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Back to Wembley: Play off final song three: Bradford Calling

17 May

By Jason McKeown

West Yorkshire covers band have got in on the Bradford City play off act, with a superb re-working of The Clash’s London Calling – Bradford Calling.

Drummer Tino Palmer told Width of a Post the story behind the song.

“The idea for the song first came about for the League Cup final, but there were so many other songs about I thought it would get lost in the crowd…plus I’d just bought a cafe in Ossett and was a bit snowed under (pardon the pun). So when, on that strange Sunday I stood in The Northern with Lloyd and the other fans watching that great win against Burton – with their “road to Wembley” scarves – I thought perhaps I should finish it off.

“So home I went, messed around with the words a bit more then sent them off to the band’s singer Mik Raven. He came back with some changes – belters, I have to say – and on Monday, we agreed to get sorted with it. Two days later, a quick rehearsal, then on Thursday May 10 we trudged into Voltage Studios on Manchester Road and Tim Walker helped us to record and finish it within three hours. This is punk rock, baby, we don’t mess about!

“Jamie Fletcher from SMF Print was on backing, and he said we needed a video to back it up, so he contacted Fruition Media, who do a lot of work with/for the club, and he agreed to a quick video shoot on Monday 13th. Also in the studio the previous Thursday was Chris Cooper, ex Pulse sports commentator, now at Sky, and he put Sky in touch with me, arranging for their presenter Richard Graves to come and talk to us at the shoot.

“A full crew turned up, interviewing us and even taking part in the video…24 hours later, it was uploaded to YouTube as I sat in BCB’s studio waiting to tell them about it all and play the song. Then by Thursday it had over 4,000 views and was being universally well received, much to our satisfaction…and relief!!

“Plans are afoot for more City-based recording; I’m making a sort of career of it. After my first exploits with my old band The Negatives did “we are City” back in 2001…who knows what’s next?

“Watch this space…”

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One afternoon

17 May

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By Jason McKeown

90 minutes.

Or maybe 120.

And there’s also the possibility of penalties.

Either way it’s one afternoon.

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One afternoon between another year in League Two or a move up to League One.

To a promotion party.

Or the devastation of a second Wembley defeat.

No half measures, no in-betweens.

It’s all on the line.

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We know the history, you can still see the bruises.

Season upon season of feeling underwhelmed.

Of set backs, of failures.

Of unhappy endings.

This time, please let it be different.

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We can trust in this group of players.

They get it.

They get what it means to us.

They get what it means to themselves.

An outstanding group of individuals that blend together so well.

Win and we go forward together.

Lose and some may go their separate way.

League Two players, but together they can become League One.

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One afternoon to change everything.

For them.

For us.

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May is a month of winners.

We see it every year.

Not, sadly, with our own eyes.

But through the lens of others.

Chelsea, Wigan, Cardiff, Hull City, Gillingham, Mansfield.

Watch their players dance about on your TV screen, read about their fans going crazy in the paper.

Always someone else’s party, never ours.

~~~~~~~

When the Sky cameras zoom in on tomorrow’s winners, let it be us.

Let it be Gary Jones and Ricky Ravenhill jointly holding the trophy up.

Let it be our smiling faces that are beamed into pubs and homes all over the country.

Let it be Phil Parkinson punching the air.

Let it be.

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May is also a month of losers.

For every team who triumphs, another is slumped on the floor.

Supporters and players devastated, tears.

Climb up those steps to collect a loser’s medal.

Losers. Losers.

Don’t let it be us.

Please.

~~~~~~~

Parkinson will have the players fully prepared tomorrow.

Giving it everything they have is a minimum.

What is the role of us supporters?

The same.

Giving it everything that we have is a minimum.

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From the first minute to the last, no need for silence.

No need for muttering.

No need for moaning.

Booers, stay home.

We need to sing, and we don’t need to stop.

From the first whistle to the final kick, a wall of noise.

We’ve paid to be here, but we’re part of the event too.

The noise we make, it must be deafening and relentless.

Anything else is a half measure.

~~~~~~~

City till I die, that’s a given.

Whatever happens tomorrow, we’ll be cheering them next season.

But to come this close…well, we can’t let this opportunity slip us by.

That history of underachievement tells us it won’t be so easy to earn this chance again.

~~~~~~~

One afternoon.

90 minutes.

And maybe extra time.

And maybe penalties.

