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City back on level playing field
6:53pm Monday 9th June 2008
Comments (121) Have your say »
City will be on the level next season - both on and off the field.
The annual accounts up to the end of this month are expected to report the good news that the club have broken even for the first time since the heady Premiership days.
I hope that next season people will look at our squad and be impressed. As I’ve said, the quality of player that we are chasing will raise a few eye-brows with people
Julian Rhodes
And, playing-wise, Stuart McCall's men should not be playing catch-up with anyone in the race for one of those four coveted promotion spots.
The bookies certainly believe that the Bantams will be in with a strong shout of going up this time around - with the club quoted as League Two title favourites by some odds-makers.
At this stage of the summer, it may be guesswork on behalf of the bookmakers and last term's record-breaking crowds have no doubt influenced the thinking. But when have they ever been wrong?
Julian Rhodes is certainly confident of a campaign to cheer after too many years of doom and gloom. His target of back-to-back promotions to return the club to the Championship may sound slightly ambitious but City should fancy their chances of achieving the first climb.
Look around at the other runners and riders and there are no stand-out candidates. Shrewsbury have cash to splash, with the £500,000 windfall from Joe Hart's England call-up, and new Wycombe boss Peter Taylor is another with money to spend.
But there is no equivalent of Peterborough's sugar daddy chairman Darragh MacAnthony to bankroll a team through the pack.
No-one will be shelling out almost half a million quid on a goalkeeper this year.
"It will be a far more level playing field than 12 months ago," agreed City joint-chairman Rhodes. "This time last year you could pick out the clubs who would be right up there.
"I fancied MK Dons to do well straight away just by looking at the squad they had assembled. Paul Ince had brought in some great experience with players who had performed in the Premier League and Championship.
"Somebody like Keith Andrews is a fantastic player who could still be at that level now.
"Then you had Peterborough, who had spent a lot of money. It took them a while to come good but it was no real surprise to see them promoted.
"The other ones I fancied were Darlington, who again went for it by bringing in a lot of players. They ended up making the play-offs.
"The surprise ones were Hereford, who used the loan market very well, but otherwise the clubs at the top were what you'd expect.
"I hope that next season people will look at our squad and be impressed. As I've said, the quality of player that we are chasing will raise a few eye-brows with people."
None of the relegated clubs look obvious candidates to bounce straight back.
Bournemouth and Luton are still in administration and could face further sanctions - the Hatters have already been docked ten points after being found guilty of misconduct over payments to agents. And Rotherham may have a new buyer but they are not yet out of the woods and need to get a creditors' agreement sorted in time to avoid kicking off on minus 15.
Valley Parade supporters will see it as a mark of the progress City have made financially that they are not grouped among those struggling to make ends meet.
While a long-term stay in the basement division is obviously not commercially viable, Rhodes and Mark Lawn are understandably proud to see the ship far steadier than at any time in the last eight years.
Not that it would prevent either of them from willingly stepping aside should a mystery money man suddenly pop up to shower the club with cash. That may seem the unlikeliest "pie in the sky" scenario - but the same would have been said around Peterborough before their Irish benefactor decided to pick up the phone. Rhodes said: "You never know what's round the corner. Maybe somebody might come along one day and offer to double the budget - but it won't be me and Mark because we can't afford to do that.
"I'm pleased to see that we are on the map again for clubs outside the top two divisions. The success of last year's season-ticket scheme has got people looking at us in a positive way, which makes a nice change.
"People are talking about Bradford City for the right reasons.
"But I've always said that I wouldn't stand in the way of progress if somebody came in and offered to seriously invest in the team, and I know Mark is of the same viewpoint.
"We're both Bradford City supporters and want the club to do well but we're not on some big ego trip."
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Your Say YourBradford
shawzy..idle supporters, idle says...
8:43pm Mon 9 Jun 08
shawzy..idle supporters, idle says...
8:43pm Mon 9 Jun 08
Mr Sensible, Bingley says...
