Monday 30 September, 2002

Today's News by Michael Wood

Law ponders and seethes

Nicky Law, understood to have turned green and torn his purple pants when he heard that Danny Cadamarteri's suspension had been upheld, looked over his depleted resources at training this morning with an eye on the Preston game next week despairing "I don't think any of the injured will be fit for next week. There may be a faint chance of getting Ashley Ward and Andy Myers back but past that the others are four weeks or so away. Otherwise it's the same starting team from Portsmouth minus a centre-half, central midfielder and a front man."

Cadamarteri on Portsmouth, Merson on City

Danny Cadamarteri was disappointed with City's return against the league leaders Portsmouth saying "Portsmouth are one of the best teams we've faced but I don't think they are 14 points better than us. Just like the Leicester game we had a decent amount of play against a top side and unfortunately we've not got what we deserved out of it. But it's such an open league and if we concentrate on getting our own game right then we will be fine."

Portsmouth skipper Paul Merson was generous to City saying "They knocked the ball around well but perhaps just lacked a bit of cutting edge up front but they gave us a few problems out there."

Sunday 29 September, 2002

Today's News by Michael Wood

The lunatic FA missing the point of football as Proctor gets a warning for celebrating Burnley equaliser

There can be few City fans who would not point to Michael Proctor's last minute equaliser as one of the sweetest moments of following City since David Wetherall's towering header against Liverpool. Indeed for many it is those moments of utter exuberance which make football worth watching.

The FA, so called guardians of our game, have a different view point. They have warned City over the future conduct of Michael Proctor for "over-celebrating when he scored in the last minute of the game by running towards the crowd." Who reported him? Mike Dean of course.

I will issue my own warning to the FA right here, right now. If you warn players about celebrating last minute goals in games where a blind man on a charging horse could have seen the injustice, injustice caused by the FA's most high profile representative in football (The Referee) then you will have no game left because fans have taken much sterilising of the game, but the idea that a goal like Proctor's should be greeted with a polite clap and perhaps a handshake is the antithesis of what football is. Football is passion, the FA have warned Proctor about showing too much of it.

The FA: Bunch of monkeys who could not organise a banana eating contest.

City's eleven who sit out Preston

Bradford City have a small squad this season. With eight injuries and the three suspensions got unfairly against Burnley [Paul Evans was booked for complaining about Ref Mike Dean which to be honest should have gone down as "fair comment"] the Bantams are down to the bare bones with a full and not half bad team of eleven on the sidelines.

The eleven sit-it-out Bantams
Walsh
Tod
Wetherall
Bower
Myers
Lawrence
Kearney
Evans
Davison
Ward
Cadamarteri

Aidan Davison on the left wing? Why not? I mean if Andy Tod can get away with calling himself a striker and Juanjo with calling himself a footballer...

All but three First Division club's might not finish the season

A straw poll of First Division chairmen has revealed that all but three of the twenty four clubs are suggesting that they may not be able to finish the season. Assuming City make the end of the year, and that inability to move on the likes of Ashley Ward and David Wetherall mean that this assumption is not a certainty, then precedent suggests that the results against the three teams that drop out would be expunged from the records.

Of course one must wonder how football can get out of this mess. The problems are obvious. Wages being paid out are in excess of monies coming in and the club's must ride out the storm of the likes of Ashley Ward getting £18,000 a week for the next 21 months before the more reasonable contracts being offered now, £80,000 a year to the likes of Michael Standing and Tom Kearney, become the norm.

In short football needs to find a cash boost for two years or so until the likes of Ward are paid up. Where this money will come from, in the absence of large scale benefactors much as Crystal Palace chairman Simon Jordan, is at the moment is unknown.

Saturday 28 September, 2002

Today's News by Michael Wood and Roland Harris

City waste chances against the leaders

Bantams lose 3-0 at Portsmouth

Roland Harris went South expecting City to be out played by the league leaders, instead he saw the Bantams spurn a chance or two as they lost 3-0 to Portsmouth.

Ward wants to stay at City

Ashley Ward says he would like to stay at Valley Parade. The £18,000 a week striker said "I'm not trying to beat a path out of Bradford City." Then Ash, ask for a new contract on more realistic money, otherwise you will have to get out of Dodge!

Cadamarteri appeal fails

Abserdly Danny Cadamarteri's appeal against an elbow in the Burnley game that got his a red card has failed. Burnley and the cheating ways that should shame them have cost City much.

Friday 27 September, 2002

Today's News by Michael Wood

Still wake up screaming Southall? Beasant arrives at VP, the nightmares continue

City have signed Dave Beasant on non-contract terms after the injuries to Gary Walsh and Aidan Davison left the Bantams with a single keeper, on loan Steve Banks. Beasant will be inthe squad for tomorrow's game against Portsmouth, one of his many former clubs.

Merson on City, Standing on Merson and not playing for City

Portsmouth's Paul Merson has suggested that City will make the play offs this season. The former Arsenal man said "I don't think Bradford are a bad team. They've still got several players who were in the Premiership a couple of years ago and they're a decent side. In fact, I think they could be dark horses for the play-offs."

