Dawson Added To Bradford Ranks

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The club are delighted to confirm the signing of 23-year-old midfielder Chris Dawson, subject to FA approval.

Dawson joins having represented Bradford as a trialist during pre-season and impressing Mark Bower with a string of outstanding displays, which saw him pick up the man-of-the-match award in the defeat to Bradford City.

He began his career with Leeds United and was handed his debut by Neil Warnock in April 2013, being named in the starting eleven for a Championship clash with Derby County. During his time with Leeds, he was capped by Wales at under-21 level and likened to the legendary Johnny Giles by Whites boss Warnock.

Injuries hindered his progress at Elland Road and led to his release in January 2016. He was snapped up by Rotherham United, but found first-team opportunities limited and had to join Norwegian side Viking FK on loan in order to play first-team football.

The midfielder left the Millers at the end of the 2016/17 season before spending a prolonged period on the sidelines with an anterior cruciate ligament injury. He then spent the second half of the 2017/18 campaign with Scarborough Athletic as he looked to regain match fitness.

Welcome to Bradford, Chris!

Want to see Dawson in action next season then why not purchase your 2018-19 Season Ticket now. This year’s adult ticket comes with one FREE under-16’s Season Ticket, and is excellently priced at just £135. Concessions are priced at £110, students / apprentices at £30 and under-16s can pick up a 2018-19 league Season Ticket for just £20. To download a season ticket application form please click here

Chris Dawson is now available to sponsor and supporters are able to sponsor either his home or away kit for £60. To download a player kit sponsorship form please click here

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Season Ticket Collection

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Bradford (Park Avenue) supporters will be able to collect their season tickets from the Supporters Information Desk at any of the upcoming pre season friendlies.

If you haven’t got one yet, never fear, there’s still time to get your 2018-19 Avenue season ticket at a great low cost.

This year’s adult ticket comes with one FREE under-16’s Season Ticket, and is excellently priced at just £135.

Concessions are priced at £110, students / apprentices at £30 and under-16s can pick up a 2018-19 league Season Ticket for just £20.

To download a season ticket application form please click here

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Adam Boyes Leaves For Spennymoor

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The club can confirm that forward Adam Boyes has left to join Spennymoor Town for an undisclosed fee.

The 27-year-old joined last summer from Guiseley and made 48 appearances for Bradford during the 2017/18 season, scoring 24 goals.

He was crucial as the club made a late surge into the play-offs, denying his new club a play-off spot with a late winner against Kidderminster Harriers on the final day of the regular season.

Manager Mark Bower paid tribute to the forward’s influence whilst explaining why he is making the switch to Spennymoor:

“Adam expressed his desire to leave the club during the summer and cited travelling from his North East home as the main factor. We discussed all possible options to help Adam in this respect to keep him at the club, but it was made clear that he wanted to leave. This coincided with interest from Spennymoor and I decided that it was in our best interests to allow the transfer once a suitable financial agreement had been reached. 

We wish Adam well and thank him for his efforts during his time at the club, which included some memorable moments.”

Everyone associated with the club would like to echo Mark’s sentiments and wish Adam all the best for the future.

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Injury Brings Premature End To Campion Clash

An injury to Horsfall College of Sport scholar Lewis Johnson brought a premature end to Bradford’s sixth pre-season friendly.

James Bicknell’s Campion provided the opposition for what was a close-fought yet good-natured encounter until the abandonment.

The first opportunity of the afternoon fell to Campion’s Alex Cussack, who volleyed wide after meeting Leon Hurles-Brook’s cross from the left.

After an bright start from the hosts, Bradford began to find their rhythm and Jamie Spencer was unlucky to see his teasing delivery elude the outstretched leg of a trialist by mere inches.

Two Bradford trialists then combined well before sending one through on goal, but Danny Brown recovered well to make a last-ditch challenge.

The hosts, however, continued to pose a threat and almost opened the scoring when Talent Ndlovu struck with power from the edge of the eighteen-yard box. Fortunately for Bradford’s trialist goalkeeper, the effort flew narrowly wide of the post.

Omar Habeeb then slipped through to Cussack, who opened up to shoot but was challenged strongly by the recovering Spencer.

