Tag Archives: Steve Parkin

Parkinson signs up until 2016 as City find stability

22 May

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“Three years was the minimum we wanted. We’re aiming to go back up the divisions and we want Phil to be the man leading us.” Julian Rhodes

By Jason McKeown

Phil Parkinson has finally ended months of speculation by today pledging his future to Bradford City, with the signing of a three-year contract. Along with his assistant, Steve Parkin, and fitness guru, Nick Allamby, Parkinson is being tasked with completing City’s climb back to the Championship.

Even before Saturday, Parkinson had more than proved himself as the man to take City forwards. The job he has performed, since taking charge in September 2011, is nothing short of spectacular. Not only evidenced by the league table and remarkable cup run, but the way that he has transformed attitudes and standards on and off the field.

Parkinson is huge on character and told me that he ranks this quality even above a player’s ability. He has successfully blended together a talented squad of hungry and motivated players, who have delivered incredible results over a marathon season. Mark Lawn’s comments in the T&A that Parkinson turned down the chance to sign a striker mid-season, because of his potential to disrupt the dressing room, tells you everything about the man and his ethics. This group of players, to a man, have given everything to this club. Parkinson has instilled that culture and environment.

The contract negotiations have taken a while to conclude, with numerous rumours of clubs interested in Parkinson’s services. Width of a Post understands that the sticking points were the way in which the contract was originally drafted, and Parkinson’s insistence Parkin and Allamby’s contracts were sorted out at exactly the same time. In addition, the health issues with Parkinson’s agent and Julian Rhodes’ selling of his business have slowed progress. Yet what has been clear, since Parkinson arrived, is that the chairmen and City manager have a strong bond. Whatever doubts and fears us supporters, and even players, have carried over the last few weeks, crucially this was not the case between those at the sharp end of the negotiations.

That Parkinson has signed for three years is also notable. It is the longest managerial contract City have given out since Colin Todd signed for five years in 2005. It represents a clear statement of intent by the club – that they recognise the importance of the stability Parkinson has delivered. After Todd almost completed three years in the hotseat, his sacking, and replacement of David Wetherall as caretaker, saw mid-table City slump to relegation. Stability returned under Stuart McCall, before the Bantams quickly went through two managers and on the field went backwards. There’s a repeated lesson, which has thankfully being taken on board.

Parkinson has reversed City’s 12-year slump and delivered impressive success. He is the club’s biggest asset, and so tying him down for so long provides us with the best possible chance of continuing our upwards curve.

Undoubtedly the goal will be for Parkinson’s new deal to run out with City a Championship club. There is talk of back-to-back promotions, but that is a big ask. More realistically, Parkinson has three seasons to get us promoted out of League One or at least ensure that we are challenging at the top end of the table. There will inevitably be bumps in the road, but the Chairmen need to back their judgement and stay the course with him.

Today’s news suggests that they have every intention of doing so.

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Team Claret and Amber finish the job

20 May

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Written by Mahesh Johal

(Images by Mike Holdsworth)

“The team ethic stands out; this is an XI greater than the sum of its parts.” Notts County 0, Bradford City 1 – the first game of the 2012/13 season.

I had the responsibility of producing the player ratings after the League Cup Final and I stand by my decision to give every player a 10 out of 10. My maximum rating was given not because of their performance on that day, but instead for their contributions along the journey.

As so poignantly summed up by Alex Scott, our previous visit to Wembley was an event. Just getting to the national stadium to face Swansea was a success, and regardless of the result we were the real winners. To return to Wembley just three months later is another unbelievable feat. Like that cup journey, ever single player has contributed to our success in the play offs.

Yes, some will get more praise and attention than others, but fundamentally, those stand out names would be nowhere without their team-mates. Saturday’s result epitomised the definition of a team performance. Furthermore, I think it was a club performance, in which every person in claret and amber contributed to the victory. Once again tasked with rating these players, again they all receive the maximum mark. Saturday’s result was truly special and the performance of each player to achieve the team goal was remarkable.

SAM_1059The two upfront were simply too good for their opponents and they deserve all the praise they get. Clarke Carlisle tweeted after the game that James Hanson ‘owned him’ and he really did. Hanson won every header and dominated the tall Northampton back four. We constantly hear that Hanson is the under-rated player in this team, but he is certainly not. Opponents fear him and Saturday proved why.

I was there to see Hanson score at the Horsfall Stadium during his trial with club, and so to see a local lad ignite the wild celebrations at Wembley is an image both he and I will never forget. Together with his partner in crime, Nahki Wells, they were simply unstoppable.

Wells’ goal and all round display was there for all to see, but if there is one defining moment of his game, for me, it was him losing the ball in the first half. Silly you may think, but seeing Wells then bust a gut to retrieve it highlighted how hard this team was willing to work for each other.

SAM_1033Both goal scorers will grab the headlines, but they were aided by the team’s wide men. The two wingers had a hand in all three goals, with Kyel Reid producing one of his best performances of this season. After missing out on an appearance in the League Cup Final, Reid appeared to really enjoy his moment. I remember specifically, at one point, hearing the roar of those fans on the half way line. I was initially unsure what generated this sudden noise, only to see Reid geeing up the crowd. It’s these little moments that really stand out in my mind.

Like Reid, Gary Thompson had the better of his marker all game. I’ve always rated his footballing ability, but on Saturday it was his awareness in the penalty area that was most impressive. Both goals he played a part in were situations that could have caused a player to panic, but Thompson was coolness personified to pick out both strikers.

Nathan Doyle also got in on the act as a provider, setting up the second goal. It was deft ball to find Rory McArdle and it highlighted the all-round class which he has. Northampton are a physical team and we needed someone to match them. I felt Doyle was that man. At times he was robust, chomping at opponents feet. On other occasions, he was spreading the ball effortlessly around midfield.