City's Michael Standing is a good friend of Mersons after the two shared a time at Aston Villa. Standing said of the aging playmaker "Merse is far too good for this league. He was one of Villa's best players and I still don't understand why they let him go, it was crazy. He took me under his wing at Villa and I still speak to him regularly. He's so down to earth and a really good mate. He's been winding me up about this one but he knows how hard a game it's going to be. We went to Ipswich last month and won there so we're capable of beating anybody. If we can keep Merse quiet then we must have a chance."

Standing admits to being less than pleased about ending up on the bench after an impressive three game run. Standing commented "There's no point in me lying, I feel gutted. When I was in the team we played three league games and got seven points - it's driving me mad not to be in but it's the manager's decision. I'm not the type of player to go round crashing into tackles but I don't think I'm too lightweight. Rotherham were supposed to be the most physical team in the division and I played centre-midfield and we hammered them. After being out for so long at Villa the last thing I need now is a rest. I need to play too many games not less. It's so frustrating that we've got a lot of injuries and I can't get in."

Jorgi: "It's nice to be involved again"

Claus Jorgensen hopes to win over Nicky Law and get a place in the Bantams starting eleven on a full time basis after some impressive displays. Jorgi said "It's just nice to be involved again because it's been very frustrating for me. With all that we've been through in the summer I've tried to be professional but it's sad that I've had to start from zero. I don't feel I've let anyone down when I've played but at times it just seems that I'm the only person in the club that believes in me. The fans have been behind me but wherever I've played I've always had a good relationship with the supporters. I think that's because I try to be honest - I have failed as much as anyone but I try to keep working. It's especially true with supporters in England but you can be the biggest star around and if you don't show you are trying, then they will go after you. I think they appreciate that I always go out there and give everything."

Thursday 26 September, 2002

Today's News by Michael Wood

Davison out for two weeks

Aidan Davison's thigh injury is described as "a slight tear in his right thigh" which the keeper will be recovered from in two weeks. Steve Redmond said "It's the muscle he uses more than any other kicking dead balls. Aidan was in a lot of pain so the scan was the best result we could have had."

Wayne Jacobs has put himself forward as back up keeper to Steve Banks.

More costs from Burnley game

Add £600 to the cost of playing Burnley after City had to pay up to get a 3 man FA panel to look at a video of the Burnley game to to look at the red card given to Danny Cadamarteri for being near a guy who got the ball in the face.

FIFA are planning to stop appeals based on red cards because they feel that it undermines the Referee, as if the Referees making the wrong decisions habitually did not undermine them. Two yellow card sending offs, such as Mark Bower's in the same game, cannot be appealed.

Wednesday 25 September, 2002

Today's News by Michael Wood

The Quarterly review

BfB's James Ramsden puts in his quarterly review on the state of City.

Law more charitable on Tuesdays

Nicky Law showed any interested Burnley fans that he is not always slagging off the opposition with charitable words for the Coventry City keeper Fabien Debec who let Paul Evans shot slip through him in last night's 1-1 draw. Law sympathised "I thought the goal was unfortunate even though it's an opposition goalie. It seems to be a bit of a thing going round with goalies at the minute but he made up for that with the good save in the second half. Paul must have had six or seven shots at goal and he was always there to have a pop."

Davison goes for scan as Banks looks forward to debut

Aidan Davison will go for a scan on his injured leg but is expected to be out for six weeks City with only one senior stickman, on loan Steve Banks.

Banks took the traditional goalkeeper's philosophical approach saying I've been waiting for my chance and now it's arrived I intend to make the most of it. I'm definitely not complaining about making my full debut against Portsmouth, that's what I've come here for, not to sit and warm the bench. They're a Premiership outfit when you look at some of the players there and I imagine we will be under quite a bit of pressure."

Portsmouth cool interest in Ward

Shaun Harvey has revealed that City never discussed term with Portsmouth over a transfer of Ashley Ward. Harvey said "We understand that there has been interest from Portsmouth, but that has not manifested itself in formal negotiations. We were having conversations with Portsmouth but that never got as far as discussing players' wages. The real issue I think, is that Portsmouth have decided to look elsewhere."

Law: Batty rubbish

Nicky Law has rubbished links between City and David Batty.

Halle raises the bar

Gunnar Halle will be bombing up and down the Lillestrom wing for another year after signing a one year extension to his current deal. The former City man will be 38 when his contract finishes.

Tuesday 24 September, 2002

Today's News by Michael Wood

Coventry snatch draw at Valley Parade

City draw 1-1 with Sky Blues

City let a one goal lead slip in the last ten minutes at home to Coventry in the 1-1 draw at Valley Parade.

City linked with Batty again

The improbable link between Bradford City and David Batty, who seems to be on his way out of Leeds after being left out of a reserve game, has resurfaced.

Rava deal could end Ward's Portsmouth chances

Portsmouth are reported to be close to a deal for Derby's Fabrizio Ravanelli which could end there interest in City's Ashley Ward.

Warnock praises McAllister

Stephen Warnock paid tribute to how much Coventry manager Gary McAllister had taught him during their time together at Anfield "It's going to be very interesting being up against him. Gary used to talk to me all the time and try to teach me things. Hopefully he's taught me enough to overcome him tonight." Warnock did not add "He also told me to mind out for fella's wi' pitchforks at Valley Parade at half time", but perhaps he should have.

