Huddersfield on Thursday afternoon behind closed doors as the Bantams look to give runs outs to more of the trialists including Rob Taylor who did well against Chesterfield bt needs more match play to impress Nicky Law. Paul Evans, Michael Standing and Gary Walsh who all missed the Chesterfield defeat with knocks will also hope to play.

Nicky Law was in no doubt as to one of City's trialist saying "Andy Gray was our top man, our best player by a long shot,"

Law confirmed his interest in the 31 year old forward saying "We know we're short in that department and that's one of the first positions we need to strengthen."

Tuesday 23 July, 2002

Today's News by Michael Wood

City lose to Chesterfield

City went down 2-1 away at Chesterfield with trialist Andy Gray getting the Bantams goal.

Law: Can the rumours

Nicky Law has blasted City's rumour mongers, which one would guess would include BfB after we printed what we had heard about a player's walk out yesterday, saying "We're sitting ducks at the moment. We are in a position of vulnerability and people are going to jump on it. If someone wants to spread a rumour or create speculation, we can't do anything about it. But we haven't come this far to fall flat on our faces now. For some bizarre reason there are a lot who take pleasure in stirring things up and making bad situations worse than they are but we can't let it concern us and have an effect, however difficult that can be."

Bantam Brother: Week Four

Week Four of Bantam Brother and Ashley's hair is now coming out in clumps...

Taylor on trial

Former Wolves, Man City, Gillingham and Grimsby man Rob Taylor will play for City in tonight's friendly at Chesterfield.

Monday 22 July, 2002

Today's News by Michael Wood

Players walk out

Jess not coming back?

Word has come to BfB ears that the Bradford City squad has walked out after being told that they are not to be paid until 5 August. This puts in doubt tomorrow's friendly with Chesterfield although one would think that with the PFA's hand in the deal to get the City players back Gordon Taylor can use his strong arm to get the errant Bantams back to work.

Not so distressing is the news that Eoin Jess may not walk back. He is understood to have agreed a deal with Nottingham Forest.

Geoffrey Richmond and the Real World

BfB's newest columnist Mike Vickerman will admit to being driven by money and what is more, he finds it absurd that other people seem to think that football club chairman should not be. Read more in his article Geoffrey Richmond and the Real World.

Carbone's Agent: I told greedy Beni to stay at Villa

Benito Carbone's agent Giovanni Paladini has called his client "greedy" and told the Italian striker that he would be best off settling a deal with City out of court.

Paladini said "Benito won't get half of what he is owed - and probably not even half of that. But my advice to him is to reach agreement without being greedy. He won't get that money back so they need to agree terms that are acceptable as well as helpful to the club. We don't want it to drag on and on because that is good to nobody. Nobody wants to go to court over this and I'm sure he agrees. The club have made their decision and Benito has left it in the hands of his legal people to sort out quickly."

Revealing an insight into the mind of the Bantams "most exciting signing" that most City fans would rather not have had spelled out so plainly Paladini said "I told him at the time that Villa was the best choice but Benito wanted to take the money. Sometimes people are greedy and when you are offered that much then it is difficult to turn it down."

FL Deadline of August 8th

The football league have set City a deadline of August the 8th to have it's affairs in order lest the club faces expulsion from the league. A spokesperson said "The Football League has currently suspended transfer of Bradford City's shares until 8 August. Then, if the [CVA] proposal has not been accepted by the creditors the club will not be able to participate in the league unless the administrators guarantee sufficient funding for the whole of the season. At present such funding is not available."

The problem with football is Chris Greenacre

One time City target Chris Greenacre has said that he joined Stoke over the Bantams because " There is not many clubs at the moment that have got a lot of money, but Stoke seemed to fit well for me.".

One would have had more respect for Greenacre had he said "I was a season ticket holder at Elland Road, why would I want to join Bradford?" but his frank admission, "I chased the money", seems to disenchant one with football a little bit more.

Sunday 21 July, 2002

Today's News by James Ramsden

Bantam Brother: Week Three

Week Three in the Bantam Brother house/stadium and someone is stealing from the food cupboard, someone reminds someone of Jim Jefferies and Ashley's hair gel starts to smell funny...

Saturday 20 July, 2002

Today's News by Michael Wood

Can Richmond/Rhodes raise the cash?

Soccernet.com are reporting that the PFA will double their loan to City to £2m to allow City to make greater payments to creditors under the CVA to prevent those owed large amounts from nixing the deal. Obviously at this point all such talk is speculation but it is a situation worth making a note of. Should the CVA fail then Bradford City have very little future.

Wetherall: No cover up

David Wetherall has denied that City's squad refused to play the game with Telford today. Said Wetherall "I'm sure that after what's been going on at the club this summer, some will think there is more to it. But that is not the case. The gaffer obviously took into account the small size of the squad and number of little niggles. We need to get some games in but there is always the risk of bumps and niggles turning into bigger injuries."