SAM_1100Doyle justified his selection and I thought his work in tandem with Gary Jones overawed the Cobblers. Jones was again simply awesome in all aspects of the game. To see him salute and bow down the crowd really emphasised the strong relationship that has formed between the skipper and the fans. Previous generations of City fans talk about the idol, Stuart McCall. For this generation, we now have Gary Jones.

Talking of leaders, the centre halves were again first class. Firstly, McArdle’s goal is potentially as iconic as his header again Villa. If anything it was nearly an exact replica. I have talked in depth before about my feelings when he scored that goal and it was a surreal experience to have the exact same emotions this time round. Going 2-0 up changed the mood from possibility to a reality.

McArdle again was on hand to battle Clive Platt and, later, Adebayo Akinfenwa with Andrew Davies. The pair were fantastic foils for each other, with Davies his usual classy self. His positioning, reading of the game and ability to win balls that he shouldn’t were all on show on Saturday. Davies’ strengths are well documented and when the team needed him the most he was at his best.

The defensive quartet had so much balance and this largely due to the full backs. Stephen Darby’s cult status among the fans is growing and his performance on Saturday showed why. I felt Northampton’s tricky winger, Ishmel Demontagnac, was a potential match winner; but Darby completely nullified him. First and foremost he is a defender, but Darby offers so much energy in attack. This is such an advantage and, at times, Northampton didn’t know how to handle our forward surges from both right and left flank.

Like Darby, James Meredith, was brilliant. I should probably describe his role in the build up for the first goal, but it’s not the first thing I think of from Meredith’s appearance on Saturday. Midway through the second half, he won the ball in a crunching tackle. Able to quickly get back to his feet, he bombed forward in his menacing style and, in tandem with Reid, was able to win us a corner.

It’s amazing how important Darby and Meredith are in both attack and defence. Full backs don’t grab the attention that, say, a striker does; but these two offer so much to the team and both set the tone.

SAM_1086Wembley is a wonderful venue and the fans have fabulous views from which ever seat they sit in. However, there was one person with the best view of all – goalkeeper Jon McLaughlin. That’s not meant to be disrespectful to Jon, but his team-mates in front of him made it so difficult for Northampton to get near City’s keeper. McLaughlin played a whole game relatively untested. When they did, most notably with the long throw in, he was up to the task, confidently taking through the barrages.

If there is an image of Jon on Saturday that I will remember, it is the one of him and Matt Duke side by side, trophy in hands, celebrating promotion together. Being a goalkeeper must be a lonely and sometimes selfish position. Our two keepers have battled against each other all season, but there is obviously a kinship between the pair.

It is here where my main point of this article lies. All these players have driven each other on to bigger and better things. Yes we have our stars, but our achievement on Saturday was down to the squad. Ricky Ravenhill deserved his run out. Whilst he may not have started the showpiece event, he has contributed massively in getting there. The same can be said of Alan Connell, Zavon Hines, Will Atkinson, Carl McHugh and Michael Nelson.

SAM_1125This team ethos runs through to the management as well. Phil Parkinson is our leader and rightly deserves all the praise he received. But can you find an assistant as liked by us fans than Steve Parkin, or a fitness coach like Nick Allamby? The fact that Parkinson wants the contracts of his backroom staff sorted out at the same time as his own sums up the unity both on and off the pitch.

Saturday was unreal and I am so proud of this team. Alex summed it perfectly when he wrote, “The thing about this team which makes all of this so perfect is that the entire squad, each one of them, are so likeable. They give everything they have in every moment, they never know when they are beaten, and the morale, the atmosphere is fantastic.”

Well done, Team Claret and Amber.

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Rotherham set back tests City’s powers of recovery

16 Apr

Bradford City 0

Rotherham United 2

Frecklington 80 (pen), Agard 90

Tuesday 16 April, 2013

By Jason McKeown

The margin of error is squeezed even tighter, the tension racked up another notch. If Bradford City are going to hold on to the top seven spot that they have occupied since last week, they need to recover from this set back very quickly.

Beaten by Rotherham, but not bettered. Pride dented, but not deflated. The sight of the Millers managing Steve Evans racing on to the pitch to celebrate his side’s game-sealing goal from Kieran Agard may have being the realisation of every City supporter’s worst fears, but there is no need to feel too despondent over this defeat.

It was unjust, it was unfortunate, it was unnerving. But come 3pm on Saturday, Bradford City will once again take to the Valley Parade field with their fate in their own hands. And if they play as well as they did for an hour this evening, they will surely take a giant step towards sealing an extended end to the season.

For this was a good display from the Bantams, against what must be acknowledged was a good Rotherham side. The visitors packed the midfield and defended with admirable heart; standing up to everything City could throw at them. In the early parts of 2013, an opposition side putting five in midfield was a sure-fire way to outgun City’s counterparts. But with Ricky Ravenhill once again producing a composed display in front of the back four, a simply outstanding Gary Jones stood head and shoulders above everyone else on the park.

It seemed as though City were set for a victory that would have all but secured seventh position, when after just four minutes James Hanson headed home a Jones corner. Celebrations were cut short by a linesman flagging for a push by Hanson on Claude Davis. False hope remerged 30 minutes later, when Garry Thompson finished off another Jones pass but was flagged offside.

Probably the right call that time at least, but a frustratingly inconsistent referee Mark Haywood got more wrong than he did right over the course of the evening. The only benefit for City was his leniency in letting Nahki Wells off with a warning after the Bermudian kicked the ball away when already on a booking. By that stage he had sent City’s assistant manager Steve Parkin to the stand for something said to the fourth official, after complaints were raised about Michael O’Connor’s reaction to a robust tackle.

Haywood’s over-officiating – rather than letting the game flow – played right into Rotherham’s hands, as Evans’ side chased and harassed for every decision whilst falling to the deck following the slightest of contacts. We have being here before, of course, with Evans’ Crawley side of a year ago behaving in the exact same manner. But what impressed me tonight was how little City’s players allowed themselves to be affected by Rotherham’s gamesmanship attempts and over-physicality. They stood up and simply got on with it.

