Bradford City began the season with a bang – 3 wins and a draw from their first 4 games. Things have tailed off a little, with the Bantams only managing 7 points from their next 9 games. But Bradford remained unbeaten at home this season with 3 wins and 3 draws at Valley Parade. That was until their last home outing against Hartlepool when they lost 3-1 (Hartlepool’s 1st away win this season). However, last time out Bradford went to Swindon and secured a fine 3-1 win. Maybe the Bantams are starting to fire again?
Bradford are 11th in the league with 20 points from 14 games (10 points behind Rovers).
Last season Bradford City sank to their lowest league position for about 55 years. After a good start, where it looked as though the play-offs were a possibility, they ended up in 15th place. Despite this lowly position, the Bantams managed to convince Derek Adams to leave promoted Morecambe and drop back into League Two management.
Bradford’s stadium is all-seater and has a maximum capacity of 24,840. Away supporters are housed in blocks F and G of The Mamma Mia Stand (The Bradford Lifts Stand). Bradford’s average home crowds this season have been almost 16,000, by a long way the highest attendances in League 2 and almost double the average home crowds of the 2nd highest (Swindon Town at 8,500). One reason may be to do with the fact that Bradford have some of the cheapest season tickets in the EFL – they are all less than £200!
Advance purchase tickets are, Adult (24-64): £20, Senior (65+): £18, Young Person (17-23): £18, Youth (12-16): £10, Junior (11-): £5. There are no tickets available to buy on the day at Bradford, apparently.
Travelling to Bradford will likely be by coach or car. Rail travel almost works (Bradford Station is less than a mile from the ground) but the return train would have to be at 1730 to get you back to Stroud on the same day, alternatively the 1830 would get you back as far as Cheltenham.
If you are planning to travel to Valley Parade, have a look at Bradford City away fans guide
The Bradford Lifts (Mamma Mia) Stand houses visiting supporters
Bradford’s man in form is striker Andy Cook (number 9). Cook has 6 goals to his name so far (9 in all competitions). Now 31, the striker was with Tranmere between 2016 and 2018 where he top-scored in both his seasons in the National League. After scoring the goal that secured Tranmere’s promotion to the EFL, he left to join Walsall. After Walsall, Cook moved to Mansfield before joining Bradford this summer after a successful loan spell.
Lee Angol was the other striker making a mark in Bradford’s lineup. Injury early in the season has side-lined him for a while and he still isn’t back. Angol scored 2 goals in his 3 Bradford starts this season before getting injured. In his place, Charles Vernam (number 15) has netted 3 times but stayed on the bench for Bradford’s last match.
It’s hard to know how Bradford will line up against Rovers. 4-2-3-1 has been the ‘go-to’ formation for the Bradford coach this season. Bradford’s defence has looked more solid of late with Yann Songo’o (number 6) and the reliable Paudie O’Connor (number 4) beginning to work well together at the back. Club captain Niall Canavan (number 5) has had a spell on the treatment table recently but was back on the bench for Bradford’s last home game. It was speculated that his return might mean a change to a five at the back formation to adjust to Canavan’s needs. Indeed, Bradford went to a 5-4-1 formation last time out at Swindon.
Andy Cook is Bradford’s leading scorer
After a 77-year absence, Bradford were promoted to the Premier League in 1999. However, entering administration twice and relegations in 2000, 2004 & 2007 put the club back into the 4th tier. A promotion to League 1 in 2013 was followed by relegation to League 2 in 2019.
The Robins, the Paraders, the Wasps and the Citizens are all nicknames the club have had over the years. These days they are known as the Bantams. Bradford play at Valley Parade which has a capacity of over 25,000 (the highest capacity in League 2). Bradford are also the best supported side in League 2 (by some distance!).
Bradford are the only professional English team to wear claret and amber, colours they have worn since they were formed in 1903 (they are the same colours as Motherwell in Scotland). Sales of Bradford scarfs have been brisk since they are the same as Harry Potter’s house colours at Hogwarts.
Are these Bradford fans??
Valley Parade – League 2’s biggest stadium