Wednesday 30 April, 2003

Today's News by Michael Wood

All change by Sunday?

Nicky Law will be telling the City squad who will be retained for next season during the week after three limp displays away from home left City unable to do anything other than equal last seasons 55 point total. Said Law "Given the financial position we are in, realistically it will be difficult to keep many at all, things will be made public before the end of the week, but we will have to see what happens."

Ben Muirhead and Tom Penford both having impressed away from Valley Parade and Kevin Sanasy showing his exciting shoot when in the other team's half policy away at Sheffield United one might suggest that Law should use the game with Portsmouth to dump the out of form and out of VP players and give the home faithfula glimpse of what City will show next season. In this spirit BfB suggests...

The Bantam Future team for Portsmouth

Tuesday 29 April, 2003

Today's News by Michael Wood

End of season slow down continues

Bantams lose 3-0 at Sheffield United

Two goals from Michael Brown and a strike from Peter Ndolvu gave Sheffield United a 3-0 win over City

Gibb looking to end VP debt

Gordon Gibb will use his family pension fund to buy the mortgage on Valley Parade for £4m from lender Lombard. The club owe Lombard £6.3m but Gibb believes his offer will be enough for the lender to walk away with a decent return. Gibb will then lease the ground back to the club for a fee of around £300,000 a year, a figure set by the rules of the independent trustee of his pension fund) for fifty years thus saving City £800,000 a year.

Sceptics will point to Huddersfield Town and the problems they have had that stem in the main from the club not owning the McAlpine Stadium but it is unlikely that after the previous nine months that Gibb would have anything but good intentions about Bradford City. What began as an interest in sponsorship for Gibb has grown into something of a passion and one that he is will to gamble security on.

Gibb said of the plan "Lombard do not exactly own the ground but it is at their mercy, if we could not keep up with the repayments then they could sell it and build a supermarket there if they wanted. It is a dangerous position for Bradford City and one which we aim to change. The idea is to make Lombard a cash offer now for the majority of what is owed and in doing so remove them from their position of power.

Gibb, who has had this plan in mind since day one at Valley Parade "It is vital that we do this. We cannot go on with this Sword of Damocles hanging over our heads. The idea is that one day Bradford City will be able to buy it back from me, but I am willing to set up a 50-year lease which should secure the future."

On a personal note Gibb continued "The funds will be coming from a pension fund that my father started up for the family to use upon our retirement. We are gambling our future inheritance. It has been a massive decision but I do have the full backing of my family, the family have been contributing to it for a good number of years and now we have agreed that we will use the pot of money to take control of the club's assets. They trust me to do the right thing and they support me. This had to be a family decision but from their point of view they see it as a viable purchase of land and buildings. It has to be a commercial venture and I believe it is the best for all parties involved."

Gibb concluded "This deal puts the future of Bradford City beyond any doubt. Should this plan get the go ahead tomorrow, and the sounds from Lombard are good, then it will be the final piece of the financial jigsaw for Bradford City. The new board has, in just under a year, picked its way through the entire debt of Bradford City Football Club and paid it all back. There are a number of smaller creditors to still pay but none of the big debts remain and we will be in a strong position."

No doubt then that Gibbs plan is the way forward. In a longer term one would like to see City get back ownership of Valley Parade but given the choice between being at the behest of a good chairman or a bad mortgage company one would go for Gibb any day. Gibb has put his money where his mouth is for Bradford City and done it in the right place. Football is a game of recruitment not transfers these days. A financially secure club that can guarantee contacts will enable the manager to bring in players.

Of course if the Gibb pension was doing as badly as the BfB one he should not lose that much money either.

Bower thinks Wolves but back Bantam legend

Mark Bower, who says that City will be motivated in tonight's game with Sheffield United by the bad memories of the 5-0 mauling at VP earlier this season, has his own ideas as to which club will be joining Leicester City and Portsmouth in the Premiership next season. Bower said "I've got a sneaky suspicion that Wolves will do it. They didn't look very good against us in December but they've gone on a good run and hit form at the right time but I think everyone in Bradford would like to see Sheffield United do it. They have got a Bradford legend in their squad in Stuart McCall and the fans here will be looking out to see how they get on."

They never learn

It seems that the clubs at the foot of the Premiership have learned nothing from the troubles of Bradford City, Coventry City, Derby County et al with Bolton Wanderers debt being estimated at some £40m. Which ever of Bolton and fellow Premiership strugglers West Ham, Fulham and Leeds United face huge financial problems on relegation.

Monday 28 April, 2003

Today's News by Michael Wood and Gavin Cockcroft

Reserves lose to Bolton

City's reserves have lost 2-0 at Bolton with Gareth Farrelly and Kevin Nolan getting the goals. The Bantams face the Trotters in the reverse of this fixture later this week.

Strange Law talk makes Gifton link

Much of the talk after the 1-0 loss at Preston was about the Richard Cresswell/Gus Ulhenbeek spat that reached back to the game at Valley Parade this season which everyone at Deep Dale seems to remember much better than anyone at Valley Parade. Ignoring that talk, and with Gus leaving City in a week it's fairly easy to, eyebrows were raised at Nicky Law's post match comment "We were lacking someone who could stand up to them like Ashley Ward. If we had a natural finisher we might have got something out of the game but that's been lacking."

