Monday 31 March, 2003

Today's News by Michael Wood

Jorgi tried to leave last week

BfB has learned that Claus Jorgensen, who scored a Football League record eighth goal in eight games at Norwich on Saturday, hoped to leave City last week after it became clear that his new contact would not include a pay increase. Cluas is certain that he will be leaving City at the end of the year but as yet he has no new deal set up.

Law looks at easy living, fish jumping, cotton high

Nicky Law is looking forward to a rest in the closed season saying "I will be glad when the summer is here. It's been a long hard season for everybody. We've had a lot of ups and downs but the lads have come through and deserve a lot of credit for that. There has been the administration and we've had limited money to spend which has meant not a lot of flexibility on bringing in players. We've had to use the loan system and a lot of young lads but they have adapted very well in extremely difficult circumstances.

Looking back on the season Law paid tribute to his young players saying "We've had to play a bunch of kids at times like the Burnley game. We had Danny Forrest and Simon Francis who are both scholars and Ben Muirhead who's just come here from Man United, then there was Craig Fishlock, Kevin Sanasy and Danny Ekoku on the bench. But these young lads work hard, they listen and they get organised. They have got a lot to offer this club in the future."

Sunday 30 March, 2003

Today's News by Michael Wood

Jorgi leaving City

Claus Jorgensen has told Ekstra Bladet that he will look for another club after it became clear to him that he was not going to get improved or equal terms with the Bantams. The Dane, who has been in superb form this season, said "We have had our salaries cut by 25% and it's possible that the salaries will be reduced further at the end of the season since the club still got problems, therefore, I will now try to see if I can succeed to find something else over here."

BfB is not going to rail against Claus or against City for not signing him up but we will say this: Claus Jorgensen is exactly the type of player that we need at this club and I would hope that everything that could be done has been done to keep the midfielder at Valley Parade. He is a player on the up and can take us places. If he leaves we will be the worse for it.

Saturday 29 March, 2003

Today's News by Michael Wood

City lose Norwich's must win game

Bantams beaten 3-2 by Norwich City at Carrow Road

Claus Jorgesen got his eighth goal in eight games away from Valley Parade and Danny Forrest took his strike well but Norwich City had to win and did, 3-2 at Carrow Road.

Law's post match ref-rant

Poor Nicky Law just cannot seem to geta smile after referee Phil Joslin angered him during the 3-2 loss with Norwich "It was never a penalty when Ben Muirhead tackled their player in the box, he clearly won the ball, while the referee also allowed Norwich to take the quick free-kick that led to their winner while he was talking to Paul Reid. I seem to be saying the same things about officials every week but there's nothing you can do about it, it's just so frustrating. Overall I thought we deserved a point from the game, but in the end that quick free kick has cost us the draw."

Law calmed a little and pointed the finger at his own players saying "He shouldn't have been allowed to take it, but having said that it was poor defending on our part because we should never have switched off like that. I think we're probably safe now but it would be nice to get a couple more results quickly just to make sure."

Train to VP

Bantam uberfan Dave Pendleton talks about a railway station next to Valley Parade. Interesting stuff.

Friday 28 March, 2003

Today's News by Michael Wood

Lawrence says it all

Jamie Lawrence has spoken about leaving City saying "I've had so many great times with Bradford and I'll hold on to those good memories. I keep talking about Bradford as us. I know the lads are gutted to see me go and the gaffer rang to wish me well. It was a wrench to leave but it's nice to have a bit of personal security. So many footballers are going to be out of work at the end of the season."

Lawrence summed up City fans as well as anyone ever has saying "I think I've been appreciated more in the last couple of years than I was in the first four. The fans have always been good with me. They know what my game is all about and I think they enjoy a good tackle as much as a great pass."

Laurens plays it all

Laurens Ten Heuvel has come to City to keep in shape for Sheffield United play off push. Ten Heuvel is out of the first team at the Blades but might be needed later in the season as United assistant manager Kevin Blackwell explains "Bradford have said that they will play him which suits everybody down to the ground. Hopefully he will come back to us at a crucial stage with some games under his belt."

Thursday 27 March, 2003

Today's News by Michael Wood

Jamie leaves a legend

Jamie Lawrence has signed for Walsall today ending his six year stay at Valley Parade which saw him win promotion to the Premiership, have a song sung about him from the Anfield Kop, be on the front page of the Guardian after staying up and score a sixty yard dribble with three one twos at White Hart Lane.

Lawrence signed or the Bantams for £50,000 for Leicester City in the summer of 1998 and impressed with his work ethic. Shaun Harvey spoke in high terms of Jamie saying "He certainly ranks among the club's best signings in terms of value for money. It's probably a toss-up between Jamie and Peter Beagrie. We are in a position where Jamie is a free transfer in the summer. In view of the wage caps we are working to, it is unlikely he is going to fit in to that and he is looking to secure his own future. Walsall are in talks with his agent. In view of the service that Jamie has given this club, if he wants to leave we won't do anything to stand in his way." BfB wishes Jamie all the best and welcomes Ben Muirhead into his position.