The Telford manager Jake King called City "An absolute disgrace" but frankly, who cares what he thinks?

Friday 19 July, 2002

Today's News by Michael Wood

Telford game off. Players refusing to play?

The game with Telford has been called off. Some are saying that it is because of illness and injury in the City squad although Telford United's web site suggest that the Bantam players will not/are not allowed to play because of the pay dispute/technically they are still all sacked. Make of that what you will.

Beni golden handshake figure wide of the mark

Geoffrey Richmond has denied that city will be paying Benito Carbone a multimillion pound pay off. Richmond said "He's training with Como, and his legal representatives are negotiating in an attempt to reach a settlement. I don't think a settlement is very far away really on terms that are acceptable to Carbone, his advisors and the PFA. I would not put into the public arena at this stage the details, but it is likely to be well short of those sort of numbers."

Meanwhile it is reported that David Wetherall has personally asked Carbone to take the deal to safeguard the jobs of the rest of the squad.

Bantam Brother 2

A link to Bantam Brother week two that works!

Thursday 18 July, 2002

Today's News by Michael Wood and Jonathan Jackson

Combe price named at £50,000

Dundee United have named a price for Alan Combe. They want £50,000 for the keeper and they want it now. They do not want to let Combe out on loan or trial.

City to play Telford on Saturday

City will play Telford United at the Bucks Head Ground on saturday in a hastily arranged friendly. It will be the first meeting between the two clubs since the non-leagues knocked the Bantams out of the FA Cup in 1985.

Bulls: We want to stay at Valley Parade

A source close to the Bradford Bulls has told BfB that the club have decided that the only course of action open to the Rugby League side is to try make the switch from Odsal permanent. Part of City's agreement detailed in the CVA provided that the Bantams will attempt to continue the deal with the Bulls to give the football club more income.

Beni wants money now

Benito Carbone, who is set to sign his deal for Como this week, wants to be given a pay off by the Bantams in respect of the £3.5m he is owed by the club. Legally Carbone is only entitled to the balance between his new deal and the deal he lost at City but if Beni wants less than he is owed then we thank him.

The Daily Mail reported that City had paid off Carbone with £800,000 which would be slightly more than the five bedroom house that City bought for the Italian cost.

The CVA offers more Questions

As the CVA gets read more startling points come out of it. Couple of points stick out that you may know the answer to:

  1. Can this foreign leasing company claim back the players leased from it (and who are they) or could they take ant transfer fee from sale of that player?
  2. Does the CVA mean that we have to seek FL approval to sign any player until the "supervisors" have issued a completion certificate.
  3. Why are Jamie Lawrence, Claus Jorgensen & Andy Myers owed such low figures on their contracts? (£10k, 0K & 18K respectively).
  4. Who on earth agreed to pay Andy Tod what appears to be £160k per annum.
  5. Has Ward got 1 or 2 years left on his deal?

If you know then mail us

Price cuts to get "The public out in numbers"

City MD Shaun Harvey underlined City's renewing of commitment to the BantamFan shown the the cutting of match day admission prices saying "Never have the club's supporters been so important. It has been a difficult time for everyone and we're now hoping that the public of Bradford will come out and support us in numbers. One of the main criticisms last season was that we were too expensive. The new prices mean that while we are not the cheapest, we are slightly less than average compared with the rest of the division."

Juniors win 5-0

City's kids beat Thackley 5-0 with goals from Craig Beetham, Tom Penford, Liam Flynn, Danny Forrest and an own goal.

Wednesday 17 July, 2002

Today's News by Michael Wood and Mike Vickerman

The CVA

What the document means to you

Having read the CVA that arrived on the doorstep of all Bradford City creditors yesterday morning. One thing is crystal clear. If this deal is not accepted then there will be no Bradford City.

What you have to do

Regardless of how you feel about Geoffrey Richmond or the Rhodes family you have to vote for this deal for the club to survive and to vote for the club to survive you have to fill in the proxy form and send it back.

City need 75% of creditors, which includes season ticket holders, to for for this deal. As a season ticket holder you will get your season ticket honoured if the deal goes through. If not you get a claim of around £150 which would be serverly reduced after the club's assets have been liquidated.

25 year season ticket holders...

Kroll Buchler Phillips have advise that 25 year season ticket holders should claim the full value of the ticket as opposed to 96% to take account of 1 season's happy viewing.

Richmond: Vote yes or you do "irreparable damage" to Bradford

Geoffrey Richmond urged fans to vote for the deal saying that if they do not then the club will fold. Richmond said "There is a general feeling of relief that there is light at the end of the tunnel, I am confident the proposal will be accepted by the creditors and it is critical that it is because the alternative is unthinkable. It would mean the almost certain demise of Bradford City Football Club. If Bradford City doesn't survive, the city of Bradford would suffer a loss which would be devastating to large sections of the community and do irreparable damage to civic pride."

