Bradford City A.F.C. season 2007–08

Infobox Football club season
club = Bradford City

season = 2007–08
manager = flagicon|SCO Stuart McCall
chairman = flagicon|ENG Julian Rhodes
flagicon|ENG Mark Lawn
league = Football League Two
league result = 10th
cup1 = FA Cup
cup1 result = Second Round
cup2 = Carling Cup
cup2 result = First Round
cup3 = Johnstone's Paint Trophy
cup3 result = First Round
league topscorer = Peter Thorne (14)
season topscorer = Peter Thorne (15)
highest attendance = 15,510 (v Lincoln City, 26 December 2007)
lowest attendance = 13,072 (v Barnet, 8 April 2008)
4,069 (v Chester City, FA Cup, 10 November 2007)The 2007–08 season was the 105th season in Bradford City A.F.C.'s history, their 93rd in The Football League and 95th in the league system of English football. After finishing 22nd in League One during the 2006–07 season, Bradford City were relegated to League Two meaning the season would be their first in the bottom tier of The Football League since 1981–82. It was also Stuart McCall's first season as manager, after he was appointed the full-time successor to Colin Todd in May 2007. It covers a period from 1 July 2007 to 30 June 2008.

McCall brought in seven new signings in pre-season, as well as a number of loan players, but from September to November, the club failed to win in eight games, leaving them in 21st place in League Two. The club improved during the latter part of the season, finishing in 10th place, three places and 16 points outside the play-offs. Bradford also suffered first round exits in two of the cup competitions they entered, and lost in the second round of the FA Cup. Peter Thorne was the club's top goalscorer, recording 15 goals, 14 in the league and one in the FA Cup. The season also marked centre back David Wetherall's retirement after 304 league games with the club. Joe Colbeck was named player of the season, despite spending part of the season on loan at Darlington. The club's average attendance of 13,756 was the highest in the division.

Background

During the 2006–07 season, manager Colin Todd had been sacked because of a poor run of results. [cite news
url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/bradford_city/6354497.stm
title=Bradford part company with Todd
date=2007-02-12
accessdate=2008-03-21
publisher=BBC Sport] Club captain David Wetherall was originally appointed Todd's successor on a caretaker basis, before being handed the role until the end of the season, during the following month. [cite news
url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/bradford_city/6444657.stm
title=Wetherall to stay on as caretaker
date=2007-03-13
accessdate=2008-03-21
publisher=BBC Sport] Wetherall could not stop City's run of poor form, and the club were relegated to League Two on 28 April 2007 after a 3–0 defeat at Chesterfield. [cite news
url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/6578859.stm
title=Chesterfield 3-0 Bradford
date=2007-04-28
accessdate=2008-03-21
publisher=BBC Sport] It was the club's third relegation in seven seasons, [cite news
url=http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/search/display.var.1363087.0.fans_passion_puts_players_to_shame.php
title=Fans' passion puts players to shame
date=2007-04-29
accessdate=2008-03-21
publisher=Telegraph & Argus
first=Simon
last=Parker] and meant the 2007–08 season would be their first season in the fourth division of English football in 25 years. [cite news
url=http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/search/display.var.1362773.0.woeful_city_relegated.php
title=Woeful City relegated
date=2007-04-28
accessdate=2008-03-21
publisher=Telegraph & Argus
first=Simon
last=Parker] On 22 May 2007, former City player Stuart McCall, who had played more than 400 games for the club during two previous spells,cite book
last=Markham
first=David
title=The legends of Bradford City
publisher=Breedon Books Sport
year=2007
pages=pp. 114-115
isbn=978-1-85983-572-2] was announced as the club's new manager to take over on 1 June 2007. [cite news
url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/bradford_city/6679253.stm
title=McCall named new Bradford manager
date=2007-05-22
accessdate=2008-03-21
publisher=BBC Sport] Although the club had just 13 players with first-team experience, the bookmakers made City second favourites to win the League Two title.cite news
url=http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/search/display.var.1446155.0.bookies_tip_city_to_bounce_back.php
title=Bookies tip City to bounce back
date=2007-06-04
accessdate=2008-03-21
publisher=Telegraph & Argus
first=Dave
last=Craven]