9:27pm Mon 9 Jun 08
Mr Sensible, Bingley says...
9:27pm Mon 9 Jun 08
Mr Sensible, Bingley says...
9:27pm Mon 9 Jun 08
Youngliver, Manchester says...
9:58pm Mon 9 Jun 08
Mr Sensible wrote:Not an adjective that's been levelled at you on a frequent basis.
They said the TITANIC was stable
Youngliver, Manchester says...
9:58pm Mon 9 Jun 08
Mr Sensible wrote:Not an adjective that's been levelled at you on a frequent basis.
They said the TITANIC was stable
Youngliver, Manchester says...
9:58pm Mon 9 Jun 08
Mr Sensible wrote:Not an adjective that's been levelled at you on a frequent basis.
They said the TITANIC was stable
Catalan, BD22 says...
10:13pm Mon 9 Jun 08
Mr Sensible wrote:I'd be amazed if you could produce a single attributable quote that the Titanic was stable. Legend has it that the White Star Line advertised the Titanic as "Unsinkable", but in fact even this isn't true. I know this isn't relevant to a City thread, but then again, neither is anything written by Mr Sensible.
They said the TITANIC was stable
Catalan, BD22 says...
10:13pm Mon 9 Jun 08
Mr Sensible wrote:I'd be amazed if you could produce a single attributable quote that the Titanic was stable. Legend has it that the White Star Line advertised the Titanic as "Unsinkable", but in fact even this isn't true. I know this isn't relevant to a City thread, but then again, neither is anything written by Mr Sensible.
They said the TITANIC was stable
Catalan, BD22 says...
10:13pm Mon 9 Jun 08
Mr Sensible wrote:I'd be amazed if you could produce a single attributable quote that the Titanic was stable. Legend has it that the White Star Line advertised the Titanic as "Unsinkable", but in fact even this isn't true. I know this isn't relevant to a City thread, but then again, neither is anything written by Mr Sensible.
They said the TITANIC was stable
jaffalaffa, being 'fleeced' in Bingley! says...
10:51pm Mon 9 Jun 08
On a positive note lets hope for success on the field next season.
jaffalaffa, being 'fleeced' in Bingley! says...
10:51pm Mon 9 Jun 08
On a positive note lets hope for success on the field next season.
jaffalaffa, being 'fleeced' in Bingley! says...
10:51pm Mon 9 Jun 08
On a positive note lets hope for success on the field next season.
Henley B, Timbukthree says...
12:30am Tue 10 Jun 08
Henley B, Timbukthree says...
12:30am Tue 10 Jun 08
Henley B, Timbukthree says...
12:30am Tue 10 Jun 08
Chris, Bradford says...
8:49am Tue 10 Jun 08
Great news for City!!
Chris, Bradford says...
8:49am Tue 10 Jun 08
Great news for City!!
Chris, Bradford says...
8:49am Tue 10 Jun 08
Great news for City!!
Mr Sensible, Bingley says...
8:54am Tue 10 Jun 08
Mr Sensible, Bingley says...
8:54am Tue 10 Jun 08
Mr Sensible, Bingley says...
8:54am Tue 10 Jun 08
Youngliver, Manchester says...
9:37am Tue 10 Jun 08
Mr Sensible wrote:Will you be there?
Glad you are all responding. I get more response than any other Poster. Obviously people are getting very upset about the circumstances surrounding their beloved team. Language is what would be expected from such 'People'. On the contrary with sponsorship (you must read and try to take in all my posts). I was quite surprised in what I got. Don't think that sponsoring City in any way costs, it can work out as a very good deal and obviously at the expense of the true supporters. See you at the open day this weekend.
Will you be wearing something so you're easily identifiable to the board members?
Perhaps a white carnation and a copy of the sun would be in order.
Youngliver, Manchester says...
9:37am Tue 10 Jun 08
Mr Sensible wrote:Will you be there?