Taking a look at his own popularity Richmond said "The day we got into the Premiership I had 90 per cent support. Now there's a lot of work to be done to get back to those levels, I think there is a certain amount of cynicism that the same owners that put the club into administration would still be owning the club. There are bridges that are going to have to be built, trust is going to have to be earned. But, at the end of the day, the survival of this club and its prosperity has untold benefits for everybody that lives in this city, works in this city, or loves this city."

Richmond continued "The fact remains that we had no alternative at the time but to put the club into administration and the administrators' attempts to attract interest despite widespread publicity didn't result in any offer whatsoever from anybody except the original directors. Bradford City is not seen nationally as a glamour club in a glamour city and therefore the marketplace for a potential buyer was strictly a local one. There are very few high worth individuals locally and none of those expressed any interest in purchasing the club."

How to vote for the CVA

Either turn up on the 1st of August 2002 at Valley Parade and vote for it or read the CVA document and find out how to vote by proxy. Then make sure every other season ticket holder you know is going to vote.

The edited highlights of the CVA
Match day prices slashed

City have cut the price of attending Valley Parade next season with around £6 off many tickets, £3 off the posh bits of the Main Stand and specials, such as Students and juniors, cut even more. The club sees this as a proactive move to bring in more casual supporters. The club also says that tickets for the opening game with Wolves are on sale from Friday 19th July 2002.

Law wants Evans and Gray

Nicky Law wants to sign Andy Gray and Paul Evans who both played for the Bantams against Halifax Town yesterday. The pair must wait until the club is out of administration

On right winger Gray Law said "Andy Gray looks nice and bright and if we can get him the ball, he will be a good attribute." On midfielder Evans Law said "Paul Evans hasn't trained since the play-off final and understandably looked a bit short of ball work." On the pair Law said "Obviously it's down to when and if we can do something but if finances are all right. I'd like to take him on. He's keen, that is why he is here."

Grant with Halifax

Gareth Grant, released by City and owed £3,000 by the club, played for Halifax Town in yesterday's game.

Combe still waiting

Alan Combe is still waiting for a move to City after being left out of the Dundee United preseason tour. Said Combe "That's why I'm just waiting for something to happen with Bradford. Nothing is concrete at Bradford while they are in administration. But the signs are good there although it's taking longer than I had expected."

Nicky Law confirmed City were still keen on the goalkeeper who impressed during his time at VP "It's still up in the air with Alan but we are interested."

Cardiff sniffing around Myers

Word has it that new home of Gareth Whalley Cardiff City are keen on Andy Myers.

And on a lighter note...

Bantam Brother week two and Ashley is getting everyone down with his constant moaning...

Tuesday 16 July, 2002

Today's News by Michael Wood

Bantams get friendly win

City start the season that might not have been with a win

A Tuesday lunchtime at Apperley Bridge would normally be host to the odd dog walker but today it saw the rebirth of a club that a month ago could have never kicked a ball again. Bradford City beat Halifax Town 2-1 with goals from Juanjo and Robert Molenaar.

Nicky Law fielded a different side in each half, a fry cry from the time the club only had five players, and gave first games in Bradford City colours to out of contract Andy Gray and Paul Evans formerly of Nottingham Forest and Brentford respectively. Student Paul Gedman also played.

The game also saw the return to action of long term injury victims Gary Walsh, Peter Atherton, Robert Molenaar, Gary Locke and Andy Myers while Michael Standing played his first game in the Bantams first team after getting injured in the reserves at the end of last season. Lewis Emanuel was conspicuous by his absence.

First Half: Gary Walsh, Claus Jorgensen, Mark Bower, Andy Tod, Peter Atherton, Andy Lee, Gary Locke, Paul Evans, Michael Standing, Damian Hatton [Danny Forrest], Juanjo. Second Half: Aidan Davison, Robert Molenaar, David Wetherall, Andy Myers, Wayne Jacobs, Jamie Lawrence, Tom Kearney, Paul Gedman [Craig Fishlock], Andy Gray, Danny Cadamarteri, Eoin Jess.

Combe turns down Blades

Alan Combe is rumoured to have turned down a move to Sheffield United because he was unwilling to join a club as back up keeper. Nicky Law is believed to be offering the Dundee United goalie the chance to be City's number one.

CVA documents hit doormats

The huge administration getting out of document from Bradford City FC hit doormats of season ticket holders. One thing stood out, we owe £50,000 for Andy Tod. Tod money aside the we shall be reading it tonight and commenting tomorrow.

Evans and Gray hoping for deals

Former Brentford skipper Paul Evans and Nottingham Forest winger Andy Gray are training with City in the hope of getting a deals with the club. Nicky Law said of the pair "It's a two-way thing. They can look at us and we can see what they are like although, of course, we can't offer them anything yet but it is a positive sign that they are interested in coming here. Players talk and they've obviously spoken to people who've told them what it is like and how much they are enjoying it."

