By Jason McKeown
And so the counter moves onto six. Six seasons of being stuck in League Two. Six years in basement league wilderness. What we hoped would be a short visit – a small blip in the revitalisation of Bradford City – has become a prison sentence. Here they are. Still trapped in their surroundings. For the sixth year in a row, City will try to haul themselves out of the swamp.
Six years is a long time by any measure. When the Bantams’ relegation from League One was confirmed in April 2019, Theresa May was the UK prime minister, and England and Real Madrid superstar Jude Bellingham was yet to make his professional debut. We’ve gone through five prime ministers, a global pandemic, a cost of living crisis and three Fast and Furious movies. In that time, City have laboured, stuttered and repeatedly tripped over their own shoelaces. They’re no closer to promotion from League Two than they were in August 2019, when Gary Bowyer lead City to an underwhelming 0-0 opening day fourth division draw with Cambridge United.
We talk a lot about Bradford City’s identity. Who we are. What exactly is our natural level? And what is our true potential? Over the years and decades, City have habitually swapped divisions, going up and down the pyramid. So it’s little wonder that no league ever quite feels like home. Or that debates about expectations can never be resolved.
But here’s the thing: in all of City’s nomad divisional history of swapping leagues, they don’t often stay for this long in any tier. And if they don’t get promoted this season, they will make some unwanted modern history.
Because you have to go back all the way to the 1960s for the last time City remained for more than six seasons in the same division. 60 years ago. Back then, the club spent between 1961 and 1969 languishing in Division Four. Eight straight years, which included two 23rd place finishes that caused the Bantams to have to (successfully) apply for re-election. The 1960s are widely considered to be the worst decade in City’s history. And if the current crop don’t get promoted this season, they will be one year away from matching this dismal record.
For now, this sixth straight season in League Two matches our last spell at this level – 2007 to 2013. They were some tough days for sure. And time can play tricks on the mind. But somehow, when you look back, that six-year period didn’t quite seem as grey and miserable as the last five years have proven. I think 2007-2013 definitely saw lower moments than anything we’ve experienced since 2019, but there were bigger highs too. Even when discounting the incredible feats of 2012/13.
Perhaps the difference back then was there was a novelty feel to being in League Two. It was the first time City had operated at that level in 25 years, which meant for many of us it was the first time we’d experienced life in the basement league. You tolerated some dark, dark days in the belief that these would be some of the worst moments you’d ever endure as a Bradford City fan. Badges of honour to collect and look back on, when better days eventually returned. Much of the joy that followed during the 2012-2017 resurgence of Bradford City came with the perspective of having endured the worst of times. We’d made it through the darkness, and everything subsequently felt good in comparison.
It certainly wasn’t in the script to slump back to this level, six years later. Especially after 2016 and 2017 League One play off campaigns, where the bright lights of the Championship appeared on the horizon. The self inflicted collapse of 2017-2019 hurt and has left patience in short supply. The fact we’ve since made such hard work of League Two has been hugely disappointing. From in 2007 dipping into the bottom league for the first time 25 years, we now unfortunately have to say we’ve spent 12 of the last 18 years as a fourth tier club. 20 years and counting since we were in the Championship.
And so the question is can we at least match the 2007-2013 Bradford City in escaping League Two at the sixth time of asking? On WOAP in recent weeks, we’ve talked about the key individual components. The chairman. The manager. The goalkeepers. The wing backs. The central defenders. The defensive midfielders. The attacking midfielders. The forwards. Whenever things aren’t going well, it’s at least one of these groups who cops the blame. During those (sadly) rare seasons of success, it’s usually a case of everyone pulling together and thriving.
There are reasons to be optimistic. Reasons to believe we’re getting closer. Last season was a disappointment for sure, as the club failed to build on their 2022/23 play off finish. They went backwards. It went dark – very dark at times. But there was encouragement at the end. For all the terrible days endured, City only just fell one point short of the play offs. Inept, hopeless and sometimes unwatchable. And yet, they almost got a shot of an extended end to the season.
Imagine what they could do if they truly got their act together?
The League Two landscape around them suddenly looks kinder. There will be no Disney Plus TV cameras visiting Valley Parade this season. No Hollywood circus. The well-backed Wrexham, Stockport and Mansfield are gone. Last season’s top three netted a combined 275 goals. Just look at their goal differences as an illustration of their dominance – Stockport +48, Wrexham +37 and Mansfield +43. In the five prior League Two seasons, just one team out of 60 managed a goal difference above 30.