Shortly after thwarting Cussack in front of goal, Spencer fired Bradford into the lead with a long-range effort that rattled the post before nestling in the bottom corner.

Campion were rallied by the opener and replied instantly, drawing level thanks to a chipped effort from Hurles-Brook.

Aiden Day almost edged Campion ahead on the stroke of half-time but his effort from around 25-yards failed to find the right side of the post.

HALF-TIME: Campion 1-1 Bradford (Park Avenue)

Campion’s tempo quickened after the break and James Bicknell’s side were on the front foot instantly. Hurles-Brook forced Bradford’s newly-introduced trialist stopper to scramble across and save his thunderous effort early on in the second-half.

A golden opportunity then fell to Adam Nowakowski, who headed over from a corner despite beating his marker in the air.

Jason Davis was introduced to the right-hand side of Campion’s midfield after the interval and caused endless problems with his incisive darts down the wing. An audacious half-volley from deep on the right hammered the woodwork before dropping into the grateful clutches of Bradford’s goalkeeper.

Davis then turned provider, delivering the ball on a plate for Ben Bodle but watching as the latter blazed over from just inside the six-yard box.

It was then the turn of the visitors to come close to taking the lead in sensational fashion, as a trialist shook the crossbar with a dipping free-kick from distance before Nowakowski headed over the rebound.

Mark Bower’s side did eventually regain their lead, as scholar Ross Boyle accelerated down the right flank before pulling back to a trialist, who steered past Declan Lambton.

Two Horsfall College of Sport scholars, Matthew Rowntree and Jordan Botwood, then linked up well to send the latter through on goal. Lambton, however, was alert to the danger and pounced at Botwood’s feet before the young forward could strike.

With nine minutes remaining on the clock, a collision between Lewis Johnson and Jason Davis left the former on the ground. After receiving treatment for a lengthy period, the referee abandoned the game.

After visiting Bradford Royal Infirmary, it was confirmed that the young defender had suffered ‘significant’ ankle ligament damage and would begin rehabilitation with Sports Rehabilitator Tally Clayton and specialists from the BRI after resting for a number of days.

Campion A-A Bradford (Park Avenue)

Campion: Lambton, Hassan, Farnhill, Ndlovu, Hall (c), Brown, Aitken, Day, Cussack, Habeeb, Hurles-Brook.

Substitutes: Kendall, Bodle, Davis, Parchment.

Bradford (Park Avenue): Trialist (Trialist 45′), Boyle, Ridley, Spencer, Nowakowski, Branson (L. Johnson 45′), Trialist (Boshell 61′), Trialist (Ali 74′), Trialist (Trialist 61′), Trialist (Botwood 74′), Trialist (Rowntree 61′).

Referee: James Price

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August Away Travel

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The club will be running a supporters coach to the following games in August:

Blyth Spartans Tuesday 7th August 2018
Prices – £15 Adults / £10 Under 16’s
Pick Up – 14:45 Horsfall / 15:00 Cedar Court

Leamington Saturday 11th August 2018
Prices – £15 Adults / £10 Under 16’s
Pick Up – 09:45 Horsfall / 10:00 Cedar Court

Hereford Saturday 25h August 2018
Prices – £20 Adults / £15 Under 16’s
Pick Up – 08:45 Horsfall / 09:00 Cedar Court

To book your seat please see Neil Fawcett at the Supporters Information Desk on match day or call him on 07811 959003

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Update: Lewis Johnson

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The club’s Sports Rehabilitator Tally Clayton has provided an update on the condition of scholar Lewis Johnson, who suffered an injury in today’s friendly against Campion.

Tally Clayton:

Lewis Johnson has been released from hospital. No fracture has been detected but his X-rays will be reviewed by a specialist tomorrow. He has significant ankle ligament damage. Lewis will have a number of days rest before starting his rehabilitation with me in conjunction with specialists from the Bradford Royal Infirmary.

Everyone associated with the club wishes Lewis a speedy recovery.

 

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Bradford Sign Branson

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26-year-old defender Conor Branson has become the club’s fourth new addition of the summer.

The centre-back, who can also operate in central midfield, has featured as a trialist in all of Bradford’s pre-season friendlies and impressed Mark Bower enough to earn a permanent deal.