Whatever it takes.

~~~~~~~

One afternoon away, from Bradford City’s world changing.

Back to Wembley: Looking back over my shoulder

17 May

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By Jason McKeown

The walk down Wembley Way tomorrow lunchtime will clearly invoke memories of being here only three months ago. But in order to fully appreciate the occasion, perhaps we need to cast our minds back further.

It is brilliant to be here, again, heading to Wembley. It is both exhilarating and scary to think that we are one game away from promotion. And whatever happens on the pitch, nothing will change the fact that it has been a magnificent season for Bradford City. Something that we have not been able to say for a long time.

If, between 1995 and 2000, the club enjoyed one of the most successful periods of its history, 2000-2012 ranks amongst its worst. The fall from the top tier of English football to the bottom has been well documented – it seemed like a nightmare that was never going to end. For all we knew, 12 years of misery could go on for another 10 or 20. Or, if it was to end, it would only be because of another relegation that the club, in its current existence, could not survive.

So let us, for a few moments, reflect on our recent history and why it should make tomorrow even more special. Our reward for keeping the faith. Ignoring the two spells of administrations and looking only on what happened on the pitch, here are my 12 worst Bradford City moments from the last 12 years. Please feel free add your own at the end.

1) March 2002 – Stockport at the double

If the late 90s had seen City define themselves as a club punching above their weight, the first indication that we were becoming underachievers came during our first season back in the Football League, when a dismal Stockport side found rich pickings from the Bantams.

Jim Jefferies had managed to keep the squad which ended our second season in Premier League – Benito Carbone included – and we began the season well. Struggling Stockport, without a win, rocked up at Valley Parade in September, and won 4-2. It could have been more.

By the time the two sides met again at Edgeley Park, in March, City’s promotion hopes had faded and Carbone long gone. Meanwhile Stockport had won just one more game since their West Yorkshire triumph and were going down. Stockport County 1 Bradford City 0. The division’s worst team had inflicted the double. Humiliation, and precedent for season after season of City slipping up against teams at the bottom of the division.

2) November 2002 – seven straight defeats

In the aftermath of the first administration, Nicky Law’s task was simply to keep City in Division One (now the Championship) whilst expensive players were replaced by bargain bucket signings. It started okay, but then seven straight defeats in autumn equalled a club record. Relegation was looking inevitable.

The nadir of this wretched sequence, for me, was a 3-0 defeat at Nottingham Forest. Graeme Tomlinson was re-signed on non-contract just to fill the bench, the dreadful on-loan Harpal Singh struggled on the wing. Injuries meant that Law’s 14-man squad featured seven players who had come through the youth ranks (including Tomlinson), but only three would go on to play more than four games for City. Forest brushed us aside easily; the future looked bleak.

3) March 2003 – bloody Burnley

2003/04 was City’s centenary season – marked by relegation and going back into administration. Take your pick of painful moments; from the early season 12-game winless run that did for Law, through to relegation being confirmed, under Bryan Robson, by bottom club Wimbledon beating us 3-2 at home.

My personal lowlight was Burnley at home in March. Robson had started to win matches, although losing three players on transfer deadline day was a huge blow. Beat fellow strugglers Burnley at Valley Parade, and we had a great chance of staying up. We battered them for 90 minutes, but it looked as though we had to settle for a 1-1.

Then a scramble in our box, and pathetic defending allowed Ian Moore to score a Clarets’ winner. Utter misery.

4) February 2006 – Oldham put Todd on the brink

Despite impressing during his first season in charge, it didn’t take long into his second for Colin Todd to come under pressure from some fans. A League One promotion push failed to materialise, and a five-match ban for star player Dean Windass saw relegation worries briefly flicker.

A 4-1 thumping to Oldham seemed like the end for Todd. City were awful and Oldham played us off the park. The defending – usually the strength of Todd’s team – was appalling. Luckily City went on to lose just one of their last nine games, but it looked bleak on this afternoon.

5) March 2007 – not fit to wear the shirt

Todd left in February 2007 with City accused of “going nowhere” under his direction. As David Wetherall took caretaker charge we suddenly found direction; unfortunately, it was the wrong type – downwards.

A huge derby game with Huddersfield needed a big performance, as City had fallen into the bottom four. A packed out away end was rewarded by the limpest of displays. 1-0 down after a minute, no shots on target over the 90. Huddersfield were average, but that’s all they needed to be to earn a 2-0 win. The lack of effort and fight really, really hurt.

6) April 2007 – three relegations in seven seasons

City went down to League Two with a limp defeat at Chesterfield a month later. The afternoon summing up everything that had gone wrong, as Steven Schumacher’s woeful pass set up the first Chesterfield goal, Donovan Ricketts allowed a weak shot to slip under his body and into the goal and then later Mark Bower scored an own goal to seal a 3-0 defeat. We’re down.

Tears at full time, anger in the stands. I’ll never forget the sight of Schumacher crying his eyes out as fans screamed abuse at him.

7) October 2007 – the first Morecambe experience

Stuart McCall was surely destined to succeed as Bradford City manager. The most popular player in the club’s history took his first managerial job having rarely failed in anything he’d tried. McCall’s inexperience showed during his first season, with a run of five straight defeats in September and October leaving City looking at yet another relegation battle.

If getting thrashed 3-0 by Accrington wasn’t bad enough, the fifth of those defeats – at Morecambe – was the real low point. City had gone 1-0 up, but Garry Thompson inspired the Shrimpers to come roaring back. Their winner coming in the last minute. One of the most painful experiences I’ve ever endured supporting City.

8) April 2009 – “Please don’t sing, I don’t deserve it”

For three quarters of McCall’s second season, automatic promotion looked a strong possibility. But then form collapsed and merely making the top seven looked a tall order. After one especially bad night – losing 4-1 at Bournemouth – McCall vowed to quit if City didn’t make the play offs.