Glad you are all responding. I get more response than any other Poster. Obviously people are getting very upset about the circumstances surrounding their beloved team. Language is what would be expected from such 'People'. On the contrary with sponsorship (you must read and try to take in all my posts). I was quite surprised in what I got. Don't think that sponsoring City in any way costs, it can work out as a very good deal and obviously at the expense of the true supporters. See you at the open day this weekend.
Will you be wearing something so you're easily identifiable to the board members?
Perhaps a white carnation and a copy of the sun would be in order.
Youngliver, Manchester says...
9:37am Tue 10 Jun 08
Mr Sensible wrote:Will you be there?
Glad you are all responding. I get more response than any other Poster. Obviously people are getting very upset about the circumstances surrounding their beloved team. Language is what would be expected from such 'People'. On the contrary with sponsorship (you must read and try to take in all my posts). I was quite surprised in what I got. Don't think that sponsoring City in any way costs, it can work out as a very good deal and obviously at the expense of the true supporters. See you at the open day this weekend.
Will you be wearing something so you're easily identifiable to the board members?
Perhaps a white carnation and a copy of the sun would be in order.
boparob, Bradford says...
9:43am Tue 10 Jun 08
Mr Sensible wrote:You must be a retired teacher or something. You really are so un-interesting. Did you teach RE or Music? zzzzz zzzzz zzzzzz
Glad you are all responding. I get more response than any other Poster. Obviously people are getting very upset about the circumstances surrounding their beloved team. Language is what would be expected from such 'People'. On the contrary with sponsorship (you must read and try to take in all my posts). I was quite surprised in what I got. Don't think that sponsoring City in any way costs, it can work out as a very good deal and obviously at the expense of the true supporters. See you at the open day this weekend.
WELL DONE TO THE CITY BOARD FOR ALL THE HARD WORK. YOU HAVE ONCE AGAIN PROVEN THAT HARD WORK ACHIEVES RESULTS. GOOD LUCK THIS SEASON.
I JUST HOPE THAT FANS WAITRING FOR THE FREEBIE DON'T GET IT. FOR GOD'S SAKE IT'S VIRTUALLY BOGOF ALREADY AT THIS PRICE!
boparob, Bradford says...
9:43am Tue 10 Jun 08
Mr Sensible wrote:You must be a retired teacher or something. You really are so un-interesting. Did you teach RE or Music? zzzzz zzzzz zzzzzz
Glad you are all responding. I get more response than any other Poster. Obviously people are getting very upset about the circumstances surrounding their beloved team. Language is what would be expected from such 'People'. On the contrary with sponsorship (you must read and try to take in all my posts). I was quite surprised in what I got. Don't think that sponsoring City in any way costs, it can work out as a very good deal and obviously at the expense of the true supporters. See you at the open day this weekend.
WELL DONE TO THE CITY BOARD FOR ALL THE HARD WORK. YOU HAVE ONCE AGAIN PROVEN THAT HARD WORK ACHIEVES RESULTS. GOOD LUCK THIS SEASON.
I JUST HOPE THAT FANS WAITRING FOR THE FREEBIE DON'T GET IT. FOR GOD'S SAKE IT'S VIRTUALLY BOGOF ALREADY AT THIS PRICE!
boparob, Bradford says...
9:43am Tue 10 Jun 08
Mr Sensible wrote:You must be a retired teacher or something. You really are so un-interesting. Did you teach RE or Music? zzzzz zzzzz zzzzzz
Glad you are all responding. I get more response than any other Poster. Obviously people are getting very upset about the circumstances surrounding their beloved team. Language is what would be expected from such 'People'. On the contrary with sponsorship (you must read and try to take in all my posts). I was quite surprised in what I got. Don't think that sponsoring City in any way costs, it can work out as a very good deal and obviously at the expense of the true supporters. See you at the open day this weekend.