Five greatest moments in the Bantam's career of City's most unlikely hero [Repeated from January 2003]
  1. Breaking the record for most caps gained as a City player. Jamie Lawrence is one of few English born Jamaican players who has been take to the heart of the Caribbean fans in recent years.
  2. City stay up and purple headed Jamie Lawrence running from the field being mobbed is the leading picture on The Guardian.
  3. Tottenham Hotspur, Jamie picks the ball up on the half way line, shuffles a pass, gets it back, plays it to Dean Saunders, charges to the edge of the box getting the ball fed into him and poking it beyond Ian Walker. Goal of the season.
  4. Norwich City at home in the promotion season and Jamie is a Bantam rampant. Gets the ball in his own half and runs straight at the Canaries goal dodging tackles and unlashing a shot to put the game at 4-0 before half time.
  5. Anfield in the Premiership and onto the field comes Jamie sporting a bleach white hair ala Dennis Rodman. Cool as.
Bantams lose 3-1 to Manchester UNited reserves

City lost 3-1 to Manchester United reserves at Valley Parade. Kevin Sanasy scored for City but Daniel Nardiello got a hat-trick for United.

Ten Heuvel signed on loan

City have signed Sheffield United's six foot Dutch striker Laurens Ten Heuvel on loan until the end of the season to cover injured Ashley Ward.

McHugh are you?

City have signed Frazer McHugh on a non contract basis until the end of the season. McHugh, who has played for Swindon in his 22 years, was spotted playing for Halesowen Town one assumes when the club were keeping an eye on Mark Danks. There was us thinking Danks had just been sent out of sight too.

Midfielder McHugh was described by Bromsgrove Rovers joint manager and one time City centreback Jon Ford as "He's a fantastic player and at this level the best midfield player in the league." McHugh's first job at City is to play in the resevres agianst Manchester United.

Bennett leaves City

Goalkeeper Neil Bennett has left City without playing a game. The Wakefield born keeper came to City as cover and has managed to sneak into the City squad in Championship Manager Four.

Branch turns down 15 month deal

Michael Branch has turned down an offer from City of a deal worth £80,000 a year until the end of next season. Gordon Gibb and Nicky Law are in agreement over the club's wage limit and did not seem keen to break it for a player of Branch's limited experience.

Meanwhile Mark Danks will stay with Halesowen Town for the rest of the season. With the club chasing Branch and Danny Forrest coming through the ranks it would seem that Danks is further out in the cold than even Juanjo.

Speaking of the Spaniard Juanjo is waiting to hear from Luton about signing a deal following a trial game.

Des at Grimsby

Des Hamilton has signed for Grimsby on loan until the end of the season. Des was at Wembley.

Wednesday 26 March, 2003

Today's News by Michael Wood

Reserves doing it on TV

Nicky Law is set to field a gang of trialists as City's reserves take on Manchester United at Valley Parade tomorrow night live on MUTV. It seems that being in the show window getting beat by the Red Devils is just what many players fancy and so Law has had no troubled getting people to try out for the Bantams.

Transfer deadline day, Jamie set to leave again...

Transfer deadline day tomorrow and Jamie Lawrence is being tipped as the City player most likely to go with Walsall reported to be about to take the player to the midlands. City might sign an out of contract player or two as we did last season with the likes of Tom Kearney and Michael Standing with the possibility of Michael Branch joining before the end of the season.

Juanjo, who played in Luton reserves 0-0 draw with Brentford will be allowed to go if the Hatters will send him the bus fare.

Gibb confirms City interest in Branch

Gordon Gibb has confirmed that City are trying to bring Wolves' out of favour striker Michael Branch to the club. Said the City chairman "We have had an on-going interest in Michael and that's something we are going to take up at the end of his contract with Wolves. There was an interest in taking him on loan but that was ruled out. Nicky Law was interested in him and still is but there is a contractual issue with his present club."

About Michael Branch

Born in Liverpool on the 18th October 1978 Michael is 178 cm, or five ten if you prefer, and was said to be "Michael Branch is the most natural goalscorer to emerge from Everton's ranks for years."

Wolves paid £500,000 to Everton for the former England u21 striker in January 2000 who has only scored 6 in 62 games for them. He is speedy if small striker who has not featured for Wolves this year but has done well in the Reserves.

Tuesday 25 March, 2003

Today's News by Michael Wood

Bantams beat Burnley

Bantams 2-0 win over Burnley at Turf Moor leaves City on the brink of safety

Goals from Claus Jorgensen and Andy Gray gave City a 2-0 win away at Burnley leaving the Bantams a point off Nicky Law's safety target of fifty with seven games to spare.

New kit is nice kit!

City show striped Diadora shirts with JCT600 on them

Diadora wil supply City's kit for the next two seasons and have unveiled the new designs on the club's site [Home] [Away] [Keeper 1] [Keeper 2] The home is a natty striped number, more claret than amber, with a hint of yoke on the back in claret for the name. The away a nice light blue (Or cyan ZX Spectrum owners) was is one of the keepers shirts.

Julian Rhodes spoke for all City fans when he pointed to the end of the home made shirt saying "After the last few seasons of having an unbranded shirt we felt it imperative that we found an internationally renowned partner to supply not only the match kit for the players next season, but also high quality technical training wear as well. The 2-season arrangement will see a new Home and Away kit for our Centenary Season in 2003/2004, and then two new kits for the season after. In Diadora we believe we have found an ideal partner." One hopes that City fans realise that although the one season only kit is a money spinning idea, we need to spin money quickly and getting yourself a shirt a year is a good way of putting some much needed cash the Bantam's way.

Andrew Ronnie, the Managing Director of Diadora (UK) said "It was apparent from my early meeting with Shaun Harvey that the two brands would work effectively together. Bradford City coming out of administration needed support, and I believe by adding our backing to the clubs retail operation will prove to be a winner off the field. On the field the players will benefit from high quality team wear that has been developed over a period of time with the other clubs we supply including Rangers FC (Scotland) and Aston Villa FC in the Premiership."