Eight games without a win, it was do or die at Dagenham. City looked okay for an hour, but then characteristically collapsed after the Daggers took the lead. It ended 3-0. At full time McCall came over to those of us in the away end to apologise, and when a chant of “Stuart, Stuart” went up he asked us to stop because “I don’t deserve it”.

9) February 2010 – Taylor’s reign begins in a bad way

It was so sad to see McCall leave as City manager, midway through his third season. There had been another promising start, but when form fell away McCall was once again unable to turn it around quickly enough.

Whatever people might say about McCall’s failings, the players were clearly giving their all for him even in defeat. The two games that followed – a 0-0 with Grimsby under Jacobs and 2-0 defeat to Accrington under new manager Peter Taylor – were that of a side unsettled and demotivated. City were pathetic at Accrington and never in the game. A sold out away end turned on the players in a nasty way.

10) October 2010 – losing the plot

It was a wretched start to the season under Taylor, but just as it seemed as though we were moving in the right direction, a bizarre moment. City had just got a good 0-0 draw at high flying Rotherham, with the back four outstanding. A day later, two young defenders from Manchester United – Reece Brown and Oliver Gill – rocked up on loan. We would later find out that the terms of the deal meant Taylor had to play them both in the next game.

So Tuesday’s impressive back four was ripped apart to make way for two players who struggled right from the start – Luke O’Brien and Zesh Rehman the unlucky ones – and a deflated-looking City went down pathetically 1-0 to Morecambe. Forget the closeness of the scoreline, for me this ranks as the worst City performance I have ever seen. We were pathetic from start to finish. Dreadful management.

11) May 2011 – end the season now

Taylor left and interim boss Peter Jackson just about kept us up; but with the club publically declaring it was looking to leave Valley Parade in the summer due to the high rent, a final, meaningless home game of the season carried the question mark of it being our last at the old ground.

City marked it in the worst possible style, getting absolutely humiliated by a rampant Crewe side who hadn’t even made the play offs. City 1 Crewe 5. Thank goodness this didn’t turn out to be the end for Valley Parade.

12) March 2012 – brawl-gate

A second successive season battling against relegation to non-league, and this time around the doubts were greater. Under Phil Parkinson, City had at least become difficult to beat at home. But a visit from promotion-chasing Crawley looked important, with just seven games to go.

On the field City were bettered by an ugly, cynical and downright nasty side. It was horrendous to watch Crawley’s antics and our struggle to match them physicality. A bad-tempered game spilled over into a brawl between players at full time, but as we headed home we didn’t give it much thought.

Later that evening, a double whammy. On top of losing the game, in the dressing room after three City players and two Crawley were sent off. That Jon McLaughlin, Andrew Davies and Luke Oliver were our three best-performing players at that time added to the gloom. Relegation suddenly seemed a real possibility.

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Fortunately, the Crawley game was the last genuine low point of this 12-year period. Now we hope that a win tomorrow can truly confirm that such dark days are behind us and that last summer we brought to an end such a difficult era.

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Back to Wembley: A night at the movies with a Bradford Blockbuster

16 May
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Photo courtesy of Wendy Michallat

By Katie Whyatt

The 2012/13 season has brought us more thrills, spills and twists than anything that has been churned out of Tinseltown recently – and there’s still another chapter left to go.

The Bantams’ incredible year would form an ideal script for Hollywood executives to sink their teeth into, especially if the journey ends with victory in the play off final.

Bradford City sailed the crest of the League Cup wave, knocking out Wigan, Arsenal and Aston Villa en route to football’s home. Couple sheer determination, a pinch of Lady Luck and an underdog status with high-octane defensive battles and nail-biting penalty shootouts, and the club rapidly became the centre of attention, causing ripples in countries as far-flung as Japan and America.

However, City crashed on the big stage as they were torn apart at the hands of the merciless Swansea City. It was the first time in the competition that Bradford had looked like a League Two side, and, gosh, it was crushing. It wasn’t how the narrative was supposed to end. It was anything but the perfect finish to the otherwise textbook fairytale.

After finding a bit of form in the League, City’s promotion chase was back on track, helped by a bit of good fortune with regards to Exeter and Fleetwood’s results.

It wasn’t exactly a coast to the capital, though. There were the horrendous officiating mishaps as Rotherham rocked up at Valley Parade, and, after the lacklustre first-half performance in the Burton home leg, there was a fear that Bradford had blown their chances of a League One place. But the team struck back in clinical fashion, roared on by an army of 1,500 travelling fans, to book a return trip to the place that is rapidly becoming a second home for City.

If Parkinson’s men win the play off final and snatch the promotion that has so far eluded them during the League Two stint… what a perfect end to the story that would be.

You can picture the movie’s tagline now: Bradford City’s story, a pulsating tale of grit and determination. Shatter the odds. Surprise a nation. Valiantly clamber to your feet after upset on one of the world’s biggest stages, and go on to achieve what you’ve spent years striving for.

All of that, against the backdrop of ten tempestuous years of constant decline and several successive relegation battles, and Hollywood bosses will be thinking that all of their Christmases have come at once.

Characterisation isn’t too difficult, either. City’s team is brimming with down-to-earth and gutsy heroes who will be the perfect protagonists for this exciting adventure: James Hanson, the former supermarket shelf-stacker whose blistering header stunned Aston Villa; Gary Jones, the midfield engine; Carl McHugh, the Donegal teenager; Matt Duke, Phil Parkinson, Rory McArdle. Include every single one of the Bradford City players, because they are all our heroes.