Monday 23 September, 2002

Today's News by Michael Wood

Law says sorry over diving Greek!

Nicky Law has apologised to Stand Ternant and Burnley about comments he made about Dimitrios Papadopoulos, the Burnley forward who's diving got Mark Bower sent off although Law tellingly stopped short of retracting the comments. "I'd like to say sorry for the comments I made about Dimitrios Papadopoulos, they were said in the heat of the moment immediately after the match. Unfortunately I made comments about another team's player and I shouldn't have done. I intended no harm towards Stan or to Burnley."

BfB editor Michael Wood does not think that Nicky Law should apologise. He thinks he should be counting the cost of the Burnley game.

Proctor: I could get in the Suunderland first team

Michael Proctor hopes that his three goals at City, one more than his own club Sunderland have managed all season, might get him a first team chance when he eventually goes back to the Stadium of Light. Proctor said "I would like to think that I can go back to Sunderland one day as a first team regular, If not, then so be it, I will look to play elsewhere. But if I score goals here then it sends a message to Peter Reid." One might be tempted to say that Proctors form at Valley Parade sends a message to Reid's critics too, a meassage that the monkey-headed one is splashing out £10m on strikers while ignoring a local boy with talent.

Law linked with every man, dog

Nicky Law is being linked with moves to Hull and Barnsley and while, as Paul Jewell proved, managers are not always the most loyal of people the current City boss did speak of his relief at coming out of the second and third divisions when he got the City job calling the Bantams post "A chance I thought would never come". File under rhubarb.

Ward back, Myers out

Ashley Ward has returned to fitness for the game with Coventry after his injury that forced him out of the Burnley game. Andy Myers misses the match after an injury in the same game.

Law blast West, Danny's not pleased

Nicky Law has singled out Dean West for criticism after the player got Danny Cadamarteri sent off in Saturday's game with Burnley. Law fumed "The referee hadn't seen the incident because he was facing the other way. He just turned round and saw their lad laying on the floor holding his face and decided to send off Danny. But on the player's part it's a disgrace. Someone of West's experience getting a fellow pro sent off is just not on. Afterwards he was running up the touchline and couldn't look right towards the dug-out because he knows what he has done and was too embarrassed. There was nothing wrong with him and then he was making gestures and putting his tongue in his cheek. It's disgraceful."

Law's rant continued to the subject of Mark Bower "Bower's sending off was equally ridiculous. The linesman flagged prior to that because Papadopoulos had elbowed him in the face and yet he only finds that one as a yellow card - strange. We've asked the referee to take the video away and look at it and he may change his mind. Whether he is courageous enough to do that, I don't know."

Danny Cadamarteri on the other hand seemed annoyed with the situation saying "I never touched their player and he knows it. We're definitely going to fight it."

Sunday 22 September, 2002

Today's News by Michael Wood

City get moral victory over the team of cheats

9 man Bantams get last gasp 2-2 draw with Burnley

Mark Bower and Danny Cadamarteri were sent off after a disgraceful display of cheating and gamesmanship by Stan Ternent's Burnley side. Michael Proctor snatched a last second equaliser as City drew 2-2 with Burnley at Valley Parade.

Mike Dean: That Tosser

BfB's columns have been quiet post-administration but the display of referee Mike Dean has got Jonathan Jackson's blood boiling. "I don't think I have seen a referee so biased, one sided or oblivious to blatant cheating as Mike Dean was yesterday." Read more...

The Problems with Danny and Stan

Roland Harris thinks that Danny Cadamarteri's sending off comes from his "high profile bad behaviour" before he joined City and that Cadders will suffer the same problems as Stan Collymore did.

And Banks makes three

Just in case you missed it Ian Banks was sent off at after City's equaliser against Burnley. Why? Who knows but Banks explained thus "I totally lost it at the end. I think I was overcome with excitement and just lost it. But I didn't say anything to the referee I just came out of my technical area."

Banks continued to ponder of the subject "Stephen Warnock, who is here on loan from Liverpool and unbiased said he'd never seen a referee give as many decisions against a side and asked me, What have we done wrong?"

Law seethes

Of course Nicky Law was seething at the refereeing display during the 2-2 draw with Burnley. Law fumed "It was 9 v 12 out there today, If we had been able to keep a full team on the pitch we would have smashed them but if the referee kept on going the way he did we would have had another Sheffield United on our hands and had the game abandoned. Their centre forward was diving all over the place. It was a disgrace the way they got away with it. Mark Bower was hit in the face and when the linesman flagged and called the referee over, Mark was the one penalised and got sent off. I was disappointed not have won the game, we were the better side by far but have to be glad to have got a point. It almost feel like we won and Burnley must have felt like they have lost. We fully deserved the point. As well as the three players with suspensions looming we will also be without Andy Myers who suffered a calf injury but we will not know how serious it is until he has a scan on Monday."

City will appeal sendings off

City will ask Referee/idiot Mike Dean to review the video of the 2-2 draw with Burnley after official sent off Mark Bower and Danny Cadamarteri. City's defence of the Bower strikingly does not involving the fact that the Burnley forward Dimitrios Papadopoulos dived to get the decision but rather that the Greek fouled Bower before the incident.

