Next up in our series previewing next season’s newest opponents in League One is Bradford City, who ended a six season stay in League Two with promotion on the final day of the 2024/25 campaign.
2024/25 Campaign
With four mid-table finishes and one play-off semi-final defeat in five seasons since relegation to League Two in 2019, Bradford City fans were naturally frustrated at a sixth year in the fourth tier. But the 2024/25 campaign would be different for the Bantams, who got off to a good start with seven points from their first three matches. A very indifferent September saw them hover in mid-table before three wins in a row at the start of October pushed City back into the play-off places. A six match winless run between the end of the month and start of December, but the tide seemed to turn after a 2-1 win over Port Vale on Boxing Day. From the festive period until March 4, City lost just once in 15 matches, winning 12, and finally entering the top 3 after 1-0 win over Accrington in mid February. From that point on they didn’t drop out of the automatic promotion spots, even during a run of just one win in five during March. Indeed, just three wins in the final eight matches was hardly promotion form, but given the incredible promotion race seen in the division, with teams dropping points left right and centre, final day drama against Fleetwood did the job for Bradford. Drawing 0-0 in the sixth minute of added time, and with Walsall occupying third after a 1-0 win at Crewe, Bradford were heading for a play-off place, that was until Antoni Sarcevic saved the day for his side to secure the latest of victories, a wild pitch invasion, and promotion for the Bantams.
The Manager
Graham Alexander took over Bradford in November 2023 and to date has an incredible win record just shy of 50% with 45 wins from 91 matches. Appointed just three weeks after his sacking from MK Dons, Alexander led Bradford to an incredible promotion in his first full season in charge. The former defender, who made over 800 career appearances, played for Scunthorpe, Luton, Preston and Burnley before stepping into management with Fleetwood in 2013, and went on to manage Scunthorpe, Salford and Motherwell before his two latest roles.
The Stadium
One of the most iconic and historic stadiums in the Football League, Valley Parade has been a sports venue since 1886, initially for rugby league before the formation of Bardford City in 1903. Sadly, Valley Parade is known for a fatal fire that took place in the main stand in May 1985, which took 56 lives during a match against Lincoln City. It led to vast reforms and stricter safety standards with UK stadia, leading to vast redevelopment of many grounds across the country. Now with a capacity of just under 25,000, it is the fourth biggest stadium in League One.
Head to Head Record
Matches Played: 48
Exeter City wins: 18
Draws: 14
Bradford City wins: 16
First competitive match: November 18, 1961 | Exeter City 1-2 Bradford City | Division Four
Last competitive match: February 12, 2022 | Bradford City 0-1 Exeter City
Biggest Exeter City win: 5-1 (August 1972)
Biggest Bradford City win: 6-0 (August 1993)
Previous Fixture
February 12, 2022 | Bradford City 0-1 Exeter City
Kieran Phillips’ gorgeously dinked finish was enough for Exeter City to take all three points at the Utilita Energy Stadium. The Huddersfield loanee flicked past Alex Bass for the only goal of the game on the stroke of half-time. Jevani Brown had a great chance to double the score late on but the single goal was enough for the sixth clean sheet in seven.
Exeter City: Dawson, Key, Sweeney ©, Stubbs, Diabate, Caprice, Collins, Dieng, Kite (Jay 17’), Brown (Atangana 84’), Phillips
Played for Both
Three of the most recent Grecians to have played for Bradford City are Cheick Diabate, who was on loan there earlier this season, Sam Stubbs, who spent last season on-loan at Cheltenham from the Bantams, and Kevin McDonald, who played 19 times at Valley Parade between his two stint at St James Park. Rory McArdle, somewhat of a Bradford legend, of course played 21 times for the Grecians in 2020/21, while Nicky Law is another to have played for both, making over 200 combined appearances. The Silky Frenchman Tim Dieng also played 65 times for the Bantams, and there’s no forgetting our former captain and manager Matt Taylor. Other names include Luke O’Brien, Sean McCarthy and Noel Blake.
Did You Know?
When Bradford City made the final of the 2013 League Cup – beating Arsenal and Aston Villa along the way – they became the only the second fourth tier side ever to do so, and first since Rochdale in 1962.