The squad is a motley composition of champions: our champions. Parkinson’s diverse mix of men, who have inspired an entire nation with their giant-killing odyssey. Even the Harry Potter series would struggle to provide you with more endearing stars.

Villains come in the form of the cynics, the Premier League big boys and the referees. And – shudder – Steve Evans.

Parkinson would be played by Hugh Grant, and Timothy Spall would star as Mark Lawn. Garry Thompson’s on-screen counterpart just about goes without saying (It’s Daniel Craig, by the way.), and Bantams Banter could make a cameo appearance. I could go on.

Whether any of these are actually apt choices remains to be seen, but it’s certainly a start.

If The Damned United can be turned into a book and a film, why not City’s story? It’s certainly just as enthralling a tale as that of Brian Clough’s ill-fated tenure at Leeds United.

Intertwine the main story – of City’s compelling exploits this year – with the players’ lives and the fans’ views, and boom: you’ve got compulsive viewing.

I’ll take my Oscar now, I think.

Who knows? If City win on Saturday, the idea of a movie won’t seem so far fetched at all.

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Back to Wembley: We never do it the easy way, do we?

16 May

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By Will Rook

A Bradford City fan walks into a pub in Wembley, and the barman says, ‘The usual then mate?’

We’ve all heard the joke and many variations, but let’s not kid ourselves, it never grows tiresome.

To be a fan of Bradford City, one must be made of stern stuff and you’ve got to allow yourself to enjoy moments like these when they happen, and all the joviality which goes with it. Because they don’t come around often for anyone, let alone us.

It’s fair to say over the past 12 years we haven’t really had it our own way; after a slide from the Premiership to the wrong end of the Football League and being faced with such crippling financial woe, nearly ceasing to exist on two separate occasions.

As a collective we seem to stand by the motto of, ‘We always make it difficult for ourselves’ and this has rung true for the majority of the new millennium.

Relegation to League Two was the rotten cherry which topped the cake of anguish and pain for City. And even though it was expected it never really got any better after that, until now.

Last season, in my opinion, was a turning point. Peter Jackson started the season in charge and expectations had been lowered considerably from their normal ‘play off minimum’ standard after finishing 18th the previous season, briefly flirting with relegation from the Football League. Jackson had built a squad, with the help of Archie Christie, which he believed would be competitive. Although after a poor start and only one point to show from the first four league games Jackson and the club parted ways.

Enter stage, Phil Parkinson. A young, ambitious manager with experience higher up the pyramid, just what was needed to get a squad which according to Julian Rhodes “patently wasn’t good enough” firing. Parkinson was given a target of survival for the season which, despite some poor displays and grumbles from the fans, was achieved with games to spare leaving Bradford City in another 18th placed finish. Not quite hitting the dizzy heights of the top half, but the target set out from the board at the start of his tenure had been met, an important milestone in gaining trust.

A busy summer was ahead, and Parkinson was duly backed heavily by the club’s co-Chairmen in the transfer market, taking a £600k hit on the budget. Players like Gary Jones, Garry Thompson and Rory McArdle were brought in to replace deadwood from one of the biggest squads in the league.

The quality of football was incomparable, although the huge dent in finances to get this far once again highlights how nothing for us can ever be done the ‘easy’ way.

Even in our League Cup run, when the opportunity of a ‘glamour tie’ was there, we had to get past Burton Albion and Wigan before our plum draw at home to Arsenal.

In my opinion, the Arsenal game was when the majority really started believing that we had a special crop here at Valley Parade. We’d never in our wildest dreams thought we could beat Wigan, let alone a team of Arsenal’s prestige and quality. When Thomas Vermaelen missed his penalty to spark wild celebrations, people started to realise our fortunes may have finally turned.

This was confirmed after that glorious night at Villa Park which will live long in the club’s history and I doubt any fan who was there or watched on television will forget for as long as they live, it really was an ‘I was there moment’ and promotion or no promotion even the most ardent sceptics had to admit Bradford City’s stock was on the rise once again.

The run to the final of the League Cup had sparked optimism and belief throughout, not just the football club but the entire city of Bradford, but unfortunately with this distraction came a dip in the club’s league form which had been impressive up until then. The run of results in between the Arsenal victory and the cup final looked to have put the nails in the coffin for a promotion charge which had looked more than possible at the start of the season. Once again, ‘never do things the easy way’.

The crushing defeat in the cup final had people once again questioning Parkinson and some performances left a lot to be desired, notably the 4-1 defeat away at Exeter and the first half showing at home to Southend. Fans started to give up hope once again, as they had so often been used to doing towards the end of the season.

Somewhat aided by a complete capitulation from Exeter City and amazing form, the team managed to pull themselves back into the play off race, pulling back an eight-point deficit within a week and going on to secure the last spot in the promotion lottery with a game to spare. While it was wrapped up before the end of the season, it could hardly be described as easy having to make up so many points in so little time.

Finally, our play off semi-final against Burton. Such was the sense of optimism around Valley Parade for the first leg, no-one could quite have foreseen the display we were in the first half with Parkinson admitting it was probably as poorly as we’ve defended all season. Somehow though, owing to a Garry Thompson wonder strike, we were still in the tie at 2-3 going to the Pirelli Stadium.

The mood in the air was a little less of confidence and more nervousness for the second leg, with a goal deficit to overturn away at the team with the best home record in the division. Once again though, against all adversity, this team who simply refuse to lie down came out to win 3-1 and 5-4 on aggregate setting up a Wembley play off final with Northampton Town.