Despite the club's relegation, off the field, chairman Julian Rhodes had announced a deal to slash the price of watching professional football to just £138, the equivalent of £6 per match, and the cheapest season tickets in England. [cite news
url=http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/search/display.var.1359276.0.bradford_city_will_slash_ticket_prices.php
title=Bradford City WILL slash ticket prices
accessdate=2008-03-21
date=2007-04-27
publisher=Telegraph & Argus] [cite web
url=http://flc.theoffside.com/league-two/bradford-city-set-to-offer-cheapest-season-tickets-in-the-uk.html
title=Bradford City Set to Offer Cheapest Season Tickets in the UK
accessdate=2008-03-21
date=2007-05-24
publisher=TheOffside.com] In June 2007, Rhodes was also joined by Mark Lawn as new joint chairman of the club. Lawn signed a deal to wipe out the club's debts. [cite news
url=http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/search/display.var.1452580.0.lawn_pitches_in_as_city_investor.php
title=Lawn pitches in as City investor
accessdate=2008-03-21
date=2007-06-07
publisher=Telegraph & Argus
first=Simon
last=Parker]

Review

Pre-season

With just 13 players on the books, McCall's first job was to sign a number of new players to build a first-team squad. McCall's first signings were strikers Barry Conlon, from Mansfield Town, and Peter Thorne, from Norwich City, both on free transfers, on 2 July 2007.cite news
url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/bradford_city/6262648.stm
title=Bradford sign veteran strike pair
date=2007-07-02
accessdate=2008-03-17
publisher=BBC Sport] [cite news
url=http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/search/display.var.1519374.0.thorne_deal_a_reminder_of_deano.php
title=Thorne deal a reminder of Deano
date=2007-07-04
accessdate=2008-03-21
publisher=Telegraph & Argus
first=Simon
last=Parker] No more players were signed by the time City played their first pre-season friendly away at Harrogate Town on 16 July 2007. However, there were eight trialists in the team which won 1–0. The only goal of the game was a header from David Wetherall. [cite news
url=http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/search/display.var.1549396.0.mccall_era_kicks_off_with_a_win.php
title=McCall era kicks off with a win
date=2007-07-16
accessdate=2008-03-21
publisher=Telegraph & Argus
first=Simon
last=Parker] Two days later, City were defeated 2–1 by Conference side Farsley Celtic, [cite news
url=http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/search/display.var.1555729.0.thorne_opens_account_but_celts_take_plaudits.php
title=Thorne opens account but Celts take plaudits
date=2007-07-18
accessdate=2008-03-21
publisher=Telegraph & Argus
first=Simon
last=Parker] before a 2–0 victory against North Ferriby United. [cite news
url=http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/search/display.var.1563616.0.colbeck_runs_show_in_city_win.php
title=Colbeck runs show in City win
date=2007-07-22
accessdate=2008-03-21
publisher=Telegraph & Argus
first=Simon
last=Parker] Scott Phelan, who had played all three of the pre-season games during a trial, became McCall's third signing on 24 July from Everton.cite news
url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/bradford_city/6913378.stm
title=Bradford capture ex-Everton man
date=2007-07-24
accessdate=2008-03-17
publisher=BBC Sport] The same day, City drew 1–1 with Burnley in their only home pre-season friendly open to fans, with a goal from Paul Evans. [cite news
url=http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/search/display.var.1569874.0.newlook_city_get_the_thumbs_up.php
title=New-look City get the thumbs up!
date=2007-07-25
accessdate=2008-03-21
publisher=Telegraph & Argus
first=Simon
last=Parker] McCall signed full back Darren Williams, from Hartlepool United, Kyle Nix on a monthly contract, and Nathan Joynes on loan from Barnsley but released three other trialists.cite news
url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/bradford_city/6911684.stm
title=Williams signs Bantams contract |date=2007-07-27
accessdate=2008-03-17
publisher=BBC Sport] Joynes had been the third loan signing from Barnsley, following Paul Heckingbottom, who had played for Bradford in the 2003–04 season, and Thomas Harban.cite news
url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/bradford_city/6919154.stm
title=Bradford sign third Tykes player
date=2007-07-27
accessdate=2008-03-17
publisher=BBC Sport] The following two friendlies both ended in defeat; first 1–0 to York City, [cite news
url=http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/search/display.var.1580838.0.ricketts_saves_city_defences_blushes.php
title=Ricketts saves City defence's blushes
date=2007-07-29
accessdate=2008-03-21
publisher=Telegraph & Argus
first=Simon
last=Parker] then 2–1 to Blackpool in a private practice match, with another goal from Evans. [cite news
url=http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/search/display.var.1586362.0.city_quietly_go_about_business.php
title=City quietly go about business
date=2007-07-31
accessdate=2008-03-21
publisher=Telegraph & Argus
first=Dave
last=Craven] Evans completed his transfer the following day,cite news
url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/bradford_city/6906098.stm
title=Evans poised to rejoin Bradford
date=2007-07-31
accessdate=2008-03-17
publisher=BBC Sport] to be followed by Alex Rhodes, who had been on trial from Brentford, and Guylain Ndumbu-Nsungu on loan from Gillingham, the following week.cite news
url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/bradford_city/6938884.stm
title=Bantams seal double striker deal
date=2007-08-09
accessdate=2008-03-17
publisher=BBC Sport]