"Natural finisher" Ashley Ward has just three goals this season so one must suspect that Law means someone else and it is on this day that word reaches BfB that Watford's Gifton Noel-Williams has been in talks with the Bantams over a move after Watford failed to offer the big, fast although often injured striker a contract. Noel-Williams is rumoured to have agreed to take a wage cut to join the Bantams. "I've painted my garage door red and yellow" Gifton has not said, "So it's important I get a new club that matches".

You never had it so bad: Law on a tough year

Last week of the season and Nicky Law summed up the year as "The toughest season of any football club in England." Law tried not to get too political on his comments on the financial behaviour of other club's that heave lead to the league's decision to take action against club's in administration when the City boss said "I've nothing against Micky Adams and Leicester but I think Neil [Warnock, Sheff U boss who bleated about this in one of his many moans of the season] was right. How can you go into administration and come out four weeks later? Leicester kept all their players and I don't remember them having to get rid of anybody. It's like closing the corner shop on Friday and opening it again the following Friday rid of all your debts. We sacked 60-odd staff and made all our players redundant at the end of the season and then asked them all to come back. There is no comparison. Nobody in any football club has gone through what we've had to.

Law went on to praise Gordon Gibb and Julian Rhodes saying "We as a club have tried to do it the right way. New people have come in and stood up and been counted, they have reached an agreement with the creditors and are going to pay them off. We nearly went to the wall, but we're still here and that's great testament to everybody at the club."

Perhaps the rewards of City's method through administration will be karmatic. When City went into the Premiership local businesses flocked to be a part of it and some of those businesses have now lost money owing to our spell in administration but that is dwarfed by the number of organisations in Leicester left out of pocket by the Foxes. It is hard to see the former Filbert Streeters getting the same hoopla on their return to the top flight.

How our lot faired in the PFA teams

Of course none of the City side managed to get into the PFA teams of the season although being the first man to score eight goals away from home in eight games for three quarters of a century Claus Jorgensen was the only Bantam realistically in with a shout. Nottingham Forest's David Johnson, who is always impressive and was against City at Forest this year got in the list as did a clutch of Paul Jewell's Wigan side including former Bantam target Jimmy Bulland. Carlos Edwards and Andy Morrell, who both scored as City were dumped out of the League Cup by Wrexham this season.

City get friendly with Portsmouth

City have made a special 100 years of Bradford City and Portsmouth in the Premiership scarf to celebrate both club's achievements on the final day of the season next week as the club attempt to make the migration of 10,000 odd Portsmouth fans a pleasant experience for all.

When the Bantams were promoted at Wolves the home fans helped make the day with their generous spirit and one hopes City's followers will do the same if only as payback for Pompey boss Handsome Harry Redknapp for his comment when he was West Ham manager about City "After twenty minutes I thought I was watching Real Madrid."

Sunday 27 April, 2003

Today's News by Michael Wood

Bantams beaten at Deepdale

City go down 1-0 at Preston

A single firs half goal did for the Bantams as City lost 1-0 to Preston

Gibb wants more form Law

Gordon Gibb will judge Nicky Law on next season at Valley Parade with the City chairman saying "This is going to be the most important year of Nicky's career. It will be his opportunity to stamp his name all over the squad. Nicky will have a full season with no off-the-field financial worries, working within well thought-out financial parameters. It will give him the comfort zone to get on considering football and nothing else. He can look at life 100 per cent purely in footballing terms rather than worrying about any other restraints that he has encountered."

Law has been impressive in many areas of his work at Valley Parade but it would seem that next season the Bantams are after less of a treading water performances and more of a top half finish.

Frannie and Fozzie sign two year deals

Danny Forrest and Simon Francis have both signed 2 year pro contracts with City. Forrest represented his country at u19 level last week and had this to on the experience "I could not believe I was representing my country. It was something I had always hoped might happen but even though I have got a lot of self-belief it still felt like a dream. I was playing wide right and managed to get a couple of crosses in but I'd have played anywhere for England even in goal if they had asked me!"

Huddersfield Down

BfB was looking through old versions of this site, the one with the red border on the left and top for those who were with us three years ago, and we could not help that under Sunderland, Ipswich, Bradford City on the First Division table was the name "Huddersfield". Town's decline, which ultimately could prove fatal to the club, continued as the Terribles (sic) were relegated to Division Three. One irony of the many that the game threw up was the presence in the Port Vale dug out of Brian Horton masterminding the 5-1 defeat of the club that sacked him.

Two for Blake

Just how bad must Burnley have played yesterday to be hammered 7-2 at home by Sheffield Wednesday? Two goals for former Bantams Robbie Blake but one has to wonder how long another one who used to wear claret and amber, Stan Ternant, will be at the club.

Friday 25 April, 2003

Today's News by Michael Wood

Forrest gets England u19 cap

Danny Forrest has capped a breakthrough year by getting a chance to play for his country at u19 level. Forrest came off the bench in the second half as England lost 3-2 with Leicester City's Tommy Wright scoring twice. Championship Manager legend Cherno Samba of Millwall also played for the young lions.

Reserves bested by Gallacher hat-trick

City's second string lost 3-1 to Blackburn Rovers with Rover Paul Gallacher got a hat-trick punishing City for having the impudence to take the lead though a Criag Fishlock penalty. Stefan Magnusson impressed and could be ready to make his debut between the sticks for the seniors soon. Paul Reid limped off with a fracture of the left ankle.

City gave games to trialists Gareth Edds formerly of Nottingham Forrest and Swindon Town and fellow one time Nottingham Forest striker Jay Birch who has been released from the City Ground.