He began his career with Barnsley, captaining the club’s under-18 side and eventually earning a professional contract in 2010. Despite being named as a substitute in several Championship fixtures during the 2010/11 season, he was released by the Tykes in November 2011. A brief spell in non-league football with Guiseley followed and Branson also spent time with the Nike Academy before moving to the United States.

After arriving in America, he joined the Charleston Golden Eagles and shone enough to be named the Mountain East Conference’s ‘Defensive Player of the Year’ in 2014 and 2015. After leaving Charleston, he enjoyed trial spells with MLS sides DC United and Columbus Crew before being snapped up by the Pittsburgh Riverhounds.

Branson left Pittsburgh after making 14 appearances to re-join the Charleston Golden Eagles as a coach, before continuing his coaching education with Marshall University during the 2017 season. He now holds a UEFA ‘B’ Licence.

He was described by former Barnsley coach Nick Daws as ‘a leader, talker and organiser’ and his leadership qualities will make him a key figure in the dressing room as well on the pitch.

Branson will be available for this afternoon’s visit to Campion.

Want to see Branson in action next season then why not purchase your 2018-19 Season Ticket now. This year’s adult ticket comes with one FREE under-16’s Season Ticket, and is excellently priced at just £135. Concessions are priced at £110, students / apprentices at £30 and under-16s can pick up a 2018-19 league Season Ticket for just £20. To download a season ticket application form please click here

Conor Branson is now available to sponsor and supporters are able to sponsor either his home or away kit for £60. To download a player kit sponsorship form please click here

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City Edge Derby With Late Winner

Featured image courtesy of Sean Turpin

Bradford City emerged victorious in the Bradford derby thanks to an 89th-minute winner from striker Tom Clare.

It was the Bantams that then lifted the Tom Banks Memorial Trophy, just over a year after suffering a 3-0 defeat at the Horsfall Stadium in the 2017 showpiece.

The hosts started brightly, and an early corner was forced when Ryan Toulson’s cross was steered wide of the post by Shay McCartan. The delivery found a Bradford (PA) trialist, but his shot was blocked.

Ben McKenna found space in behind the City backline after just four minutes following some deft footwork and a one-two with a trialist, but the goalkeeper raced out to collect ahead of him.

The visitors caught their first glimpse of goal through Tyrell Robinson, who combined well with Kai Bruenker before seeing his shot held comfortably by Steven Drench.

A mazy yet direct run from McCartan led to the City playmaker being bundled to the ground by a Bradford (PA) trialist, but the resulting free-kick was lifted over the crossbar by the Northern Ireland international.

The abundance of flair and quality in City’s attacking contingent was always going to see them enjoy opportunities, but they were carved open by the hosts on plenty of occasions. Thomas Isherwood, a recent recruit from Bayern Munich, was forced to make a crucial interception to prevent Toulson’s pass reaching an on-rushing McKenna, who was about to burst through City’s backline.

The Bradford (PA) pressure was eventually rewarded, as Toulson floated a cross in from the right that was bundled in at the back-post by a trialist.

Mark Bower’s side found another gear after breaking the deadlock, mounting more pressure on City and threatening to double their advantage on more than one occasion. Danny Lowe advanced down the left before pulling back to Nicky Clee, who found McKenna, but the latter’s shot was held by the goalkeeper.

As the hosts continued to stifle City’s attacking threat, they very nearly added to their tally on the stroke of half-time when a trialist darted into the box and forced the goalkeeper to turn his low drive wide of the post.

HALF-TIME: Bradford (Park Avenue) 1-0 Bradford City

A more potent City side emerged from the dressing room for the second-half, despite just one change being made. Omari Patrick rounded Lowe twice in as many minutes and forced Toulson and Shane Killock to make last-ditch challenges in the six-yard box.

Bradford (PA) remained in contention despite the early onslaught and George Sykes-Kenworthy, a goalkeeper introduced at half-time, was forced to beat away a powerful close-range effort from McKenna at full stretch.

There was a brief lull in entertainment at the Horsfall as both sides rang the changes, but service was eventually resumed when a City trialist found the top corner with a sensational piledriver of a strike from 30-yards out.

