Bradford City in strong position with Bobby Pointon's future

All bar Harry Chapman and Matty Platt had agreed to that clause when they put pen to paper.

Chapman was among those to be let go while it is looking increasingly unlikely that Platt will agree to the offer that’s been on the table since the end of the season.

But being able to trigger the extra year with Brad Halliday and Bobby Pointon has taken the heat out of negotiations to tie them down for longer.

Those contract discussions can continue without the clock ticking towards deadline.

That’s why City had to press the button with Jamie Walker, who they had hoped would commit to a new deal.

That could still happen but the club had to make their move with the option before last Saturday’s midnight deadline or run the risk of losing him.

Unsurprisingly, there has been interest shown in the Scot from elsewhere in the division. Hence the need for the Bantams to play their card as talks about a new contract rumbled on.

In Pointon’s case, the club are in a strong position because of his age.

Football’s compensation rules mean that providing City offer terms in a new deal that are the same or better than what he is on now, they would be entitled to a significant fee any time he leaves up to the age of 24.

Even if he were to turn them down, the compensation would still apply for anyone who tried to sign him.

Given that Pointon does not turn 24 until January 2028, that gives them another three full seasons to play with.

It was the same scenario with Elliot Watt when he left for Salford two years ago at the age of 22. He rejected City’s offer to stay but they received a compensation fee on his exit.

Fans are understandably calling for the local lad to be secured under lock and key on a long-term deal.

Bobby Pointon gets a hug from Tyreik Wright after scoring (Image: Thomas Gadd)

But recent history suggests the club might want to tread cautiously with the young talent.

Remember Reece Staunton or Finn Cousin-Dawson? Both penned long deals on the back of bright starts in the team – and then faded fast.

Staunton burst on the scene making his debut as a 15-year-old – the youngest player in City’s history.

By 18, Stuart McCall secured him on an improved four-year contract that should have seen the defender through to this summer.

But a serious hamstring injury just two months later ruled him out for over half a season and he never really recovered.

Staunton left Valley Parade to join Bradford (Park Avenue) just halfway into his deal and is now playing in the National League North for Spennymoor under former City captain Graeme Lee.

Cousin-Dawson also went to Spennymoor previously and now features at the same level for their north-east neighbours Blyth Spartans.

He earned a three-year deal with City on the back of a purple patch when Mark Trueman and Conor Sellars took charge in the closed-doors campaign.

But after a run in the team with Derek Adams, the arrival of Mark Hughes spelled the end for the defender who did not kick a ball for the club again until his contract ran down.

Staunton and Cousin-Dawson had attracted Premier League academy interest throughout their time they rose through the ranks.

Injury ruined Reece Staunton's chances after a long-term deal (Image: Thomas Gadd)

Both are now playing sixth-tier football hoping a chance may come again one day.

So too is Kian Scales at Scunthorpe. He was only given a one-year deal with an option by City but was arguably the best player of the three.

Those are the warning signs with any bright young thing.

Pointon finished his breakthrough season superbly and his last two goals underlined an undoubted talent.

But time is on his and City’s side. Let’s first see if he can back it up with stronger midfield competition, following the signing of Antoni Sarcevic to kick off the summer business.