The Bantam defence of Cadamarteri, which from the stands looked like a clear sending off but later video showed was anything but, was that the ball hit defender Paul Cook, not Cadamarteri's arm.

Proctor Three, Sunderland Two

Michael Proctor's scored his third goal for City yesterday, his club, Sunderland, have scored two all season.

Saturday 21 September, 2002

Today's News by Michael Wood

Ward headed south

Ashley Ward was left out of the City side for the 2-2 draw with Burnley with the word having it he had travelled to Portsmouth to agree terms with Harry Redknapp's side but later information pointing a failed fitness test.

Owls look at taking Wetherall back

Sheffield Wednesday have looked at signing City skipper David Wetherall, who began his career at the Owls, but have been put off by the player's injury problems.

Gibb on letting Ward go

Gordon Gibb has stated that Portsmouth, or anyone else for that matter, can have Ashley Ward on a free transfer should they be able to agree terms with the forward. Gibb said "[Allowing Ward to leave] is a financial decision on our behalf, but hopefully some of the money from this deal would allow the manager to bring in another striker to replace Ashley."

The deal for Ward would seem to have City paying 50% of the player's wages for the remaining 21 months of his contract which shoulds like very poor business to us. Gordon, get that percentage down!

Blake: Let me at 'em

Robbie Blake is hoping he can fire his Burnley side to a win at his old stomping ground Valley Parade.

Things have not gone well for the £1m striker since he left City last season. Blake saw his Burnley side fail in a play off bid, dropping from fourth to seventh in the last three months of the season. It took Robbie until last month to score his first goal for the Clarets, a penalty, and he has yet to get a go in free play. In addition to this Blake, although with the rest of the Burnley squad, has been transfer listed as the club look to save money.

Find out more Burnley gubbins at The London Clarets.

Thursday 19 September, 2002

Today's News by Michael Wood

Wetherall to go back to go forward

Steve Redmond spoke for the Frustrated City skipper David Wetherall after the defenders comeback from injury lasted 43 reserve minutes. Redmond said said "It's nothing major but this is a niggling problem that just refuses to go away. It's not related to the groin injury he has had in the past. He has had various scans, tests and biomechanical studies and we thought this had gone, unfortunately it clearly hasn't. It is very frustrating for David because this is only something minor. It just doesn't want to clear up."

Wetherall may now return to the Danish orthopaedic surgeon who has treated him for further work.

Morgan impresses Law

Robert Morgan is believed to have impressed Nicky Law in recent reserve outings and in training and may be bumped up to the first team squad with the injuries to David Wetherall and Peter Atherton. Bradford born Morgan is a right footed centreback.

Atherton out

Peter Atherton has been ruled out until the end of November with a tear in his groin.

Cadete does Bantam Brother

One time City striker Jorge Cadete, who in April 2000 was paid an outlandish £17,000 a week to turn out for the Bantams in the Premiership, has joined the cast of Portugal's Celebrity Big Brother. Cadete getting on well with one Nicole, former singer of Portuguese girl band Tentacoes, although frankly one if his record at Valley Parade is anything to go by, viewers will be waiting a long time before they see any action. During his time at Bradford City Jorge Cadete did not score.

All of which was pre-empted by BfB's own Bantam Brother which had the nation on the edge of it's collective seat all summer.

Wednesday 18 September, 2002

Today's News by Michael Wood

Wetherall limps out of comeback

City were dealt a blow as skipper David Wetherall limped out of his comeback from injury as the reserves lost 3-0 to Aston Villa at Odsal. It is thought that Wetherall suffered a reoccurrence of the hip injury that ha kept him out of the first team since the opening day of the season.

Wetherall in final Odsal reserve game

David Wetherall will make his return from injury in the final City reserve game to be played at Odsal against Aston Villa tonight. Steve Banks, Paul Reid and Michael Standing and Wayne Jacobs will all use the game to press first team claims, as will forgotten/fringe men Andrew Lee, Claus Jorgensen, Danny Forrest and Juanjo. Stefan Postma will play for Villa and he must fancy his chances of a first team start after Peter Enkelman's own goal on Monday night.

Handsome Harry hopes on hapless hitman

Harry Redknapp has confirmed that Portsmouth have looked at Ashley Ward "He is one of several names we've thrown around but we haven't gone any further than that at the moment. Ward is a good player who brings people in to play, holds the ball up well and works very, very hard. We are just waiting to see what happens but there is no rush."

Ward hinted that he would not treat any approach is distain "I've not spoken to anyone from Portsmouth and all I know is what I've heard. But obviously it does sound flattering when you are mentioned with a club who have made such a great start to the season and have an above average chance of being promoted."

Peter Atherton? Injured you say? My word!

Peter Atherton strained the left side of his groin in the defeat at Leicester City meaning that the sum of his inclusion in the side last night was a 4-0 defeat and a pissed off Paul Evans. Nice.

Reactions to Leicester City

Gordon Gibb summed up the Leicester City away experince saying "This is clearly a club who don't intend to spend too much time in this division."

Nicky Law was more verbose in his comments, pointing fingers and allocating blame "It look a trouncing at 4-0 but I don't think that was the case. We were equal to them up until the first goal, which was a poor one to give away. And if that wasn't bad enough then 60 seconds later we gave another one away which was just as sloppy. Again it was down to individual mistakes. We haven't marked correctly for the first one and from the second, Andy Gray lost his man and Matt Elliott reacted quicker to the loose ball than Bob Molenaar who was marking him. That was really the difference between the two teams. We had just as much of the play but they defended their box a lot better than we did."