Speaking specifically on the man he has earmarked to replace Stuart McCall, Paul Evans, Law said "He has got offers on the table but he isn't rushing into anything. Paul wanted to come up and have a look and we'll give him a couple of games. A lot of players out of contract are biding their time at the moment. But they've got to get fit somewhere and we're giving them the chance to see what they think of it here. I think everyone will be glad of the game today. The training has been going well and now they are ready to get a bit of match practice."

Monday 15 July, 2002

Today's News by Michael Wood and Roland Harris

City take on Halifax on Tuesday

City's first preseason game, a behind closed doors match with Halifax Town, will take place on Tuesday afternoon. Halifax are now managed by former Bantam Chris Wilder.

Warnock wants Combe

Sheffield United boss Neil Warnock has expressed an interest in signing Dundee United's Alan Combe who City are hoping to recruit.

Ward: City could have brought football to its knees

Ashley Ward has given his thoughts on City's sacking players and what it would have meant for the rest of the game saying "We've got to thank the league and the PFA for representing our point of view. The way they have reacted has stopped the game descending into anarchy. The repercussions of what was going to happen would have changed the game completely and not for the better. If Bradford had got away with it, about ten other clubs would have done the same by Christmas. And then what would stop players doing the same thing? You could have Rio Ferdinand just walking away from his Leeds contract even though he is worth £35m."

Ward continue "It's been a very difficult situation for all the players because we're at a club now that's tried its hardest to sack us. It's hardly ideal although for me, the club is about the players and the supporters. And the fans aren't to blame for trying to kick us out." I personally will disagree on this point. I think Ashley Ward puts in a scandalous display considering how much he is paid, and that is allowing for the wages of footballers far outstripping the man in the street, and I would have liked to have seen him kicked out a long time ago.

Sunday 14 July, 2002

Today's News by Michael Wood

Combe deal this week?

Reports from Scotland indicate that Alan Combe will be signing for City within the next seven days. Combe, who is expecting to join City on a free after his club Dundee United relased that City had no money to give them, said "I am hoping for positive news this week."

Saturday 13 July, 2002

Today's News by Michael Wood

Bantam Brother: Week One

BfB is proud to present The first week of Bantam Brother by our very own James Ramsden.

Richmond makes Bulls switch hint

Geoffrey Richmond has hinted that the bradford Bulls may be set to make their stay in BD8 permanent. Richmond said "It is a nonsense that a stadium worth £15million is used only 25 times a year, but there is a lot of opposition from both sets of supporters to any more permanent arrangement. It was come to on the basis that there'd be a new stadium built at Odsal, and this was a one off situation for a couple of years and had the new stadium been half built by now and it needed to be extended for a year that wouldn't have been a problem. There are many issues and discussions that would have to be had for it to become a permanent arrangement."

BfB columnists Richard Micallef [The Bull vs City] and Jonathan Jackson [Throw The Bulls Out Now] have been critical of the Bulls situation at Valley Parade.

Friday 12 July, 2002

Today's News by Michael Wood

Creditors to meet on 1st of August

The meeting of those owed by Bradford City that will attempt to agree a Creditors Voluntary Agreement to take the club out of administration will be held in the Banqueting Suite at Valley Parade at 10am on Thursday 1st August, 2002. If 75% of the creditors agree to the CVA then Bradford City can begin the process of coming out of administration and begin signing players once more. If not then you get free Saturdays for the next forty years.

Jonathan Jackson looks at the clubs creditors and asks As D-Day Looms- Is Beni Onside?

City will not punish Cadamarteri

Bradford City will be taking no action against Danny Cadamarteri after he was sentenced to community service for lying to police. The incident happened when the striker played for Everton.

Thursday 11 July, 2002

Today's News by Michael Wood

Cadamarteri sentenced to 180 hours community service

Danny Cadamarteri has been sentenced to 180 hours of community service after admitting conspiracy to pervert the course of justice during a court case last year. Danny lied to police about his location on the night when he was involved in "an assault on a young woman".

Judge David Clarke said that Cadamarteri would have been sent to prison if he had not confessed the start of the trial last year.

For his part Cadamarteri seemed keen to put the incident behind him "I have made mistakes. I've been stupid and now I've been punished for being stupid. I'd like to thank my friends and family and the vast majority of the people of Merseyside, who have supported me, and I'd also like to apologise to anyone directly affected by what has gone on. I'm appreciative the court haven't taken away my liberty and now I am looking forward to getting on with my life and doing what I do best, which is playing football."

Herrera waiting for Bantams

Esteban Herrera confirmed that City have expressed an interest in bringing him to Valley parade on loan saying "I've heard something about that chance [to join City] but as I always say until it is all signed and sealed and I am training with my new team I don't want to get too excited. I've gone through an experience like this before, so I prefer to wait and see what happens."