Bradford (PA) then squandered an opportunity to take the lead after a trialist latched on to a Danny Boshell pass, before making an incisive dart into the box and firing wide at the crucial moment.

The National League North side were eventually punished for not being ruthless in front of goal, as Tom Clare raced on to a lofted pass before steering into the bottom corner and sealing victory.

FULL-TIME: Bradford (Park Avenue) 1-2 Bradford City

Bradford (PA): Drench, Toulson, Lowe, Wroe, Killock, Havern, McKenna, Trialist, Trialist, Trialist, Clee.

Substitutes: L. Johnson, Trialist, Nowakowski, Spencer, Trialist, Trialist, Trialist, Trialist.

Bradford City: Trialist, Devine, Hudson, Trialist, Knight-Percival, Isherwood, Patrick, Gunner, Bruenker, McCartan, Robinson.

Substitutes: Hefele, Sykes-Kenworthy, Peters, Powell, Clare, Milambo, Farrar, Prata, Adams.

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Horsfall College of Sport To First-Team: Matthew Rowntree

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It’s been a remarkable few weeks for the Horsfall College of Sport, as four scholars have stepped up to feature in the first-team. 

Defender Lewis Johnson, midfield duo Matthew Rowntree and Hassan Ali and forward Bradley Oliver have all appeared in pre-season friendlies alongside the club’s senior players.

First-year scholar Rowntree has been making rapid progress at his tender age, featuring against Silsden, Hemsworth Miners Welfare and Mansfield Town and impressing manager Mark Bower.

His debut came against the Cobbydalers in the opening fixture of the summer as the hosts held Bradford to a 1-1-1 draw. He entered the fray from the bench, joining the vastly-experienced Nicky Wroe in central midfield. Playing a simple but effective game of spreading the ball wide or into the feet of strikers at every opportunity, he stood out on a pitch full of seasoned semi-professionals and former professionals. His ability to read the game and make good decisions impressed Bradford and Silsden staff alike, and the midfielder was once again given a first-team call-up for the trip to Hemsworth Miners Welfare.

Rowntree partnered Assistant Manager Danny Boshell in the heart of midfield and continued to impress, retaining possession well and creating opportunities for Bradford’s attacking contingent. After demonstrating an ability to compete with non-league talent, Rowntree was handed a third first-team appearance for the visit of League Two side Mansfield Town. Operating on the right-hand side of midfield, the dynamic youngster didn’t look out of place up against the Stags’ professional talents and proved that he is one to watch for the future as he enters his second year with the Horsfall College of Sport.

Rowntree, alongside Johnson, Ali and Oliver, has proven that the pathway between the College and the first-team has been developed and opportunities are available for those willing to work hard.

The young midfielder sat down with physio Tally Clayton to discuss his progress:

The opportunity to play in the first-team came out of nowhere. Calling up a first-year scholar is a brave thing to do but I’m glad they did because I really enjoyed the experiences. Playing alongside the likes of Nicky Wroe and Danny Boshell in midfield is brilliant as they’ve played a lot of professional games between them, and that can only be beneficial for me.

First-team games are more physical and I quickly realised that you have to have good levels of fitness. It’s important that you don’t over-complicate things and that’s something I try not to do.

My aim now is to push myself into the first-team for league games. The Horsfall College of Sport has given us a pathway to the first-team so I just need to keep working.

 

 

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Injury Update On Danny East

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The club can confirm that recent signing Danny East suffered a ruptured Achilles in training last Tuesday.

Alongside Sport Rehabilitator Tally Clayton, he attended Leeds General Infirmary before undergoing surgery to reattach the tendon at Spire Hospital in Leeds last Thursday.

The surgery was successful and Danny is now recovering well at home. Although a major setback for Danny, who has been plagued by injuries in the past, he remains positive and will be an integral part of the dressing room throughout the season. He is aiming to return for the second half of the National League North campaign.

On a more positive note, the club are delighted to welcome Danny to the Horsfall College of Sport as a coach, where he will look to pass his vast experience and knowledge on to the scholars. The former Hull City and Portsmouth defender will work closely with the blossoming Academy, which has already enabled four scholars to make first-team appearances in pre-season.

The club would like to wish Danny a speedy recovery but are delighted to welcome him to the Academy’s coaching team.

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