I will not disappoint next season, vows new Bradford City recruit Atkinson (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)
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I will not disappoint next season, vows new Bradford City recruit Will Atkinson
7:00am Tuesday 3rd July 2012 in Bantams
By Simon Parker, Bradford City Reporter
Will Atkinson after signing for City yesterday
Will Atkinson has promised to show City fans his real form after signing a one-year deal.
The midfielder admitted he did not do himself justice during his half-season loan spell at Valley Parade.
The 23-year-old featured in 12 games, scoring once, but found it hard to make an impact.
But with a permanent contract now under his belt, Atkinson is ready to prove he is worth a second chance at the club.
He said: “I’ve definitely got a lot more to give and hopefully I can show that this year.
“I didn’t really do as well as I could have done on loan and I was a bit disappointed with my performances. But it was tough coming in to a team that maybe was struggling a little bit.”
Atkinson turned pro with local club Hull in 2006 but has spent seven spells on loan, including two with Rochdale where he won promotion from League Two. Now he is looking forward to putting down roots again.
“Coming into a situation where you know the surroundings can only help. Knowing the rest of the lads and staff gives you an advantage on being a new player.
“I’ve been on loan a few times in my short career and it feels a lot better knowing you are part of the club and can give your all for the club. I want to do well for Bradford City and hopefully I’m going to be here for a long time.
“Everyone wants to have everything sorted and now I can get my head down and concentrate on having a good pre-season.”
Atkinson spent the first half of last term with Plymouth, where he made 25 appearances. He joined City in January and made his debut in the 2-1 defeat at Bristol Rovers. He netted his first goal in the 4-0 demolition of Barnet a month later.
Atkinson lost his place midway through City’s miserable March but was recalled to start the final two games against Cheltenham and League Two champions Swindon.
Phil Parkinson sees him as cover for either wings and is still chasing a right-sided midfielder.
City have been strongly linked with former target Garry Thompson, who can play out wide or down the middle, following his release by Scunthorpe.
Comments(63)
shoatsy
says...
7:12am Tue 3 Jul 12
spleen ventor
says...
7:21am Tue 3 Jul 12
Well I'm filled with about as much enthusiasm as I get for the Eurovision song contest!....He was one of the deadwood signings I thought we were shut of. Your going to have your work cut out convincing us of this one Parky.
ricky76
says...
7:26am Tue 3 Jul 12
shoatsy wrote:Couldnt agree more he does have a tough job to win us the fans over but I for one will give him and any other player a clean slate to prove us all wrong
All the Best Will, you have a tough job here, PROVE US ALL WRONG!!!
bantamcougar
says...
7:30am Tue 3 Jul 12
i miss stallard & murray
says...
7:32am Tue 3 Jul 12
citygent71
says...
7:36am Tue 3 Jul 12
binaryBantam
says...
7:36am Tue 3 Jul 12
I don't see how anything would be different now that it's a permanent contract rather than being on loan either.
I sincerely hope that you flourish here at Bradford, and give it your 100% this time, as I'm sure you will.
Thornton Bantam
says...
7:48am Tue 3 Jul 12
Thornton Bantam
says...
7:50am Tue 3 Jul 12
james28uk
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7:54am Tue 3 Jul 12
citygent1978
says...
8:00am Tue 3 Jul 12
TheCoach
says...
8:03am Tue 3 Jul 12
james28uk wrote:Another cheery soul gets the day off to an enthusiastic start!!! Dry your eyes princess & stop moaning!!!!!
We have signed one good player so far this close season. Where are all these exciting players we were promised. We're linked with unlimited quality players but we don't seem to be signing any. We're now in July so the contract deadline excuse no longer holds water. I have a fear it's gonna be another long season with a midtable finish been the best we can hope for.
Correctness
says...
8:11am Tue 3 Jul 12
macca1969
says...
8:12am Tue 3 Jul 12
The lad at least shows he has a pair of nads as signing to play in front of city's boo boys knowing that even one poor game in ten will see him slaughtered he knows he is on a hiding to nothing but he still chose to sign. It's time to give him a break it's a fresh start for all so I'd like to say prove us all wrong and good luck.
huggy b
says...
8:23am Tue 3 Jul 12
J4CKO
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8:27am Tue 3 Jul 12
windymiller
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8:27am Tue 3 Jul 12
steshellska
says...
8:33am Tue 3 Jul 12
CTID
BD16
says...
8:34am Tue 3 Jul 12
I don't know how many games he played in Rochdales promotion season but he must have something to offer.