Herrera, who would need a work permit to play in the Football League, is also thought to be wanted by a Spanish Second Division side.

Jess pledges his future to City

Eoin Jess says he is happy to stay at City saying "Nobody knows what the future will hold although providing things are sorted out with our contracts, then I've no problem about staying with Bradford." It is good to see a player pledge his future to City although it would be nice if Jess could guarantee that that future would not include such a startling drop in performance as it did after the first few months of last season.

Wednesday 10 July, 2002

Today's News by Michael Wood

Herrera deal off?

City are reported to be set to pull the plug on the loan of Esteban Herrera after Boca asked for a non-returnable £100,000 for the player's services for a year. City paid Paris SG £500,000 in a similar deal two years ago for French lump Bruno Rodriguez and are unlikely to want to enter into a comparable deal in any circumstances, let alone the club's current plight.

City liable for Beni balance?

There is some suggestion that Bradford City will be liable for the balance of Benito Carbone's old contract with City and his new one with Como. City of course will offer Carbone a reduced amount as part of the deal to get out of Administration.

Should the Bantams end up being liable for the difference between Carbone's Como contract and his £40,000 a week then City will be hoping that the same logic applied to the balance of the ITV Digital deal and the new Sky deal and that the club's will be recompensed for what they would have earned.

Live Sky money

Under the terms of the new deal with Sky TV City will be paid £60,000 for hosting the game with Wolves on the 11th of August. The ITV Digital deal gave the hosting club an estimated £80,000.

Tuesday 09 July, 2002

Today's News by Michael Wood and Roland Harris

Opening day put back to 11th

City's opening day game against Wolves has been put a day to the 11th to allow it to be shown live on Sky.

Obviously no one would dare complain about being moved for Television after being given a glimpse of football without the money that pours in from the old idiot's lantern but it does seem a shame that this year us Bantam fans will miss out on one of the wonders of the game.

The opening day of any season is always special. Come 3:00 every team in the land starts neck and neck in the division. Teams have had a whole summer of turmoil wiped out with an early goal and seen the best planning possible erased by a poor performance on the first day.

Alas with the first day stagger over some 26 hours this will not be the case and as I say it is the price we have to pay but it might be worth looking over Jon Blakely's The opening days of old and remembering the feeling of the hairs on the back of your neck bristling because for the shortest of times every club is equal and by 4:45 one side will be walking away from the stadium full of optimism and the other side will just be walking away.

Beni starts Sunday

Benito Carbone begins pre-season training with his new club Como on Sunday. Giovanni Paladini, Carbone's English based agent, said: "Benito will be with Como for the start of their training. They are going to be up in the mountains and he is really looking forward to it. A deal has been done with Como, it's official in Italy and he won't be coming back to Benito wants to move forward. He has done his time in England and now he is excited about playing in Italy in Serie A again."

Paladini continued "It was a shame that he didn't join Middlesbrough and he still doesn't know what happened there. But football is a crazy world and you cannot always predict what is around the corner. Benito did very well with Middlesbrough but now he is glad to be back home. Players who come back to Italy after being in the Premiership are always a lot stronger because the game is quicker in England and his experience will be very important for Como."

Esteban must wait

City may have to wait until the club officially comes out of administration to sign Argentine striker Esteban Herrera. Howvever there is some suggestion that Herrera will join City's preseason training in preparation before the end of the month.

Monday 08 July, 2002

Today's News by Michael Wood

Law to bring in young Argentine striker?

Nicky Law is reported to be keen on bringing Argentine kid Esteban Herrera of Boca Juniors to Valley Parade on a season long loan. Former Argentina Under-20 international Herrera was on loan with last season Talleres Cordoba and is looking for another season of first team football in a European League.

Who the hell is Esteban Herrera?

Six things you never knew about Esteban Herrera provided you knew anything about him at all...

We actually need to apply short-termism

Bright new BfB columnist Richard Micallef takes a look at Geoffrey Richmond's return and says For once, we actually need to apply short-termism.

Jacobs on the footballer's lot

Wayne Jacobs has spoken at length about the trouble the players have had since the sackings "This football club will be around long after the players have all gone and there are an awful lot of people who've spent their whole life connected to it. People have watched Bradford City for so many years and can throw names at me from days gone by that I've never heard of. The depth of how far this has hit is massive really. That's why it will be great for all concerned when everything is sorted out. The fans just see the players out on the pitch but behind the players there are families and homes. It's the same for everybody in any walk of life. And it's not just the players but a lot of people have lost jobs through no fault of their own."

However City's longest serving player underlined the current mentality of the squad saying "This is our way of life. This is what we want to do."

Jakes concluded "We're all looking ahead now and I don't have a problem about saying I want to stay here. Everyone in football knows Wayne Jacobs has enjoyed his time at Bradford City and I don't want that to come to an end."

Boulding joins Villa

Nicky Law target Michael Boulding has joined Aston Villa on a Bosman transfer from Grimsby.