Blackburn fielded young defender Darren Dunning to add to the list that already includes David Dunn and Damian Duff in the double alliterations of the forth letter in the alphabet. It's like a bunch of wannabe superheroes at Ewood these days but then again as Donnie Darko says, what makes us thing that they are not?

Jorgi lined up for Hammers?

Word has come to BfB that west Ham are looking at signing Claus Jorgensen to replace Chelsea bound Joe Cole.

Law wants contract confab

Nicky Law is hoping to sit down with City's out of contact players sooner rather than later to address the "air of uncertainty" that he has found at VP in recent weeks. Law said "As yet we haven't spoken to them all and the sooner that's done, the better. We've got a lot of players in the same scenario who are looking to get themselves a secure living for next year and beyond. They are still unsure whether they are going to be here or not."

Law continued "Some players are maybe starting to think a little bit differently now that we've attained our goal [of staying in the division]. The ones out of contract have to look after themselves and cannot risk getting injured. They don't want to put their heads on the block if it could all be for nothing because there is going to be a rat race in the summer."

Football League big hats in brew-ha-ha

Play offs extended

Six clubs, not four will be in the play offs next season after the Football League big hats had a brew-ha-ha at Leicester City's Walkers Stadium.

In the new play off system games will be one off matches not two legged affairs as they are now so. It saddens BfB that the fourth bottom club in the division above does not get to defend their place as they have done in previous play off set ups and it does make one wonder what the merits of offering a place in the division above to the team that finishes 8th in a division are. It would be frankly obscene if the monumentally average Norwich City managed to get into the Premiership over Sheffield United who have a fist more wins but considering that point one is forced to conclude that the play offs are an inherently bent system that allows a team that has performed poorly get promoted in place of one that may have only missed out on an automatic place in the division above on the last day?

At least that's what Blackpool said in 1996 when City finished sixth and beat the Seasiders in a two legged game to knock them out of the promotion race.

Clubs in administration to be brutally beaten with a big stick

The FL have decided on a series of measures to take against clubs that are in administration the fairest of these being forcing transfer budgets onto clubs that exit administration and the most draconian being the ideas that a club going into administration twice in three years would have their membership of the League withdrawn and that any club spending an entire season in administration relegated both of which seem ripe for abuse by the asset strippers who would steal everything from a club and not care about fans which, ironically, are the very sort of people that these new rules should be working against.

Also, taking a lead from Geoffrey Richmond's resignation from the FL board any member of League board whose club falls into administration automatically loses position.

The whole system, while well intentioned, does seem to target the wrong clubs. Notts County have been in administration for over a year not by choice or as a tool to avoid debuts but because they have had no luck in finding a buyer. Somehow one doubts that pushing the club down a division would make the Magpies a more attractive proposition.

Wage capping

The season after next wages will be tied to a percentage of annual turnover although with the good housekeeping Gordon Gibb has brought to City the Bantams are operating such a system already. Quiet how this restriction on fair trade in business will stand up to court examination is anyone's guess as are the penalties that could be imposed for someone who brakes that rule but the idea is sound.

These decisions are to be ratified at the FL's AGM on June 5.

The claret and amber mystery?

The City Gent site is running an interesting article about our club's colours, so poorly realised here by our team of colour blind web designers, with Dave Pendleton asking the question Can you help solve the claret and amber mystery?

Wednesday 23 April, 2003

Today's News by Michael Wood

Law sticks with McHugh

Nicky Law looks set to keep faith with Frazer McHugh in the trip to Preston after being impressed with the young midfielder against Gillingham. Law said of the player "Frazer's only here another two weeks and we need to see what he can do if we are going to take him on for next year. It was a difficult game for him to play in at Gillingham but he certainly didn't let himself down, unlike a few others. He broke things up, never gave the ball away and didn't over-complicate things. It was a good debut. I wanted to have a look at him and he's definitely earned another chance before the end of the season."

McHugh would seem to be one of Law's favoured players the City boss having previously had the midfielder on loan at Chesterfield and having kept tabs on him ever since.

Tuesday 22 April, 2003

Today's News by Michael Wood

Jorgi and the last of the summer

City lose 1-0 at Gillingham

Claus Jorgensen failed to get the nine in nine he was after and City were bested 1-0 at Gillingham.

Davison offered new deal

Rumour has it that Aidan Davison has been offered a new one year deal but has been told that should he accept the offer he will not be the club's guaranteed number one. Alan Combe is expected to sign in the summer.

Monday 21 April, 2003

Today's News by Michael Wood

Jorgi looking short term

Claus Jorgensen is looking at equalling Dixie Dean's 76-year record of scoring in nine consecutive away league games if he scores against Gillingham this afternoon but is prepared to be in the dark about his long term future at Bradford City. "A lot of players are out of contract and they are starting to make offers to some of them but I haven't really heard anything. The club have not come to me yet. The ball is in their court because they've know for a long time when my contract is up so I'll just wait to see what happens. I'm just trying to keep my head down, play my football and not think about it. If it comes, it comes."

A large proportion of City fans think that keeping Jorgensen at the club should be Nicky Law's priority over the summer although the City boss seems less impressed with the Dane. The Peter Atherton and Simon Francis style of double holding player midfield on Saturday is an accurate reflection of what BfB believes that Law would like as a heart of his team next term. If that is the case then Jorgensen would face his time marginalised onto the left side of midfield as he was against Watford.