Meanwhile City have announced that Jack Tordoff's JCT600 will carry on sponsoring the kit for the next two seasons. Gordon Gibb, who probably has no idea who Jimmy Gilligan was and why we needed him in 1988, said of the deal "We are delighted that Jack Tordoff and the Board of JCT600 Ltd have agreed to extend their sponsorship of the club for a further 2 seasons. At a time when the club needs corporate support it is pleasing that JCT600 have come forward and shown their commitment to the club." While "Uncle" Jack Tordoff said "JCT 600 have already enjoyed a tremendous 6 year partnership as main sponsors of Bradford City Football Club but, because of our involvement with Bradford Bulls, we had not intended to renew our sponsorship when it came to an end in May 2003. Following discussions with Gordon Gibb and Julian Rhodes it became clear to me that since finding themselves in administration, the level of commitment from Sponsors was a very valuable element to the clubs survival and eventual progression."

We never thought we would say it but, thanks Jack. As a result we shall lift our decade and a half long boycott of JCT car show rooms.

Gray called up

Andy Gray will miss the game with Norwich after he was called up to play for Scotland. Jamie Lawrence also misses owing to international dutie as do Norwich's tiro Phillip Mulryne, Paul McVeigh and David Healy.

Mani and his mysterious hamstring

Good and bad news for Lewis Emanuel in the run up to tonight's game with Burnley. Good news is that Lewis is fit to play after his hamstring injury responded to treatment, the bad news is that this drama of the player pulling up lame during games only to be back in a week's time is being repeated with a frequency that suggests that whatever the problem is that sidelines City's talented left sider nobody seems to know the first thing about why it happens or how he gets better.

Juanjo wanted

Luton Town manager Joe Kinnear has given a trial to in the cold striker Juanjo.

FA answer on Butler

BfB's columnist Jon Blakely and reader/pop Frank Wood drew the Football Leagues's attention to the performance of Mr Butler, the ref for the Sheffield Wednesday game last week and were amazed when they replied...

Local derby looms

At BfB we are not big fans of Bolton or Two Horse Sam Allardyce but we are prepared to pay the price of Bolton staying up if it means Leeds might come down.

Sharpe trains with City

Lee Sharpe has been training with City in preparation for his relaunch. One hopes that Sharpe can be an example of the likes of Danny Forrest, Lewis Emanuel and Simon Francis in how not to manage your career. The former England international will start his career in Icelandic football next week.

Monday 24 March, 2003

Today's News by Michael Wood

Portsmouth fans evict 320 from Sunwin

320 City fans will be told to move from the upper tier of the Sunwin stand to allow the club to use that space of 3,400 seats for visiting supporters.

The 320 moved will be given a free guest ticket to make up for being shifted and while giving up your space for visiting fans, as Kopites like us had to do for the Rangers friendly last season, is a pain the compensation of a freebie and the understanding that by doing that the club could get in much needed funds totalling over £50,000 should make up for the move.

Clough to get Derby job

Nigel Clough, currently manager of Burton Albion and son of former Derby boss Brian, is being lined up as the new boss of Derby County once John Gregory is "done away with". Nicky Law had previously distanced himself from the role saying "Obviously I've read it as well but it's not distracting but at the end of the day you get on with the job in hand. I've got a massive job on here and that's what I shall continue to do."

Edwards looks at bright City future

Speaking in The Telegraph former City boss Brian Edwards has sung the praises of the City young guns saying "Mark Bower, Danny Forrest, Simon Francis and Lewis Emanuel are all great young prospects, and there are others coming through. The supporters can be confident the future is bright."

Sunday 23 March, 2003

Today's News by Michael Wood

City face up to inconstancy

The up down season continues as the Bantams lose 1-0 at home to Reading

An Aidan Davison error gave Reading a 1-0 win at City after the Bantams, without Ashley Ward, looked toothless.

Well I never

Leicester City manager Micky Adams on yesterday's game with Coventry City "Billy McKinlay's quality and he showed that today." Next week: Bruno Rodriguez is the new Pele.

Friday 21 March, 2003

Today's News by Michael Wood and Chris Hammond

Law looking at 352

Injuries to a load of left backs leaves Nicky Law are looking at a 352 formation for tomorrow's game with Derby. If he does expect Simon Francis and Claus Jorgensen to fill in at wing backs and Michael Standing to return to the side. Some formations BfB drew on the back of it's beer mat had Ben Muirhead making his City debut and Peter Atherton in the back three with Gus Uhlenbeek at wing back.

Derby looking at Law?

Rumours have it that Derby will sack manager John Gregory and go after City's Nicky Law as a replacement.

Reasons it might happen
Reasons it will not happen

So the nos have it. BfB expects Derby not to try steal Nicky Law although we would be very surprised if John Gregory keeps his job however football is, as Mr Greaves said, a funny old game and we shall await developments.

Ward out for the rest of the season

Danny Forrest is set to be given an extended run in the starting eleven after it emerged that Ashley Ward will be out for six weeks, which takes him more or less until the end of the season, after breaking his ribs in Tuesday night's draw with Sheffield Wednesday. Nicky Law said of the loss of his expensive striker "Losing Ashley is a big blow because I thought he was excellent against Wednesday and he caused them all sorts of problems, especially in the first half but [Forrest, not Cadamarteri or Ekoku] Danny is certainly someone who will come into contention because of Ashley being out and he's done well enough when he's played this season to be given his chance. Everyone at the club rates him highly and young players often need something like this to get them in the team consistently so that they can show exactly what they can do." While Ward has been playing well the chance to give Forrest a clear run in the side will be welcomed by City fans who have seen the likes of Mark Bower and Lewis Emanuel grow into quality players because of the chances Nicky Law has given them for extended first team runs.