A new home and away strip for the season was announced, with the home shirts worn for the first time in the friendly against Burnley. [cite news
url=http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/search/display.var.1483045.0.first_chance_to_view_away_shirt.php
title=First chance to view away shirt
date=2007-06-19
accessdate=2008-03-21
publisher=Telegraph & Argus
first=Mike
last=Crowther] The club also sold more than 12,000 season tickets, with 12,019 fans buying one before the end of the deadline for the cheap offer on 31 July. [cite news
url=http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/search/display.var.1589562.0.bantams_pass_12_000_ticket_mark.php
title=Bantams pass 12,000 ticket mark
date=2007-08-01
accessdate=2008-03-21
publisher=Telegraph & Argus
first=Mike
last=Crowther]

August

Bradford started their league season on 11 August 2007 with a 1–1 draw with Macclesfield Town, when a crowd of 14,345 was inside Valley Parade, 1,000 more than was originally announced.cite news
url=http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/display.var.1621033.0.0.php?act=complaint&cid=501867
title=City go down fighting
date=2007-08-16
accessdate=2008-03-17
publisher=Telegraph & Argus
first=Simon
last=Parker] The attendance was more than 6,000 higher than any other game in the division. [cite news
url=http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/search/display.var.1612482.0.lets_hear_it_for_the_fans.php
title=Let's hear it for the fans
date=2007-08-12
accessdate=2008-03-21
publisher=Telegraph & Argus
first=Simon
last=Parker] Macclesfield had taken the lead, with City equalising shortly before half-time when Guylain Ndumbu-Nsungu scored with a rebound after Barry Conlon's penalty was saved.cite news
url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/6930993.stm
title=Bradford 1-1 Macclesfield
date=2007-08-10
accessdate=2008-03-16
publisher=BBC Sport] Four days later City were at Championship side Wolverhampton Wanderers, for the first round of the League Cup. Wolves scored twice in the first five minutes of the second half, and despite Kyle Nix pulling one back for Bradford, City went out 2–1.cite news
url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_cup/6941759.stm
title=Wolves 2-1 Bradford
date=2007-08-15
accessdate=2008-03-16
publisher=BBC Sport] City's second league game of the season was the first league game to be played at Shrewsbury Town's new £15m ground the New Meadow, when an early penalty from former City player Dave Hibbert gave the home side a 1–0 win.cite news
url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/6941946.stm
title=Shrewsbury 1-0 Bradford
date=2007-08-18
accessdate=2008-03-16
publisher=BBC Sport] McCall's first win as manager came in the third game when a debut goal from Luke Medley secured a 2–1 victory over Wrexham.cite news
url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/6952760.stm
title=Bradford 2-1 Wrexham
date=2007-08-25
accessdate=2008-03-16
publisher=BBC Sport]

eptember

Bradford started September with consecutive defeats; first 2–1 in the league against Barnet,cite news
url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/6963593.stm
title=Barnet 2-1 Bradford
date=2007-09-01
accessdate=2008-03-16
publisher=BBC Sport] before a 5–1 loss to Doncaster Rovers in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy.cite news
url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/6973818.stm
title=Doncaster 5-1 Bradford
date=2007-09-04
accessdate=2008-03-16
publisher=BBC Sport] For the latter game, McCall had named a weakened team, which included debutants Ben Saynor and Sean Taylforth, [cite news
url=http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/search/display.var.1664485.0.night_to_forget_for_battered_bantams.php
title=Night to forget for battered Bantams
date=2007-09-05
accessdate=2008-03-21
publisher=Telegraph & Argus
first=Simon
last=Parker] and City faced a £5,000 fine from The Football League, [cite news
url=http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/search/display.var.1704727.0.mccall_defends_trophy_team_selection.php
title=McCall defends Trophy team selection
date=2007-09-21
accessdate=2008-03-23
publisher=Telegraph & Argus
first=Simon
last=Parker] but were eventually only fined £3,000. [cite news
url=http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sportbcfc/sportbcfcheadlines/3182165.City_aim_to_put_gloss_on_cup_run/
title=City aim to put gloss on cup run
date=2008-06-28
accessdate=2008-06-28
publisher=Telegraph & Argus
first=Simon
last=Parker] Two victories in the league followed against Lincoln City—the first time the two teams had met in a league game since the fire disaster in 1985—cite news
url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/6974906.stm
title=Lincoln 1-2 Bradford
date=2007-09-07
accessdate=2008-03-16
publisher=BBC Sport] and Peterborough United.cite news
url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/6985028.stm
title=Bradford 1-0 Peterborough
date=2007-09-15
accessdate=2008-03-16
publisher=BBC Sport] But the month ended as it had started with back-to-back defeats against Hereford United and Wycombe Wanderers.cite news
url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/6996331.stm
title=Hereford 4-2 Bradford
date=2007-09-22
accessdate=2008-03-16
publisher=BBC Sport] cite news
url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/7008126.stm
title=Bradford 0-1 Wycombe
date=2007-09-29
accessdate=2008-03-16
publisher=BBC Sport]