Sunday 20 April, 2003

Today's News by Michael Wood

Bantams safe

2-1 win over Watford ensures first division safety with four games to go

Claus Jorgensen and Andy Gray have so often been the pair of the score sheet for the Bantams this season and a finish by the Dane and penalty by the Scot added up to a win and first division safety for as Bradford City won 2-1 over Watford.

Friday 18 April, 2003

Today's News by Michael Wood

Walsh for the final time

Gary Walsh went under the knife for an operation on his injured knee that will keep him out until the end of the season and conclusion of his contract meaning all likelihood he will never play for Bradford City again. The harsh realities of football have been all Gordon Gibb has dealt with since he arrived at Valley Parade and City's stopper's contract and injury problems are no exception. The VP chairman said "Of course we wish Gary well in his rehabilitation at this difficult time of his career, unfortunately this is another major blow to his career and it does put a question mark over whether he will be available to play football again, let alone for Bradford City in the near future. It is a sad but real fact that this now raises doubts over his career with us. We will wait for him to talk over his future with his family before we then sit down and talk about his contract situation." Walsh has said that he will not quit the game and hopes to make a comeback from this latest set back although he acknowledges that it will most likely not be at Bradford City.

So City bid farewell to another of the fourteen with heavy heart and many a thought on the impact of the commercial side of the game. Walsh, who was signed by Chris Kamara for £500,000, was City's keeper throughout the glorious promotion season and performed heroics in the Premiership at the start of our two year spell before this injury cropped up allowing Matt Clarke to slip into the starting eleven.

In my humble opinion Gary Walsh is the finest goalkeeper City have had post-Downsbrough. Matt Clarke was no doubt more agile, Mark Schwartzer was a better shot stopper and Paul Tomlinson was peerless in one on one situations but Walsh had enough in those departments married to an unerring sense of position that meant that many times when other would have made a flashy save, Walsh was in position to take the ball into his hands. Walsh also can point to his communication with his defenders as a calming influence on his back four that certainly Matt Clarke did not possess.

Thursday 17 April, 2003

Today's News by Michael Wood

Kearney signs new deal

As expected Tom Kearney has signed a new deal for City which will keep him at Valley Parade for the next two seasons. Kearney, who only featured in four games this season before his injury that has ruled him out to date, has impressed with his attitude in rehabilitation. Nicky Law said of the midfielder "It seems so unfair that something like that should happen to a youngster but I am now so pleased that the lad is back in training and provided he carries on the rehab work throughout the summer, he will be ready to start pre-season with the rest."

Atherton heads new deal list

Peter Atherton has been offered a new deal by City as the Bantams sat down with management to find who would be given a £85,000 a year take it or leave it contract. Gordon Gibb is hopefully that Atherton and other Bantams the club wants to retain will sign but has warned those with the option that this deal is non-negotiable. Gibb said : "We would like to think that all of the players we offer deals to will be playing their football with Bradford City next season but we have already made our position clear in that we will only offer what we can afford within our strict budget. Athers is very much a player we would like to stay at the club because he is a quality performer and has so much to pass on to our younger players. We understand that there will be players who feel they can find something better elsewhere but we have to be firm in what we offer. There can be no negotiation."

Atherton joins Tom Kearney, Paul Reid and Lewis Emanuel as out of contract Bantams who have been offered new deals but of the players who are out of contact at the end of the season BfB would be very surprised if the following have not been offered deals:

Out of contract players BfB thinks City have offered new deals to (and if we think they should get one or will take it)

• Peter Atherton: Deserves a new deal although question mark over where he would figure in the club's plans with Kearney fit. Will sign if Wigan do not give him a better offer.
• Andy Myers or Robert Molenaar: Toss up between Myers and Molenaar for a new contact but the club will have offered a contract at at least one of these Premiership players who get by at the bottom of the First Division. Personally BfB would not give either a deal but would use Robert Morgan as back up to David Wetherall.
• Robert Morgan: Is next season's best bet and will be signed up.
• Claus Jorgensen: Will be offered a deal but will only sign it if he cannot get a better offer and lets face it, he can.
• Stefan Magnusson: Cause we need at least one keeper next season.
• Craig Fishlock: Impressive youngster who City will want to keep.

Wednesday 16 April, 2003

Today's News by Michael Wood

The Tale Of Two Dannys 1: Forrest called up for England u19

Danny Forrest will represent England u19's in Germany next Thursday after being called up to the squad to face the Old Foe in Spiesen-Elversberg. Nicky Law beamed with a Father's pride "It doesn't surprise me in the slightest. Danny thoroughly deserves it after the performances he has put in for us this season. It is just reward for the 100% effort and commitment he gives in every game."

All very good but what if Adrian Littlejohn had taken £350 a game to play for City?

The Tale Of Two Dannys 2: Cadamarteri looking for injury free run in

Nicky Law hopes that Danny on the way down, Danny Cadamarteri, can turn things around. Cadamarteri has had next to no season owing to his problems with tendonitis and Law thinks he can have a good year in 2003-2004. The City boss said of one of the few players he was able to sign before the money ran out "He's had a stop-start time for us this year but hopefully we can get him going again. Next year will be a big one for him, if he can stay injury free. He seems to have been around quite a long time but he's still only 23 and he's got it all in front of him. What he has to do is recreate and reproduce his form of a few years ago when he burst on to the scene."

BfB has been secretly thinking that there is more to come from Cadders for sometime. He is obviously carrying some weight, a facet of not being able to train often owing to injury, but if he were to lose that he should be able to at least be a presence in City side.

