Find out everything you need to know about tomorrow’s opposition as we travel to Bradford City for a 7:45pm kick-off in Sky Bet League Two…
The Basics…
Located in West Yorkshire, the Bantams faced relegation from League One last season, after finishing bottom with 41pts which ended a seven-year-stint away from League Two, which they last won promotion from via the Play-Offs in 2013.
That campaign will live long in the memory for the Bradford fans as they were able to secure two Wembley appearances. In addition to defeating Northampton 3-0 to secure promotion in the Play-Off Final, the Bantams reached the League Cup final in what was an improbable run by Phil Parkinson's team.
After an incredible run of giant-killing that saw Bradford defeat Premier League Club’s Wigan, Arsenal and Aston Villa, Bradford lost 5-0 to Swansea City in the final.
Latest Form…
After a strong start to life in League Two, many predicted the Bantams would challenge the chasing pack for the title at this stage of the season but instead sit in 8th place – eight points from automatic promotion.
The team currently are on their worst run of form this season with no victories inside their last eight games, and have turned to Stuart McCall for the third time in their history after sacking Gary Bowyer just over a week ago.
In his first game back as manager, McCall would have felt hard done by when Ian Holloway’s Grimsby Town scored a stoppage time equaliser from Luke Hendrie at Valley Parade, after Lee Novak looked to score the winner on his debut with just 10 minutes remaining.
Star Man…
Since the departure of striker James Vaughan who left for Tranmere Rovers during the January Transfer Window, scoring 11 goals in his half a season at Bradford, former Boro hitman Kurtis Guthrie was signed on Deadline Day for an undisclosed fee.
Ben Richards-Everton has been one of Bradford City's star performers this season, a mainstay in the heart of defence who signed for the club from Accrington Stanley last May. He made his debut in a 0-0 draw against Cambridge in the opening round of fixtures and followed that up by scoring his first goal in a 3-2 defeat away at Cheltenham in September.
The 28-year-old started his career at Carlisle United but never made an appearance for the club and later went onto ply his trade in non-league with Cradley Town, Hinckley United and Tamworth, along with featuring in Scotland with Partick Thistle and Dunfermline.
The Gaffer…
The return of Stuart McCall will have come of no surprise to the Bradford faithful after first signing for the Club in 1982, making over 200 appearance in his first stint, before returning in 1998 after playing for Everton and Rangers.
The former midfielder won two promotions with the Bantams in his two spells when they won the Fourth Division title (League Two) in 1985 and captured promotion from the First Division (Championship) in 1998.
Returning as Manager for the third time now, his time on the sidelines has been less successful than as a player on the pitch, failing to make the Play-Offs between 2007-2010 in his first spell as boss, before returning in 2016 when he narrowly missed out on League One promotion after being beaten 1-0 by Millwall at Wembley.
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