Fancy Italians back at Valley Parade

Word has reached the BfB ear that Diadora will start making City's kit from next season. It is understood that the Italian company will make home and away centenary shirts for the 2003-2004 season and then another set of strips for 2004-2006.

The centenary shirt is understood to be based on one or more of the classic kits in the club's history although it will not have black shorts so expect Bantams with mucky backsides to become more common from next term.

Thursday 20 March, 2003

Today's News by Michael Wood

Reserves lose 3-0 at Leeds

City's reserves slipped to a 3-0 defeat away at Leeds United. Goals came from Stephen McPhail, an offside Jacobs Burns and Simon Johnson from the spot after Craig Bentham had brought him down. Juanjo hit the post with City's best effort.

Card-amarteri

Rumour finds BfB ears that Danny Cadamarteri is being tracked by Cardiff City.

Wednesday 19 March, 2003

Today's News by Michael Wood

Done by the Butler, again

BfB's own Jonathan Jackson like most City fans has had to get used to bad Referees but Jacko explodes at last night's man in the middle in his article Done by the Butler, again!

Jamie Lawrence is understandably upset about his red card from Butler last night saying "I went to see if their player was all right and I knew the referee wasn't going to book me. But [Danny] Maddix got me sent off by running over and having a go at him. Everyone at the club knows I'm an honest player and I don't go out to do people. I went up for a header and I've won the ball. You have to use your arms as leverage. I can't believe he sent me off."

Norwich game goes ahead

The Canaries were left spitting feathers (yuk yuk) after the Football League refused to allow the game with City at Carrow Road on the 29th of March to be called off because the home side have three players on international duty. Paul McVeigh, Phil Mulryne and David Healey all are missed, not a bad thing Bantamwise cause all are decent players, but because Healey is on loan the FL will not count him towards the required three players missing to have the game chalked off. Jamie Lawrence might also miss but after last night City will have to get used to him missing games.

Andy Gray will have to wait until after the weekend to see if if he will be called up to the Scotland squad after being left out of the initial 18 which will be added on Sunday.

Twice shy Law keeps stum

Nicky Law, who has been in trouble in the past for comments aimed at Referees, refused to point the finger at man in the middle Alan Butler who sent off Jamie Lawrence last night as he said "I don't think it was the players that made it into a feisty game. I think that was done because of someone else but I have to be careful what I say." BfB admires Stan Ternant "I'll say what I like and I won't pay FA fines because live in a country with free speech" approach to commenting on Referees.

Naked man gets two year ban

City fan Wayne Allen, the streaker at last year's game with Crewe has been from every football ground in the country for two years. Geoffrey Richmond said in Allen's defence that while he could not condone his actions, such actions were not threatening but the 31 year old, who has been 27 years a Bantam, will miss out on two years of football for what was at the very harshest a minor annoyance.

While everyone gets the idea that fans on the pitch, Danny Forrest accepted, is a bad thing it seems needlessly harsh on Allen to ban him for what was a light hearted pitch invasion.

Mitigating lawyer Sajad Choudhury put Allen's actions down to getting over excited and stated "We contacted the Crewe Alexandra Supporters Club and we were inundated with letters of support, saying that a ban would be totally disproportionate to what happened that day,"

Tuesday 18 March, 2003

Today's News by Michael Wood

Bantams robbed of top half position

Lawrence sending off gives Owls a way back to draw 1-1 with City at Valley Parade

We all fear the name Alan Butler being read out as Referee, we are right to do so cause City sending off of Jamie Lawrence cost City a win, and the chance to climb into the top half, when Sheffield Wednesday drew 1-1 at Valley Parade.

Beware the Owls of March

City line up with three Sheffield Wednesday old boys in charge of keeping the Owls out at Valley Parade with David Wetherall, Peter Atherton and Wayne Jacobs all facing their former club. In preview to the game Wetherall said "It would be fantastic if we could follow up the Derby game with another win, and there's no reason why we can't - although we know it won't be easy. They are scrapping for their lives and our record against [Sheffield Wednesday] is poor, but then so is our record here against teams who are struggling but if we can put that right then it will put us almost there to the safety target. We are in the last few yards of the race. If we do win, then all we have to do is duck for the tape."

Meanwhile Mark Bower was in no doubt as to who he would prefer to stay up this season "I hope they do stay up because I would miss not playing them again. And Sheffield is a lot nearer than Brighton."

Monday 17 March, 2003

Today's News by Michael Wood

Mills gets the goal

Extensive look at the video of the late late goal at Derby has shown the ball bouncing into Ram's defender Pablo Mills' face, knocking him out cold, and then going into the goal.

Law on game plan and fitness

Nicky Law has spoken about the City blueprint for away wins that has most recently given us the win at Derby "We worked very hard for this. We've had a game plan and it's paid dividends. Although we had to withstand long spells of pressure we defended very well and we've got a great team spirit and a never-say-die attitude. I don't want to be critical of anyone but both teams have got elder statesmen and older players, but we were much stronger at the end. I think that's a credit to people at the club who work on that side of the game and we've certainly been stronger in the latter stages of matches."

Of the mystical fifty point safety mark Law said "We can nearly see the finishing line now, I seem to have been saying this for two or three months but we're making steady progress and I'll be a relieved man when we get to 50 points."