Kudos Mr. Jewell

Paul Jewell has no contract at Wigan beyond the end of the season and, whisper it quietly, there is some talk of him joining old mucker Peter Reid at Elland Road should old Monkey Heed get the job full-time but for now the man who got City to the Premiership has taken Wigan to Division One and looks set for a return to Valley Parade next season in the opposition dug out.

The same kudos could also be stretched to Wigan assistant manager Chris Hutchings but somehow one doubts he will get the same reception as Jewell at VP.

Tuesday 15 April, 2003

Today's News by Michael Wood

Evans wants to prove his worth

Paul Evans was the brightest thing in Nicky Law's team that didn't know how to be beaten at the start of the season. We recall how his use of the number ten shirt that had been vacated by Benito Carbone signalled the new dawn for the club: Skill and hard work over skill for the sake of it. Nevertheless as Evans' star rose for Wales it fell for City and the midfielder lost form and at Sheffield Wednesday, his head and ended up out on loan at Blackpool with rumours of a fall out with Law. Evans, who got injured at Bloomfield Road, is hoping to turn things around next term.

Evans comments on his time at VP thus "The season didn't start off too bad but then everything went downhill and my form dropped off. They will be the matches that stay in people's memory. I've got a lot to prove to myself, the fans and the gaffer. I've got to come back next year, raring to go and hopefully I can cement a place. It has been tough, it was always going to be as I moved up here and moved up a division but I'm not going to give it up."

The Welshman continues "The gaffer was good enough to let me go on loan but I'm back now and I definitely still feel part of it. I signed a four-year contract with Bradford and there are still three to go. I'm not going to run away from here. I will just be seen as a failure and that's not something I want to be. Next season is the big one for me in more ways than one."

With Claus Jorgensen moving on in the summer a return to the team and to form for Paul Evans would be heaven sent for City's midfield which looks like being the problem area in the summer. Tom Kearney returns and made a good partnership with Evans at the start of last season and Lewis Emanuel has done more than enough to suggest that his best position is left sided midfield and that's where he should stay but the other confirmed stayers: Paul Reid and Ben Muirhead no not suggest a team capable of pushing for the top half of the table. Evans' return, bolstering the strength of the middle of the park and adding no little midfield craft, is welcome.

Ward absence until next season confirmed

Ashley Ward's rib injury sustained in the bruising encounter with Sheffield Wednesday last month means he will miss the rest of the season with Steve Redmond confirming "Ashley is still feeling the rib. It's affecting his breathing and slowing him down. We haven't made a decision yet that he won't play again this season but it's more likely than not that he won't be featuring." Many City fan's will be relieved to to see the sight of an even slower Ashley Ward stalking Valley Parade looking to add to his three goals in twenty five games.

In the mean time BfB firmly hopes that Danny Forrest will be allowed to fill in for Ward regardless of the return to fitness of Danny Cadamarteri. We well that Forrest needs the games at this stage of the season while he is in the groove of playing with the first team squad to cement his confidence and assurance over the close season whereas Cadamarteri would probably benefit more from a rest.

Jakes back for PNE

Wayne Jacobs is readying for a comeback on the 26th of April, 2003 against Preston at Deepdale.

Reserves go down 4-1 to Sunderland

City's reserves were thumped 4-1 at Sunderland with Michael Proctor getting a hat-trick and John Oster nabbing the other. Both players are thought to figure highly on Nicky Law's wanted list with Oster out of contract at the end of the season. Proctor will be a much more difficult capture. The youngster impressed in his time at Valley Parade and would most likely be prohibitively expensive although as City found out after relegation from the Premiership players are made available as cost cutting measures, something that the Bantams will be monitoring in regards to getting Proccy to Bradford in the future.

One player who will not be in Bradford in the future is City's goal scorer Juanjo who will be leaving at the end of the year as will Robert Molenaar who returned tonight. Danny Cadamarteri also featured as did Liverpool's Andrew Nicholas.

Monday 14 April, 2003

Today's News by Michael Wood

Law targets fitness in early start

The Bantams will reassemble under Nicky Law in the first week of June next season as the City boss looks to increase fitness levels in his young squad. Aside from giving Law the time to work with what is likely to be City's youngest squad in years the move should also allow the Bantam to be good shape for the Centenary Tournament the club are planning for July 26th and 27th.

MccAll's well that ends well

Stuart McCall's Sheffield United's FA Cup came to a grinding halt in the Semi-Final at Old Trafford yesterday not from a dodgy bit of refereeing from Graham Poll but rather courtesy of one of the greatest saves of all time by Leeds United free transfer David Seaman. Seay, we salute you with...

Five great City saves

1. Alan Combe's Gordon Banks-esque down to his left late on in last season's 1-0 reversal by West Brom.
2. Matt Clarke's Billy-The-Fish style turn in midair to deny a Ipswich header at VP in 2000.
3. Gary Wlash's last minute denial of David Johnson when City got a 0-0 draw with Ipswich at Valley Parade in 1999.
4. Richard Liburd's shambles of a take for a low cross against Manchester City after Jon Gould had been sent off in 1997.
5. Jon Gould's tip over of a rare Notts County shot at Wembley when the score was 1-0 City.

Sunday 13 April, 2003

Today's News by Michael Wood

McCall ready for Gunners test

Stuart McCall made his Premiership bow against Arsenal in 1999 getting a standing ovation at half time to the bemusement of the Highbury faithful. Today McCall faces the Gunner again with Sheffield United in the FA Cup semi final. BfB is crossing fingers.