Good luck Will. I hope come next May you have proved the doubters wrong and we are hoping you agree to sign another contract.
steshellska
says...
8:37am Tue 3 Jul 12
tyker2
says...
8:46am Tue 3 Jul 12
Are we going to play 4-3-3 with the ability to turn it into a 3.5.3. or a 3.4.3.
if so then there has to be a place for Hannah playing alongside Hanson with Wells the other side. Now that would be exciting but maybe too much for the dreary manager to even contemplate.
give up waiting from Gray and now that Ramsden is having trials elsewhere WITHDRAW ANY OFFER HE HAS HAD FROM US
DennisTM
says...
9:02am Tue 3 Jul 12
whisky1
says...
9:02am Tue 3 Jul 12
usher dave
says...
9:05am Tue 3 Jul 12
bantamcougar wrote:agree, give the boy a chance
Good luck Will there will always be negative fans at City, get your head down and shut them up make the most of your second chance which everyone deserves.
bantam bull
says...
9:19am Tue 3 Jul 12
DisplacedNortherner
says...
9:25am Tue 3 Jul 12
DisplacedNortherner
says...
9:25am Tue 3 Jul 12
CTID
says...
9:25am Tue 3 Jul 12
'I realise he wasn't up to much, apart from one game, last season but can we please, please, please give the BRADFORD CITY PLAYER (should he sign) Atkinson a chance to prove himself.
He's a young lad and we've ruined many a promising prospect's career by being overly judgemental too soon.
I am far from convinced by him but, by god, if he is wearing them hoops next season he is a City player and deserves our support accordingly.
I know it won't happen, too many numpties already made their minds up - he'll need hattricks in his first four games to make a difference to that now!
Maybe this is why so many players fail with us then come back to haunt us a couple of years down the line and have a perfectly respectable career?'
Shoot Me Im a City Fan
says...
9:26am Tue 3 Jul 12
What The hell Have You Done...
parader no1
says...
9:41am Tue 3 Jul 12
gravitywayne
says...
9:48am Tue 3 Jul 12
gspot01
says...
9:56am Tue 3 Jul 12
.
I'm led to believe another signing maybe announced very soon....fingers crossed.
huggy b
says...
10:31am Tue 3 Jul 12
gravitywayne wrote:Yeah but come on, listening to Tim and Stix is like going to a funeral every week!
Hopefully he can prove everyone, including myslef wrong. However, is this the best we can do and what is currently on the market? Even if he is a back up RW to prove himself from what i saw last year & heard on the radio was a very average/poor player. The ammount of times i heard "Atkinson has given the ball away AGAIN" was ridiculous for a midfielder. Unless we have him on a good deal dont we have any youth players worthy of a chance?
CTID
says...
10:40am Tue 3 Jul 12
7:21am Tue 3 Jul 12
Is this really one of the "exciting" signings we were promised?
No... it quite clearly says he's back up for the first team.
One second everyone is whingeing we're only signing proven pros, now they're complaining when we compliment them with young prospects - it's starting to look quite a balanced squad to me
moanmoanwhingewhinge
says...
10:41am Tue 3 Jul 12
Shoot Me Im a City Fan wrote:Seriously, somebody shoot him.... His names asking someone to put him out of his misery
PARKINSON YOU PLONKER!!
What The hell Have You Done...
jackez20591
says...
11:34am Tue 3 Jul 12
Baildon_Bantam
says...
12:05pm Tue 3 Jul 12
Hopefully there will still be another signing before Thursday
Botswana Bantam
says...
12:07pm Tue 3 Jul 12
You heard it here first...and not from Balbriggan.
Goooooooo Will!! You can do it!
1 bingley bantam
says...
12:18pm Tue 3 Jul 12
Botswana Bantam wrote:Oh my god have you been drinking!! ha.
Good Will to be Hunting some target men in the oppositions' penalty area with his deadly delivery this coming season! You heard it here first...and not from Balbriggan. Goooooooo Will!! You can do it!
northyorksbantam
says...
12:25pm Tue 3 Jul 12
PP didnt play him on a regular basis, and preferred a number of players playing out of position to cover the right hand side instead?? so I'm just wondering what Parkys sales pitch to the board has been when he's gone to them wanting to sign him up.
On a more positive side we do need a squad of players not just a team, and although I dont really see him as an impact player either he may be a handy addition to cover injuries which will undoubtably come to Reid and maybe others, and perhaps PP's defensive first approach last season to grind out points last season may not have suited his game too much, although Reid on the other side proved that wing play was still possible.
