My first donation to the Bradford Burns Unit Appeal….so far!

Posted on May 19, 2012 by admin

If you are a regular visitor to my website, then I’m sure you’ll be aware that I’m selling Bradford City silicone wristbands on eBay. The bands are engraved with #bcafc and 10% of the sale proceeds will go to the Bradford Burns Unit Appeal. The Bradford Burns Unit is world-renowned burns research facility set up at the University of Bradford following the Bradford City fire disaster on May 11, 1985.

The wristbands are only 99p and are roughly the Bradford City colours (though a friend did describe them as Rhubarb & Custard!) Just in case you’re mystified by the significance of #bcafc well this is the hashtag of choice for Bradford City fans on twitter. Anyway the point of my post today is due to the fact that I’ve sold my 50th wristband and this enabled me to make my first donation to the appeal, it’s only a fiver (£6.25 with Gift Aid) but it’s a start and I’d like to say a big thank you to everyone who has purchased one so far :) If you’d like to buy one on eBay then please click the following link.

I would like clarify that I am not affiliated with the Bradford City FC Community Foundation in any way, it’s just that I’m making my donation through their JustGiving page that was set up to raise money for the Burns Unit Appeal in memory of the Bradford City Fire. Finally if you’d like to follow me on twitter then my username is @bantamsfancouk Thanks for listening!

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Former Bantam Luke O’Brien released by Exeter City

Posted on May 19, 2012 by admin

It’s not exactly breaking news but I thought it warranted a mention. Last week former Bantam Luke O’Brien was released by League One side Exeter City following the expiry of his short-term contract at St James Park. The Halifax born left-back only played three games for The Grecians after he joined them for an undisclosed fee back in January.

O’Brien grew up as a Bradford City fan and joined the club’s Centre Of Excellence when he was eight-years-old, and signed professional terms at the age of 18. He made his debut for the first team in September 2007 after coming on as a substitute against Doncaster Rovers in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy. He went on to make 149 appearances for the club & he was named player of the year at the end of the 2008/2009 season. I personally hope he gets sorted with a club soon….Good luck Luke.

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Robbie Threlfall signs for League Two rivals Morecambe

Posted on May 17, 2012 by admin

Morecambe manager Jim Bentley has made former City left-back Robbie Threlfall his first summer signing. The 23-year-old former Liverpool youngster left Valley Parade after the club agreed to settle his contract in March and ended the season playing for Dundee. Threlfall, a former England Under-19 international, failed to break into the first-team at Anfield and spent time on loan with Hereford United, Stockport County and Northampton Town before moving to Valley Parade in February 2010. This was initially a loan move (Peter Taylor’s first signing) but he was signed on a permanent deal in the May following his release from Anfield. He went onto play for the Bantams 58 times before his release, scoring twice (including on against Morecambe).

Threlfall is quoted as saying: “I know a couple of Morecambe players and as soon as they started talking about the place I knew it would be a great place to come to. It looks a great set up and I wish the season was starting tomorrow.”

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Simon Eastwood released by FC Halifax Town

Posted on May 15, 2012 by admin

Former Bantams loanee Simon Eastwood has been released by Blue Square Bet North side FC Halifax Town. The 22-year-old keepers one-year deal has expired and Shay boss Neil Aspin has decided he is surplus to the club’s requirements next season.

The former England U18 and U19 International joined Bradford City on loan from neighbours Huddersfield Town at the start of the 2009/10 season until the end of the year. He went onto play for us 28 times before Stuart McCall sent him back to the Galpharm Stadium.

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Parkinson on former Manchester City winger Kelvin Etuhu

Posted on May 15, 2012 by admin

The City boss is quoted today as saying: “It was a call from someone I know down in Portsmouth who told me he may possibly be available. He’s one of several players we’re speaking to, along with their agents. But there’s nothing imminent and it’s going to take a while for things to sort themselves out throughout the summer.”

The 23-year-old former Manchester City winger joined Portsmouth on a short-term deal in January, and he went on to make 13 appearances for the Championship side. Pompey’s financial problems mean they were unable to offer the midfield player a new deal, and so he is now looking for a new club ahead of next season.

Finally I’m selling some Bradford City silicone wristbands on eBay for only 99p…an absolute bargain and 10% of the sale price will be donated to the Bradford Burns Unit.

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Phil Parkinson on having to release players

Posted on May 15, 2012 by admin

City boss Phil Parkinson had the flowing to say in the T&A: “It was a tough call. We felt it was time for Lee (Bullock) to move on. Lee’s a good pro though and did well for us at times during the season. We wish him all the best and thank him for all that he’s done for the club.”