WELL DONE TO THE CITY BOARD FOR ALL THE HARD WORK. YOU HAVE ONCE AGAIN PROVEN THAT HARD WORK ACHIEVES RESULTS. GOOD LUCK THIS SEASON.
I JUST HOPE THAT FANS WAITRING FOR THE FREEBIE DON'T GET IT. FOR GOD'S SAKE IT'S VIRTUALLY BOGOF ALREADY AT THIS PRICE!
Mr Sensible, Bingley says...
9:43am Tue 10 Jun 08
Mr Sensible, Bingley says...
9:43am Tue 10 Jun 08
Mr Sensible, Bingley says...
9:43am Tue 10 Jun 08
ward64, BD4 says...
9:54am Tue 10 Jun 08
ward64, BD4 says...
9:54am Tue 10 Jun 08
ward64, BD4 says...
9:54am Tue 10 Jun 08
Waynus, Bradford 6 says...
10:08am Tue 10 Jun 08
ward64 wrote:Yeah but it is just 'spin'. Just ask Sensible!
Can we just keep on track with this one? If City are in a better position financially then shouldn't we all rejoice?
Seriously though, I think this is fantastic news and means we can move forward both on and off the pitch. I expect more signings by the end of this week and I am sure they will be welcomed.
I will stop now as I appreciate others already think I am boring (probably cos I don't sing from the hymn sheets called 'negative r us'.
Waynus, Bradford 6 says...
10:08am Tue 10 Jun 08
ward64 wrote:Yeah but it is just 'spin'. Just ask Sensible!
Can we just keep on track with this one? If City are in a better position financially then shouldn't we all rejoice?
Seriously though, I think this is fantastic news and means we can move forward both on and off the pitch. I expect more signings by the end of this week and I am sure they will be welcomed.
I will stop now as I appreciate others already think I am boring (probably cos I don't sing from the hymn sheets called 'negative r us'.
Waynus, Bradford 6 says...
10:08am Tue 10 Jun 08
ward64 wrote:Yeah but it is just 'spin'. Just ask Sensible!
Can we just keep on track with this one? If City are in a better position financially then shouldn't we all rejoice?
Seriously though, I think this is fantastic news and means we can move forward both on and off the pitch. I expect more signings by the end of this week and I am sure they will be welcomed.
I will stop now as I appreciate others already think I am boring (probably cos I don't sing from the hymn sheets called 'negative r us'.
whisk, Bradford says...
10:19am Tue 10 Jun 08
whisk, Bradford says...
10:19am Tue 10 Jun 08
whisk, Bradford says...
10:19am Tue 10 Jun 08
Common Man, Halifax says...
10:45am Tue 10 Jun 08
Common Man, Halifax says...
10:45am Tue 10 Jun 08
Common Man, Halifax says...
10:45am Tue 10 Jun 08
Common Man, Halifax says...
10:45am Tue 10 Jun 08
Common Man, Halifax says...
10:45am Tue 10 Jun 08
Common Man, Halifax says...
10:45am Tue 10 Jun 08
Say it as it is, A country going down the pan says...
10:52am Tue 10 Jun 08
Say it as it is, A country going down the pan says...
10:52am Tue 10 Jun 08
Say it as it is, A country going down the pan says...
10:52am Tue 10 Jun 08
Henley B, Timbukthree says...
11:01am Tue 10 Jun 08
Say it as it is wrote:well yeh ..... in the black is a bonus, doesn't mean we can splash out though. Every little helps keep the club in the black..... that's how it is at the moment.
So Bradford City are on a stable footing as this story makes out, but in another story no more than a few days ago BCFC were begging for donations for transfer fees.
Henley B, Timbukthree says...
11:01am Tue 10 Jun 08
Say it as it is wrote:well yeh ..... in the black is a bonus, doesn't mean we can splash out though. Every little helps keep the club in the black..... that's how it is at the moment.
So Bradford City are on a stable footing as this story makes out, but in another story no more than a few days ago BCFC were begging for donations for transfer fees.
