It might only be early April, but it looks plausible that the Sky Bet League Two could follow in the National League's footsteps, and declare themselves null and void.
With that being said, yet another underwhelming Bradford City campaign draws to a close; a third one in three seasons, in a steady spiral down the league's since 2017's unjust play-off heartbreak to London outfit Millwall, which has left nightmares of Steve Morrison in the heads of the many Bantams who can do nothing but wince at the decline of their football club. This season could've, should've and had to be better. But it was not. Despite a deficient last season, City were never once accused of being 'boring' by its fans. This could be a result of sparks within a entangled squad including the likes of Jack Payne, Lewis O'Brien and even David Ball, who have all gone onto greater pastures new. An overturn of three managers, yet, as a Bradford City fan, I enjoyed last more than this current one.
Why? The fans were let down.
A huge upheaval in the Summer resulted in a major clean out, as Eoin Doyle, Nathaniel Knight-Percival and Josh Wright said goodbye to Valley Parade along with nine other relegated Bantams, which was rightfully met with a huge sigh of relief on these players who had stolen a wage for the entirety of the last season. In terms of new arrivals, manager Gary Bowyer welcomed huge names to West Yorkshire, including James Vaughan, Clayton Donaldson and Matt Palmer in order to shuffle up a deflated squad. It was boasting quality, and Quest pundit Colin Murray even stated live on the show that Bradford possessed the best squad in the entire league and one of the best managers; they had to be favourites, yes?
Bowyer opted to award club captaincy to striker James Vaughan due to his brimming reputation and excellent experience, with fellow veteran partner Clayton Donaldson as his vice-captain, a Bradford-born fan favourite. Both choices were never questioned or frowned upon by any City fans, immediately building expectations for the exciting campaign ahead, which was further reinforced by the impressive amount of fans renewing their interest by purchasing season tickets, with approximately 13,000 Bantams showing their trust in Bowyer's boys.
Heading into pre-season, Bradford faced Guiseley, Brighouse, Wigan Athletic, Bradford (PA) and finally Rochdale. As well as that City faced European champions Liverpool in a game which helped raise awareness and donate to the Darby Rimmer MND Foundation, as former Bradford and Liverpool right-back Stephen Darby was present in an emotional game.
It was Cambridge United who visited Valley Parade for the opening game of the Sky Bet League Two season, in a huge clash which unfortunately entertained none; in a bore-bore 0-0 draw, as the U's stuck ten men behind the ball for the entirety of the game. Whilst it wasn't an ideal beginning to the season, fans remained optimistic that the building blocks were being put into place.
Whilst I am not going to analyse every game and how further and further into the season things looked less and less promising. Failing to beat teams such as Scunthorpe United, Macclesfield Town and Leyton Orient meant that the Bantams badly needed points against the sides up and around the promotion positions, which was often fulfilled at home. City managed to defeat Exeter City, Swindon Town and Northampton Town in results which would end up being crucial later on in the season, as the curse began.
Coming away from the Globe Arena, the Bantams had just scraped three points away from Morecambe in a must-win game on 12th of October 2019, a date which would be savoured for the rest of the season before its abrupt end recently. This was as the away curse began, Bowyer's men failed to conquer any other team in English football away from Valley Parade since October. It got to the point where fans became less invested into the away games, as a point ended up being the best solution and most of the time it was denied.
Heading into January, the Eoin Doyle transfer saga dominated the conversation at the Northern Commercials Stadium as Doyle, who had scored the most goals in all of Europe, was applying his trade at fellow League Two promotion contenders Swindon Town and really causing a headache for Bowyer. Whilst he was taking points away from Bradford's rivals, he was also headlining Swindon's title challenge. Bowyer made the much supported decision to recall Doyle from his triumphant time in Wiltshire, but his appalling attitude and lack of effort on the pitch resulted in Bowyer selling Doyle permanently to the Robins to release him of his torrid time in West Yorkshire. To add further insult to injury, club captain Vaughan also departed the club, moving up a league to struggling Tranmere Rovers on loan for the remainder of the season. This should probably have been the first sign that things were on the wane.
With the club's league position continuing to downswing, Bowyer completed the signings of Lee Novak, Luke McGee, Kurtis Guthrie, Glenn Middleton and Dylan Mottley-Henry. With Bowyer bringing in his own players and building his own squad, he went into his next game, away at Oldham Athletic; where City were maltreated by a struggling Owls side who were dealing with severe ownership and stadium issues. With that Bowyer was released from his position with immediate effect and Bradford were managerless. It appeared to be a strange decision to say the least, as the majority of fans wanted Bowyer gone, but Stefan Rupp and Julian Rhodes made the controversial settlement just one day after the January transfer window has wrapped up, meaning the club had spent funds on players Bowyer desired but then not given him a chance to make use of their capabilities.
Taking the reigns at Valley Parade was City stalwart Stuart McCall and assistant Kenny Black, in the duo's third stint in charge. McCall's tenure began at home to a well-travelled Grimsby Town in what was easily the most anticipated fixture of the season, but the Mariners clinched a late equaliser to deny the Scotsman his dream comeback to his second home.
Lacquering the season, McCall has had a rocky dawn to his third tenancy but fans alike remain optimistic that he can replicate the thrilling football witnessed under Mark Marshall and Romain Vincelot back in the indelible 2017 campaign, and will without a doubt back their legend in the dugout as they did a few seasons ago.
One word I would use to sum up the 2019/20 campaign is certainly... disheartening.
A season which began with such prospective lost its way and very quickly the popular '100 points Gary Bowyer' chant that debuted at Rochdale in pre-season was vanquished as fans of City became more disillusioned and detached from the fallen club. During Bowyer's time at the club his football was labelled as 'boring' and 'backwards', as the man with the power preferred to patiently build chances rather than pressurise a difficult opponent. Whilst this tactic makes sense, it would help if the few chances a game Bradford made could be finished, as a lack of clinical predatory behaviour in front of goal dearth. It reached the stage where when the Bantams were hosting a diminished Morecambe side they were only managing one shot on target, which came from Aramide Oteh in the 80th minute of the monotonous tie. It was the reason fans were calling for his head, they did not pay the season ticket prices to watch Bradford City, who are debatably the biggest and most reputable side in League Two, scrape a lucky win over a lacklustre Morecambe side.
If Rhodes wants to pack 20,000 fans into Valley Parade next season, he needed McCall to have an immediate positive impact on the performances, and whilst it is evident the players are putting more in for the badge, the coronavirus pandemic may have put a stop to any hopes of 20k. The idea of the atmosphere stand also would've helped determine his admirable goals but that was also postponed by the EFL's correct decision to suspend football indefinitely.
With the season most likely now done, it unfortunately looks as if another rebuild is required. However, last time McCall rebuilt a depleted City squad he was given less backing from Rahic and Rupp, and that side came within minutes of the Championship. With the right funds and support from the people above him he could built a side to be reckoned with in England's fourth tier.
One more notable achievement from Bradford this season would also be the Under-18's remarkable run in the FA Youth Cup, beating the youth squads of Rochdale, Carlisle United and Stoke City on penalties before being defeated by favourites Chelsea. On top of that, youth coaches Mark Trueman and Conor Sellars were awarded their UEFA A license, deservedly so.
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