It was a romp for all three. But now the playing field looks more level. It won’t be easy for sure – with the likes of Chesterfield, Port Vale, MK Dons, Carlisle and Doncaster looking strong. City are sixth-favourites with the bookies, which seems fair.
Six years in League Two have taught us many harsh lessons, not least the perils of underestimating the strength of the division. A history of unfancied teams emerging from nowhere. Players you’d never heard of soaring. Unlikely managerial appointments proving inspired. In many ways, last season’s League Two outcome of financially well-backed teams triumphing was an anomaly for this level. The scripts are usually much tougher to write.
But even with the inevitable emergence of an unlikely underdog or two, what is there to fear for City? They’ve got a manager with strong knowhow of this level, who was able to spend two-thirds of last season figuring out his squad and figuring out this football club. We’ve largely kept together a good group of players who helped to deliver the fifth-best points tally in the league after Alexander took charge. We’ve signed players who have been part of successful teams at this level. We’ve fixed the dreadful playing surface.
And we – the loyal Bradford City supporters – are still here. Dire forecasts of a huge season ticket drop off didn’t come to pass. Renewals are down from the club’s fourth tier record of 15,054 in 2023/24, but 13,571 of us did sign up for this season, before the prices went up. That’s about a 90% retention rate. Or 9 out of 10 City season ticket holders keeping the faith. All after a season where it was very difficult to retain belief.
And look, we know that having the biggest crowds in the league doesn’t necessarily give you any advantage. A sixth year in League Two is testament to the fact there are no prizes for attendances. But we also know that if the team can get it right on the pitch and lift the crowd, Valley Parade can become a hugely potent force. A special place to be.
It’s thin lines between success and failure. But if the team can get off to a good start, build some momentum and generate a feel-good mood around the place, the club can really take off. It’s all within our grasp. The pieces seem to be pretty much all there. There shouldn’t be any reason why they can’t pull this off.
And yet, what should be feelings of excitement are tempered by weariness and fear. Pre-season hasn’t been flawless. New arrivals slow to enter the building. Promise of greater investment from the owner difficult to tangibly see. Other clubs have pulled off impressive signings. Shown their own ambition. Seems we’re not the only ones to have spotted that the weakening competition of League Two presents opportunity.
Six years in League Two have featured one too many false dawns to get giddy. Too many disappointments to assume world domination awaits. With the owner, CEO and head of recruitment recently enduring serious dips in popularity, it’s all too easy to imagine a repeat of the darkest moments of last season.
More than anything, the worry is that if City can’t get it right this time, when will they ever under this current structure? We’ve tried all sorts of managers. All sorts of recruitment approaches. All sorts of playing styles. All sorts of players. The dice keeps being rolled, but with each unsuccessful outcome doubts about the future grow.
The worry is not just that City end up floundering once more and making it a seventh straight year in League Two. But that City are trapped in an endless loop of dashed hopes and failure. A zombie football club. Where no matter what we try, it will fail. Until eventually League Two becomes so depressingly familiar that we have no choice but to resign ourselves to calling it home. Or even worse, we fall further.
This has to be the year it turns. It just has to be. Because if City can’t deliver success from this point, the consequences feel huge.
Categories: Previews
The magnitude of this next week for Bradford City can’t be understated 
Hope 
This means more 
This is what we’ve all been waiting for 
widthofapost.com 
I’m not convinced anything major has changed this season. I hope I’m wrong.
I agree. I did not renew along with several family members. I did not have faith with Rupps promises and it seems I was right.
Nothing has changed.
I did renew – not because of Rupp’s promises – but because under Alexander we seem to have got it right. His points per game ratio across the season would have seen us in the play-offs had that been extrapolated across an entire season.
He found a playing system and group of players that became more than competitive – particularly in the run to the end of the season. What I am personally encouraged by is the fact we have a settled team, a team that found form and finished the season with a positive momentum. A team that found an understanding of one another.
If I take this back to a promises made by Rupp – i.e. he will invest more – then on the face of it it isn’t overly apparent, but dig a bit deeper and I actually believe the budget may have indeed increased.
The squad needed tweaks, not an overhaul. Therefore I am pleased to see we have not been on a signing rampage and ran the risk of confusing / disrupting the cohesion we saw emerge during the latter sages of last season. Great business has been done in securing Brad Halliday – no doubt on improved terms – nailing down Bobby Pointon – on improved terms – keeping Jamie Walker.