When Rotherham bothered to engage themselves in a game of football, City for the most part looked comfortable dealing with their attacks. This was despite the obvious set back of losing Andrew Davies to injury after 24 minutes. It had been touch and go whether Davies was to be fit enough to play tonight and – in truth – starting him was a call City got wrong. Even during the game’s opening minutes, Davies’ struggle to run was evident. Michael Nelson came on and slotted in where he left off on Saturday, letting no one down.

However, another loss through injury – James Meredith on 50 minutes – tipped the balance back into Rotherham’s favour. Meredith’s replacement, Carl McHugh, has impressed previously in the less familiar left back role, but tonight was not such an occasion. The young defender’s hesitancy coming forward impacted on the previously impressive Kyel Reid, who suddenly found that being double marked was too much of a hindrance without Meredith to back him up. The balance of the team began to suffer.

Rotherham grew stronger, even if Jon McLaughlin’s goal was not tested anywhere near as threateningly than a Alex Revell header in the first half, but it began to look as though City were out of ideas. Wells has enjoyed much better nights than this – he got little change out of Davis – and though Hanson toiled hard, he was not able to dominate the Rotherham backline in the manner he has of other defences this season.

Then came the sting in the tail. Goalkeeper Scott Shearer pumped a long ball forward to Revell just inside City’s box, only for the Millers’ striker to push Nelson backwards, which resulted in the unsighted defender handling the ball. Haywood pointed to the spot, and Lee Frecklington expertly fired the penalty past McLaughlin. A dreadful, dreadful decision from Haywood, which had Phil Parkinson livid.

City pushed hard for an equaliser, with Alan Connell quickly summoned from the bench as part of a switch to 3-4-3. Wells might have done better with a header that he placed wide of the goal. Jones glanced another effort over the bar. Then Connell somehow shot wide with just Shearer to beat following Hanson’s flick on. It was a gilt-edged chance, and Connell was the one player on the pitch you’d have wanted that chance to fall to.

With the five minutes of injury time all but completed, one last City corner saw McLaughlin race forward. The ball was cleared to Agard, who was able to sprint clear of the back-tracking goalkeeper and tap the ball into the empty net. It was at this point a previously restrained Evans raced onto the pitch, with the highly disappointing sight of an object being thrown from the main stand towards him. It seemed some City fan had decided to join the Rotherham boss in the gutter.

For his own safety, Evans was quickly rushed to the dressing room by four stewards at the full time whistle. He paused only to clench his fist at the Rotherham fans who were celebrating wildly in the Bradford End. There is a good chance he will be back at Valley Parade in just over a fortnight, for a play off semi final first leg.

For that to happen, City probably need four points from their final two league matches to complete the job. That we have to play fourth-placed Burton and fifth-placed Cheltenham underlines just how there are no guarantees this will happen. Chesterfield, beaten also tonight, can still catch City, but Exeter remain the biggest threat to that last play off spot. One ear will be on events at St. James Park on Saturday.

City: McLaughlin, Darby (Connell 80), Davies (Nelson 24), McArdle, Meredith (McHugh 50), Thompson, Ravenhill, Jones, Reid, Hanson, Wells

Not used: Duke, Atkinson, Doyle, Hines

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Can Santa Parkinson deliver the perfect Christmas present? City take on Rochdale

28 Dec

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Bradford City vs Rochdale preview

@ Valley Parade on Saturday 29 December, 2012

By Rob Craven

Phil Parkinson must have been a good lad again this year as Santa delivered another three Boxing Day points for City in a hard fought encounter against Accrington Stanley that has left us in 5th place in the league and only 3 points from the automatic spots, with one game to go this calendar year.

One year ago I was again sat beaming about a City victory that I had just witnessed at Valley Parade, as we were provided with plenty of Christmas cheer after romping home against eventual promotion winners Crewe Alexandra. It wasn’t so much the 3-0 result that day that left me feeling warm and fuzzy inside, but the great display of our defence and the early blossoming of Phil Parkinson’s plans for us all during his reign at Valley Parade.

12 months later and we all know how these plans have bloomed making us into a team that acts like a tireless machine, with small cogs running all over the park. The overall performances might not currently be the prettiest any of us have witnessed, but this set of City players are really digging in when it counts and are grinding out results. Previously, we would have let our heads drop and accept the inevitable loss of two or, even worse, three points.

This difference in attitude has ensured that we are not physically bullied in our own backyard, and that we don’t fall short to the frustrating tactics that are often deployed by teams who come to Valley Parade to pinch a point or late win. Teams like Accrington Stanley, for example.

Part of this difference in attitude is down to a higher calibre and more experienced central midfield pairing. Nathan Doyle and Gary Jones have brought a quality to City that we could have only dreamed of a few seasons ago. They are the type of footballers that make me want to wear the full replica kit and head down to my local park to play footy with my pals, and I am 30.

Now I’m not about to start a Gary Jones or Nathan Doyle love in, but if there is one set of supporters that will understand my strangely strong feelings for one of our midfield pair it will be our guests on Saturday. Gary Jones was a servant to Rochdale for years, playing over 450 games making him their equivalent of our Stuart McCall – which will certainly add some extra spice to the game and an extra ounce of emotion for him.

Both Gary Jones and assistant manager Steve Parkin will welcome their old club into their new backyard on Saturday; the first time City have played Rochdale in the league since Dale took a trip to the heady heights of League One two seasons ago. Since rejoining us in their all too familiar League Two surroundings this season, they have struggled to gain any consistent form and are currently sat in 13th in the table.

This is probably down to the fact that Rochdale have, like City last year, endured managerial issues and their current boss is struggling to get his team moving in the right direction. John Coleman brings his team to Valley Parade having only won one of their last six league games. This, however, is certainly no guarantee that it will be a walk in the park for the Bantams.