October

The run of consecutive defeats extended to five during the first two weeks of October. After a 3–0 defeat to Accrington Stanley,cite news
url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/7019646.stm
title=Bradford 0-3 Accrington
date=2007-10-02
accessdate=2008-03-16
publisher=BBC Sport] McCall added two more loan signings to the squad, Nicky Law, son of former City manager Nicky Law, and goalkeeper Rhys Evans.cite news
url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/bradford_city/7030074.stm
title=Bradford swoop for Evans and Law
date=2007-10-05
accessdate=2008-03-17
publisher=BBC Sport] Both played as City lost 2–1 to both Milton Keynes Dons, when Barry Conlon scored his first goal for the club,cite news
url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/7019719.stm
title=MK Dons 2-1 Bradford
date=2007-10-06
accessdate=2008-03-16
publisher=BBC Sport] then Morecambe.cite news
url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/7031481.stm
title=Morecambe 2-1 Bradford
date=2007-10-12
accessdate=2008-03-16
publisher=BBC Sport] The run of defeats came to an end when City drew 0–0 with Darlington,cite news
url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/7043105.stm
title=Bradford 0-0 Darlington
date=2007-10-20
accessdate=2008-03-16
publisher=BBC Sport] but the month ended without a single victory after another draw, this time 1–1 with Grimsby Town, when Rhys Evans was substituted after 24 minutes for City, and Ndumbu-Nsungu scored a late equaliser following Grimsby's own goalkeeper Phil Barnes' red card.cite news
url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/7054093.stm
title=Grimsby 1-1 Bradford
date=2007-10-27
accessdate=2008-03-16
publisher=BBC Sport] Evans' loan deal was cut short following the injury and he returned to Blackpool after just four games.cite news
url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/blackpool/7068845.stm
title=Evans loan spell ended by injury
date=2007-10-30
accessdate=2008-03-17
publisher=BBC Sport] Young midfielder Joe Colbeck, who had been one of several players McCall wanted to send out on loan to gain first team experience, [cite news
url=http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/search/display.var.1747012.0.mccall_clears_the_decks.php
title=McCall clears the decks
date=2007-10-09
accessdate=2008-03-21
publisher=Telegraph & Argus
first=Simon
last=Parker] was loaned out to Darlington for a month.cite news
url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/bradford_city/7059702.stm
title=Bantams loan Colbeck to Quakers
date=2007-10-24
accessdate=2008-03-17
publisher=BBC Sport]

November

Bradford's run without a league victory extended to eight games after a 2–1 defeat to Brentford.cite news
url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/7065133.stm
title=Bradford 1-2 Brentford
date=2007-11-03
accessdate=2008-03-16
publisher=BBC Sport] The run, which stretched back to 15 September came to an end with a 2–1 win over Chester City on 6 November 2007 when Alex Rhodes scored his first goal for the club.cite news
url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/7076543.stm
title=Bradford 2-1 Chester
date=2007-11-06
accessdate=2008-03-16
publisher=BBC Sport] City again defeated Chester City four days later, this time in the FA Cup, when Peter Thorne's first goal for the club secured a 1–0 win.cite news
url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/7076467.stm
title=Bradford 1-0 Chester
date=2007-11-10
accessdate=2008-03-16
publisher=BBC Sport] City won their third game in a row with a 4–1 victory over Dagenham & Redbridge—their highest victory of the season,cite news
url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/7088507.stm
title=Dag & Red 1-4 Bradford
date=2007-11-17
accessdate=2008-03-16
publisher=BBC Sport] before the month ended with a 1–1 draw against Stockport County.cite news
url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/7099922.stm
title=Bradford 1-1 Stockport
date=2007-11-24
accessdate=2008-03-16
publisher=BBC Sport]