“Marcel’s (Seip) situation is slightly different because he’s based in Plymouth and ‘wanted to try and get something down that way. Kozzy’s (Rob Kozluk) a good lad and made a contribution for us, but I feel I need to try and bring in a couple of younger full-backs. For the moment I’ve got to look elsewhere and so has he and I think Guy (Branston) understands I’ve got to try and build my own squad up and put my own stamp on things.”

He added: “We thought we had a deal for Steve Williams to go to Inverness but that seems not to be happening at the moment. There will be one or two other clubs interested in him, though, so we’ll see what happens.”

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Bradford City release Marcel Seip, Rob Kozluk, Luke Dean and Lee Bullock

Posted on May 12, 2012 by admin

City have today announced that they have released Lee Bullock, Marcel Seip, Rob Kozluk & Luke Dean. Plus Mark Stewart has agreed, in principle, to settle up the remainder of his City contract. Player of the Year Luke Oliver, David Syers and Simon Ramsden have been offered contracts for the forthcoming campaign, which all three are considering at this present time.

The following players have been told they are free to find another club: Guy Branston, Steve Williams, Dean Overson, Andrew Burns, Dominic Rowe & Darren Stephenson. Whilst Jon McLaughlin, Matt Duke, Ritchie Jones, James Hanson, Ross Hannah, Ricky Ravenhill, Nahki Wells & Kyel Reid are all contracted to City for the coming season.

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City interested in young Newcastle United striker Dan Taylor?

Posted on May 11, 2012 by admin

According to the Daily Record, City are interested in signing 19-year-old Newcastle United striker Dan Taylor. The Newcastle born player is set to be released from the St James’ Park Academy. Taylor had a spell on loan at non-league outfit Ashington earlier last season, where he made a positive impact, and he has also bagged 12 goals for Newcastle’s reserve team.

Before that, he had he had a trial at Valley Parade in February and he played in a behind closed doors friendly against Chesterfield. Parkinson said of him at the time: “He’s a young striker who we had watched last week. I was told that he is definitely worth looking at and has been unlucky not to be offered a new deal from them.” There’s probably no truth in the story as he’s currently have a trial at Scottish Premier League side St. Mirren.

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Remember The 56

Posted on May 10, 2012 by admin

A memorial service will be held in Bradford’s Centenary Square tomorrow to remember those who died in the Bradford City fire disaster 27 years ago. The 30-minute service starting at 11am will commemorate the victims of the Valley Parade blaze. Tragically 56 people were killed and over 250 injured on 11th May 1985 after fire engulfed the stadium just before half-time as City faced Lincoln City in the final home match of the season.

It doesn’t seem 2 minutes since I was a 10 years old watching it on the news whilst on holiday in Morecambe. The memory of that day will stay with me forever and my heart goes out to those who lost their loved ones. With this in mind I was just reading the following poem on a Lincoln City website I thought I would share it with you, apparently it was posted by its author Harry Windsor:

56 stars are shining bright,
54 claret and amber, 2 red and white.
The tragic events that took you away,
Will be remembered always on the 11th of May.
Fans packed the ground, some young some old,
All unaware of what was to unfold.
To see the champions was the only aim,
56 lives lost at a football game.
The pain hasn’t eased after all the years,
Generations of fans all shedding tears.
The last home game is always sombre,
But heavens awash with claret and amber.
Your presence we’ll miss and the memories we’ll treasure,
We’ll love you always and forget you never.
So take a look at the sky tonight,
They’ll be 56 stars that are shining bright.

11.5.85 RIP 56

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Parkinson looking forward to next season

Posted on May 7, 2012 by admin

Phil Parkinson had the following to say after the 0-0 draw at home to Swindon Town: “This club has a great history and tradition and it would have been a travesty if we had been relegated. We have got to make sure we are not in that position again. The only way we can stop that happening is to make sure we keep the players we want to keep and bring in some more.”

“When I was appointed Bradford City manager last September, one of the reasons I wanted to come here was that I knew if I could get this club going the sky was the limit. That is why it is a good job and I am relishing the challenge. You normally feel drained at the end of the season, but I feel ready to go and I am looking forward to next season, to the challenge of building a squad and to make sure we don’t feel the pressure we have felt this season. I want the pressure, but I want the pressure of challenging in the top half of the table not the bottom.”

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