Rochdale have scored no fewer than 13 goals in the previous six games, despite only accumulating three points. Their problems seem to lie in their leaky defence which has shipped 17 goals over the same period. City will need to be at their best defensively and firing on all cylinders up front, with Gary Jones showing Rochdale what they are missing, to take the last available spoils from 2012.

The line up for City shouldn’t change too drastically from Wednesday’s outing. Despite one instance of lost concentration, the defence will stay as it was with Matt Duke keeping his place in goal, James Meredith and Stephen Darby the full backs and Rory McArdle and Tom Naylor/Carl McHugh at centre back, depending on McHugh’s calf strain.

Gary Jones and Doyle will make up the centre midfield, but the winger situation is becoming a tricky one to guess. Kyel Reid made his league comeback against Accrington and impressed during his short spell, providing the cross for Connell’s winning goal. Will Atkinson had worked hard before being brought off for Reid and Garry Thompson scored a great goal to put City 1-0 up. Zavon Hines had impressed up front before he was taken off with an eye injury, and had earlier been brought down by an overzealous tackle which lead to Thompson’s goal. A good headache for Phil and Steve over who to select, and I would have no issues with any combination of the above.

Up top James Hanson was great against Accrington, providing the flick for Thompson’s strike and will start again on Saturday. His partner? Connell certainly did his chances no harm and Hines was, as I mentioned, impressive. If Nahki Wells has fully recovered from his bug, then he may start from the bench again.

If this Christmas was said to be a guide post as to how we can expect City to finish, then we are in for a very exciting latter half of the season. That being said, I must not get too far ahead of myself and instead enjoy the Christmas success that Phil Parkinson and his team have provided so far. And hope that the perfect Christmas present provided on Boxing Day can be delivered again tomorrow – taking us flying high into 2013.

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Brewing up a storm

26 Oct

Burton Albion vs Bradford City preview

@Pirelli Stadium on Saturday 27 October, 2012

By Omar Eliwi

Bradford City head to the Pirlelli Stadium in Burton in buoyant mood on the back of two excellent wins in four days, the latest being a solid 1-0 away win at Northampton Town.

At the start of last Saturday I’m sure a points target for these three tough looking fixtures were set by most fans and by the club. With nine points available in one week, most City fans would be delighted with 7 points I am sure, but as things stand, the maximum 9 points are still available. These types of targets were normally massively missed in recent seasons from 3 games in one week, typically only walking away with 1 or 2 points, but the fact that we have achieved wins against a team in the top three at home followed by a tough away fixture is adding weight to the argument that 2012/2013′s Bradford City are the real deal.

The squad and manager believe in their prospects for this season. Rumour around the club is that Andrew Davies’ pockets have increased in size to double the size of a clowns, having tucked heavy weight Bayo Akinfenwa in there for 93 minutes at Sixfields on Tuesday night. Wins like Tuesday night’s tough battle breed confidence for everyone associated with the club. The only downside to our latest victory is that top marksman Nahki Wells has picked up a suspension for five yellow cards during the course of the season so far – for his ‘over enthusiastic’ celebrations following his decisive goal.

Expect the same starting eleven at Burton on Saturday as played on Saturday and Tuesday, with the exception of Wells, who is expected to be replaced by Alan Connell, Zavon Hines, or Garry Thompson up top. There are even suggestions on City’s official website today, by Assistant Manager Steve Parkin, that Will Atkinson may play in ‘the hole’ behind James Hanson. I hope that Phil Parkinson does not decide to go with that approach.

This fixture ( home and away) generates a lot of interest in my family every season since the Brewers arrival in the Football League, as my wife’s sizeable family are all from Burton-on-Trent, and all follow their local team.

Since their first season in the football league in their history (2009-2010), City have locked horns with the Brewers six times in the league – with 5 of the matches ending in a score draw. A betting man would predict the same again.

The only victory of the league meetings between the sides came in October 2010 at Burton under Peter Taylor’s disastrous reign where City lost 3-0 to their hosts, in a game which caused me much pain and anguish.

The most recent meeting between the side’s was the Capital One Cup clash at Valley Parade, where City, despite trailing 2-0 with 80 minutes played, ran out 3-2 winners in extra time, advancing to the current Quarter Finals stage where we face Wigan on Tuesday.

Like City, Albion have made a very good start to their League Two campaign. The currently sit in 10th place on 20 points, just 1 point away from the Playoff Zone. When Paul Peschisoildo was sacked last season after a 14 games winless run, many expected the club to appoint an experienced manager to steady the ship. But Albion decided to give Assistant and former Derby County defender Gary Rowett a shot. He duly kept the Brewers in the Football League on a caretaker basis, and when the full time manager’s position was up for grabs again in the close season, the club decided to promote from within and offer Rowettt the job on a permanent basis.

At the time, I thought it was not the right appointment. But he is proving me wrong at the moment.

Albion’s strike force of one time City target Calvin Zola, Justin Richards, Billy Kee and Adi Yussuf are very strong at this level. Concentration at the back came some time cost them, but expect City to have a tough battle on their hands on Saturday.

Burton held high flying Port Vale to a 1-1 draw at the Pirelli on Tuesday night – showing that beating them on their own patch is a tough task (they have only lost one game at home this season).

Most City fans would take a point on Saturday. But expect Phil Parkinson to hold nothing back with confidence this high. An away win would most certainly have us dreaming of promotion, having suffered so much for so long in the Football League’s basement division.

I will be at the game among family and friends and I would love nothing more than a reversal of the result that I suffered the season before last with Taylor in charge…I will be dreaming of that on Friday night. Can it become a reality? If it can, then I really believe that the sky is the limit for the club this season.

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Speaking to Nathan Doyle

5 Oct

By Jason McKeown

Sequels rarely seem to live up to the original, but the early signs regarding Nathan Doyle’s second coming to Valley Parade suggest he is capable of playing a leading role in a blockbuster story.