Who's goal is it anyway

The Pride Park PA said Jamie Lawrence, Nicky Law said Ashley Ward to a lengthy look at the video says that Derby's promising young and curiously named centreback Pablo Mills got the final touch on the 92nd minute melee that was City's winner at Derby County. Ashley Ward had more idea than most and used typical striker's instinct say "Obviously I will be claiming it but you have to let other people decide. It all depends on what the TV shows because the ball must have ricocheted ten times in the space of one metre. I don't really know what happened. I had the first shot which the keeper saved, somebody chipped it to the back post and we all just piled in."

Will our heroes ever take us back?

BfB columnist Craig Smith looks at the young City squad and asks if they will be able to take up back to the promised land in his article Will our heroes ever take us back?

New shirt day
The shirt for 2003/2004... maybe

City will hold a press conference on Tuesday 25th March 2003 to reveal details about the centenary shirt which, BfB has heard [Rumour Rating 4/10] will be made by Puma leaving the Geoffrey Richmond homemade stylee behind. It is not known if the design of the shirt will be unveiled but another rumour [Rating 2/10] says that this shirt will look thus:

Dank down there

Mark Danks continues to get some regular football for Halesowen Town having scored two in three games including a goal on his debut

Sharpe out in the cold

Speaking of Halesowen that town's favourite son, Mr Lee Sharpe has completed a move to Grindavik of Iceland on a one year deal. Sharpe, who could have been one of the senior pros that Nicky Law sung the praises off if he had just given a flying one, will play in front of Grindavik regular 800 crowd provided he can resist the famous, if expensive, drinking culture of the national capital.

Saturday 15 March, 2003

Today's News by Michael Wood

Jamie doing it for the kids

Lawrence gets late late goal to give Bantams 2-1 win at Derby

A toe poke two minutes into injury time by Jamie Lawrence gave City a 2-1 win at Derby in a game where the old guys brought the game and put the kids into the shade.

The win leaves City 18th in the league with a game in hand over Millwall and Coventry City that could see the Bantams move into 16th. Tremulous days indeed.

Friday 14 March, 2003

Today's News by Michael Wood

Gibb sets wage target limit of £2.5m

Gordon Gibb wants City to cut the wage bill from £5m to £2.5m next season, the second consecutive cut of that figure, which around Bradford is know as "A David Hopkin", from the £7.5m that Geoffrey Richmond gave Jim Jefferies to get the club back into the Premiership two Summers ago.

With the exception of Ashley Ward, Wayne Jacobs, David Wetherall and Danny Cadamarteri, who all signed new deals before the salary cap was introduced by Gibb, new players and existing contracted wishing to re-sign will have to accept the £80,000 a year offered by the club although there is thought to be a little flexibility concerning the contracts of Lewis Emanuel and Claus Jorgensen after Nicky Law was allowed a wages signing fund of £600,000 for next term. None of this money will be used for transfer fees.

Gordon Gibb explained his no transfer thinking saying "All the money available will be there for salaries, there will be none available for buying players, the days of needing to spend money on a player have gone. There should be no reason at all, in today's game, that you need to spend big money if you are in Division One. We are not concerned about that position because we trust in what Nicky is doing and we believe he can develop the youngsters while also attracting players to the club on free transfers who can enable us to challenge in Division One. A wage bill of around £5m was simply not sustainable at this club and to be honest there was no need for it. Football was once a seller's market but now it is very much a buyer's market. We can take advantage of that. The power is with the clubs again." to which BfB says "Here Here" pointing out the following:

Cost nothing from other clubs
Cost money
Law looking back at Gregory's position

It is not that long since the accepteds view at Valley Parade was that a few more defeats would see the end of Nicky Law's time at Bradford City. Law got out of jail when Nottingham Forest turned up and were beaten. Derby and their manager John Gregory are in a similar situation but the visit this weekend of the Bantams is more like the 3-1 mugging Gillingham inflicted on the Bantams rather than the topping of a top team that Forest represented.

Not that Law was offering much sympathy the way of the expensive former Premiership club and their boss saying "Derby are certainly feeling the pressure because they have under-achieved this season. I watched them last week against Crystal Palace and they are struggling. They have a decent squad but we all know it doesn't necessarily work out like that and there will be reasons why. They have come down with a Premiership squad but it requires a different mentality to compete at this level. I think them being at home could work in our favour. They are going to have to come out at us as Crystal Palace did on Saturday and Leicester last week and that's when we are at our best. We're looking to climb up the table one by one. We overtook Walsall last week and now let's see if we can go above Derby. We worked hard to beat Palace and I thought we were comfortable winners in the end. This is a good chance to build on that."

Benito Carbone's mate John Gregory spoke like a man trying not the feel the pressure saying "We still need to get points between now and the end of the season and Saturday's game against Bradford cannot come quickly enough for me. I am more determined than ever to make sure we get things right and I'm 100 per cent committed to doing that. The supporters pay their money and have every right to be critical. All I will say is that I will not rest until we can all be proud of the club and we have achieved something."

Thursday 13 March, 2003

Today's News by Michael Wood

No New Law deal, who would have him?

Gordon Gibb has denied that he is about to give Nicky Law a new deal at Valley Parade saying "Nicky is contracted up to the end of next season and, as far as I'm aware, we are comfortable with that. Everything is going well and we have a terrific working relationship."

There is an idea that Law's work at VP will attract admirers who many tempt the boss away. The question we ask is Who would have Nicky Law?

The Premiership

Ignoring the fact that his City side are in the lower half of the table, hardly the best advert for Premiership club's looking for a new boss, it does seem that Law style managers who have come through the lower leagues are very much out of fashion. Law is a Gooner by birth but it is very hard to see the Highbury club ever turning away from Arsene Wenger's psychological approach to go for a Nicky Law character.