Now with the final so close and the game poised tightly, fans are once again getting excited. I’d say though, whatever happens come 3.30pm on Saturday afternoon, take a look where we’ve come from, not only in the past 12 years, but more recently. For our side to have such a turnaround in fortunes in such a quick amount of time is nothing short of incredible.

Also remember this: before this season we hadn’t been to Wembley to see our team 17 years, and now we’re going twice in one magical campaign. Sure, we’ve had to put up with a lot, but at the moment we’re pretty lucky really, aren’t we?

Come on City.

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Back to Wembley: The last promotion

15 May

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By Gareth Walker

When the Bantams take to the field at Wembley on Saturday, Phil Parkinson and his men will be aiming to become the first City side since 1999 to win promotion.

Having followed the club since 1991, I am fortunate enough to remember the side that won promotion to the top flight 14 years ago and the previous promotion-winning team some three years before them, in 1996.Whilst it would be wrong to try to compare the respective abilities of the individual players in these teams to those of today’s players, there are elements within the make up of the sides that are similar.

I am sure that I’m not the only one who would say that the 1998/99 team are my favourite City side from my time watching the club. They are certainly amongst the best players to have worn the City shirt in the modern era, and they were also possibly the most loveable.

The affinity that the team of 14 years ago shared with the fans is still evident today as people talk fondly of most members of that squad. Wayne Jacobs, Jamie Lawrence and Gordon Watson are key examples of this, as they interact with the fans regularly via Twitter and are often seen in attendance at City games. A couple of months ago, I was also fortunate enough to meet John ‘Tumble’ Dreyer and his affection for Bradford City shone through clearly, as we had a long chat about all things Bantams.

Meanwhile, the time and respect that this season’s players have for the fans was also evident at last week’s player of the year awards as they mingled and chatted freely and openly with supporters. James Meredith and Garry Thompson were even willing to help us out by playing a prank on fellow Width of a Post Writer, Mark Scully, that worked perfectly.

Although today’s team are yet to reach the same legend status as their 1999 peers, the League Cup run puts them well on the road to achieving that goal. And if they were to seal promotion at Wembley, it would be very plausible to imagine them being talked about in the same vein as the team of 1999, and that we will be still be looking back on their achievements 14 years from now.

The middle of the park is often described as the engine room of a football team and it is in that area that we find the captain of both the 1999 and 2013 sides. It is impossible to say any more about Stuart McCall that hasn’t already been said. The man is arguably the biggest Bradford City legend of the all, and the 1999 team were one that clearly played in his spirit.

And the same can be said about today’s players and Gary Jones. The man who we like to call magic is the closest thing that we have had to McGod since the man himself. Jones’ energy levels and spirit evidently inspires his team mates, as witnessed during countless games this season. It was hardly a surprise that Jones completed a clean sweep at last week’s awards ceremony.

On Tuesday night, Parkinson revealed that, in the summer when he spoke to Steve Parkin about signing Jones, he was told that the Magic Man is only ever happy at 5pm on a Saturday when his team have won. This has been clear in the way that he has celebrated every goal and every point this season, with his clenched fist pump and applause of the supporters. Even in pre-season this was evidently rubbing off on his team mates. I can recall Stephen Darby enthusiastically celebrating the friendly victory at Guiseley.

Speaking of Darby, he is someone who a couple of months ago was being described as an unsung hero of the team. The fact that City’s right back was voted into second place in the POTY awards – and that he won the Player’s Player of the Year – shows how we came to recognise his importance to the side. All successful sides seem to have an unsung hero in their midst and our last promotion winning team was no different, with Gareth Whalley often described by people as the player who allowed McCall to go and imprint his influence on games. His range of passing too was immense. Similar, some might say, to the role that Nathan Doyle plays in this season’s team.

Other than central midfield, the other area of the two teams that it is easy to draw comparisons between is the strike force. City’s lack of success in recent years has been at least partly put due to the failure of various managers to find two strikers who can play together and complement each other in such a way that allows both of them to play to their full potential. All too often have we relied on the goals of just one key man throughout a campaign; whether that be Dean Windass or Peter Thorne. This has led to supporters often sitting around wishfully reminiscing about the halcyon days of Lee Mills and Robbie Blake.

For the first time since those two stars adorned the claret and amber shirt, we now seem to have found a pairing in James Hanson and Nahki Wells who we can compare to them.

Wells’ pace and unpredictability have worked well alongside Hanson’s height and awkwardness to play against. They have been vital to the success that we have achieved so far this season. And Wells’ claim. after the play off victory over Burton, that both have ambitions to play at a higher level left me wondering if they will stick around to hopefully achieve this aim at City.

One key figure who I haven’t mentioned yet is the manager. It is hardly surprising that in our most successful season for 14 years, we have possibly our most popular manager in that time, barring of course the aforementioned Legend McCall.

Many supporters talk about Paul Jewell being their favourite City manager of all time and why wouldn’t he be? For the first time since his tenure, however, Jagger has a challenger for this title, as fans are desperate to see Parkinson put pen to paper and commit himself to the club for the next season at least.

The biggest thing to remember about any promotion-winning side is that they perform on the big occasion when it really matters. Jewell’s men did it at Molineux in 1999. Let’s pray that Parkinson’s class of 2013 can do it at Wembley, in order to cement their own place in City Folklore.

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Photo courtesy Wendy Michallat