December

Bradford were eliminated from the FA Cup with a 3–0 defeat to League One side Tranmere Rovers.cite news
url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/7110745.stm
title=Bradford 0-3 Tranmere
date=2007-12-01
accessdate=2008-03-16
publisher=BBC Sport] They returned to league action with two more draws, away to Mansfield Town and Chesterfield,cite news
url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/7122682.stm
title=Mansfield 0-0 Bradford
date=2007-12-05
accessdate=2008-03-16
publisher=BBC Sport] cite news
url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/7122702.stm
title=Chesterfield 1-1 Bradford
date=2007-12-08
accessdate=2008-03-16
publisher=BBC Sport] the latter game of which featured Joe Colbeck, who had returned from Darlington early despite his one-month loan spell being originally extended.cite news
url=http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/search/display.var.1890545.0.colbeck_returns_early_from_quakers.php
title=Colbeck returns early from Quakers
date=2007-12-08
accessdate=2008-03-17
publisher=Telegraph & Argus
first=Simon
last=Parker] The following week City signed Willy Topp for £35,000—the first time they had paid a transfer fee for a player since Andy Tod in November 2001—nearly three months after he first came on trial. [cite news
url=http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/search/display.var.1896341.0.league_give_topp_the_green_light.php
title=League give Topp the green light
date=2007-12-11
accessdate=2008-03-21
publisher=Telegraph & Argus
first=Mike
last=Crowther] City were given two weeks off before their next game, when their home game against Rotherham United on 15 December was postponed because of a frozen pitch. [cite news
url=http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/search/display.var.1907589.0.city_derby_clash_beaten_by_weather.php
title=City derby clash beaten by weather
date=2007-12-15
accessdate=2008-03-21
first=Simon
last=Parker] But they could not take advantage of the extra rest and despite taking the lead against Peterborough United, two second half goals gave Peterborough a 2–1 win and helped them to second in the league.cite news
url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/7145734.stm
title=Peterborough 2-1 Bradford
date=2007-12-22
accessdate=2008-03-16
publisher=BBC Sport] The highest attendance of the season for a League Two game attended City's next game on Boxing Day against Lincoln City. [cite web
url=http://www.football-league.premiumtv.co.uk/page/DivisionalAttendance/0,,10794~200726,00.html
title=Divisional Attendance
accessdate=2008-03-21
publisher=The Football League] It was the first time the two teams had met in the league at Valley Parade since the fire of 1985 and the crowd of 15,510 observed a minute silence and wreath-laying ceremony before the game. Peter Thorne gave City the lead, and despite an equalier from Lincoln, Barry Conlon secured a 2–1 win for Bradford in the last minute.cite news
url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/7157248.stm
title=Bradford 2-1 Lincoln
date=2007-12-26
accessdate=2008-03-16
publisher=BBC Sport] The 2007 calendar year finished with another home game, but this time City lost 3–1 to Hereford United.cite news
url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/7157313.stm
title=Bradford 2-4 Hereford
date=2007-12-29
accessdate=2008-03-16
publisher=BBC Sport]

January

The New Year started with a number of changes off the field. Loan signing Ndumbu-Nsungu returned to Gillingham but Heckingbottom's deal was extended to allow him to play against Accrington Stanley on New Year's Day,cite news
url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/bradford_city/7165725.stm
title=Ndumbu-Nsungu to return to Gills
date=2007-12-31
accessdate=2008-03-17
publisher=BBC Sport] before a permanent deal was finalised the following week.cite news
url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/bradford_city/7176638.stm
title=Heckingbottom seals Bradford move
date=2008-01-08
accessdate=2008-03-17
publisher=BBC Sport] Midfielder Lee Bullock was also signed on a loan transfer from Hartlepool United.cite news
url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/bradford_city/7166119.stm
title=Bradford move for Pools' Bullock
date=2008-01-02
accessdate=2008-03-17
publisher=BBC Sport] City beat Accrington 2–0 with Matthew Clarke scoring his first for the club and Joe Colbeck adding his first since he returned from his loan spell at Darlington.cite news
url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/7163869.stm
title=Accrington 0-2 Bradford
date=2008-01-01
accessdate=2008-03-16
publisher=BBC Sport] It was followed up with another win, when Thorne scored City's first hat-trick for two years, to defeat Notts County 3–0. [cite news
url=http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/display.var.1962092.0..php
title=Put your shirt on more Thorne goals
date=2008-01-13
accessdate=2008-03-21
publisher=Telegraph & Argus
first=Simon
last=Parker] Two away draws followed at Bury and Wrexham,cite news
url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/7197641.stm
title=Bury 2-2 Bradford
date=2008-01-22
accessdate=2008-03-16
publisher=BBC Sport] cite news
url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/7197651.stm
title=Wrexham 1-1 Bradford
date=2008-01-26
accessdate=2008-03-16
publisher=BBC Sport] but City returned to winning ways with a 4–2 victory over Shrewsbury Town to finish the month unbeaten.cite news
url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/7210651.stm
title=Bradford 4-2 Shrewsbury
date=2008-01-29
accessdate=2008-03-16
publisher=BBC Sport]