Tuesday 17 September, 2002

Today's News by Michael Wood and Roland Harris at Leicester

City thumped 4-0 by Leicester

Bradford City's run of good form ended with a 4-0 thumping at the hands of Leicester City. The Bantams passed well, especially in the first half, but were overpowered by the impressive home side.

Match report to follow...

Portsmouth move for Ward could see Law go back for Lindbaek

Harry Redknapp's Portsmouth are reported to be keen on City's Ashley Ward although how they intend to get him after the transfer deadline is anyone's guess. Ward has been in good form of later but few would be sad to see the £18,000 a week "hitman" off the wage bill.

It may also be worth noting that Andre Schei Lindbaek, the FK Molde targetman who was lined up to replace Ward by Law in February 2002, is out of contract in Norway in two months and could offer City an alternative to "Big Ash" should he join Redknapps South Coast side.

The move for Lindbaek broke down when City offered Molde a fee that feel short of there valuation and it is not known if personal terms were discussed although the player watched City beat Nottingham Forrest 2-1 at VP and at the time said "I think English football suits me and I would love to have the opportunity of playing for Bradford."

Evans to be axed?

There is suggestion today [link valid today only] that Paul Evans may be dropped for tonight's game with Leicester City after looking out of sorts. BfB is unequivocal on this. Paul Evans backed City when the club looked like it had no future. He turned up and earned himself a contract and the respect an admiration of City fans. He has repurposed that number ten shirt in the space of two months. He has had three average games on the trot, average only by the high standards he had set previously, and there is talk or dropping him!

People bemoan the lack of loyalty from players to clubs. This would seem to be a chance for City to show loyalty from club to player and frankly I think Evans deserves that.

Jacobs monitoring progress

Like most of the sixteen sacked in the summer Wayne Jacobs knows that his time at City will probably be up at the end of the year. In the case of Jacobs this will come a year shy of a testimonial tenth season as a Bantam and few would argue that the ginger left back deserves such honours (Although some would, and we know who you are!). In the decade of wild instability at City Jacobs has provided an even keel and provided leadership to the playing squad in his role as the club's senior pro and longest serving member. Said Jacobs of this seasons twist and turns "I don't think anyone in their wildest dreams would have expected us to put together the results we have done. Last year we probably played better with the ball but we'd get caught and they'd have maybe two shots and score both. That eats away at confidence and you saw the damage it did but winning games is a fantastic habit and is great for breeding confidence, as we are showing at the moment. And, of course, the spirit is there. There's also a bit of unity within the club at the top end which definitely helps."

Jakes continued "It was well-publicised that our ex-chairman [Geoffrey Richmond] and Jim Jefferies clashed a lot and as players you can feel the effects of that. It's important to stress that I'm not using it as an excuse or advocating the responsibility of the players for bad results but it does rub off and you do pick up on the negative thoughts. With everything that's happened this summer and the way we've come out of it, there are just good vibes around the place now. Everybody is pulling together and it's got to be good for the football club. You can see those results out on the pitch."

Monday 16 September, 2002

Today's News by Michael Wood who still ill

Walsh injury "open-ended"

Gary Walsh is to see a specialist about the knee injury that has sidelined him for a month. It would seem fair to say that Walsh's injury is of the open-ended variety and that City would do well to plan for life without him. Expect a January bid to sign Alan Combe.

Old boys face up for free

One time City man Billy McKinlay and three time City reject Nicky Summerbee line up to face City for Leicester City tomorrow night playing unpaid for the foxes. It's worth reflecting that the £1.5m move to Valley Parade that Summerbee "urm and ahed" over in August 2000 would have run until the end of this season so although he would have no doubt been sacked in the summer with the rest of the squad, he would be picking up his dues now.

Sunday 15 September, 2002

Today's News by Michael Wood

Gray nets and City gets a second away win of the season

Bantams beat Walsall 1-0 at the Bescot Stadium

How much did BfB Editor Michael Wood enjoy the 1-0 win over Walsall? No much, he was as ill as he can remember being as so let his ticket and the right to write a match report go to David Billingham, only one problem, Billingham is a Huddersfield supporter. Read what a TB thinks of Bradford City beating Walsall 1-0.

Warnock wins his new manager's praises

Nicky Law was pleased with his new signing on loan from Liverpool saying "Stephen Warnock played well, and didn't look out of place at either full back or in midfield. You could see why Liverpool have high hopes for him, and expect him to be challenging for a place in their team before the end of the season."

Thursday 12 September, 2002

Today's News by Michael Wood

Wetherall looking at Burnley return

David Wetherall is hoping to return to the City team for the game at home to Burnley in nine days time. Nicky Law hopes to play the City skipper in the reserves against Aston Villa next week and said of the player "David is an intelligent player who doesn't need loads of games in the reserves. But he just needs to get in there and get his timing back and he'll be all right, as he was at the back end of last season."