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Back to Wembley: Divided family loyalties

14 May

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By Jeremy Casey

Northampton Town versus Bradford City isn’t normally the kind of fixture you would associate with creating a bit of a family split.

Everton versus Liverpool, yes.

Manchester United versus Manchester City, possibly.

Sheffield United versus Sheffield Wednesday, probably.

Celtic versus Rangers, less likely.

But Northampton v Bradford? The Cobblers v The Bantams?

Surely that won’t be the subject of inter-family rivalry and banter?

Well, however unlikely it may seem, it is a reality.

I am a Northampton Town fan.

I was born in Northampton, and have been watching the team since my dad Jerry took me to the ramshackle (but sorely missed) old County Ground for the first time in the mid-1970s.

At that time, and for many years later, Bradford City weren’t a club on my radar, and indeed, on any member of my family’s radar.

But that was soon to change, when my uncle Ken Wilson and Auntie Joan moved to West Yorkshire, settling in Cullingworth, where they raised my three cousins Greg, Graeme and Iain.

Now, there was a Yorkshire connection, a Yorkshire branch to the family clan – and they all ended up supporting Bradford City.

I even went to watch games when I was staying with the Wilsons.

I was lucky enough to witness an epic FA Cup win at Preston North End, and also a 2-1 league win at Huddersfield Town.

Bradford had become a bit of a second team for me.

And the ties didn’t stop there.

My sister Catherine, a fellow child of Northamptonshire (although she was born in Corby) and Cobblers fan, went to university in Leeds in her teens.

Following graduation, she ended up working for my uncle’s company in Keighley, and also settling in Yorkshire in the village of Addingham.

Now, as a football fan, Catherine also decided to go and watch Bradford with the Wilsons, all at the time when it was really exciting to be a Bantams fan.

The club was a progressive one and was on the up, and was promoted to the Premier League under the management of Paul Jewell.

The Bradford bug had well and truly bitten my auntie, uncle and cousins, as well as my sister.

They became season-ticket holders, and it was all about City for the Wilsons, while what could really go wrong for my sister?

She was and always will always be a Cobblers fan, but where was the harm in watching and following Bradford?

How could there ever be a clash?

At the time, Bradford and the Cobblers were poles apart.

City were hosting Manchester United and Liverpool (I twice saw Bradford take on the Reds, including that famous last-day triumph), while the Cobblers were battling away, as they have done for most of their existence, in the lower divisions.

Nobody could have predicted Bradford’s slide down the divisions following their relegation from the top flight, and in recent years, the Cobblers against the Bantams has become a regular fixture.

My annual visit to Valley Parade – where I have now made friends – now sees me watch Bradford take on Northampton, with the home side, annoyingly, having the upper hand in the past few years.

It’s a reverse story at Sixfields, where the Cobblers have claimed a couple of wins and rarely lost to Bradford in recent times.

But this season has seen the teams meet on four occasions, and the Cobblers have yet to win one!

Both league games were lost 1-0, while two FA Cup ties ended in draws, with Bradford progressing after winning a penalty shoot-out.

I am obviously hoping it will be fifth time lucky for the Cobblers at Wembley next weekend!

And that brings us on to the national stadium, and next week’s play off final.

I am really looking forward to it, but it is also going to be an emotional day for me, and my family.

I had always said I wouldn’t go to the new Wembley Stadium until the Cobblers played there.

But then fate played a hand.

My uncle Ken sadly and suddenly passed away in January of this year.

When Bradford reached the final of the Capital One Cup in February, I was asked by my sister and auntie Joan if I would go to the game.

It was the sort of occasion Ken would have revelled in, and it was an honour to be asked to be part of the day.

Now I am heading to Wembley again, and this time to watch my beloved Cobblers.

But again, fate has played its part, with Bradford City the opposition.

I’ll be backing the claret and whites, as will my sister – surely the only Bradford City season ticket holder to be sitting in the Cobblers section! – while my auntie and cousins will all once again be among the travelling army from Bradford.

So it is going to be a strange day for me in some ways.

I would never say my loyalties are split, because they aren’t.

I am a Cobblers man, and I want the Cobblers to win.

No question.

But if they don’t, and it’s Bradford who triumph, I will at least be happy for my cousins, and I’ll be happy for my auntie Joan.

And win or lose, I will definitely be raising a glass in memory of my uncle Ken, who I know will be looking down from above, and dishing out stick to the Cobblers players, as he always did when I went to Valley Parade!

I just wish he was still here to enjoy the day with the rest of us.

Anyway, with both clubs set to take plenty of supporters, it is going to be a fantastic occasion, and may the best team win.

As long as it’s the Cobblers!

Jeremy Casey is the sports editor of the Northampton Chronicle & Echo

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Play off final: Width of a Post build-up

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Back to Wembley: The Northampton perspective

14 May

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By Jason McKeown

It was all so different, 13 months ago to this very day. Bradford City and Northampton Town were not battling with each other to get promoted out of League Two, but to stay in it.

The two sides met at Sixfields with the relegation zone a little too close for comfort for the pair; a Nahki Wells hat trick all but securing City’s survival and leaving the Cobblers with some work to do. They ultimately avoided relegation by four points, not bad considering they were six points from safety when Aidy Boothroyd took over as manager mid-season.

If the rise and rise of the Bantams since last season’s relegation close shave has been well documented around these parts, the 13-month progress of Northampton is no less impressive. Were it not for better away form, Town would probably have achieved a top three finish. Write them off at your peril.

It has been a brilliant ride for their supporters, as Danny Brothers, editor of the superb Northampton website A Load of Cobblers, explained to Width of a Post, “The last year has seen the Cobblers go through an extraordinary turnaround under Boothroyd, who took over in December 2011 with the briefing of keeping us in League Two.