Slow news day

Not much City news at the moment because unless you are Teamtalk the story No developments on Robert Wolleaston does not class as a story although BfB has this exclusive...

We went to the club shop to claim our free shirt signed by five of the players and this is who we got in order of how much we like them...

1. David Wetherall
2. Claus Jorgensen
3. Mark Bower
4. Paul Reid
5. Aidan Davison

Davison aside we did pretty well however in a totally ad hoc sample to see who signed most shirts feel free to mail us with the five players who have written on your shirt and we shall see who has been a demon with the pen and who has run out of ink...

Friday 11 April, 2003

Today's News by Michael Wood

Wolleaston scores as Reserves get a draw

Robert Wolleaston, on trial from Chelsea, got City reserve's goal in a 1-1 draw with Newcastle's second string on Thursday night. Simon Francis put through his own goal for the Magpies strike. City also fielded Liverpool youngster Andrew Nicholas.

About Andrew Nicholas

A member of the u19s at Liverpool and former captain of the u17s, Nicholas is, according to the Liverpool Way website "A tall, powerful lad who usually plays at left back. He's also comfortable on the left of midfield though, and is very good going forward." He was born on the 10th October 1983.

Wetherall: We owe our fans a performance

David Wetherall has warned against thinking that First Division safety is secure and recognised that the Bantams home form has disappointed the VP faithful saying "We still aren't comfortable. We have to make sure our heads and minds are right because there is still work to do. We must concentrate on getting that next win. We can't afford to let it go to the last two games because in the final week we've got Sheffield United and then Portsmouth. We need to put it to bed before then. We've got Watford at home next. That can't come soon enough because we owe our fans a performance and the right result because our home form has been so poor."

Wednesday 9 April, 2003

Today's News by Michael Wood

Harvey wants more TV money

Shaun Harvey has pointed out the inequities in the distribution of First Division TV cash with cash being given on a match by match basis meaning that Leicester City have taken in £340,000 from the pot while City have had just £60,000 and Brighton, Millwall and Wimbledon even less because they have not had home games televised. Harvey will suggest a reordering of the deal at the Football League meeting on April 24. The City MD said "I think we should look to spread this money more equally. That could involve a flat payment to everyone from the start or giving a reduced fee for the home team only and dividing the rest. In previous years we've had better than average coverage and the realist in me questions whether I would be raising this if we had been shown in, say, three home games and two away.

The West Yorkshire Police will not allow City to play at 5:30 on a Saturday evening meaning that the Bantams home games can not be televised although the final match of the season, at home to Portsmouth, will net City £60,000 if that is on the idiot's lantern.

Tuesday 8 April, 2003

Today's News by Michael Wood

Reserves draw

City's reserves are getting something like a string of results together after a 0-0 draw with West Brom.

Drive like a BCST

The Bradford City Supporters Trust is looking for a few good men for a Morecambe to Scarborough cycle ride on Saturday 10th May and Sunday 11th May to raise money for the trust that put the money forward for the signing of Ben Muirhead.

If you fancy 137 miles on a bike and the promise of lots of beer go to the Bradford City Supporters Trust Site and sign up.

The Bradford City Supporters Trust are also planning a Karting Endurance competition on Saturday 3rd May at 6.30pm in Bradford. Again go to the Bradford City Supporters Trust site to sign up.

Richmond: "I have no intentions of investing in Huddersfield Town."

Geoffrey Richmond will not be buying into Huddersfield Town who face oblivion if they cannot find a buyer soon with the former City chairman saying "I have no intentions of investing in Huddersfield Town. I had heard the rumours too and welcome this chance to clarify the situation. In fact, I can confirm that I have no interest in committing financially to any football club in the near future. I have been following the situation at Huddersfield Town with interest and I would like to wish the club well going forward, but I have never been tempted to get involved, to be honest, Huddersfield is not the first local club to go into administration since Bradford - Barnsley, York and Halifax have all gone the same way and none of those tempted me either, I have a commitment to my family."

Speaking about his time at City Richmond told the Huddersfield website "It was a difficult last 12 months for me and my family, there was lots of pressure, both on me and on them and I have promised that I would take at least 12 months out. I expect I will go back into football at some point, but not for at least a few months. The earliest I could see myself getting back into football is the end of summer. I still have a strong interest in football, it's in the blood and I could not stay out of it forever."

Harris angry at cancer jibes

Millwall striker Neil Harris left Valley Parade fuming after the jibes he took during the 1-0 victory over City concerning his fight with cancer. A Millwall spokesman said "Neil Harris was angry that a number of idiots saw fit to use his illness against him. Whatever happens on the pitch, there are boundaries and that was unsavoury but we all remember how supportive Bradford City were last year shortly after his operation when he launched the campaign to highlight the awareness of male cancer."

BFB is only too happy to point City fans to The Neil Harris Everyman Appeal as well as The Testicular Cancer Resource Center and UK Cancer Research.

The Great S[a]tan wants Southend job

Stan Collymore, who applied for the City job, has put his name forward for the vacant position at his old club Southend.

Monday 7 April, 2003

Today's News by Michael Wood

Law and Gray in disagreement over hangover

Nicky Law and Andy Gray seem at odds over the Bantams newest International's form post Scotland game. Law said of Gray "It was like the last time when he went away with Scotland. He came back then and was a bit disappointing as well. At the end of the day, Andy's been away for so long and had no playing time. I know players want to be on international duty but this is his bread and butter and this is where he needs to perform."