Add to that the fact that if you are impressed with what Law is doing then you would really prefer to get Nottingham Forest's Paul Hart. It is unlikely that City will face Premiership poaching for the bald boss.

The First Division

When Nicky got the City job he talked about his ambitions to manage higher than Chesterfield so logic will rule out the bottom two divisions although a few clubs in the First Division might be looking at taking Law should they get rid of their bosses. Realistically any package to take Law would have to include a fairly broad remit, something not common for a non-big name manager, to rival the carte blanche that he has on the playing squads at Valley Parade.

Perhaps the money of a Wolves could lure Law, but I doubt he would go to a similar sized club as City as that would basically see him rewind the previous years work. The likes of Derby County, with their financial problems, would also be a step backwards for Law. Who would want to go through administration again?

The Region

Nicky made his name with Chesterfield and many of the neighbours in that region still hold him in high regard for what he did at Saltergate coupled with his achievements for the Bantams. Should Paul Hart leave Forest then one could see Law being on the shortlist but, predictability enough, once they are shot of their big earners the size of a Sheffield Wednesday and the fact that they need to put their faith in a manager revolution every 18 months means that should Nicky Law be tempted from Valley Parade it would most likely be the way of Paul Jewell, to Hillsborough.

What has happened to the fans?

BfB welcomes new columnist Craig Smith to the ranks today with his kick off article What has happened to the fans?.

What if...?

Celtic and Liverpool clash in another of those Battles of Britain that crop up in the UEFA cup but how different would life have been had Celtic boss Martin O'Neill got the job at Valley Parade he applied for in 1987. BfB asks What If Martin O'Neill had become City boss?

Wednesday 12 March, 2003

Today's News by Michael Wood

Combe released by Dundee United

Prospective Bantams keeper Alan Combe has been told by his current club Dundee United that he can leave at the end of the season. United boss and former Bantam Ian McCall said "The days of Dundee United carrying two top-class keepers are over." Combe had been restored to the side over Paul Gallacher when Ian McCall arrived at the club but it later emerged that this was more about allowing Gallacher time to get over personal tragedies than giving Combe a second chance.

Kenny Moyes, Combe's agent, confirmed City's long standing interest and the fact that Hibs are emerging as a rival for the goalkeeper's signature saying "Bradford are desperate to sign him but at the moment I can say there have been no talks with Hibs." Combe cannot move to the English League or to another SPL club until the next transfer window.

Programme of the year

City's programme, Bantams World, has won First Division programme of the year. In celebration BfB will buy it's own copy instead of reading that of the family that sit next to Clare Lees.

Forrest at school

City's boywonder with English IV for second period? Not really: The other Danny Forrest's home page.

Tuesday 11 March, 2003

Today's News by Michael Wood

Reserves win, day off on Wednesday declared to mark event

After a run of loses that goes into double figures Bradford City's reserves have won a game. The second string Bantams bested Sheffield Wednesday 1-0 away. Kevin Sanasy got the City goal following in a rebound from a Danny Cadamarteri shot. Gary Walsh got a game under his bolt on his return from injury and Ben Muirhead played his first game since signing.

Gibb fury at missing money

Gordon Gibb thinks the FA are ignoring the cash crisis hitting the Football League revealing that City are still waiting for the £500,000 share from the hardship fund set up following the collapse of ITV Digital. Gibb pointed to the new Wembley plan as the FA's biggest waste of money saying "When you read about the luxurious plans for a new national stadium, you feel the priorities at that particular level are all wrong. Some are clearly happy living in their Ivory Towers rather than visiting football's real world. Quite simply, the national stadium project will never be economically viable. It will never break even, let alone make money, because there are not enough fixtures in the year. The definitive amount the Football League clubs are waiting for is a relatively small percentage of the money we are talking about in terms of the national stadium. I did some rough calculations and all they need to do is trim two rows of seats off the top tier. The money saved would be enough to immediately solve the financial crisis that the Football League is experiencing."

Speaking specifically about the money Gibb said "A number of clubs, as well as ourselves, have included this money in the cash flows and were encouraged to do so. If that money isn't realised, there is going to be a substantial hole. We were led to believe it was due in January and we have been awaiting confirmation ever since. I know the Premier League are a big driving force behind making the hardship fund available. They've made their payments in good faith and expect the FA to be able to do the same. But unfortunately there are a lot of egos involved. When you talk about the national stadium, you think of the peerages and life-time achievement awards that could be flying around. That seems to be the FA's priority thinking rather than what the vast majority of people in football would want."

There is, without doubt, a stormfront in the cash for clubs issue. Huddersfield Town chairman David Taylor, one of the people who suggested City should be thrown out of the league earlier in the season, warned that their was a very real chance that his club would be going out of business. The confidence of investors in football is hanging by a thread and there seems to be a very real chance that when one club, for example Huddersfield, goes then the confidence will be broken and a domino effect will take out many, many clubs.

Football is a business, this is true, but like they argue that players have a duel status as assets and employees so clubs are both business and institutions. In this country we slap preservation orders on old house and forbid anyone to build on green belt land while allowing what is in most cases a city or town's most high profile institution = be run by whoever can find the cash.

Look at it this way. The National Trust protects John Lennon's childhood home in Liverpool but should the Moore's family decide to they could close Liverpool football club down tomorrow. Football clubs deserve protection.

Monday 10 March, 2003

Today's News by Michael Wood

Law looking at Mehmet?