Six years on from enjoying a highly impressive loan spell for Colin Todd’s City, Doyle’s much-celebrated return this summer has seen the 25-year-old fit back in superbly. Doyle’s central midfield partnership with Gary Jones is proving integral to the Bantams’ prospects, and he has caught the eye with a series of outstanding displays. None more so than at Rochdale on Tuesday night, where he ran the show during the second half especially.

It’s always a little disconcerting when you hear that a player has read your website, but when Doyle’s best friend Matt stumbled across Alex Scott’s outstanding reflection piece on the 25-year-old from the summer (written long before he had re-signed), he recommended Nathan take a look. Doyle was apparently pleasantly surprised by its accuracy and described it an “emotional” read, where the stats about him in particular caught the eye.

Never one to miss an opportunity, Width of a Post asked Nathan if he’d be willing to be interviewed about his return to Valley Parade and his career to date. The results are below, but first let me publically say thanks to Alex for writing such a great piece on Doyle in the first place, to Nathan’s friend Matt for his help arranging this interview and to Nathan himself for his time.

WOAP: How did you come to join Bradford City during the summer?

Obviously I was out of contract, and it was getting towards the stage where I needed to sign for a club. I had a few options, but Bradford was the one that appealed to me the most. I had been here before of course, and I knew the place well. So I thought I’d love to come back to this place and play here again.

WOAP: People often say “never go back”. How much of a factor was the successful loan spell for City six years ago in your decision to re-sign?

It was a big factor. You hear so many things about what the fans are saying as well, about wanting me to come back. And that was a big influence in my decision. Obviously I have been here before and so I do know the place. I knew a few of the current players as well. When I met the gaffer he told me his plans for the club, and what kind of players he had in the team, which was a big factor really.

WOAP: You’re here on a one-year contract – was that your choice or the club’s?

It was a bit of both really. I was out of contact and I need to prove myself to the gaffer in order to stay on and get another deal. So it’s in both parties’ interests really – sometimes you just have to sign what’s in front of you.

WOAP: Everything seems to be going brilliantly for you so far. What have you made of your first few weeks back at the club?

Yeah it’s been good. I’m really enjoying it and the people here. As well as the players, who have been great, the staff, the manager and the assistant manager have been amazing. I knew the assistant manager before, and he was a massive influence in why I came.

It’s been great meeting old faces again, but it’s also great experiencing the aura that we’ve built so far this season.

WOAP: I imagine you’ve never played alongside someone as age-defying as Gary Jones…

When I was at City before, I played alongside David Wetherall and he wasn’t young either! I learned so much from playing alongside Wetherall at that time.

Jones has been good, he is a really good lad. He keeps himself fit, he has great experience and it feels good to be playing alongside him.

WOAP: I don’t know if you ever watch American Football, but to me you almost play like an NFL Quarter Back in terms of sitting deep and dictating the play. How would you describe your playing style?

I like to get around the pitch and I’m not scared to put my foot in and have a tackle. But I like to express myself on the ball as well. If the ball does come to me, hopefully I can play those passes that get up to the strikers, or play the winger into good positions where they can cross it first time. I feel confident; I do like to get on the ball a lot and create things.

WOAP: It seems that your loan spell under Colin Todd was the only time you’ve really played right back in your career to date – is central midfield your preferred position?

Yes it is. To be fair, when I started off at Derby as a schoolboy I was a central midfielder and I played central midfield for England in the youth teams as well. It was a bit of a change when I came into full time football and the Derby gaffer at the time, George Burley, wanted me to play at right back. It was a new position to me and I had to learn quickly if I wanted to stay in the game.

I do prefer central midfield to right back, because you’re more involved. But I don’t mind playing anywhere, as long as I’m playing really.

WOAP: Going back to your first spell, what are your memories of that period?

I loved it! It was a bit of a shock at first, because of the driving from Derby that I used to do with Lee Holmes, when at the time we were only 19-years-old.

Playing with people who had played in the Premiership, like Dean Windass, David Wetherall and Richard Edghill, it was amazing to be sharing a dressing room with these calibre of players. But at the time you just think to yourself ‘I’m here to do a job’, and so I had to put that aside and try and help the team progress.

WOAP: The team was flying early on back then but began to lose their way. Was there any particular reason for this?

I honestly couldn’t tell you. It’s different for every team; but when teams stop doing as well, it could be because of the players or it could be because of the opposition teams start figuring certain things out after you’ve played a lot of games. At that stage of the season, everyone knows each other and opposition managers could have picked up on certain things and worked out how to stop you playing.

WOAP: Barely a month after your loan had been extended until the end of the season Derby sold you to Hull City. How did you feel about leaving?

I was gutted to be fair. I was scared about the move, because at the time I was only 19. I was moving away from my home town, was expecting my first child and had to move my family to somewhere that we didn’t know – to have all that on my shoulders at a young age was scary. I had to make new friends, and meet new team mates, and the Mrs didn’t know anyone there at the time. It was hard, and it was all a new experience.

WOAP: What did you think when you found out you had won Player of the Season despite leaving months ago?

I was delighted. I had got a call from Wendy James, who was the liaison at the club, and she said that we want you to come to the awards. I said ‘do you really need me to come?’ because I already had other commitments, and she said ‘yeah, yeah we really need you’. Eventually she had to tell me why I had to be there!

I was really delighted that I had been voted for the award by the fans. I was gutted when I had to leave Bradford. When I went to Hull I always looked out for the results, as I did over the following years as well, and I was just amazed to win the award really.

WOAP: Your time at Hull coincided with an exciting period in that club’s history, but you didn’t figure too often…

I knew Phil Brown from my Derby days and I knew the type of manager he was. He wears his heart on this sleeve, and he is a good man. Obviously I was still only 19 at the time, coming into my 20s, and it was really hard to get into the team. I was playing right back at the time, like I did for City, and Sam Ricketts ahead of me was a Welsh international. He was a tough team mate to budge.