“He promised that things would get worse before they got better but that we would be okay come the end of the season. That we were and then it was all about the summer and a clear out that saw Boothroyd bring in his own group of players to really compete at League Two level.

“This season has seen us create a fortress at Sixfields with home win after home win racking up, particularly after Christmas. The downside was that away form was shocking and it wasn’t until we grabbed important points on the road to back up the home record that we genuinely thought that we could make the play offs or even more.”

It goes without saying that Northampton’s sixth-place finish was beyond supporters’ expectations pre-season. Danny recalled, “I said at the start of the season that I would take anything that didn’t involve scrapping at the bottom of the table again and felt that we could at least finish in the top half. To make it into the play offs is a terrific achievement, and it’s reinvigorated the whole club after a couple of seasons spent scared out of our wits of relegation.”

For Bradford-born Boothroyd, who has managed in the Premier League with Watford, this Saturday will be his second play off final as manager and – after beating Leeds 3-0 last time – a second play off final against a West Yorkshire side. At the time of the 2006 Leeds triumph, Boothroyd was regarded as one of the game’s bright young coaches; his stock fell following unsuccessful stints at Colchester and Coventry. One thing has not changed over the last seven years: Boothroyd’s reputation for long-ball football.

It is a charge, however, that Danny rejects, “I think there’s a difference between being a ‘long ball’ team and a ‘direct’ team. Pretty much every team in League Two could be labelled a ‘long ball team’ on their day. I find it’s a cop out sometimes used to complain that a team that’s just beaten you is ugly and just plays hoof ball to win.

“Aidy Boothroyd seems to have a reputation of long ball teams but, particularly in the season’s run-in, we’ve crafted out a more direct approach that doesn’t necessarily mean hoofing it.”

Central to that has been the form of midfielder Ben Tozer – easily Northampton’s stand out player when the Bantams defeated the Cobblers at Valley Parade last month. “Tozer’s long throw has been a lethal weapon all season and he’s played in a variety of positions for us over the last few months,” revealed Danny, who highlighted the contribution of other stand out performers. “Bayo Akinfenwa will always be a threat at this level and we’re hoping that his goal drought going back to February ends at Wembley. He seems to be coming back to his best form just at the right time.

“Elsewhere, goalkeeper Lee Nicholls, on loan from Wigan, has had a tremendous season and was man of the match in the second leg of the play offs at Cheltenham. In front of him, Kelvin Langmead has been a rock since taking over the captaincy last summer. Clarke Carlisle joined for a second spell back in December and has been solid again, whilst Joe Widdowson has been consistent at left back.

“Chris Hackett has proven to be our signing of last summer and has created plenty for the likes of Bayo to latch onto with some dynamic displays on the right. Luke Guttridge has been his usual dogged self in the centre of the park and Roy O’Donovan has added his fair share of goals since joining in January.”

That said, the threat of the Bantams will be taken seriously. Northampton’s recent record against City – and especially Wells – is poor. In consecutive seasons, City have done the double over Saturday’s opponents. Northampton were also knocked out of the FA Cup in a replay at Valley Parade, last November.

“I personally feared facing you in the semi finals so was glad to avoid you, admitted Danny. “We’ve won just once in the last 10 games against Bradford and you always seem to be a tough nut to crack, especially this season with the two cup games and league defeats.

“Nahki Wells has a good record against us and we’ll have to watch him, but you are full of talented footballers who will cause us plenty of problems. “

Such fears can wait for now, however, as Danny and Northampton enjoy the Wembley buzz. Tickets are reportedly selling quickly for both sides and there is even a suggestion that Northampton – who averaged 4,785 this season – will bring more fans than City. “It’s looking set for a cracking atmosphere with an expectancy that both clubs will bring at least 25,000,” added Danny. “We have fond memories of Wembley with the 1997 play off final win and also of reaching the play off final a year later and coming so close to reaching Division One (the Championship).

“Once again the town has got right behind the club and getting to Wembley has captured the imagination of us all. I look forward to a fantastic day out – no matter what the end result!”

Special thanks to Danny Brothers for speaking to Width of a Post. Check out his excellent website, A Load of Cobblers, here.

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Back to Wembley: Play off final song two – Please Mr Parkinson

13 May

By Jason McKeown

The second of Width of a Post’s series looking at fans play off final songs features an outstanding song by Mark Heslop, a.k.a. ‘The Hezzmeister’ – Please Mr Parkinson.

Mark told Width of a Post about the creation and reaction to his song:

“After writing the Cap One Story song for the League Cup final, I wondered, if we were to make the play off final, whether I’d do another song. I suppose there were so many ifs, buts and maybes. In the end the answer is yes!

“After we were confirmed into the play off semi finals, I had a sit down and a think if we were to make it, what I’d do. I felt parts of my last song still had some legs but I wanted to write something new and original. I still wanted to show gratitude to Phil Parkinson. He’s done an amazing job and I think his team has brought a new optimism to Bradford City.

“I wanted the song to be amusing and very Bradford City, including people who support and work in or with the club. I thought wouldn’t it be funny and cheeky, if we asked if we could all go back to PP’s house for tea after the play off final! You know like a Bradford City family party if you like. I mean can you imagine it? Mark Lawn falling asleep on the couch, Mike Harrison selling the City Gent on PP’s drive, Paul Hudson harping on about the weather? I only wish I could have included more people to be honest!

