, Experienced youth; Bradford City’s unique new model

Experienced youth; Bradford City’s unique new model

This summer has been one of recruitment, reorganisation and rejuvenation for the Bantams following their play-off heartbreak back at Wembley.

The Bantams haven’t waited around to reorganise and regroup for the upcoming season.

At this point last year, Stuart McCall had been in the job for less than a month following his predecessor Phil Parkinson’s departure to Bolton Wanderers. McCall was faced with an enormous task; regrouping and rebuilding beaten play-off semi-finalists and furthermore, appointing his own backroom staff as Parkinson and co left for the Macron Stadium.

When considering the above, it’s mightily impressive that the Bantams even made a play-off final at Wembley.  When you add in the fact that the club only had eight senior professionals at this point last year, it becomes an incredible feat.

Bradford City at the time was undergoing a period of tumultuous change and the club had to make a rapid transition from the stable ‘old’ to the risky and volatile ‘new’. There was a cautious excitement that had sweeped in and around Valley Parade that the club’s new owners, new manager and new players had created.

Somewhat remarkably, there was huge progress and the club managed to go one better than last time. This was in no small part just under the guidance of Stuart McCall who offered his typical grit and guile. It was more of a collective effort, utilising McCall’s management; taking advantage of the experience of the transfer market that Greg Abbott boasted and most importantly the desire and wealth that the club’s new owners offered and delivered to their side.

Jake Verity discusses how the club has created a unique blend of both youth and experience and how this upcoming campaign at Valley Parade will differ to previous seasons.

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