Henley B, Timbukthree says...
11:01am Tue 10 Jun 08
Say it as it is wrote:well yeh ..... in the black is a bonus, doesn't mean we can splash out though. Every little helps keep the club in the black..... that's how it is at the moment.
So Bradford City are on a stable footing as this story makes out, but in another story no more than a few days ago BCFC were begging for donations for transfer fees.
Say it as it is, A country going down the pan says...
11:19am Tue 10 Jun 08
Say it as it is, A country going down the pan says...
11:19am Tue 10 Jun 08
Say it as it is, A country going down the pan says...
11:19am Tue 10 Jun 08
Bendix, skipton says...
11:48am Tue 10 Jun 08
whisk wrote:I asked this weeks ago. I always scroll down when I see his name. Like AL Qaeda, he thrives on the oxygen of publicity. I haven't a clue what he has said (or what people have responded) for weeks. Treat him like you would Beeston United reports in the Yorkshire Post, not worth the time nor energy.
Just a quick question why does everyone give Captain Sensible the satisfaction of replying to his inane chippy and ill informed posts. Ignore him he will go away eventually. I do agree however Tyker definately a dysfunctional childhood.
Bendix, skipton says...
11:48am Tue 10 Jun 08
whisk wrote:I asked this weeks ago. I always scroll down when I see his name. Like AL Qaeda, he thrives on the oxygen of publicity. I haven't a clue what he has said (or what people have responded) for weeks. Treat him like you would Beeston United reports in the Yorkshire Post, not worth the time nor energy.
Just a quick question why does everyone give Captain Sensible the satisfaction of replying to his inane chippy and ill informed posts. Ignore him he will go away eventually. I do agree however Tyker definately a dysfunctional childhood.
Bendix, skipton says...
11:48am Tue 10 Jun 08
whisk wrote:I asked this weeks ago. I always scroll down when I see his name. Like AL Qaeda, he thrives on the oxygen of publicity. I haven't a clue what he has said (or what people have responded) for weeks. Treat him like you would Beeston United reports in the Yorkshire Post, not worth the time nor energy.
Just a quick question why does everyone give Captain Sensible the satisfaction of replying to his inane chippy and ill informed posts. Ignore him he will go away eventually. I do agree however Tyker definately a dysfunctional childhood.
Mr Sensible, Bingley says...
2:38pm Tue 10 Jun 08
Mr Sensible, Bingley says...
2:38pm Tue 10 Jun 08
Mr Sensible, Bingley says...
2:38pm Tue 10 Jun 08
steve torpeys haircut, School says...
2:38pm Tue 10 Jun 08
steve torpeys haircut, School says...
2:38pm Tue 10 Jun 08
steve torpeys haircut, School says...
2:38pm Tue 10 Jun 08
Gentleman Jim, Yooohooo over here says...
2:51pm Tue 10 Jun 08
Mr Sensible wrote:Told you already, I would and if I see an effiminate looking chap anywhere near him I'll approach you also. Not a good idea to take any light blue car on a 56 plate now. You have already declined to meet for a pint to discuss our differences, looks like you won't be able to get out of this one.
I will park next to ML's car if possible but will leave my driver with it. Don't get the wrong car, mine is the 56 plate and light blue. P.S. Don't think you will approach him when you see him.
Gentleman Jim, Yooohooo over here says...
2:51pm Tue 10 Jun 08
Mr Sensible wrote:Told you already, I would and if I see an effiminate looking chap anywhere near him I'll approach you also. Not a good idea to take any light blue car on a 56 plate now. You have already declined to meet for a pint to discuss our differences, looks like you won't be able to get out of this one.
I will park next to ML's car if possible but will leave my driver with it. Don't get the wrong car, mine is the 56 plate and light blue. P.S. Don't think you will approach him when you see him.
shawzy..idle supporters, idle says...
8:43pm Mon 9 Jun 08