Anyhow whatever happens he needs to be given a chance,full backing and a new start, I totally agree with that so will get behind him.
Botswana Bantam
says...
12:26pm Tue 3 Jul 12
1 bingley bantam wrote:Was trying to be upbeat! Got ahead of myself slightly. Lol...
Botswana Bantam wrote:Oh my god have you been drinking!! ha.
Good Will to be Hunting some target men in the oppositions' penalty area with his deadly delivery this coming season! You heard it here first...and not from Balbriggan. Goooooooo Will!! You can do it!
Danstarr69
says...
12:37pm Tue 3 Jul 12
Victor Clayton
says...
1:16pm Tue 3 Jul 12
Pablo
says...
1:33pm Tue 3 Jul 12
lonniejockstrap
says...
2:31pm Tue 3 Jul 12
PP sees you as 'cover for both wings' but some fans want every player signed to be a 'first team' signing -how we get 25 or so players on the pitch all at once I'm not sure. It'll be many of the same lot who want a new manager every 2 month who have downer on you no doubt. They don't like seeing the same faces and a 'new' manager or a 'new' player gives them a nice tingly feeling for a while -until the novelty wears off!. But, it seems, at the same time complain because we change players too often. I know it's a little confusing Will but your at the MIGHTY BRADFORD now where the deluded and arrogant behaviour of many supporters clouds the reality of what and where we are as a Club. So don't worry Will, I'm sure you'll be good enough to play in league 2 for a team that has struggled to avoid relegation to the Conference in the last 2 seasons.
Village Bantam
says...
2:51pm Tue 3 Jul 12
However, to be fair to the lad, he doesn't seem the type of character needed in a relegation struggle which is probably why we didn't see too much of him apart from the Barnet game when all was going well but next season when I expect us to be flying high, he might just chip in now and then with a worthy contribution.
He's obviously been signed for back up, so I doubt he'll be a regular so I wouldn't get too down in the dumps because by all accounts, it sounds like we're about to sign Thompson who'll be great on the right, opposite to Reid on the left with Jones and Jones in the middle.
He's now a Bantam, so let's at least make him feel welcome.
Shadrach Dingle
says...
3:33pm Tue 3 Jul 12
whisky1 wrote:'miserable blinkered eejits'??? Why so? The lad made twelve appearances and he didn't shine in any of them. In fact most fans thought he was poor and totally out of his depth. I know fans can be quick to criticise but based on what we've seen I personally can understand their scepticism.
There are some miserable blinkered eejits on here. Yes he was poor but he obviously has potential and no doubt PP hopes he recaptures the form he showed for Dale.
Parkinson's obviously seen something in him and I look forward to the kid looking confident, showing for the ball, beating a man or six and getting plenty of crosses in. You know, all the things he didn't do last season!
Scuba Dee
says...
3:42pm Tue 3 Jul 12
Shoot Me Im a City Fan wrote:pen15
PARKINSON YOU PLONKER!!
What The hell Have You Done...
derrie-t-
says...
3:43pm Tue 3 Jul 12
mickyoi
says...
3:48pm Tue 3 Jul 12
audal
says...
4:14pm Tue 3 Jul 12
citytilidie465
says...
4:19pm Tue 3 Jul 12
Waynus1971
says...
4:32pm Tue 3 Jul 12
.
Now, I'm not going to claim I know why he didn't perform, but what I will argue is that he DOES have ability. Parker claims he has been signed as 'cover' but where has he got that from? PP hasn't said that as there was no comment from him in the above article.
.
One final point. I have friends in Tavistock that watch Plymouth play. They had also been linked with the player during the summer and were disappointed when it broke last week that he had signed for us. He clearly did something right for them as my friends claim they aren't the only ones that would welcome the player back.....!
.
FFS, give the lad a chance to prove you wrong.
Pablo
says...
5:11pm Tue 3 Jul 12
Waynus1971 wrote:Atkinson figured in twelve games for us and, to describe his performances as "inept", doesn't do justice to the word.
This is potentially a very good signing. The lad is young and, for whatever reason, he just did not perform last season. However, unlike some of PPs other summer signings, I have seen Atkinson play (whilst at other clubs) and he CAN play. We just never got to see much of his ability last season.
.
Now, I'm not going to claim I know why he didn't perform, but what I will argue is that he DOES have ability. Parker claims he has been signed as 'cover' but where has he got that from? PP hasn't said that as there was no comment from him in the above article.
.