Gray on the other hand was not in agreement saying "I don't think it took me a while to get going but it was just one of those games when it took us 60-65 minutes to start playing in their half. Personally it was great to get on for Scotland and nice to get a chance if only for 20 minutes. But the result was disappointing and it was the same against Millwall to lose to a sloppy goal."

Saturday 5 April, 2003

Today's News by Michael Wood

Bantams making it hard

City lose 1-0 at home to late Millwall goal

City have the Lion's share of the game but the Lions would not share the points and went back to London as 1-0 winners as City lost to a late Millwall goal.

New deal for Kearney

Tom Kearney, who has been injured since August 2002, has been offered a new deal by City but Nicky Law made it clear that the midfielder would not be rushed back saying "It's been nine months now and I think it would be silly to try to get him back for a reserve game or two before the end of the season. That extra couple of months in the summer will take him to nearly a complete year. Hopefully he will be bang on then so there is no need to rush."

Baggies look at Cadders

West Brom are reported to be curious, although perhaps not 100% interested as yet, in City's Danny Cadamarteri.

Rhodes smiles to make a point

Julian Rhodes signed off from his From The Boardroom column in the match day magazine with a wry poke at those who think that City should be breaking the bank to sign players or give the current squad extended deals. In his column Rhodes took a small swipe at Leeds saying "It looks like Benito Carbone will be rejoining us in the summer on a 5-year contract on broadly similar terms to his previous contract, only with a 10% annual increase and a further 4-year option in his favour. He's just the kind of player Nicky says he'd like to build his squad around. We should be able to put the finishing touches to our £80million bond, secured against the next 157 years gate receipts. That money should ensure our promotion to the Premier League and subsequent qualification for the Champions League. Remember, you have to speculate to accumulate."

Continuting Rhodes underlined the clubs priorities saying The scrapping of the Youth System should happen in the 2003/2004 season. After all, no real fan wants to see home-grown players like Danny Forrest, Mark Bower, Lewis Emanuel and Simon Francis when we can buy players in from abroad. Work should begin on the ground to develop the old Ciba and Symphony stands to increase capacity to 40,000. Negotiations to provide the funding should be finished within the next few weeks. A number of financial institutions have been approached but at the moment Lombards are the front runners."

Concluding the Chief Executive joked "And finally, I'd just like to say that the stress and anxiety of the last 12 months hasn't affected me at all. I'm still able to write a reasoned and sensible article for this column and I thank heaven for small mercies."© Bradford City AFC

Friday 4 April, 2003

Today's News by Michael Wood

Ten Heuvel speaks

Laurens Ten Heuvel is an odd footballer. Before last week's trip to Norwich City his last league start was seven years ago. With a child like enthusiasm the Dutchman said "It felt great to be playing a full game rather than coming on as a substitute. I thought I would be struggling because the game was very fast but everything was fine, except the result. Hopefully I can keep on playing for Bradford and I'm really excited about my first home game."

Nicky Law is pleased with his new player who is not costing the Bantams a penny for the loan deal after Sheffield United agreed to pick up the bill in exchange for the player getting match play before the play offs. The City boss said "Laurens reminds me of Gerald Sibon at Sheffield Wednesday, he finds awkward positions and brings other players into play. I thought he showed some nice touches last week and he can only get better. What he needs is a run of first-team games and we'll give him that."

Sanasy warming up for debut

Kevin Sanasy gave the signal to Nicky Law that he is ready to follow Danny Forrest, Mark Bower, Daniel Ekoku and Lewis Emanuel in graduating from the City ranks to a place in the first team squad. Sanasy scored twice as City's reserves managed a rare win away at Birmingham City. Sanasy headed home a Craig Fishlock cross for his first and latched onto a Frazer McHugh pass to round veteran Andy Marriott to get a second.

Stefan Magnusson played his first game since his first game when his knee popped. Mark McCrystal, on trial from Wolves', also played.

Jamie to go red

Jamie Lawrence is thinking of dyeing his hair Walsall red to show his commitment to his new club. "It has crossed my mind to dye my hair red once Walsall are safe from relegation, before that though there is plenty of hard work to be done and I am disappointed that I am unable to play in front of the live TV cameras on Saturday due to suspension. I am looking forward to the challenge with relish, though." You have to feel sympathy for Walsall's losing Lawrence to the sending off against Sheffield Wednesday which was unwarranted to say the least.

Thursday 3 April, 2003

Today's News by Michael Wood

The future starts in Solihull

City will field a team of trialists and youngsters when the reserves face Birmingham City at Solihull tonight. Trialists are fast becoming City's main source of players and with the likelihood of a dozen of the first team squad leaving next season some of those on show tonight will be hoping of a claret and amber contract next year. Tom Kearney and Ben Muirhead came to the club through trials.

City move quickly to sign up young pair

Nicky Law has shown the club's priorities lay with the youngsters by giving Danny Forrest and Simon Francis professional contracts worth four times the pairs current deals. Frannie and Fozzie will get £320 a week basic and bonuses based on appearances. Significantly the deals mean that should anyone come in for the players the Bantams would get a higher level of compensation.

Gordon Gibb confirmed the new deals saying "We have spoken to the boys about a new deal and we feel that we have offered them a decent package which is greatly improved on what they would have been earning as scholars, We were not originally going to change their status but we felt, as a reward for all of their efforts during the season, that it would be the right and proper thing to do for them. They have been sensational for us this season and this is our way of saying thank you. This proves that we are serious about bringing our young talent through the ranks and giving them a chance. It was only down to injuries and a lack of bodies that they got their chance but when you evaluate what they have done for us you can see that they are well worth a professional deal."