Kearney eyes return

Tom Kearney's levelheadedness is reaching epic proportions with the 20 year old start rehab on his cruciate injury before he has gone under the knife. Nicky Law confirmed that the former Everton youngster is already looking at his comeback saying "It may sound a bit silly doing rehab now, but he's been told that a few weeks work ahead of the operation will save him about a further four months afterwards."

Youngster quits

City youngster Damian Hatton has been forced to retire from football following an injury sustained two years ago.

Wednesday 11 September, 2002

Today's News by Michael Wood

Warnock joins City: Relax, it's not that Warnock

Liverpool defensive midfielder Stephen Warnock has joined City on a month long loan. Warnock has yet to play in anger for the Anfield side but has impressed enough to be given a squad number by the Reds.

Speaking about his new signing, who one assumes will fill the hole left by Tom Kearney in the starting 11, Nicky Law said, "Stephen is very strong both physically and mentally and is very versatile. He can play in a number of positions and made a massive breakthrough in the Liverpool Reserve team in 2001. Stephen can play in midfield or defence and is a much needed welcome addition to our depleted squad."

New man in on Thursday

Nicky Law expects to sign a Premiership left winger on loan on Thursday. No word yet as to who he is but one rumour has it that he is currently at West Ham United.

Law: That blew!

Nicky Law fumed at City's 2-1 defeat at Wrexham saying "On the whole we weren't very good to put it mildly but six or seven of the performances were just abysmal. They know who they are and they've got to make sure that it doesn't happen again. We weren't with it from the first to the last minute and that's totally unacceptable. We were at sixes and sevens. It looked like we got a group of people in off the street and stuck them together out there. It certainly wasn't good enough against Wrexham and in the First Division we'd have come in 4-0 down by half-time." Law's speech was reminiscent of the blasting Jim Jefferies used to do his Bantams. Back then BfB used to say that it was Jim's job to make sure the players performed so in the name of consistency it has to be pointed out that it is Law's job to make sure that six or seven players do not take a game like this too lightly.

However it is easy to see why Law would be upset. While his job is far from under threat his ability to do that job depends on the income the club can generate. A money spinning tie or two in the League Cup could have given the City boss the financial clout to get in more players. The share of the 2,200 odd gate last night will barely pay Ashley Ward for a day.

Tuesday 10 September, 2002

Today's News by Michael Wood

City out in League Cup in the First Round

Two late goals dump the Bantams at Wrexham

City looked through after Danny Cadamarteri's late goal but two injury time sucker punches left the Bantams with a long trip back to Valley Parade after losing 2-1 to Wrexham.

Proctor and Banks out

Michael Proctor and Steve Banks will not play in the League cup to avoid being cup tied. Danny Cadamarteri will revert to the forward line with Paul Reid coming into midfield

Chairman and Chief Exec map out plans

Gordon Gibb continued to map out his plans for City issuing a note of concern over the future of the club, although suggesting that he has a plan for dealing with that future.

What Gordon says [in a nutshell]...

Monday 09 September, 2002

Today's News by Roland Harris and Michael Wood

Paul Reid is the new Paul Reid

City sign up Aussie midfielder

Nicky Law has gone back to one of the players he was keen to bring in before the financial plight of the summer to solve his midfield woes signing Paul Reid from Aussie side Woolongong Wolves on a four month contract after Rotherham United passed on the player.

Stuff you really don't need to know about the new Paul Reid
Gibb: "We are doing things a bit differently here"

On the day City were pulled from the OFEX index, the precursor to administration and near extinction, BfB suggested that the club may have been split at a boardroom level. As the summer progressed a united front was shown by Rhodes and Richmond although since the former chairman departed the word coming out of Valley Parade from Gordon Gibb and Julian Rhodes, while not being overtly critical of Richmond, has suggested that there was disagreement in the oak panelled rooms of VPHQ.

Gordon Gibb continued the suggestion in an interview of late saying "We are doing things a bit differently here at Bradford. We're not doing it a glamorous and fashionable way, we want old-fashioned values like hard work, sensibilities, grit and determination. That's how we will battle our way out of problems. It's quite easy to motivate yourself if you've got the right people around you given our circumstances. We would be more than happy to finish the season voted the most unfashionable club in the division." Some boast in a division with both Rotherham and Grimsby in it.

Continuing Gibb said "The positive aspect of Julian Rhodes and myself being at the helm is that we've got a completely fresh start. We're not pulled back to the old days of an evangelical, dictatorial style of chairmanship. What we've got now is two more progressive individuals, focused on creating a positive team environment. There are supporters who may feel the old reputation of the club is a hurdle stopping them from showing support again. That's why it was important that Julian sent out a clear message that here are two guys who are acting without any ties to the old regime. Neither of us have been anyone's puppets in our lives and we don't intend to start now."

Gibb concluded by heaping praise on the players who have responded well following his arrival. Gibb said "They [the players] are a credit to themselves and the stewardship of Nicky Law who has been mentally tough enough to switch off from surrounding events. Already we are seeing the fruits of his labour regarding the players he has brought in. He has shown an eye for a bargain and is realistic about how this club will be run on a budget." Nicky Law it would seem is the great winner in the VP summer of woe. He has emerged in the eyes of all as determined, characterful and able. The Premiership has no room for the likes of Nicky Law, few bosses in the top flight have dirtied their hands at places like Saltergate, something that will come as a great relief at Valley Parade. Nicky Law is perhaps the club's greatest asset a fact that it is good to see Gibb recognising.

