In the current Bradford City squad, there are very few established players who have developed and arisen from the youth squad.
City have never really been known for having an influential youth system, having had very few notable names go onto better things or to flourish in the senior squad. With only Danny Devine currently featuring in the squad, and questionably Reece Staunton and George Sykes-Kenworthy, it got me thinking- where are the youth players who once shone today?
Reece Webb-Foster- Webb-Foster also possessed huge bags of potential when head of youth coach Steve Thornber described him as 'prolific' and a 'natural finisher'. Having made his debut for the Bantams at age 16, he is one of the clubs youngest ever players, having played in the League Cup in 2014. He had to wait another year for his league debut in 2015 as he signed a contract to keep him at the club until 2018. In his remaining time with City, he spent brief loan spells at Bradford Park Avenue, Guiseley, Harrogate Town before returning to BPA for one final loan spell but he suffered a knee injury. Webb-Foster scored four goals in the 22 games he played out on his loans. In 2018 he was released and joined Colne FC, where he disposed five goals in his first six games, before enjoying spells at Lancaster, Colne again, Ossett United, Droylsden, Buxton and Droylsden once again. He is now 22 years old.
Dylan Mottley-Henry- the only player on this list who is currently with the club, DMH made his original league debut for the Bantams off of the bench back in 2015, and one month later was offered his first professional contract. He spent the first half of the season on loan at National League North side Altrincham and the second half at BPA alongside Webb-Foster. In the 2016 season he completed 20 appearances before fellow Yorkshire side Barnsley snapped him up after the Bantams released him. Barnsley loaned DMH to Tranmere Rovers, Chesterfield, Tranmere once again before he finished off his Barnsley career and 2019 on loan at Harrogate Town, making just four appearances. His signature was confirmed by Gary Bowyer in January 2020 as he rejoined his boyhood club.
Ellis Hudson- having joined the club at 8 years old, Hudson had to wait until late 2016 for his debut as he featured in the clubs Checkatrade Trophy game against Stoke City under 23's. Like Mottley-Henry, he was offered a professional two year contract one month later. Hudson joined Harrogate Town alonside Lachlan Barr in 2017 and made just two appearances for the fellow Yorkshire side, before joining Guiseley on loan for the 2018/19 season. He scored his first professional goal for the Lions, but chose to leave the Bantams a few months later by mutual consent. Hudson opted to move to America, where he appeared for the Florida Tech Panthers, whilst studying at the Florida Institute of Technology. He has so far played 17 games and finished four goals.
Kwame Boateng- despite being born in London, Boateng spent four years as part of the youth setup at Bradford, making two appearances for the club both in the Checkatrade trophy. He left the club at the end of 2018 and joined Whirkirk Wanderers in the Leeds Combination League but his stay was only brief as he joined Harrogate Town on a non-contract deal. He did however end up spending the season there and joined fellow Yorkshire side Guiseley on a permanent deal, but was instantly sent on loan to Farsley Celtic in their first season in the National League North. He impressed the Celts as they agreed a deal to make his loan permanent. Boateng's career has died down however, as he has played for Ossett United, Albion Sports and Goole FC in the space of six months on dual registration.
Jake Wright- born in Keighley in 1986, Wright made just one appearance in the 2005 season for the Bantams before joining Halfiax Town on a one month loan (it was eventually extended to three). Upon being released by City he joined the Shaymen on a permanent deal and made 64 appearances across two season. Crawley Town snapped up Wright after Halifax were demoted and he impressed for the Red Devils in the National League, making 41 appearances in his first season and earning interest from football league clubs such as Charlton Athletic and Colchester United. But it was then League One side Brighton & Hove Albion who took Wright on trial and signed him after fending off interest from an unnamed Scottish club. Wright had a disappointing spell at the Seagulls and joined Oxford United making 242 appearances between 2009 and 2016. The Blades convinced Wright away from a club he had fallen in love with and he spent four years with before joining a doomed Bolton Wanderers side after his Sheffield United contract was mutually terminated.
Oli McBurnie- the best player on this list, McBurnie made fifteen appearances for the Bantams. In his youth spell he also spent time with Leeds United and Manchester United. He signed a three year contract at Valley Parade and made his debut early November 2013 in the FA Cup. Bradford later loaned out McBurnie to Chester for all of 2015 before Swansea City signed the Scotsman for an undisclosed fee. Having loan spells at Newport, Bristol Rovers and Barnsley, where he won the Player of the Year award, McBurnie made three bench appearances in the 2017/18 Premier League season for the Swans, before the club were relegated to the Championship. Despite interest from Leeds United and Rangers, whom he supported, he signed a new three year contract in Wales and enjoyed an impressive season in the second division of English football. On the 2nd of August 2019, McBurnie signed for Sheffield United on a four year deal for £17.5m as the Blades prepared for their first season in the Prem. The Bantams did receive a windfall from his sale. Also, he has made nine appearances for Scotland but is yet to score his first goal.
Simon Ainge- Ainge, who has played for thirteen clubs in a thirteen year career, began at Bradford where he made his debut in a 2-1 defeat to Scunthorpe United. He broke into the team in 2006, even receiving praise from Colin Todd, before joining Halifax Town on a half-season loan. After helping Halifax to save up he joined Cambridge United on a two month loan deal. Ainge was then released but stayed in Bradford at neighbours Park Avenue, but made just two appearances before Guiseley snapped him up. At Nethermoor he made 111 appearances before joining Luton Town first on loan, and then permanently in 2013. After a disappointing spell with the Hatters he returned to Yorkshire by returning to Halifax and then BPA (like a big circle) before eventually joining a new club in Harrogate Town. Ainge remarkably acted as a defender and a striker for Town, scoring an unbelievable 35 goals in 53 games. In 2018 he spent the season loan at Wrexham before Darlington acquired his services where he has so far made 33 appearances. This season he was loaned to league rivals Boston United in their promotion push as Darlington suffered with financial difficulties.
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