McCall had also been busy in the transfer market during January, with the trio of Ben Starosta,cite news
url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/bradford_city/7201012.stm
title=Bradford capture Starosta on loan
date=2008-01-21
accessdate=2008-03-17
publisher=BBC Sport] Scott Loachcite news
url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/bradford_city/7213719.stm
title=Loach replaces QPR-bound Ricketts
date=2008-01-28
accessdate=2008-03-17
publisher=BBC Sport] and TJ Moncur all arriving on loan.cite news
url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/bradford_city/7218486.stm
title=Bradford sign Bullock from Pools
date=2008-01-31
accessdate=2008-03-17
publisher=BBC Sport] Bullock made his loan permanent and signed an 18-month contract, and David Brown signed after impressing on a trial. Five players also left Valley Parade on loan deals during January, with Craig Bentham joining Farsley Celtic,cite news
url=http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/search/display.var.1945670.0.bentham_cant_quite_rescue_celts.php
title=Bentham can't quite rescue Celts
date=2008-01-06
accessdate=2008-03-17
publisher=Telegraph & Argus
first=Ian
last=Whiting] Luke Medley joining Cambridge City,cite news
url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/d/droylsden/7183752.stm
title=Droylsden capture Bradford pair
date=2008-01-11
accessdate=2008-03-17
publisher=BBC Sport] Sean Taylforth and Luke Morgan both going to Droylsden, and Simon Ainge joining Halifax Town.cite news
url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/h/halifax_town/7219558.stm
title=Ainge leaves Bradford for Halifax
date=2008-01-31
accessdate=2008-03-17
publisher=BBC Sport] Goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts was also expected to leave but his transfer to Queens Park Rangers collapsed after the Home Office rejected his application for a work permit. [cite news
url=http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/search/display.var.2006595.0.lawn_stunned_as_ricketts_returns.php
title=Lawn 'stunned' as Ricketts returns
date=2008-01-30
accessdate=2008-03-21
publisher=Telegraph & Argus
first=Mike
last=Crowther]

February

City's unbeaten run was extended to six games when David Brown scored on his debut to beat Macclesfield Town 1–0.cite news
url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/7210673.stm
title=Macclesfield 0-1 Bradford
date=2008-02-02
accessdate=2008-03-16
publisher=BBC Sport] The run came to an end with consecutive 2–1 defeats to Bury and Rochdale.cite news
url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/7223942.stm
title=Bradford 1-2 Bury
date=2008-02-09
accessdate=2008-03-16
publisher=BBC Sport] cite news
url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/7248844.stm
title=Bradford 1-2 Rochdale
date=2008-02-16
accessdate=2008-03-16
publisher=BBC Sport] On 20 February 2008, David Wetherall, who had played nearly 300 league games for City since he joined in 1999, announced he would retire at the end of the season. [cite news
url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/bradford_city/7254349.stm
title=Wetherall poised to hang up boots
date=2008-02-20
accessdate=2008-03-21
publisher=BBC Sport] City won their first win in three games when they beat Notts County for the second time in as many months, with a 3–1 win.cite news
url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/7248477.stm
title=Notts County 1-3 Bradford
date=2008-02-23
accessdate=2008-03-16
publisher=BBC Sport] Three days later City added a second consecutive win by defeating Rotherham United 3–2 in the game which had been postponed in December, with Lee Bullock scoring his first goal for the club.cite news
url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/7260362.stm
title=Bradford 3-2 Rotherham
date=2008-02-26
accessdate=2008-03-16
publisher=BBC Sport] The same day, club chairman Julian Rhodes announced a new season ticket offer in a bid to fill more of the 25,000-seater stadium for the following season by offering free tickets if more than 9,000 adult tickets were bought. [cite news
url=http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/search/display.var.2070432.0.rhodes_reveals_free_seasonticket_offer.php
title=Rhodes reveals free season-ticket offer
date=2008-02-26
accessdate=2008-03-21
publisher=Telegraph & Argus
first=Simon
last=Parker]