Bradford ready for greatest comeback in club's history

"It was a week like no other in the 99-year history of Bradford City. Thirteen players who turned up at the Northcliff Playing Fields in Shipley to begin preparations for season 2002-03 last Monday had been sacked by the club two months previously." Read more in the Independent.

Sunday 07 July, 2002

Today's News by Michael Wood

Stuart starts his journey in management

Stuart McCall will manage Sheffield United's reserves after joining the club as player/coach last week. Many feel that Stuart McCall is embarking on a journey in football management that will see him return to Valley Parade one day. The Blade's second string will be watched with great interest by many City fans.

Law looking at strikers

Nicky Law is believed to be ready to use the "one-in-one-out" power at his disposal under the transfer embargo to make a move for a striker to replace Benito Carbone. Law is a confirmed admirer of Michael Boulding of Grimsby who is leaving Blundell Park this summer. Boulding is on trial at Middlesborough at present but the reported departure of Steve MacLaren to Leeds may put pay to the players hopes of a move to the Riverside leaving Law ready to pounce.

Law has also been interested in Jamie Burt and Molde striker Andre Schei Lindbaek as he looks to bring in another forward to free up Danny Cadamarteri to play the vacant left wing role.

Saturday 06 July, 2002

Today's News by Michael Wood

FL on Sky kicks off at Valley Parade. Irony rife

The Football Leagues great hope, the new £95m deal with Sky TV, will broadcast it's first live game from Valley Parade a location where a month ago there was a high chance that no FL games would be played. City have gone from the threat of being thrown out of the league to the location of it's financial rebirth as the opening day fixture with Wolves was moved to a 5.35pm kick off to be shown on Sky Sports.

Friday 05 July, 2002

Today's News by Michael Wood

Bradford City FC and the future of Bradford

BfB is proud to present a column by John Dewhirst looking at recent events at Valley Parade and their ramifications for the City of Bradford on the whole.

Law surprised the players had no takers

Nicky Law has expressed surprise that only Benito Carbone was able to find another club of all the sacked City players. Law said "I would have thought a lot of the players would have got snapped up but it shows the financial climate. There was no better time to sign up the likes of David Wetherall, Andy Myers, Eoin Jess and Ashley Ward but people just haven't got the money. We know we've got good players but we also know that no other clubs can take these contracts on. I'm sure there are plenty who would come in but they can't afford it."

Speaking about how he has handled the players since they returned to the club Law said "We could have all sat down and gone into great detail but they all know as much as me what's been going on, so there's no point."

Moore swipes at Myers

Hated Rotherham boss Ronnie Moore blasted Andy Myers for wanting too much money to sign for the Millers saying "When people are asking for £7,000-£8,000 a week it gets ridiculous. In the current climate some of them are going to have to revise their expectations."

Football League back on Sky Sports

The Football League have secured a new deal with Sky Sports to show sixty live games a season and assorted play off and League Cup matches replacing ITV Digital as the broadcasters of the First Division.

The deal, which is worth £95million over four years comes into effect from August 2002. Games will be moved to Friday and Saturday nights as well as the familiar Sunday dinnertime kick-off times. The flood of cash, £20m in the first season for all 74 clubs to share, should be squirreled away by once bitten Football League chairmen still cutting costs following the failure of ITV Digital but will probably be spent on paying players in pursuit of the Premiership. Will they ever learn? Probably not.

Whalley joins Cardiff

Gareth Whalley has agreed terms with former City boss Lennie Lawrence at Cardiff City.

Thursday 04 July, 2002

Today's News by Michael Wood

Kearney, Bower, Cadamarteri get team numbers

City have sneaked out the new squad numbers after the players returned to training with Tom Kearney getting the prized Stuart McCall 4 shirt. Mark Bower moves into the 6 shirt vacated by Gareth Whalley and Danny Cadamarteri takes Robbie Blake's number 8.

Michael Standing takes Lee Sharpe's 16 jersey and Lewis Emanuel takes Gunnar Halle's 18. Andrew Lee moved into the cursed 21 shirt which was never worn by Darren Moore, worn with little effect by Dean Saunders in his second season at Valley Parade and touched the back of Lee Makel. BfB keeps a nerdish full list of squad numbers.

Five rubbish squad number facts
  1. More players have had City's 31 shirt than any other: Aidan Davison, Adam Hardy, Ben Jones, Danny Cadamarteri and now Craig Fishlock have all called it their own.
  2. City's highest used squad number is Tom Kearney's number 39 at the end of last season.
  3. Both players to have worn the 29 shirt have been on loan at City. They were Bruno Rodriguez and Alan Combe
  4. Every player who has worn City's 28 shirt has also played for Liverpool: Dean Saunders, Stan Collymore and on loan in the 1980s, Carl Muggleton.
  5. Five players have the same squad number as they were given in the first season in the Premiership in July 1999: Gary Walsh, Andy Myers, David Wetherall, Jamie Lawrence and Wayne Jacobs.
Richmond back: Balanced opinion shock

BfB columnist James Ramsden takes a wonderfully balanced view of the return of GR in his article Richmond's back - does it surprise you? while one of our most fervent anti-Richmond writers, Jon Blakely, is Waiting for the man to redeem himself.