Nicky Law has distanced himself from reports that he is about to sign youngster Billy Mehmet who was released by West Ham on the First of March. Law has already signed Ben Muirhead and found Danny Forrest in the reserves although Mehmet is the very type of player that City have been trying to bring in.

Atherton shirt off antics foiled

Peter Atherton joked about scoring his first goal in a long time saying "I can't remember the last time I scored. Obviously it wasn't for Bradford so it's nice to finally get off the mark. I didn't really know what to do when the ball went in. I was going to take my shirt off but then the lads jumped on me and I couldn't move, which was probably a good thing for the fans."

Sunday 09 March, 2003

Today's News by Michael Wood

We love Stuart McCall day declared

Bradford City's game with Sheffield United later this season has been put back after the Blades, in the on pitch stewardship of Stuart McCall, reached the FA Cup semi final with a 1-0 win over Leeds that just about finished off a great season at Elland Road.

With the idea of McCall bringing an end to a fine career in the FA Cup final in mind BfB will be as close as ever has been to supporting another club for the day when the Blades try get to Cardiff.

Saturday 08 March, 2003

Today's News by Michael Wood

Bantams beat Palace at last

Two goals in three minutes give City 2-1 at home to Crystal Palace

Peter Atherton and Simon Francis got the goals as City over turned a Noel Whelan strike to beat Crystal Palace 2-1 at Valley Parade.

Evans back but broken

Paul Evans is due to return to City after being ruled out until the end of the season with a knee injury.

Friday 07 March, 2003

Today's News by Michael Wood

Ward and Gray warned by Law

Nicky Law has indicated that Ashley Ward, Andy Gray and one assumes Danny Cadamarteri will have to "look over their shoulders" at the emerging talent of Danny Forrest who is set for elevation to the first team squad on a permanent basis.

McCall ready for Leeds

Stuart McCall faces Leeds for the second time this season with Sheffield United with his boss Neil Warnock afraid to rest him. In preparation for Sunday's game Warnock said "I half suggested to Stuart that I would leave him out for the game because to me the Burnley fixture is more important, but he made it clear in no uncertain terms he would kill me if I even thought about it!"

McCall was a part of the Ranger's side that famous beat Leeds in 1992's dubbed Battle of Britain as well as being a part of the Blades team that bested Leeds 2-1 earlier this year. BfB joins City fans in saying "Give 'em Hell Stuart"

Thursday 06 March, 2003

Today's News by Michael Wood

City sign Muirhead

Striker swaps Old Trafford for Valley Parade

Ben Muirhead has joined City after impressing Nicky Law during his trial at Valley Parade. Muirhead, 20, was used as a central striker in Manchester United's reserve side but is unlikely to dislodge local boy made good Danny Forrest from the squad at present.

Muirhead has signed until the end of next season.

Danks out

Mark Danks seems to have made way for Ben Muirhead after Nicky Law brought a new striker to the club. The former Wolves man has joined Halesowen Town on loan.

Law wants more kids coming through

Nicky Law is making full play of the recent form of his kids Danny Forrest, Lewis Emanuel and Simon Francis by playing up the roles that the juniors will have to play in the side next season. An excited Law said "I'm looking at the likes of Tom Penford, Craig Bentham and Jake Wright and hoping that this time next year they will be in. It must be quite exciting for the young lads at the club knowing they will get a chance. Look at the nature of the players I've introduced Tom Kearney, Michael Standing, Andy Gray and Paul Reid are all younger types. That's the only way ahead and fans will identify with younger players. They haven't been used to this before because they haven't had a manager who will give the young ones their opportunity."

The Bantams have little choice but to use young talent next season when big contracts for the likes of Jamie Lawrence and Andy Myers run out not to be renewed but Law see nothing but positives in this situation saying "Bradford have never been known for playing young players. They have always bought the finished article." although one has to wonder if Law has ever heard the name Bruno Rodriguez when he talks of finished articles.

To underline the club's aggressive attitude to youth recruitment Michael Standing's cousin Kevin Keehan has relocated from the South Coast after being released by Brighton to join City on a three year scholarship.

Wednesday 05 March, 2003

Today's News by Michael Wood

Bantams battle a draw with Foxes

Fighting City get 0-0 draw with Leicester City

No goals but plenty of battle in a humdinger of a game at Valley Parade as City drew with Leicester City 0-0

You know, for kids!

Nicky Law sung the praises of the youngster at the club after the draw with Leicester City saying "You ask Matt Elliott and Gerry Taggart and they'll know they have been in a game with Danny Forrest. He has shown great energy and skill and constantly put them under pressure. He was unlucky not to score early on when he nicked the ball off Taggart and put it just the wrong side of the post. Their big, strong players at the back are lacking the one thing he's got and that's his burst of pace. And like the other young lads, he is capable of looking after himself. I think it's so refreshing when you look at the team and see Danny, Simon Francis and the likes of Lewis Emanuel competing at this level. It's a great achievement."

Tuesday 04 March, 2003

Today's News by Michael Wood

Ward virus opens door for Forrest

Ashley Ward is suffering from a virus leaving Nicky Law set to go with a strike partnership of Andy Gray and Danny Forrest for the visit of Leicester City.

Vogts gets to City, eventually

The German World Cup winner Berti Vogts once applied for the job of Bradford City manager, he did not get it and ended up with a kind of extended torture as Scotland boss. Ironically Jim Jefferies, who did get the job over Vogts, considered his time at City extended torture and dreams of getting the Scotland job.

