More than 30 years after first walking into Valley Parade, Peter Jackson spent his first day as manager of Bradford City today - a job he was probably always destined for. Jackson may be only here for a brief, interim period, but while he is in the hot-seat, he will remain favourite and be "playing for keeps".
An awful lot has happened and been said since Jackson first signed for City as a teenager in the 1970s. Jackson will certainly divide popular opinion among the fans and like any candidate for the Valley Parade hotseat, his attributes will be hotly debated. But by going straight on the record to say today is a huge honour for him, Jackson has neatly summed himself up.
As a superb central defender, Jackson became the club's youngest captain and leader of a very young team following City's financial maelstrom of 1983. He had already experienced one promotion and became an even more central character of the first period of Bantam Progressivism when he led his side to the Third Division title in 1985. Victory was overshadowed by disaster of the Valley Parade fire, but Jackson proved what a strong, mature head he had, by leading the club through a dark period, not just on the pitch, but so admirably off it. He left to join Newcastle United but returned for a two-year spell at the end of the 80s.
Joining Huddersfield and then going on to match City's arch-rivals twice tarnished his reputation among some of the City faithful, particularly for his reactions on derby day and many a choice word. But if the players can show just a fraction of his passion and react in the same way his own teammates did in his first spell at Valley Parade, then he will prove to be a successful manager.
Jackson won't tick all the boxes, there will be better candidates in a lot of attributes, and many fans will have other choices, but the players will have the honour of being managed by a true club legend. Of course, we have been here before ...
Good luck Jacko, you may well need it.
Monday 28 February 2011
Saturday 26 February 2011
Dean Richards: 1974 - 2011
The trials and tribulations of supporting Bradford City may have been as difficult as ever these past few weeks, but they were put into very stark context this morning, with the tragic news of the very untimely death of former defender Dean Richards. Coming so soon after the passing of another defender Norman Corner, it represented the loss of two fans' favourites for two different generations.
Dean Richards was clearly a classy defender as soon as he first pulled on a City shirt. During four seasons with the club, he played just over 100 games; he was head and shoulders above the rest of the squad and it was no surprise when he went on to better things. Dean was not just a solid defender, but a superb footballer and a true gent, who put in stellar performance after performance.
Despite playing for City during a period of underachievement, false dawns and mid-table Division Three obscurity, he did manage to play a part in one of the club's greatest days. Dean had gone on to Wolverhampton Wanderers, commanding a big fee with plenty of add-ons loaded in City's favour. Wolves may have been an ambitious and consistent club but they struggled to achieve their dream of reaching the Premier League, and ironically, Dean played in City's 3-2 win at Molineux which elevated them into the top flight ahead of Wolves - during which it was his foul that brought down Jamie Lawrence for the penalty which Peter Beagrie missed.
I prefer to remember Dean as the fantastic defender he was. He earned the move into the Premier League he rightfully deserved, playing first at Southampton and then under Tottenham Hotspur, when he moved with Glenn Hoddle, so impressed was the gifted former England international with Dean.
Sadly, in 2005, Dean was forced to retire because of health problems including dizzy spells and headaches. Little was the footballing world to know it would lead to today's tragic news.
Dean Richards, 1974 - 2011. Rest in peace.
Dean Richards was clearly a classy defender as soon as he first pulled on a City shirt. During four seasons with the club, he played just over 100 games; he was head and shoulders above the rest of the squad and it was no surprise when he went on to better things. Dean was not just a solid defender, but a superb footballer and a true gent, who put in stellar performance after performance.
Despite playing for City during a period of underachievement, false dawns and mid-table Division Three obscurity, he did manage to play a part in one of the club's greatest days. Dean had gone on to Wolverhampton Wanderers, commanding a big fee with plenty of add-ons loaded in City's favour. Wolves may have been an ambitious and consistent club but they struggled to achieve their dream of reaching the Premier League, and ironically, Dean played in City's 3-2 win at Molineux which elevated them into the top flight ahead of Wolves - during which it was his foul that brought down Jamie Lawrence for the penalty which Peter Beagrie missed.
I prefer to remember Dean as the fantastic defender he was. He earned the move into the Premier League he rightfully deserved, playing first at Southampton and then under Tottenham Hotspur, when he moved with Glenn Hoddle, so impressed was the gifted former England international with Dean.
Sadly, in 2005, Dean was forced to retire because of health problems including dizzy spells and headaches. Little was the footballing world to know it would lead to today's tragic news.
Dean Richards, 1974 - 2011. Rest in peace.
Why Coleman would be the right choice
When a football club covets an employed manager and makes an official approach to his club for his services, then it is highly likely that the manager is question is very high on the list of candidates for the vacancy. So news that Bradford City have made an approach for Accrington Stanley boss John Coleman is something to take seriously.
