Football Season Guide

Bradford City remain the biggest club in League Two having fallen in the play-offs after finally challenging for promotion. Mark Hughes was appointed in February 2022 after years of treading water. His task was to get one of the biggest clubs in the division, with a fan-base and finances that leave their rivals green with envy, out of League Two. They were competing with the elite in the Premier League at the beginning of the 21st century, which illustrates their dramatic fall from grace. The Bantams recorded their best finish (6th) since returning to the division in 2018, but there was a feeling of disappointment having missed out on automatic promotion and were deservedly beaten over two legs by Carlisle United in their play-off semi-final. It would be fair to say they rely heavily on the goals of striker Andy Cook, who enjoyed the best season of his career by some distance. The good news is he has signed a new three-year deal and will be integral to their hopes of going one better this time around The other key man was goalkeeper Harry Lewis, challenging Leyton Orient’s Lawrence Vigouroux as the best in the division. He has been linked with a move to League One Barnsley this summer but the Bantams are hopeful of keeping hold of him. Hughes has strengthened his midfield with the capture of playmaker Alex Pattison from neighbours Harrogate Town, and Kevin MacDonald, who somewhat surprisingly rejected an offer to stay at League One Exeter City to make the move to Yorkshire. Consistency is the lesson to learn from last season and will be key as the Bantams seek promotion.