Wetherall speaks up for PFA

David Wetherall has tried to clarify the PFA's role in City's situation saying "I know the PFA took a bit of stick from some Bradford fans at first because some mistakenly felt they were trying to get the club kicked out. Nothing could have been further from the truth. The PFA would have seen it as a total failure on their part if the club were to fold. Their commitment to helping Bradford can be measured in the millions of pounds they are lending and we all owe a debt of gratitude."

Opinion on the PFA is still split [ for | against ] amongst City fans although almost all will express a gratitude to the Player's Union who will meet with the sixteen at Applely Bridge today. Wetherall added "The meeting will make sure that everyone is in the picture about what is going on. We're not out of the woods yet but obviously the players are as delighted as everyone else that the club seem to have a fantastic chance of coming out of this in a decent shape."

PFA loan of £4m?

Sources are suggesting that the PFA lent City £4m to cover the wages of the sixteen players who were sacked.

Warnock on why he signed McCall

Sheffield United boss Neil Warnock has paid tribute to his new player coach Stuart McCall saying "His qualities really hit home (When City played Sheffield United). He bossed the game in midfield, bullied us a little bit and also influenced the referee but in the best possible way. Stuart's going to be worth his weight in gold to us. His record speaks for itself and also his professionalism."

Reserve games at Odsal

City's reserves will play at Odsal next season to save the Valley Parade pitch.

Wednesday 03 July, 2002

Today's News by Michael Wood

McCall speaks about Blades move

Stuart McCall has spoken about his move to Sheffield United, only the forth club of his two decade career, saying "This is a big challenge for me and one I'm really looking forward to, I may be 38, but I'm still keen and ambitious and, whilst my body and fitness allows me, I think I can do a good job."

Jamie Lawrence, who returned to training with City on Wednesday, turned down the chance to join McCall in Sheffield. Lawrence commented "Sheffield United got in touch with me but I might as well stick at Bradford for the last year of my contract."

Speaking about his return to Valley Parade after his two day absence Jamie said "As long as I'm getting paid then I'm happy to go back to Bradford. I'm looking forward to seeing the boys again after everything that's gone on. I'm sort of relieved to be going back but also a little bit angry. It's been a joke not getting paid for a couple of months. I've just bought a new house and with the young baby as well it has been very difficult. We had to cancel the summer holiday because you've got to be careful and watch what money's going out."

Concluding Lawrence said "We're not all fortunate enough to be Beni Carbone on £40,000 a week." Some City fans might suggest that we are not all fortunate enough to be paid Jamie's £2,500 a week.

Greenacre joins Stoke

City target Chris Greenacre has joined our First Division rivals Stoke City on a three year contract. Nicky Law would have liked to have signed the player but the recent problems at the club prevented a move.

Tuesday 02 July, 2002

Today's News by Michael Wood

McCall signs for Blades

Stuart McCall has joined Sheffield United as a player coach. Breaking the habit of a lifetime BfB wishes The Blades all the best next season now they have Stuart. McCall is due to make his return to Valley Parade on Saturday the 23rd of November and while City go to United on the 12th of Apirl, 2003.

GR: We need your vote

Bradford City season ticket holders make up 10% of the 75% of creditors needed to agree with Geoffrey Richmond's plan to exit administration. Considering that the alternative to Richmond would seem to be not having a football club one might humbly suggest that whatever your feelings for the man he, and we, need you to vote for his plan. The players represent a further 25% of the creditors.

Geoffrey Richmond acknowledged that he had lost the trust of the City supporters but said he would do everything in his power to regain their trust. Said Richmond "I accept fully that I have to regain your trust and confidence and that is what I intend to do. Lessons have been learned and been learned for a lifetime. This is not about Geoffrey Richmond, it is about Bradford City. The only way this club will survive is by us working together. It is not about supporting me."

Just how grateful should we be to the PFA?

The PFA are being hailed as the saviours of Bradford City but there involvement at City has caused a split in BfB columnists. Michael Wood points out, the PFA and their attempts to have the club thrown out of the league were the biggest threat to City and asks Just how grateful should we be to the PFA? while Jonathan Jackson admits he was wrong when he criticised the PFA in the past a says 'Respeck' Mr Taylor

Richmond/Rhodes the only offer on the table

Geoffrey Richmond has dismissed the 23 other registered parties who were interested in buying Bradford City saying "We put together a bid that we thought could persuade the administrator that we could save the club. The other inquiries between them were not worth a bag of salt. All this talk about white knights waiting to save the club is a load of hot air. The truth is there was nobody out there."