One of these managers, Scotland boss, Vogts turns up at Valley Parade tonight to check out Andy Gray's progress in the game against Leicester City tonight. Nicky Law was pleased enough to see Vogts at City saying of his discovery striker "Andy has set himself the very highest standard this season so anything average is going to be disappointing. It's too easy to build people up and then start grumbling when they have a bad game. That's grossly unfair. He's had a very good season so far and that has rightly been recognised. It's a boost for the whole team that an international manager is coming to watch one of our players."

Next week Svenis watches Danny Forrest...

Forrest on the Premiership

It's a strange world for Danny Forrest. Not a month ago you were going the wrong way in the Reserves, yesterday you are being shown on ITV's The Premiership as the goal of the week for the strike against Walsall.
See also: If you are good enough, you are old enough: Michael Owen, Gareth Grant and Danny Forrest

Gibb looking at revolutionising City's coaching

Gordon Gibb is setting Nicky Law up as City's head coach after word came from Valley Parade that the club will be recruiting specialist coaches for each area of play. As with American football's O-ffence and De-fence Law is looking at recruiting defensive, midfield and attacking coaches. Gordon Gibb said "The game has moved on and it is essential that we move along with it, In the past we have expected one or two people, the manager and his Number two, to look at all of the key areas and make their decisions, but we believe it will be better if we can bring in expert individuals who can work with each department of the team."

Underlining his desire to do things differently Gibb said "I think the very fact that things were done the old way for so long should be a reason for us to try and change things, the idea is that we have a specialist to work with the goalkeeper, the defence, the midfield and the strikers and that they will form a footballing panel with the sports psychologist, nutritionist and fitness conditioner. It is a new way of looking at things, enabling us to break things down in the key areas."

City's new broom of the summer has taken the club away from many who previously would have suggested themselves for these roles, in the past Peter Jackson and Ron Futcher's names would have come up, but combine this with the word coming out that City are keeping friends with Stuart McCall and one must conclude that the City's legend would not be out of work for long should his contract at Sheffield United not be renewed.

Lombard talks today

Gordon Gibb and Julian Rhodes meet with mortgage company Lombards about the loan for the main stand. Gibb will make a presentation to Lombard concerning the repayment period of the loan being extended.

Monday 03 March, 2003

Today's News by Michael Wood

Law and Wetherall bemoan the goal that never was

Nicky Law and David Wetherall have both pointed to Referee Roy Pearson ruling out a Wetherall header in the 2-1 loss to Walsall as being key to the Saddlers nicking off with three points. The City club captain moaned "The referee obviously blew for Ashley Ward's challenge on the goalkeeper although he maintained he never did anything wrong. Their keeper is quite small and Wardy tried to jump cleanly in the hope that he would fumble it. That's exactly what happened but unfortunately the referee sided with the goalkeeper. It was 1-1 at the time and we were on the front foot. If I'd got that goal then, I'm sure we would have pushed on for the win."

Wetherall continued "We were all shaking our heads afterwards at coming away with nothing. We didn't play particularly well but we still did plenty to win all three points but there is no time to feel sorry for ourselves with Leicester here tomorrow. They won't just sit back and come for the draw so it's going to be a big physical challenge and we've got to pick ourselves up. We've already shown this season that if we raise our game then we can do a job against the top teams. Hopefully that will be the case again."

As expected Nicky Law was not best pleased either saying "The players have got to take the blame for the loss but again I feel another refereeing decision has cost us. Their keeper is a little bit on the small side and had he been six foot three or four I don't think the ref would have blown for the challenge but we created enough chances in the first half to win two or three games, let alone one."

Jealous of Danny?

Roland Harris admits to being green with envy at City's Danny Forrest in his article If you are good enough, you are old enough: Michael Owen, Gareth Grant and Danny Forrest.

Who is City captain?

David Wetherall is Bradford City's club captain and at 32, and remembering he has a deal to stay with the club next year, he has a good few years as a Bantam left to hold that role. Why then was Ashley Ward wearing the armband and leading the team out on Saturday?

Spurs talking to Etherington over new deal

Spurs are entering talks with former City loan winger Matthew Etherington over an extension to his current contract.

Sunday 02 March, 2003

Today's News by Michael Wood

You lose, you learn

City lose 2-1 at home to Walsall

Despite a stunner form Danny Forrest City lost 2-1 at home to Walsall.

Jakes pays tribute to Forrest

Wayne Jacobs has sung the praises of youngster Danny Forrest saying "It was fantastic for Danny that he got a goal in front of the Kop for the team he has supported all his life. That's what football is all about. Every kid who grows up supporting a team would love to have done what Danny Forrest did. Let's hope it's the first of hundreds of goals. Before the Ipswich game, Gus Uhlenbeek and myself were sat either side of him and were telling him that even though we've played something like 800 games between us, he was still a real handful. Our message was to go out there and put yourself about as if it was a normal training session. And he has certainly done that." Jacobs started his career with the club he supported as a boy, Sheffield Wednesday, but played twice without scoring before leaving. When Jacobs made his City debut Forrest was just two months of his tenth birthday.

Kearney nearly there

Tom Kearney can see the finish tape in his race back from injury. The former Everton midfielder said "It makes everything worthwhile when you get a ball at your feet again. I'm back at Lilleshall a week on Monday for my fifth trip down there and hopefully my last. I've enjoyed doing the training but I've probably done enough miles on the bike to qualify for the next Olympics! I'm not going to rush anything, though. I'm looking to get a game in this season but I'll play it by ear. I've been lucky that there have been no set-backs and I've just got to make sure I don't push it too far. The lads have picked up again in the league which has made it easier. The next three games are crucial and if we get something from them it should be a nice end to the season."

The month by month news index.