“The thing was though, I didn’t want to curse anything, so it wasn’t until after the Burton second leg that I ploughed into the lyrics. I was on holiday last week without my guitar, so I couldn’t start with any music until Wednesday night. I worked out a rough plan and on Thursday I started doing some recording. After a late finish on Thursday I was still unsure whether I’d actually release the song. I still had lots more work to do. I listened to the song through Friday and it actually really grew on me.

“So Friday night after cleaning the house with Mrs H, I started recording again at 10.00pm. I worked into the early hours of Saturday morning and did a bit on the video too. I managed to finish the video Saturday afternoon and bingo!

“I’ve been amazed with the response and I have had some really good feedback, so thank you Bradford City family, I really appreciate it!”

The song is available as a free MP3 download from Soundcloud here https://soundcloud.com/#ginger-bantam/please-mr-Parkinson

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Back to Wembley: Since our last visit…

13 May
Photo courtesy of Wendy Michallat

Photo courtesy of Wendy Michallat

By Mahesh Johal

Walking down Wembley Way after the League Cup Final was one of my proudest moments as a Bradford City fan. In the dark London sky, the Wembley arch stood bright. Looking at this monument to football, I took a moment to reflect on the club’s achievement. I never in my lifetime thought I would see City at the famous ground, so to be going there again only three months later is an amazing feeling.

Whilst our cup exploits will be remembered by the common football fan, the journey back to the national stadium has been equally exciting and traumatic.

“If, at the end of those 15 games, we haven’t got where we want to be, we’ll hold out hands up.” Phil Parkinson, February 2013

Much was said by Phil Parkinson regarding the way City would attack the 15 league games remaining after the Cup Final. Incredibly, the players have been able to overhaul a 10-point deficit and we are now preparing for another Wembley trip. However, I was initially left frustrated and unsure if we could achieve our goal.

I looked specifically at the games against Aldershot and Plymouth as a case of argument. Against two teams fighting for league survival, City were unable to break down their opposition. In no way was I angry towards the players or manager, but instead irritated that things weren’t clicking. The team tried valiantly, but I was unsure why we weren’t converting these draws into wins.

I kept thinking that on another day we would have beat Aldershot convincingly. But it’s this point that sums up City’s six-season tenure in League Two. Next season is always ‘our season’. In all honesty, I was frustrated that we were seemingly not going to seize our best opportunity in years to get promoted.

These draws felt more like defeats. I remember struggling to celebrate in the manner which one should after Alan Connell’s 98th minute penalty equaliser against the Shots. By the time we had lost to Exeter in March, a 10-point gap had been opened between us and the 7th place. It seemed too big. Questions were raised of whether the cup run had taken too much out of the players. Others pointed to Parkinson’s squad rotation.

With the squad’s talent, there was no doubt that performances would pick up. Our only problem was the lack of games left. Quite frankly I felt we had missed the play off boat.

“We’ve got a squad capable going on a good run” Parkinson, February 2013

One aspect of these 15 games that I undervalued was the worth of a draw. I felt that we had wasted the games in hand because of our inability to kill teams off. But with every point gained, and game unbeaten, the team slowly started to pick up the momentum needed to make a move up the table.

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The gritty draw against Southend started a run of three consecutive wins, but it was the victory over Northampton that made me really stand up and take notice. Without resorting to clichés, there was something in the air that day. It was a tense affair against a physical and well drilled side.

In previous years I am convinced we would have succumbed to the pressure, but this just felt different. The crescendo of ‘Midland Road’ coincided with the belief that the play offs were back on. The louder the chant, the more we seemed to believe that the top seven could be achieved. Luck may have something to do with it, and the results of our rivals that day added to this air of optimism.

This buoyancy was at a fever pitch at Chesterfield and there was a genuine sense that victory in Derbyshire could propel us into an automatic promotion battle. I remember travelling to the game amazed that we had been able to pull ourselves into this position. Even more so, we were justified in the belief for automatic promotion. The team were now playing with confidence and, all of a sudden, we had ‘clicked’. Maybe it was the rediscovery of Nahki Wells’ form or Ricky Ravehill’s doggedness in midfield, but something happened and it got the Bantams playing.

Most importantly (to me) was the fact that City were playing for something in April. We haven’t had this buzz in years. I am always nervous watching City, but this was a nervous energy and anticipation that I kind of liked the feel of. The fact that every game was so important gave games an electricity that has rarely been felt at Valley Parade in recent years. Even when results like Rotherham did not go our way, there was still a yearning to come to the ground and support the team to victory in the next game.

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Beating Burton to seal the last play off spot was a special moment for all connected to the club. It made the six years of suffering in League Two seem worth it. There was a euphoria knowing we were two games away from Wembley. These emotions went into overdrive after beating Albion over two legs the play offs. If anything, the way the semis unfolded were similar to these 15 games. We did not start off great, but somehow were able to do enough to be in with a shout.

When it mattered the most, we turned it on and achieved our goal. Last Sunday, the goal was to get to Wembley. This Saturday, the goal will be to win at Wembley.

I will again look at the arch after the game on Saturday, hopefully as the supporter of a League One club. Of course victory is the aim and taking this opportunity is imperative. But if we take a step away, the progress this club has made this season is phenomenal.  When some of us, including myself, started to waver in hope, our manager and players battled on and have put us in an incredible position.

Win or lose, we are extremely lucky to be going back to Wembley. This Saturday will be uncomfortable, but with Parkinson at the helm, we hopefully won’t be looking at next season as ‘the season’. With his team in place, we could and hopefully will get the job done this time around.

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