March

March started with two more consecutive defeats. Dagenham & Redbridge defeated City 2–0 in their first game at Valley Parade, when Barry Conlon missed a penalty and then an open goal both when the score was 1–0. [cite news
url=http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/search/display.var.2086854.0.daggers_stick_the_knife_in.php
title=Daggers stick the knife in
date=2008-03-02
accessdate=2008-03-21
publisher=Telegraph & Argus
first=Simon
last=Parker] In the following game, Peter Thorne scored a penalty to give City the lead against Stockport County, but County scored twice to win 2–1.cite news
url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/7272578.stm
title=Stockport 2-1 Bradford
date=2008-03-08
accessdate=2008-03-16
publisher=BBC Sport] Four days later, Bradford recorded their third victory of the season against Chester City, when Conlon scored the only goal of the game in a 1–0 victory.cite news
url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/7284914.stm
title=Chester 0-1 Bradford
date=2008-03-12
accessdate=2008-03-16
publisher=BBC Sport] Conlon scored another in the following game but City again were beaten, 2–1 by Mansfield Town.cite news
url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/7284917.stm
title=Bradford 1-2 Mansfield
date=2008-03-15
accessdate=2008-03-16
publisher=BBC Sport] Following Wetherall's announcement that he would retire, City's supporters staged a special day to celebrate his career and contribution to the club, during the away fixture on 22 March 2008 at Rotherham United, where the team had lost 4–1 the previous season during Wetherall's spell as player-manager. [cite news
url=http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/search/display.var.2136836.0.saturday_is_wetherall_day.php
title=Saturday is Wetherall Day
date=2008-03-20
accessdate=2008-03-22
publisher=Telegraph & Argus
first=Simon
last=Parker] The result of the game finished 1–1, during which Omar Daley was sent off.cite news
url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/7298150.stm
title=Rotherham 1-1 Bradford
date=2008-03-22
accessdate=2008-03-22
publisher=BBC Sport] City played a second game two days later, because of the Easter fixture list, when Peter Thorne scored the 150th league goal of his career to help City beat Chesterfield 1–0. [cite news
url=http://www.telegraphandargus.co.uk/display.var.2142595.0..php
title=Thorne reaches magic milestone
date=2008-03-24
accessdate=2008-03-24
publisher=Telegraph & Argus
first=Simon
last=Parker] The month finished with a 3–1 victory over Darlington, when Tom Penford scored his first goal for the club, and both Barry Conlon and Joe Colbeck scored against their former club.cite news
url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/7309357.stm
title=Darlington 1-3 Bradford
date=2008-03-29
accessdate=2008-03-29
publisher=BBC Sport] The victory put City into the top half of the table for the first time since September. [cite news
url=http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/sportbcfcmatch/display.var.2157485.0.colbeck_hits_darlo_where_it_hurts.php
title=Colbeck hits Darlo where it hurts
date=2008-03-30
accessdate=2008-04-01
publisher=Telegraph & Argus
first=Simon
last=Parker] During March, City also won a Football League award for their season ticket deal at the start of the season. [cite news
url=http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/search/display.var.2087772.0.bantams_land_prestigious_award.php
title=Bantams land prestigious award
date=2008-03-03
accessdate=2008-03-21
publisher=Telegraph & Argus
first=Simon
last=Parker]

April

On 1 April 2008, first City's keeper Donovan Ricketts was blocked from coming back into the country following a Jamaica call-up, [cite news
url=http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/bradford_city/7324706.stm
title= Ricketts refused re-entry to UK
date=2008-04-01
accessdate=2008-04-01
publisher=BBC Sport] before City lost 2–1 at Rochdale, following a late winning goal from Rochdale's Adam Le Fondre.cite news
url=http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/7320170.stm
title=Rochdale 2-1 Bradford
date=2008-04-01
accessdate=2008-04-01
publisher=BBC Sport] City returned to winnings ways four days later, when Eddie Johnson scored the only goal of a 1–0 victory over Morecambe.cite news
url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/7320195.stm
title=Bradford 1-0 Morecambe
date=2008-04-05
accessdate=2008-04-05
publisher=BBC Sport] Johnson scored for a second successive game, three days later to secure a 1–1 draw with Barnet in a rearranged game at Valley Parade.cite news
url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/7332149.stm
title=Bradford 1-1 Barnet
date=2008-04-08
accessdate=2008-04-08
publisher=BBC Sport] A second successive draw on 12 April, this time 2–2 against Brentford,cite news
url=http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/7332194.stm
title=Brentford 2-2 Bradford
date=2008-04-12
accessdate=2008-04-12
publisher=BBC Sport] meant that City could no longer reach the play-offs, ensuring that they would again be playing in League Two during 2008–09. [cite news
url=http://www.telegraphandargus.co.uk/display.var.2195307.0..php
title=Rhodes: We're on to a winner with Stuart
date=2008-04-15
accessdate=2008-04-15
publisher=Telegraph & Argus
first=Simon
last=Parker] A late goal from Joe Colbeck on 19 April prevented a third successive draw and gave City a 2–1 victory over Grimsby Town.cite news
url=http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/7344101.stm
title=Bradford 2-1 Grimsby
date=2008-04-19
accessdate=2008-04-19
publisher=BBC Sport] Colbeck was named the club's player of the season at the annual award ceremony on 23 April, [cite news
url=http://www.telegraphandargus.co.uk/display.var.2219425.0..php
title=Prize guy Colbeck still in shock
date=2008-04-24
accessdate=2008-04-27
publisher=Telegraph & Argus
first=Simon
last=Parker] but was sent off in the club's final home of the season against Milton Keynes Dons. Bradford were already 2–0 behind when Colbeck was dismissed, and despite a goal from Omar Daley, they lost 2–1, which crowned Milton Keynes as the league champions.cite news
url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/7356088.stm
title= Bradford 1-2 MK Dons
date=2008-04-26
accessdate=2008-04-27
publisher=BBC Sport]