It proved difficult and it was frustrating – but at the same time when you have players of the calibre that Hull City had at that point, you could learn a lot as well.

WOAP: At Barnsley you started to enjoy regular football. How much of a factor was Mark Robins’ departure on the way your Tykes career went?

It did have an effect on me. We got on well and I played a lot of times games under Mark Robins. But that’s how football is nowadays, no manager’s job is safe.

However, if he hadn’t have fallen out with the Board, or whatever happened between Robins and the club, obviously I wouldn’t be at Bradford City now. For every door that closes another one opens. So you’ve just got to thank your lucky stars that things happened the way they did.

WOAP: Has Bradford City changed much in-between leaving six years ago and returning?

I don’t think the ground has of course. But in terms of the people there, we’ve got great coaching staff now. For example the fitness coach, the assistant manager and people like that – they are all magnificent to work with. The staff back then were also great to work with, but six years is a long time in football and things do change a lot.

I do think that, in this division, we have got the best people doing these kinds of jobs for us.

WOAP: I’m sure every City fan agrees you’re too good for League Two level. How do you feel about playing in this division?

I feel privileged really. I’m still getting to go out and play football week in week out, and that’s not an easy task to do. You see the amount of people who have got more experience than me and who are out of contract and who still haven’t got a club. You think to yourself ‘wowzers, I’m still playing week in week out for a professional outfit’. So it’s not the fact that I’m in League Two and stuff like that, it’s about going out, being thankful and enjoying it – because I’ve got a job to do.

WOAP: Obviously you’ve played for City before and seen what the support is like, but this season fans have really turned out in numbers home and away. Has this level of support surprised you?

Well I’ve been following City’s results after I left, and you looked at the attendances and think ‘wow’.

The fans do turn out in force. Against Port Vale they were amazing even though we did lose. Then to see how many turn out away on Tuesday night, even though everyone has had a long day at work they still come out in force and it’s amazing to see. I was at a Championship club in Barnsley and we would only get 6-7,000 people come along to a Championship game. They would only turn up for the big games like Leeds or Sheffield United.

It’s wonderful that City fans come out, express themselves and get behind the team. There are no negative vibes towards the team from the fans. It really is nice that so many come along and support the lads. We really do appreciate it.

WOAP: Couple of final questions on current matters. We’ve just seen two excellent performances go rewarded with only one point. Is there a concern amongst the players?

No, I mean if we were playing badly and lost it would be a concern. But we’re playing some good football and we’re creating a lot of chances in games. We get the statistics after each game and you can see from them that we are creating a lot of chances.

It really helps also when the fans don’t get on your back. I’ve been at certain clubs where – if the last two results would have happened – the boos would be ringing out. But there are no easy games and you’ve got to think to yourself ‘we’ve lost to Port Vale where we created loads of chances and we didn’t deserve to lose’.

The lads will continue to go out and be as confident and as brave on the ball as they were against Port Vale, before the result. And hopefully on another day we will turn someone over like we did against Wimbledon. I think that if we weren’t creating chances or we weren’t playing as well as we are now, we would need to be concerned. But I think at this present time we are playing some great football, we’re creating chances, and it’s just a matter of time before we are handing out four, five-nil beatings.

WOAP: Finally, what do you think City can achieve this season?

I think that the club itself and the players we’ve got in the dressing room can achieve anything that we want to. But only for as long as we keep taking each game at time and don’t look too far forwards in the future. I think that is the thing with some teams that have expectations; they can have that thing where they start looking too far ahead and set goals. Why set goals? You can’t look too far ahead at three, four months’ time.

We’re focused on Dagenham on Saturday, and hopefully we can go down there and get a result. If we get a result there then we go up to Hartlepool in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy and hopefully get a win there too, because the more we win the more momentum we take into the league.

Whether it’s the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy, we get promoted or get into the play offs, the games are something to look forward to. As a player you look forward to these moments and hopefully we can take the club to Wembley and progress that way. It’s every boy’s dream to play at Wembley and winning is a great experience as well, as I experienced at Hull.

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2012/13 season preview pt 2: Parkinson aims to correct the past imperfect

7 Aug

Phil Parkinson talks to his coaching staff

By Damien Wilkinson

We are all probably familiar with the standard disclaimer found on investment-related products, stating that past performance does not guarantee future performance. As we approach the start of the 2012/13 season, given the last few years of decline, it is to be hoped that this holds true with regard to City’s prospects.

Having now had the luxury of a pre-season not available to him last year, Phil Parkinson has assembled a squad that finally can be said to be his own, and has put his charges through a pre-season regime that has served him well in the past.

It is sometimes easy to forget that Parkinson has still only been with the club since the end of August 2011, particularly given the topsy-turvy nature of last season. Much has been documented about the squad Parkinson inherited – whether it was up to the required standard or not, but it’s probably fair to say that, from an external perspective, we didn’t comprehend the full extent of the ongoing disruption accompanying the departures of Peter Jackson, Archie Christie and the gradual dismantling of the Development Squad that occurred.

Indeed, Parkinson has only recently managed to trim the squad of the remnants of those deemed surplus to requirements, and to be carrying a significant level of unwanted players during last season can’t have helped team spirit around the club.

Whilst this culminated in a lowly league placing again last season, it is to be hoped that a significant amount of learning points occurred during what is starting to look more and more like a transitional season. Probably not immediately apparent, is the learning afforded by the numerous loan signings, which perhaps as failed experiments, have helped inform the requirements for the signings we have seen so far, and the associated style of play that will be adopted.