Many names have been banded about to be Peter Taylor's successor, but of them all, John Coleman is one of the most interesting. Of course, we've been here before - Coleman's name was mentioned before Taylor took over from Stuart McCall. And Coleman could quite easily turn down the job - Accrington Stanley are outperforming us (again), he is revered at Accrington and his 13 years in charge put him only behind Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger on the long-term rankings list. Loyalty is still sometimes enough in football. Above all, many fans both side of the Pennines could argue why he would leave a well-run club where he has done a great job, to take over a poisoned chalice.
At first glance, Coleman could easily be overlooked. He had a playing career entirely in non-league, before he managed Ashton United and then Accrington Stanley. But delve into that tenure at Accrington, where he took over in August 1999, and you see why he would be an ideal candidate. In the time he has managed Accrington, City have enjoyed a two-year Premier League experience and sojourn into Europe, but three relegations and countless false dawns.
Coleman meanwhile has won three promotions, a good win record and countless plaudits. He has continued to steer Accrington in an upward direction and his admirable record against City includes one of McCall's most disappointing evenings as manager.
Coleman has been given time, shown huge loyalty despite admiring glances and established a great club on solid foundations. If this time Coleman wants to move, those three qualities are ones that can mutually benefit Bradford City and John Coleman.
Many names have been banded about to be Peter Taylor's successor, but of them all, John Coleman is one of the most interesting. Of course, we've been here before - Coleman's name was mentioned before Taylor took over from Stuart McCall. And Coleman could quite easily turn down the job - Accrington Stanley are outperforming us (again), he is revered at Accrington and his 13 years in charge put him only behind Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger on the long-term rankings list. Loyalty is still sometimes enough in football. Above all, many fans both side of the Pennines could argue why he would leave a well-run club where he has done a great job, to take over a poisoned chalice.
At first glance, Coleman could easily be overlooked. He had a playing career entirely in non-league, before he managed Ashton United and then Accrington Stanley. But delve into that tenure at Accrington, where he took over in August 1999, and you see why he would be an ideal candidate. In the time he has managed Accrington, City have enjoyed a two-year Premier League experience and sojourn into Europe, but three relegations and countless false dawns.
Coleman meanwhile has won three promotions, a good win record and countless plaudits. He has continued to steer Accrington in an upward direction and his admirable record against City includes one of McCall's most disappointing evenings as manager.
Coleman has been given time, shown huge loyalty despite admiring glances and established a great club on solid foundations. If this time Coleman wants to move, those three qualities are ones that can mutually benefit Bradford City and John Coleman.
Friday 25 February 2011
A new start
So, my beloved Bradford City have been backed into a corner; 89th in the league, one win and just four points from nine games and the manager gone. Well, said manager is now little more than a lame duck. As Peter Taylor walks to the dugout tomorrow, his final (inspiring - !) teamtalk given, what will be on his mind? Leading us to victory, or clearing his desk and heading back south.
No, Bradford City could barely be any lower right now. Of the four teams below us in League Two, Burton Albion have five games in hand. Slip any further down this league, and our chairmen effectively claim that the club will exist no more. Nearly a year to the day, that Taylor strode in after Stuart McCall had once again given his all, but the first time, been unable to achieve his dream, Taylor strides out for a final time. His reign, a failure.
Talk will continue on just who will take over as the next Bradford City manager, be it until May, or beyond. Whether, there is anything beyond May for Bradford City will be up to that manager and just how bleak that picture is that Mark Lawn so starkly painted.
But nothing at Bradford City is so simple. When Taylor does walk out tomorrow, it's not just any other game. A relegation six-pointer, the biggest game in our history and one with a bumper crowd. This is a turning point, it has to be a turning point.
Few, possibly no, fans will shed a single tear for Taylor tomorrow. There will be nothing like the rousing reception that Stuart received last February against Bury. Because he has led us backwards and to the edge of the precipice.
Onwards, upwards and to a 21st century progressivism. Because there is no other option.
No, Bradford City could barely be any lower right now. Of the four teams below us in League Two, Burton Albion have five games in hand. Slip any further down this league, and our chairmen effectively claim that the club will exist no more. Nearly a year to the day, that Taylor strode in after Stuart McCall had once again given his all, but the first time, been unable to achieve his dream, Taylor strides out for a final time. His reign, a failure.
Talk will continue on just who will take over as the next Bradford City manager, be it until May, or beyond. Whether, there is anything beyond May for Bradford City will be up to that manager and just how bleak that picture is that Mark Lawn so starkly painted.
But nothing at Bradford City is so simple. When Taylor does walk out tomorrow, it's not just any other game. A relegation six-pointer, the biggest game in our history and one with a bumper crowd. This is a turning point, it has to be a turning point.
Few, possibly no, fans will shed a single tear for Taylor tomorrow. There will be nothing like the rousing reception that Stuart received last February against Bury. Because he has led us backwards and to the edge of the precipice.
Onwards, upwards and to a 21st century progressivism. Because there is no other option.
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