Gordon Gibb will be speaking at length to the Telegraph & Argus

Law waiting on Premiership loan player

Nicky Law has made a formal approach for a Premiership midfielder on loan and is now waiting to hear back from the top flight club. Law hopes to have teh player, thought to be a young left winger, in place for Saturdays game at Walsall.

Reserves back at VP

City's Reserves will return to Valley Parade after the Bulls ground sharing agreement ended and plans to redevelop Odsal came to fruition.

The first game back for City will be the winnable match on the 22nd of October against Sheffield Wednesday.

The Red Passion

The Red Passion sounds like Man U site run by a guy who hopes to go to Old Trafford one day. It's not, its a Wrexham site and a very good one at that. This is their preview of Tuesday night's League Cup game.

Sunday 08 September, 2002

Today's News by Michael Wood

Law wants cup run

Nicky Law has confirmed that City will be fielding a full side in Tuesday night's game at Wrexham and said that in the current financial plight of Bradford City he believes that the chance of a money spinning cup run should be made a priority.

Law's comments are in stark contrast to the previous few managers at Valley Parade who have seemed to consider the cups, epically the League Cup, beneath the club. City's last half decent trot in a cup came when the Bantams were unlucky to go out to Sheffield Wednesday, then a Premiership club, during Chris Kamara's time at Valley Parade. Since then City heave meekly surrendered or been giant killed in most knock out games.

Perhaps Law has, like many around Valley Parade this summer, reassessed what City and City fans want out for the game. There was no pride in being knocked out of the League Cup by Barnsley or the FA Cup by Gillingham despite our place in the Premiership and if Bradford City are to serve as a source of pride, and if the club are to get more through the gates, then a cup run could be very beneficial.

Saturday 07 September, 2002

Today's News by Michael Wood

Evans sits out Wales win

Wales recorded a 2-0 win away in Finland to kick off their Euro 2004 campaign. City's Paul Evans travelled with the squad but did not make the bench.

Sunderland confirm Proctor extension bid

Sunderland boss Peter Reid has confirmed that City have approached the Stadium of Light about extending Michael Proctor's loan deal for another two months.

Division shaping up, Derby shipping out

With Norwich being hammered at home and missing out on the chance to go top, just as they did last season, Portsmouth confirmed their place as the front runners. Derby County became the crisis club after allowed Burnley, for whom Robbie Blake scored his first goal today, to come back from a goal down to win. Derby face administration next week with debts of £30m.

Friday 06 September, 2002

Today's News by Michael Wood

Evans hopes for third cap

It is a curiosity of modern day Bradford City that while the club still hangs on to existence on the one hand on the other it is enjoying its most successful period since the 1920s. City fans now expect the team to be making a challenge for the Premiership, something that as short a time as 20 years ago was laughable. A part of the change in the perceptions of City is our international representation. Jamie Lawrence has, without much comment, broken the Bantams record caps and Paul Evans goes off to play for Wales against Finland with none of the amazement that followed Bobby Campbell when he represented Northern Ireland.

City's new midfield power Evans said "I think there's a lot of optimism in the country because of the good recent results. We try not to talk about the past any more. That's gone and instead everyone is looking forward to the Finland game. It's a difficult place to go as England and Germany found out in the World Cup but we are all thinking positive."

Evans, who it was revealed turned down a contract from Bristol Rovers to get the chance to play for City even though the club could have gone to the wall, continued "It's been good so far for me and Bradford have shown that we're a decent team. The performances we've had have certainly helped me get picked for Wales. There is no higher accolade than to play for your country and being included for such a big game is the pinnacle of my career. All the big names are here like Ryan Giggs and Robbie Savage and training has been more intense. We're all desperate to do well."

200,000

Not that we really watch the hit counter but BfB got it's 200,000 unique visitor since August 2000 today. Thanks for reading.

Thursday 05 September, 2002

Today's News by Roland Harris and Michael Wood. Thanks to Andrew Dean

Proctor extends loan move

Michael Proctor has had his loan move from Sunderland extended from one month to three. The Wearsiders have just announced losses of some £750,000, a figure that does not include the £16m spent on transfer this summer and while the small ammounts that will be saved on Proctor's wages would seem insignifcant it would seem that the financial pressures and the fact that the striker is far down the pecking order at the Stadium of Light may hasten the 21 years old into a move.

Welsh on his way to VP?

Nicky Law is believed to have eyed Stockport's 18 year old winger Andy Welsh. Sunderland are also said to be keen on the player who is currently on loan at Macclesfield Town.

Kearney and Walsh in the battle of wounded knee

Tom Kearney will go under the knife of Surgeon Steve Bollen on the 3rd of October to fix the anterior cruiate ligament injury that has robbed the Bantams of the brightest spark until next season. In one of those twists of fate that happen all the time Bollen is the Surgeon who rebuilt Roy Keane's knee after the injury that the Manchester United midfielder has vowed to get revenge on City's David Wetherall for, well, being near when it happened.

