Whilst Bradford City’s form of late has been disappointing, the same cannot be said for the Bradford City youth team side, who are flying high so far this season. Highlighted by the sensational form of Oliver McBurnie (17 goals in 10 games), City’s apprentices are unbeaten in every single game so far this season, with only a draw at home to Scunthorpe United blemishing their 100% record.
McBurnie is the most notable success story so far for the Bantams’ under-18 side. His excellent form has seen him make his senior debut, away at Rotherham in last Saturday’s FA Cup defeat, and McBurnie has received two call-ups to train with the Scotland under-19 squad.
The team is not focused solely on McBurnie, however. Nathan Curtis made his senior debut away at Brentford in the FA Cup last season, and the winger has been impressive lately, too. Midfielder Callum Chippendale has scored 4 goals so far this season, including an inch-perfect free-kick in the FA Youth Cup game at Scunthorpe. With such set-piece quality in Chippendale, it is no surprise that McBurnie, who is 6ft 2in tall, has scored so many goals, with perfect delivery making McBurnie’s task of finishing a lot easier.
Defender Niall Heaton, re-signed in the summer after being released by Liverpool, has been influential in keeping the Bantams’ defence tight at the back, with City’s youngsters conceding 10 goals in 10 games, a statistic made even better by the quality and ability that they have upfront and in midfield. Bradford’s apprentices have scored an incredible 35 goals in 10 league games, an incredible feat in any league.
This current crop of City youth team players are showing a lot of potential, and should they keep on improving and developing, the future could be very bright for some of the players in this side.