Taylor praises Wetherall

PFA man Gordon Taylor has praised the work of City's representative David Wetherall and suggested that the City skipper would have a big future in the game after he finished playing. The world of Chemistry is expected to try stake a claim to the player soon.

Technically speaking

The company Bradford City (1983) Ltd is expected to come out of administration towards the end of July 2002 thus shareholders in that company will retain their stakes in the organisation.

25 year season tickets

Holders of 25 year season tickets will be pleased to hear that they will be honoured in full although may join Michael Wood's call to sell back 23 years for the Bantams.

Gibb to invest in the new City

Geoffrey Richmond confirmed that theme park owner Gordon Gibb was not currently involved in the consortium that is trying to acquire City although Richmond did suggest that he would see meeting with Gibb in an attempt to get him involved in the club at some future point.

Fees for Windass, Clarke to go to pay of PFA debt

The PFA have loaned City a significant sum of money to pay players wages as the club "gently" restructures from one a paying Premiership wages in the First Division to one playing fair money to the likes of Tom Kearney.

Geoffrey Richmond has confirmed that the money owed for Dean Windass and Matt Clarke would be going to pay off the PFA. Richmond pointed out at the forum that although the club had no cash, it did have a good squad of players and he had faith in those players. We are forced to agree here at BfB and have already been down the bookies to get our money on a 40-1 bet on City next season.

Law and son take training

With City's backroom staff down to just Nicky Law and Ian Banks it was necessary for Law to bring in more help which would explain why Law's son, free in the school holidays, stood my his Dad's side ticking off names in time trials.

Meanwhile as young Law ticked off time David Wetherall started to regret returning to City "We'd better be getting paid for this." said the City skipper. Law senior made no apologies for putting the players through the wringer with a series of lengthy runs "I ran the first one, got about half a mile and my ankle went! The players will find it a tough week."

Beni "Already signed for Como"

Benito Carbone's agent has confirmed that the player has signed for Italian side Como saying "Carbone signed a three-year contract with Como last week, He received a letter from Bradford cancelling his contract and now his solicitors are working on it." Carbone's leaving City will save the club £4m over the next two seasons.

Dundee United drop Jess interest

Dundee United willnot be signing Eoin Jess. Walsall and Nottingham Forest are still reported to be interested in the player.

Former Bantams go into management

Chris Wilder, whom Chris Kamara signed for City back in 1997, has been given the job of managing Halifax Town after leaving UniBond League side Alfreton Town to take the job. Meanwhile Southampton have tired to lazy right back Dan Petrescu and released him to return to Romania to take up a coaching role.

Walker turns down City

Walsall keeper Jimmy Walker has signed a new deal with the Midlands club revealing that he turned down offers from City and Sheffield United over the summer. Good to see Nicky Law going after such a good player, now if only we could bust Marlon King out of prison...

Monday 01 July, 2002

Today's News by Michael Wood & Jim Bedford

Notes from the forum

Geoffrey Richmond fronted to Bradford City fans at Valley Parade revealing a number of points in a generally buoyant meeting.

Luton looking at Bantams

Luton Town are believed to be interested in City pair Andy Myers and Claus Jorgensen.

Carbone signs three year Como deal

Bradford City's hopes of permanent survival were given a big boost when £40,000 a week man Benito Carbone agreed a three year deal with Italian side Como. City may be liable to pay any difference between Carbone's deal at Valley Parade and his new agreement but such fees will be nothing next to the cost of keeping the player.

It is a shame that Carbone is leaving City. He has been a fine professional for the club most of the time, but he has priced himself out of our league and thus he had to be moved on.

Bantams back in training

Nicky Law welcomed back most of last season's squad for pre-season training in addition to the five players who are officially contracted to the club. "We don't know what will happen eventually but until they hear any different I've told them to concentrate on preparing to play for Bradford City again next season."

Robert Molenaar voiced the feelings of the playing squad saying "We all understand it was the administrators who made the decisions (On sacking 16 players). Their goal was to make the club healthier to sell it on and they did what they thought was the best way. I don't have a problem in going back and while I can't speak for all the others, I would think they mostly feel the same."

Jamie Lawrence, Aidan Davison and Benito Carbone all missed training. Surprisingly Andy Myers, who had said that he would not be returning, did spend the day charging around Shipley in the rain with his team mates while Good Ole Jamie Lawrence was the only man to stay away because the club owed him money. Davison is expected back on Tuesday, Carbone is joining Italian side Como.

Law wants Walker

City are reported to be in a battle with Sheffield United to sign Walsall's Jimmy Walker. After taking loans from the PFA to pay players City have been placed under a temporary transfer embargo the gist of which would seem to be one-out-one-in. With Jamie Lawrence and Benito Carbone not expected back at VP Nicky Law could have the leeway to make two signings.

The month by month news index.