As pre-season has progressed, Parkinson has gradually, in what seems a very careful and considered manner, assembled a squad that he believes will challenge for promotion next season. Although certain publicised targets such as Andy Gray have not materialised, Parkinson has kept his cards fairly close to his chest regarding other targets, and whilst it is fair to assume that we may have missed out on certain other players, the recruitments we have made, together with the more than decent core of players retained from last season, form the nucleus of, what on paper, looks a very capable squad.

Whilst some criticisms have been levelled as to the number of players recruited to date, and the current squad size, it would appear that Parkinson is not panicking and holding on for the right players. Presumably this will mean that the recruitment may well continue once the season has commenced, which may well be no bad thing.

Recruitments to date of younger, strong pacy, albeit relatively less experienced players, such as Darby and Meredith have been complemented by experienced, “been there done it before”, players such as Jones, Thompson and Connell. Indeed there’s a hallmark through the side, of players who have achieved promotion at this level. Furthermore, Parkinson has placed some emphasis on recruiting players that either he, or assistant Steve Parkin, have worked with in the past. This all aligns with Parkinson’s blueprint of what is required and recruitments (and indeed departures) have been made in a regimented manner against this. Creating a strong team spirit amongst the side also seems to be very much a key consideration, and the recent week in Ireland will have assisted in team ‘bonding’.

Whilst Parkinson has stressed his desire to function with a relatively small squad of 22, suggesting two players competing for each place in the side, the signings do contain an amount of versatility, with many players able to operate in different positions (Thompson, Meredith and McArdle being notable examples). Clearly this offer cover for injuries and suspensions, but perhaps, just as importantly, will allow Parkinson further options in employing different playing styles to combat the opposition.

As regards playing style, it was frequently noted last season that performances were often too defensive minded. It is clear that both improving the goals for tally and away record are key requirements for a successful season, and targeting the problem right hand side area, remains a further improvement area, with Thompson (or one of the trialists) a likely candidate to fit in here. In addition the increased mobility from both new full backs, Darby and Meredith, will hopefully increase options going forward and permit a more expansive style of football.

Whilst this remains encouraging, Parkinson’s side will retain a strong defensive mentality throughout, personified in key players such as Andrew Davies, Parkinson’s flagship signing, which rekindled optimism for next season.

Much hope will also be placed on the front pairing of Hanson and Wells in delivering goals, and it will be interesting to see the progress of Wells in avoiding the dreaded “second season” syndrome and dealing with speculation about his longer term future. The arrival of Alan Connell will also offer a further attacking threat, together with Ross Hannah, who undoubtedly faces a “make or break” season. Hopefully, Hannah’s form in the pre-season friendlies can be carried into the league. Goals from other areas of the side, in particular midfield, were a failing last season, and it is to be hoped that the presence of Gary Jones can help in this regard.

The fitness levels of the squad should not be overlooked and much work has been carried out during pre-season to ensure the players are “firing on all cylinders” at the start of the season. The work of fitness coach Nick Allanby has been employed to an even greater degree than previously, and appears to have been an integral part of Parkinson’s preparations for the season ahead.

As ever, the start to the season can, rightly or wrongly, define the rest of the season. A poor start and panic sets in with fans calling for change, a good start raising expectations to unreasonably high levels, with an inevitable failure to live up to these. Given this, a fairly solid start to the season might be a more palatable compromise – allowing the team to gradually improve as the season unfolds. Whatever happens, Parkinson will need some level of “reasoned” support from both the fans and Board, in terms of avoiding “knee-jerk” reactions and allowing a degree of stability to underpin the season. Time will tell how much this is afforded!

February 2013 will mark the 10 year anniversary of Phil Parkinson’s first managerial appointment at Colchester United. Whilst his only promotion to date was with the same club in 2005/06, a similar outcome this season would no doubt round off this decade in some style!

To sum up, and returning to the investment analogy, it is hoped that City (and Parkinson’s) stock will outperform the market in 2012/13, such that the current “buy” rating, implied in our positive expectations, is finally justified, and City can go up (rather than down)!

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An evening with Mark Lawn

22 Feb

By Luke Lockwood

On Tuesday 21st February, at Herriots Hotel, Skipton around 50 members of Skipton and Craven Bantams waited in anticipation for Joint Chairman Mark Lawn to take his place in front of them and face whatever question they were to pose him. Although it is fair to say Lawn does conflict opinion amongst Bradford City fans, I feel that I can speak on behalf of all attendees at the meeting in saying that he was open, honest and interesting in all his answers and came across as a friendly, witty City Gent.

The pitch

The Supporters’ Club chairman opened the evening with a question of his own. The poor state of the pitch was certainly evident at our recent home fixture with Port Vale and having spent a good deal of money trying to improve the surface was there an explanation for the demise?

Lawn referenced the other pitches at this level and explained that you would struggle to find a decent surface. Taylor had requested for the improvements to be made and they had spent money trying to do this but, due to typical British weather, it is very difficult to keep the playing surface up to that standard.

He was then asked about his thoughts on artificial surfaces that have recently been approved by the Football League and, although he believes they are a great idea for a variety of reasons, he does not believe we will be seeing one at Valley Parade for quite some time. Other sides may test the water and Bradford will assess how successful it is elsewhere before installing one themselves.

Season tickets and attendances

As most fans know a committee of supporters has been working towards the best solution and most suitable offer for season tickets. However, this will be announced on 3rd March and the Chairman believes that these once again offer value for money.

He did, however, explain that the playing budget for next season will rely on ticket sales and went onto discuss how much potential he felt there was to attract high attendances. He believes a Bradford City side playing well and competing at the top of League 2 could attract 14-15,000, attendances, around 18,000 if we were competing for promotion in League 1 and hopefully around 20,000 in the Championship.

The Development Squad

Lawn said that although this has not been binned it has changed format and they are still looking to develop players, but possibly in a different format to the way this was previously being done. There are some players from the development squad still with the club such as Scott Brown. He has a 2 year contract but unfortunately has not progressed as quickly as hoped and he is quite far away from the first team. Lawn believes that should he get his head down and work hard he still has the potential to make it in the side.