On 29 April 2008, McCall announced the list of players he would be keeping and releasing at the end of the season. As well as Ricketts, who was unlikely to be given a new work permit, the first team players to be released were Darren Williams, Paul Evans, Tom Penford and Alex Rhodes. Craig Bentham, who had spent three months on loan at Farsley Celtic, and Scott Phelan, who had not featured since December, were also deemed surplus to requirements. Back-up goalkeepers Ben Saynor and Jamie Waite, neither of whom had played a first team league game, and youngsters David Brown, Luke Morgan and Damian Hopkins completed the list of 13 players to leave the club. Barry Conlon and Kyle Nix were the only first team regulars to be offered new contracts, along with juniors Luke Medley, Luke O'Brien and Sean Taylforth.cite news
url=http://www.telegraphandargus.co.uk/display.var.2234555.0..php
title=Johnson one of 13 axed by City
date=2008-04-29
accessdate=2008-04-29
publisher=Telegraph & Argus
first=Simon
last=Parker]

May and June

City finished the season with a 2–1 defeat at Wycombe Wanderers, when Luke Medley scored a penalty on his first start for the club. McCall had made a number of changes to the side, after his decision to release 13 players, giving a debut to Sean Taylforth and also giving places to three of the released players. It was also David Wetherall's final game for the club. [cite news
url=http://www.telegraphandargus.co.uk/display.var.2245995.0..php
title=Wycombe 2 City 1
date=2008-05-03
accessdate=2008-05-03
publisher=Telegraph & Argus
first=Simon
last=Parker]

In the week after the season had finished, Barry Conlon was the first to sign a new deal keeping him at the club until January 2008, [cite news
url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/bradford_city/7378144.stm
title=Conlon signs new six-month deal
date=2008-05-05
accessdate=2008-05-05
publisher=BBC Sport] before Kyle Nix and Luke O'Brien signed their season-long contracts. [cite news
url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/bradford_city/7387493.stm
title=Bradford City duo sign new deals
date=2008-05-07
accessdate=2008-05-07
publisher=BBC Sport] By the end of the week, McCall made his first transfer of the summer when he signed goalkeeper Jonathan McLaughlin from non-league Harrogate Town.cite news
url=http://www.telegraphandargus.co.uk/display.var.2260010.0..php
title=City snap up goalkeeper
date=2008-05-09
accessdate=2008-05-09
publisher=Telegraph & Argus
first=Simon
last=Parker] It was not until the end of the month that he added his second signing, when midfielder Chris Brandon, a former club trainee, joined from Huddersfield Town on a free transfer.cite news
url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/bradford_city/7428993.stm
title=Bradford bag midfielder Brandon
date=2008-05-31
accessdate=2008-05-31
publiser=BBC Sport] Defender Paul Arnison, who had been released by Carlisle United in May, became the club's third summer transfer, when he signed a two-year contract on 18 June 2008.cite news
url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/bradford_city/7462051.stm
title=Bradford City seal Arnison switch
date=2008-06-18
accessdate=2008-06-18
publisher=BBC Sport] On 30 June 2008, the final day before City would return to pre-season training, City signed a second defender, when Graeme Lee joined on a free transfer from Doncaster Rovers. He also signed a two-year contract.cite news
url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/bradford_city/7482167.stm
title=Bradford swoop for defender Lee
date=2008-06-30
accessdate=2008-06-30
publisher=BBC Sport]

Match results

Legend

League Cup

Transfers

In

Loans out

ee also

*2007–08 in English football

References