Reid rewarded

Paul Reid has been offered a year's extension to his deal that will see him stay at Valley Parade next season. Reid has struggled to keep pace with the English game thus far.

Warnock wants to block Ten Heuvel

Sheffield United boss Neil Warnock wants to block Laurens Ten Heuvel from playing for City against the side that have loaned him to the Bantams on the 29th of this month however without such a deal having been formally agreed beforehand there is no reason for the Bantams not to play the player.

On Ten Heuvel's part one can think of no better place to show your manager what you can do than against his side.

Wednesday 2 April, 2003

Today's News by Michael Wood

Gray makes Scotland debut

Andy Gray capped a fine year that started at a free transfer winger and ended as a free scoring forward when he made his debut for Scotland against Lithuania. Gray came on late in the second half in the 1-0 defeat.

Sir John of Motson

Superb 2-0 win for England vs Turkey at Sunderland Stade de Lux with John Motson doing a riff on the classic words after the second goal. Said Motson "And there are some people on the pitch, which kind of ruins it." Classic.

City looking for a new team again

City could be looking for a new squad next season after Nicky Law weighed up his chances of getting the current players to sign new deals. Law said "I've spoken to the chairman, the board and the managing director this week and the main thing we've done is decide on the budget. Everybody knows we'll have a wage ceiling next season. There'll be one offer made to players and it will be a case of 'take it or leave it'. You look at the players we've got and the salaries they earn. They far exceed the ceiling the club have put on wages now. I don't think that realistically we stand much chance of keeping any. Claus Jorgensen isn't going to be looking to reduce his salary. He's just banged in ten goals from midfield and has come good at the right time. His record is a strong bargaining point and someone like him won't be wanting for a job at the end of the season. There will be clubs happy to take a chance on him." Law has a limit of £85,000 a year for any recruits and an overall wage cap of £2.5m to work within.

Dr Bill Gerrard of Leeds University Business School has described Gordon Gibb's limit of £85,000 on wages as "pretty realistic" and warned the current City squad, and other players in similar situations, that they may have no better offers than those reduced deals on the table from their current sides. Dr Gerrard said "Bradford City, in imposing that sort of wage constraint, can have a reasonable expectation that other clubs are going to be in the same situation and doing the same thing, I think that the players are going to find that, under the market conditions, wages that go up can also go down."

So for the second time in two summers Nicky Law faces the prospect of replacing the majority of his team. Last summer Law had 17 players ready to join the Bantams to replace those sacked, many of those names may get another call from Valley Parade this July. Law is not that confident of being able to retain the quality at Valley Parade saying "Last year there were 800 names on the list and I only pencilled in six or seven. There are a lot of bodies there but a lot aren't good enough for this level of football."

One player who was good enough last summer was Paul Evans and the obvious thing for Law to do now is to rebuild the broken relationship with the Welshman. Law also needs to look at re-signing Tom Kearney who is recovering from a cruciate injury.

One iron in the fire is Alan Combe who is wanted by the Bantams and would like to join the club. John Oster has been linked to the club and BfB has heard talk that Law may look at Jamie Burt, who's career has ground to a halt at Chesterfield, and that Law has been sending scouts to Sunderland, West Ham, West Brom, Bolton and Leeds reserves anticipating that three of those clubs will have to cut costs on relegation and some bargains may be had.

Of the reserves Robert Morgan looks ready for involvement in the first team squad as does Craig Fishlock. Kevin Sanasy is progressing well and Daniel Ekoku is regularly in the first team squad.

Bradford City August 2003?

City watching Gilroy

City are reported to be keep an eye on Irish winger Keith Gilroy who was released by Middlesbrough and is on trial at Scarborough.

Tuesday 1 April, 2003

Today's News by Michael Wood

Hilarious?

As an April fool gag we were going to pretend that one of our rivals was six weeks from going out of business and the other was around eight months from the same fate but then we realised that not only was it true, it was a fairly rotten joke to. Read Jorgi, Leeds, Town and Fiorentina Viola.

Harvey on new deals

Shaun Harvey has confirmed that the wage deferment that the City players took in the season would be paid back but admitted the contracts for next season would not be reduced from those offered previously. "The club budgets for next season are well known and it's true they aren't as generous as they were. We haven't spoken to any of the players who are out of contract this year other than David Wetherall and Wayne Jacobs which we have resolved. Now deadline day has gone the board will meet with Nicky to establish what offers are to be made to existing players."

Jorgi date with Gills

Some digging has revealed that Dixie Dean, who was the Michael Branch/Danny Cadamarteri/Francis Jeffers/Wayne Rooney of the 20s, holds the Football League record for scoring in consecutive away games after he bagged nine in nine back in 1926. Claus Jorgensen has done eight in eight with his next stop being The Priestfield Stadium, Gillingham where he can equal the record. Should he do that he has a trip to after that Preston North End in which the Dane could make history.

Warnock turns down Grimsby

Stephen Warnock turned down the chance to join Grimsby Town last week saying "I'd never forgive myself if I left Liverpool without feeling I'd done everything I could to try and force my way into the side. Obviously it's very difficult at a club like this. But I still have a year left on my contract and I'm determined to give it a go." Speculation has linked Warnock with a return to Valley Parade.

The month by month news index.