By Jason McKeown
Richie Smallwood went in late for the challenge, he caught his man, and he was sent off. A three match ban coming right at the end of the season, threatening to undermine a promotion push. But he was able to come back just in time, scoring the penalty that sealed promotion.
No, that last sentence isn’t a prediction of what might occur on Saturday. This actually happened. Rewind the clock 11 years. Smallwood was on loan at Rotherham United over the second half of the 2013/14 season. With three regular games of the season to go, United played Port Vale at home. Just before half time, Smallwood went in late on fellow future Bantam Billy Knott. A straight red, a three match ban.
Without Richie, Rotherham still finished the job and sneaked into the play offs, got to Wembley, and were taking part in a penalty shootout with Leyton Orient. It was then, with the score 3-3 and with one spot kick each left, that Smallwood stepped up and scored. Orient missed their final kick, meaning Smallwood and Rotherham could celebrate promotion.
Can history repeat itself? On Saturday Smallwood returns to the Bradford City fold. A three match suspension complete, and a lot of making up to do. Fresh from being named in the League Two team of the season at the EFL Awards, it seems a certainty he will go straight back into the City starting line up.
Much has been said about that red card. It’s hard to disagree it was foolish, unnecessary, and deeply damaging. On the day at Swindon, a commanding 2-0 Bantams lead slipped away to a painful 5-4 defeat. In the three games that Smallwood has been kicking his heels in the stands, City have failed to win. They’ve made some highly questionable decisions on the pitch. They’ve missed their leader.
You can only begin to imagine what’s been going through Smallwood’s head. The regret that must have tormented him. The guilt at not being able to get out on the pitch when the team have needed him. The despair at watching leads slip away and a penalty missed, all that he could have influenced. The damage to his standing with City supporters, having worked so hard to build it up.
The latter point is curious. Those who know Smallwood say that – up until this season – he has been well aware that he wasn’t the most popular of players with fans. That he was far from everyone’s cup of tea. As a captain, he hasn’t had the direct synergy with the crowd in the same way a Gary Jones type had. But even with all of this, he is said to possess great mental strength that meant he wouldn’t let it concern or derail him.
And since the back end of last season, that inner steel has really paid off. Because in a team more adjusted to his strengths, Smallwood has flourished. He took his promising end of 2023/24 form into this campaign, and has largely been excellent. Maybe a slight dip in November, but that owed more to opposition sides getting wise to stopping City’s 3-5-2 by overcrowding him. Another tactical shift to 3-4-3, and Smallwood has again thrived. He’s won over supporters, even attracting his own chant.
He should really be picking up the official player of the season award this week. Maybe the red card has cost him a few votes that would otherwise have been in the bag. But no matter. The only prize that will ultimately matter to him is promotion. And now that this agonising period on the sidelines is over, he can play a big role in making sure the team clinch it.
His experience is so significant and rarely mentioned. Over 500 senior appearances at Middlesbrough, Rotherham United, Scunthorpe United, Blackburn Rovers and Hull City. Promotions at Rotherham, Blackburn and Hull. A popular figure with Rovers and Hull fans especially (Blackburn supporters sang about him as “The King of Ewood Park”). It definitely took him a while for us to see what all the fuss was about, but over the last 12 months he has been superb.
We would not be where we are without him.
Smallwood goes onto the pitch on Saturday with a point to prove. Forgiveness to earn. But that mental strength that has seen win over plenty of doubters will be fuelling him more strongly than ever. He knows that he owes supporters, his team mates, and his manager. But as soon as the game kicks off, all of that can be put to one side.
Back in February, Graham Alexander said of Smallwood, “He’s the type of player who thrives on being out there all the time. I think the team needs him. We have other really good midfield players but I don’t believe we have another Richie Smallwood.”
Indeed we don’t, and that’s been acutely felt over the last three games.
The important point is that City have a very big player back to boost flagging confidence. Back for the occasion where more than ever he is absolutely needed. And if Saturday’s game is a cagey 0-0, and late on City earn a spot kick in front of the Kop, we all know who’s going to grab the matchball to take it.
He’s been here before.
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Brilliant to see him back. Just hope any penalty is better thann the Port Vale away one !
Badly missed him. That one moment of madness has cost us the title. He needs now to play his part in getting us promotion. We threw away the trophy but let’s at least get out of the division. All the best City, we believe in you.
Just was browsing Fleetwood’s results. From January to now they’ve lost as many as they’ve won and vice versa and drew slightly fewer. Bloomin’ ‘eck.
I’m sure the Captain’s return will have a really positive impact on team confidence & organisation. Just what’s needed for such a big game. It’s only Tuesday & I’m nervous for Saturday already, heaven knows what state I’ll be in be in come Saturday. But that’s fine, I’m allowed to be a nervous wreck, just as long as my team stay calm, focussed, & professional.
Time to shine, & up the Bantams!
At this moment in time Smallwoods return is more important than Cookies!
we have been able to score goals without Cookie to the angst of some doubters Phil!
but What we missed much more than Cookies goals was Smallwoods control in the centre of the park & of his team mates.
He’s back on Sat Phil,
Seeing is Believing (fans btw have faith),
we don’t always have to see it to believe it!
It feels like Smallwood has been out months. It’s been painful to watch us without him in the team. His red card has completely derailed us. But, as I’ve just posted in the last articles comments, I think his return will give the rest of the players and manager some much needed confidence and stability. It’s got to be said that the team not fairing well without him reflects very badly on themselves. It’s been pretty pathetic, however, all will be forgiven if we get a win on Saturday.
With the way he plays the game he’s always on the cusp of yellow or red ,yes it was ill judged at the time but no player wants to be sent off ,Baldwin was a different matter ,let’s leave it there. This Saturday ALL the players need our undivided backing . As much as some blame him for the sending off it has to be put in the past . Richie is our captain ,we need him to lead us into League 1, make his cheer the loudest before the game to give that lift . I can’t wait .