Of the new signings Antoni Sarcevic will command a good wage, we have paid £80k for Tyreik Wright and secured a player with plenty of promise. Aden Baldwin, Callum Johnson and Neill Byrne will all have commanded decent wages too. It might not be the millions some may unrealistically expect, but it is investment in the right areas and most likely extending the budget of previous years – this on the basis the vast majority of it had already been committed by player retention.
Long term injured players such as Alex Pattison and Jake Young – assuming he stays – will be welcome. So although we might not be perfect, we are not a million miles away. There are promises of 2-3 more to come in – most likely loans – but I am encouraged by what I see.
Neale what are you going to do on a Saturday afternoon now then. I’m quite surprised to read that you did not renew. Personally I support the team through thick and thin and all the ups and downs that go on . We won’t change anything that goes on behind the scenes and never will. CTID
It’s been an odd pre season in some ways.
Without looking into the numbers, it must be the most low-key in terms of incomings in many years.
I think we’re so used to seeing huge turnovers of players every window – which had become a throw at the wall and see what sticks approach – the concept of keeping a more settled squad is an alien concept to many. Saying that, I’m in the dark on most of our new signings.
But then what was it under Hughes, 37 new players in his 3 transfer windows? Completely ludicrous.
But friendlies and players aside, the big issue for me now is the VP lease. We’ve seen Rupp’s ‘intentions’ to consider buying VP or at least be on better lease terms, but after nearly 8 years of little activity from the man, I, like many, and very sceptical of any change happening.
Regardless, another 25 year lease like the current one will be a slow death for the club and the huge cost undermines anything we want to do or build as a club.
If we’re still in L2 in 2028 and the same lease renews then the long-term future of the club will be one of constant instability with no room to develop.
still feeling underwhelmed / even apathetic towards the clubs chances of promotion this season. Maybe I’m just old now and seen it all before. Once the first ball is kicked the excitement and hope will come flooding back I’m sure.
CTID
It doesn’t look too bad to me, GA delivered a pretty decent half season with a very unbalanced squad. This season we’re in a seemingly weaker division with a better squad, certainly in terms of balance if not overall quality. The pitch has been repaired, main formation seems settled, fitness was identified as an issue so the backroom staff was refreshed and a preseason focussing on fitness was undergone. There is at least a dialogue between the owner and stadium owner.
I’m quietly confident.
Judging by the preseason, I’m not optimistic about the season ahead. The performances have not been great. I don’t believe Alexander is clear to his starting line up. We have a problem where and if we play Young. There is talk the club want to off load him. Odd if we are looking for more goals this season. We won’t know how well the season will progress moving forward. As a supporter, we have to give Alexander the opportunity and support moving forward. As a supporter, I and most others are use to disappointment. Let us pray for a season to remember and an outcome of progress going forward.
the club has again hoodwinked the fans again! Promised spending recruited poorly and if Young leaves it shows the lack of ambition the club has. Why cannot City play Young instead of not? If he scores a couple of goals his price would increase rather than keeping him in cotton wool. How can Newport can keep their star striker Will Evans and City are trying to drum up interest in Young? Let’s hope the season starts well otherwise the fans will soon turn on the board.
Will Evans has signed for Mansfield.
Some of the senior / higher wage earners are on contracts, so probably not realistic to replace them or add other high earners for their positions. For all sorts of reasons I think we need to sign less older players generally, especially on long contracts. But in my opinion the squad is an improvement on last season and really that is all I ask for. I am eagerly awaiting the Salford game. If Young doesn’t want to play for us then get rid and move on.
I said on here recently something like – apart from goalkeepers and extensions for existing, proven players –
No 3+ years for 30+ year olds,
No deals over 12 months for 34 year olds,
No deals at all for 35+ year olds
Oliver is a good example. 1 good season in his career and we give a 30 year old a 3 year deal. Would have had hardly any resale value anyway and has been a total flop so far.
Matt Derbyshire also. 18 months for a then nearly 37 year old as a favour to a mate. Terrible decision.
Any exception to the above would have to be absolutely exemplary.
If the chairman was to invest in anywhere, I think younger players would a wise place.
For some reason it won’t let me reply to your post further down?
If we were allowed to invest in young players, absolutely.
Like when Rupp and Rahic turned up, the idea was to invest in young players with a view to developing them for profit. We bought Wyke and Jones for that purpose and the model ended when we sold Wyke.
We all believed that was a great model for the German ownership in 2016. It lasted barely 18 months from when we bought Wyke.
Since then it’s been a constant loop of no calculated risks, no investment, just rolling the dice every window on a shoestring and hoping we get a 6.