The Development Squad began running up costs that impacted on the first team budget and instead the development is more likely to come from projects like RIASA – where Nakhi Wells was produced from. Nakhi’s brother, Rico, was also discussed and is showing a lot of potential but he will continue his development within the project and be looked at in the future.

The managers

Lawn has overseen a number of appointments in his time with the club and was questioned on the various managers who have attempted to get us out of League 2. As supporters, the majority of us thought Peter Taylor was a fantastic appointment. However, Lawn did point out that one member of the audience made his negative opinions of the ex-manager clear to the Chairman on the day he arrived.

Lawn felt that the reason Taylor may not have lived up to our expectations was because he was an old fashioned manager and his man management techniques had not moved with the times. As an example he referenced Luke Oliver, explaining that Oliver had not become a different player he was just being managed differently.

He was complimentary of both Stuart McCall and Peter Jackson saying if anything the reason things didn’t work out was because they loved the club too much. He didn’t want Stuart to leave and felt that when he did go elsewhere where he wasn’t so emotionally attached to the club he would be successful, as he is now proving at Motherwell.

Another ex-City hero, Dean Windass, has shown interest in the Bradford managers job in the past but Lawn said he would not employ the club’s 3rd highest ever goal scorer currently. He thinks Deano needs to cut his teeth elsewhere and prove he has what it takes.

Phil Parkinson appears to be winning over most supporters now and the Chairman also appears to be a big fan. He believes that Parkinson has vastly improved the squad and due to that both performances and results are improving also. He seems to consider Parkinson a very astute and clever manager who the players respond to.

The players

As a passionate supporter Lawn offered his opinions on some of the players that have come and gone over his years as Chairman. He mentioned that the most disappointing was Tommy Doherty and believes that we didn’t get the best out of Paul McLaren. It seemed he felt that – while Doherty’s own attitude was his downfall – Mclaren didn’t work out for a different reason. Whether that was because he didn’t fit the playing style or he was not managed correctly it was difficult to say.

He went onto say that two of the least impressive players that have appeared in the Claret and Amber over this period were Kyle Nix and Chris Brandon.

His favourite players have been Omar Daley for the excitement he offered on the ball, and Peter Thorne for his finishing. However, he also described Kyel Reid as outstanding and the best winger we have had. Reid, he believes, offers a spark to the side and this is something he believes we should be looking for on the other flank.

He said that one player who could have offered us something on the right had he chosen to stay was Joe Colbeck. His opinion was that although Colbeck was one dimensional, he was also willing to run at defenders and this scared opposition sides. Lawn felt that when Colbeck and Daley were on opposite sides the side was really flying and this is something we have possibly lacked since. Apparently we did offer Colbeck a very good deal but he chose – with the help of his agent – to go elsewhere.

Lawn feels agents – who can often be a player’s father – don’t do their players any favours. Either they think a player is better than what he is or convince him he can get better money elsewhere, but often they end up having to settle for worse packages when they realise they aren’t worth quite as much as they thought.

He was full of praise about our current back four and reserved special recognition for Andrew Davies. Lawn considers Davies to be the ultimate professional and an ‘old fashioned’ one who is brave enough to stick his head where others would only stick their feet. Unfortunately he also thinks our chances of signing Davies were very slim due to the wage the player currently earns and what clubs even in the Championship will be prepared to offer him. The Davies deal was achieved by Phil Parkinson using his contacts and, had the players contract with Stoke gone on to next season, we would have a better chance of signing him on a further season long loan but sadly this is not the case.

He was, on the other hand, confident that 90% of the players that Parkinson would like to keep next season would stay and explained how important it was that the squad did not have such an overhaul as it has in recent years, so we could have some continuity going into next season.

The finances

With the recent events at Rangers and also Portsmouth, Lawn was asked if he believed that there were many clubs within the Football League who could face similar problems. Lawn thinks that many clubs struggle for money and wouldn’t be surprised if other clubs suffered a similar fate.

Mark explained that our own finances were tight, but that the club will always do their upmost to maximise the budget that was available for the manager’s squad. However, as stated earlier that budget will now rely heavily on us as fans to fill the ground. He also mentioned that if Parkinson was to come to the board with the name of a player he felt could give us 20+ goals a season then we would have to try and find the money from somewhere, even if it meant cutting back on other areas of the squad.

On this point he mentioned that we were chasing 3 strikers in January but eventually got outbid for them. He also added that we decided not to go for Paul Benson after seeking advice from one of the best knee surgeons in the country who explained that the length of the contract he wanted was ridiculous due to concerns over his knee. Although he added that – when he sees Benson scoring regularly now – he feels a little regret, it was still the right decision to take that advice.

We have gone over budget this year to support Parkinson and improve the squad to ensure we do not get relegated. If we were to be relegated Lawn thinks that it would be impossible to stay at Valley Parade considering the current costs; but he thinks if we were to move away we could survive – he would at least do anything he could to ensure that was the case.

He once again reiterated his stance that, were someone interested in the club that were in a better position to take the club forward, than he and Julian Rhodes they would happily step aside. Steve Parkin’s offer – he thought – was ludicrous and Parkin would not offer certain guarantees to help take Bradford forward. Since Steve Parkin there have been no other interested parties.

Finally…

Mark was asked to pick his favourite Bradford City XI since becoming a fan:

Downsborough

Ramsden           Wetherall       Tommy Hallet       Halle

Ellis                  Whalley                      McCall                  Beagrie

Hendrie                     Blake

Manager: McFarland

Mark Lawn was very forthcoming on any topics discussed and more so than anything his love for Bradford City shone through. He is – like the rest of us – a City fan. On behalf of the members of Skipton and Craven Bantams Supporters Club, I would like to thank Mark Lawn for his time and also the fantastic work and service he continues to provide to the club.

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