Meanwhile Gary Walsh may not need an operation on his injured knee. Physio Steve Redmond commented "Gary's feeling a little bit better and the scans have not shown any deterioration from how it was before. The surgeon wants him to spend the next seven to ten days doing some rehab work before having another look to see whether anything needs to be done."

Tod in the battle of wounded groin

Andy Tod went under the knife of Harley Street specialist and former Pink Floyd axe-man David Gilmour (The last bit was a lie- MW). Tod will be out for six weeks putting pressure on City's already small squad.

So what is wrong with Jorgi?

Claus Jorgensen impressed BfB with his Gascoigne-esque running form midfield last season however Nicky Law has seemed unconvinced and at last night's fans forum he confirmed that the Dane was "Not his sort of player".

Law and Banks talk to the fans

Nicky Law and Ian Banks addressed a fans forum on Wednesday night. This is what was said:

Wednesday 04 September, 2002

Today's News by Michael Wood

Proctor for keeps?

Nicky Law has hinted that he would like to sign Michael Proctor on a permanent basis following Sunderland's signing of Tore Andre Flo and Marcus Stewart. The financial problems at the club may mean that Law would be frustrated in his aims and may have to make do with extending the player's loan deal at VP.

Tuesday 03 September, 2002

Today's News by Michael Wood

Law wants more on loan

Nicky Law, Ian Banks and Steve Daniels are spending City's break scouting players with a look at bringing in two new faces on loan. Said Law "Hopefully too by the time of the next league game we'll have another player or two coming in on loan."

Law has confirmed that he would like to bring a left sided midfielder into the club and it is believed that he scouted such a player in a Premiership reserve game last night. The changes to the transfer system prevent City from getting players on loan from non-English leagues.

Wetherall back for Walsall

David Wetherall has targeted the league game at Walsall in two weeks time for his comeback from injury.

Monday 02 September, 2002

Today's News by Roland Harris

Tod out

Andy Tod is to undergo a hernia operation and will be out for a month or more. Tod does not seem to have much of a role in Nicky Law's plans but the size of the City squad, 13 fit seniors at the moment, is a worry.

Ashley happy

Ashley Ward looked back on the past week with the satisfaction of a job well done. His two goals on Saturday added to the great hold up play at Ipswich that won the free kicks that gave the goals that kick started City's season mean that Ash could feel like he was worth some of the £18,000 a week he picked up for the first time since April "It's easily been the best week of this term with the win at Ipswich, getting paid at last and then this [win over Rotherham]. It showed how well we can play when we've got a bit of confidence. The only shame is that I didn't get a hat-trick."

Nicky Law was pleased for his expensive forward heaping praise on the much criticised [by me- RH] front man "Wardy comes in for some stick but there won't be a centre-forward that works as hard as him in this league. He does it week in, week out, day in, day out. He's a great player to have and even when he's not scoring, at least he's there to miss them. I'm really delighted he's got two goals and I think Michael Proctor has given Ashley a lift. I don't think we've had as many combinations and tricks between our front players since I've been here. Our two strikers have got four goals in two games now so I'm getting a little bit excited!"

Officially speaking

City had the club's share in the Football League returned at the end of last week and are hoping to officially come out of administration sometime this week.

Sunday 01 September, 2002

Today's News by Michael Wood

Bradford City 4 Rotherham United 2: Match Report

Ashley Ward scores twice and Robert Molenaar plays well. Read about the game that offered real value for money.

Gibb courts the press

There were times during Geoffrey Richmond's time as City chairman when the Bantams and the press were in a state of open war. Not so Gordon Gibb it would seem as the 26 year old City chairman gave an interview to The News Of The World covering many aspects of the Bantams.

Gibb compared City to his other business, the theme parks Flamingo Land and Pleasure Island, saying "Fundamentally a football stadium attempts to attract a large number of people and offer good entertainment- that is what I already do with the theme parks. I employ 500 people during the summer at the theme parks and Bradford employ about 500 people during the winter. The peaks and troughs of cash flow help each out at opposite ends of the year."

Speaking as to why he got involved in City Gibb said "I love my football and I love my county. I had the opportunity of becoming co-owner and Chairman of a First Division club in Yorkshire- it was too good an opportunity to pass up. I have never kidded myself that taking the role of Chairman was going to involve anything other than making tough decisions."

Gibb continued "They have had a really difficult summer, nobody can argue with that. It's a testament to Nicky and his team that he has kept them focused on football and the players have been a credit. Make no mistake, nobody in the country wants to play us at the moment because our team spirit is sky high. We're fighting for everything and if you want to take points off us you better come prepared to come and fight for them, regardless of what your wage bill is."

Talk about the wages bill and specifically the £80,000 limit Gibb told the News Of The World "Nicky Law thinks it is fair and appropriate and understands where the figure came from and more importantly from the footballing point of view, he feels he can do a job for us on that."

Finally Gibb made a sly jibe at his predecessor at VP when he talked about the type of chairman he would be "They tried to get me onto the pitch for the first game against Wolves but its not my style. I think the fans have had enough of high-profile flamboyant Chairmen. I want to become known as a Chairman of actions rather than a Chairman of words or rhetoric, so I am going to crack on and prove the doubters wrong through what I achieve. Hopefully a few of my advisors who tried to talk me out of getting involved in football will be forced to eat their words in a few years time."

The month by month news index.