One final point. I have friends in Tavistock that watch Plymouth play. They had also been linked with the player during the summer and were disappointed when it broke last week that he had signed for us. He clearly did something right for them as my friends claim they aren't the only ones that would welcome the player back.....!
.
FFS, give the lad a chance to prove you wrong.
The likes of Stewart, Mitchell, Threfall, O'Brien etc were shown the door, as being unsuitable. We had the benefit of taking a guy on loan, who was absolutely hopeless during his spell with us, with performances far worse than others who'd been bombed out. So what do we do, offer him a one year contract!?!
Sorry, I can see no justification in this signing.
COLATS
says...
5:35pm Tue 3 Jul 12
tyker2 wrote:When have you ever seen Hannah do any thing ???
based on his loan appearances he will mot excite the fans:totally dreary news on a dreary day and a truly dreary signing.
Are we going to play 4-3-3 with the ability to turn it into a 3.5.3. or a 3.4.3.
if so then there has to be a place for Hannah playing alongside Hanson with Wells the other side. Now that would be exciting but maybe too much for the dreary manager to even contemplate.
give up waiting from Gray and now that Ramsden is having trials elsewhere WITHDRAW ANY OFFER HE HAS HAD FROM US
citytilidie465
says...
5:53pm Tue 3 Jul 12
Mick, Cleckheaton
says...
6:02pm Tue 3 Jul 12
tyker2 wrote:Within your "dreary" 3.5.3 will Johnny Mc. be in the back 3, the midfield 5 or the front 3?
based on his loan appearances he will mot excite the fans:totally dreary news on a dreary day and a truly dreary signing.
Are we going to play 4-3-3 with the ability to turn it into a 3.5.3. or a 3.4.3.
if so then there has to be a place for Hannah playing alongside Hanson with Wells the other side. Now that would be exciting but maybe too much for the dreary manager to even contemplate.
give up waiting from Gray and now that Ramsden is having trials elsewhere WITHDRAW ANY OFFER HE HAS HAD FROM US
Waynus1971
says...
7:07pm Tue 3 Jul 12
Pablo wrote:As I said earlier, he didn't do himself any favours last season, whilst playing for Bradford. However, he apparently played well for Plymouth and I have seen him have good games for Rochdale. He does have ability and therefore deserves our full support.
Waynus1971 wrote:Atkinson figured in twelve games for us and, to describe his performances as "inept", doesn't do justice to the word.
This is potentially a very good signing. The lad is young and, for whatever reason, he just did not perform last season. However, unlike some of PPs other summer signings, I have seen Atkinson play (whilst at other clubs) and he CAN play. We just never got to see much of his ability last season.
.
Now, I'm not going to claim I know why he didn't perform, but what I will argue is that he DOES have ability. Parker claims he has been signed as 'cover' but where has he got that from? PP hasn't said that as there was no comment from him in the above article.
.
One final point. I have friends in Tavistock that watch Plymouth play. They had also been linked with the player during the summer and were disappointed when it broke last week that he had signed for us. He clearly did something right for them as my friends claim they aren't the only ones that would welcome the player back.....!
.
FFS, give the lad a chance to prove you wrong.
The likes of Stewart, Mitchell, Threfall, O'Brien etc were shown the door, as being unsuitable. We had the benefit of taking a guy on loan, who was absolutely hopeless during his spell with us, with performances far worse than others who'd been bombed out. So what do we do, offer him a one year contract!?!
Sorry, I can see no justification in this signing.
.
I understand what you are saying about the likes of Compton, Mitchell and Stewart. However, for whatever reason, PP didn't rate them. They have gone and we have to move on.
lawsonio123
says...
7:44pm Tue 3 Jul 12
Prisoner Cell Block A
says...
8:10pm Tue 3 Jul 12
I said I wouldn't purchase a ticket if I knew we were signing him but I also knew at the time I was lying and bought irregardless.
The whole team and manager need a clean slate and a good backing to help their chances of hitting the ground running. That I believe should be the stance and viewpoint of any true fan.
Victor Clayton
says...
8:38pm Tue 3 Jul 12
Bradford1903
says...
12:21am Wed 4 Jul 12
I would though suggest he will be only be a squad player, and I wouldn't be surprised if Parkinson was to bring in a further two wide players.
He has proved a capable performer at this level previously with Rochdale; and I just hope the crowd don't get on his back, because we've seen what a lack of confidence can do to a player; Gareth Evans being a prime example.
silverbantam says...
7:08am Tue 3 Jul 12