2020–21 Bradford City A.F.C. season

The 2020–21 Bradford City A.F.C. season was the 118th edition of Bradford City A.F.C. and the second consecutive season in EFL League Two, Along with League Two, the club contested in the FA Cup, EFL Cup and EFL Trophy.

Bradford City
2020–21 season
ChairmanStefan Rupp
ManagerStuart McCall
(until 13 December)[1]
Mark Trueman and Conor Sellars (joint managers from 14 December)[2]
StadiumUtilita Energy Stadium
League Two15th
FA CupSecond round
EFL CupSecond round
EFL TrophyGroup stage
Top goalscorerLeague:
Andy Cook (8)

All:
Andy Cook (8)

The season covers the period from 1 July 2020 to 30 June 2021.

Pre-season

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On 18 August 2020, Bradford faced Doncaster Rovers in a behind closed doors friendly, the Bantams lost the match 4–3 with Kurtis Guthrie scoring a brace of goals with another one added by Billy Clarke.[3] Two days later it was announced that Bradford would face local rivals Huddersfield Town in a behind closed doors friendly at the Terriers training ground.[4] Later on that week the match against Huddersfield was given the green light to play at Kirklees Stadium.[5] Bradford's final pre-season match ended in a 3–2 defeat at the hands of Wigan Athletic.[6]

Date Opponents H / A Result
F–A
Scorers Attendance
18 August 2020 Doncaster Rovers H 3–4 Clarke 49', Guthrie (2) 59', 70' 0
26 August 2020 Huddersfield Town A 1–2 Mottley-Henry 2' 0
29 August 2020 Wigan Athletic H 2–3 Scales 19', Pritchard 81' 0

Competitions

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EFL League Two

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League table

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Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
11 Leyton Orient 46 17 10 19 53 55 −2 61
12 Crawley Town 46 16 13 17 56 62 −6 61
13 Port Vale 46 17 9 20 57 57 0 60
14 Stevenage 46 14 18 14 41 41 0 60
15 Bradford City 46 16 11 19 48 53 −5 59
16 Mansfield Town 46 13 19 14 57 55 +2 58
17 Harrogate Town 46 16 9 21 52 61 −9 57
18 Oldham Athletic 46 15 9 22 72 81 −9 54
19 Walsall 46 11 20 15 45 53 −8 53
Updated to match(es) played on 31 May 2021. Source: EFL Official Website
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored; 4) Head-to-head results; 5) Wins; 6) Away goals; 7) Penalty points (sec 9.5); 8) 12-point sending off offences[7]

Results summary

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Overall Home Away
Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts W D L GF GA GD W D L GF GA GD
46 16 11 19 48 53  −5 59 9 7 7 22 19  +3 7 4 12 26 34  −8

Last updated: 8 May 2021.
Source: BBC

Results by matchday

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Matchday12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031323334353637383940414243444546
GroundHAHHAHHAAHHAAHHAAHAAHAAHAHAHAHHAAHAAHAHHAHAHHA
ResultDDWLWDLLLWDLLLLLDWWWDDWWLWWWWWDLLDLWWDWLLLLLDL
Position1415916131415151615161920212322212118181820181719161311111010121312141210111112131314141415
Updated to match(es) played on 8 May 2021. Source: 11v11 for league tables and fixtures
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Matches

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  Win   Draw   Loss   Postponed

The 2020–21 season fixtures were released on 21 August.[8]

Date Opponents H / A Result
F–A
Scorers Attendance
12 September 2020 Colchester United H 0–0 0
19 September 2020 Forest Green Rovers A 2–2 Novak 49', Watt 66' 1,000
26 September 2020 Stevenage H 2–1 Novak (2) 61', 81' 0
3 October 2020 Grimsby Town A P–P
12 October 2020 Harrogate Town H 0–1 0
17 October 2020 Mansfield Town A 3–1 Štěch 8' (o.g.), Wood 14', Donaldson 69' 0
20 October 2020 Walsall H 1–1 Clarke 76' (pen.) 0
24 October 2020 Newport County H 0–3 0
27 October 2020 Bolton Wanderers A 0–1 0
31 October 2020 Barrow A 0–1 0
3 November 2020 Southend United H 3–0 Cooke 5', Watt 33', Pritchard 43' 0
14 November 2020 Exeter City H 2–2 Clarke 10', Staunton 45+1' 0
21 November 2020 Salford City A 0–3 0
24 November 2020 Leyton Orient A 0–1 0
1 December 2020 Cheltenham Town H 1–2 Donaldson 23’ 0
5 December 2020 Carlisle United H 0–1 0
12 December 2020 Oldham Athletic A 1–3 P.O'Connor 85' 0
15 December 2020 Crawley Town A 1–1 Novak 11' 0
19 December 2020 Cambridge United H 1–0 Pritchard 42' 0
22 December 2020 Grimsby Town A 2–1 Novak 21', Sutton 45' 0
26 December 2020 Tranmere Rovers A 1–0 Novak 62' 2,000
29 December 2020 Port Vale H 0–0 0
2 January 2021 Morecambe H P–P
9 January 2021 Scunthorpe United A P–P
16 January 2021 Crawley Town H P–P
23 January 2021 Cambridge United A 0–0 0
26 January 2021 Southend United A 3–1 Evans (2) 23', 74', Rowe 57' 0
30 January 2021 Barrow H 2–1 Rowe 5', Cooke 49' 0
6 February 2021 Exeter City A 2–3 Vernam 17', Crankshaw 45' 0
9 February 2021 Scunthorpe United A P–P
13 February 2021 Salford City H P–P
16 February 2021 Morecambe H 2–1 A.O'Connor 28', Vernam 63' 0
20 February 2021 Cheltenham Town A 2–0 Cook (2) 12', 51' 0
23 February 2021 Leyton Orient H 1–0 Cooke 81' (pen.) 0
27 February 2021 Walsall A 2–1 Sutton 43', Cook 66' 0
2 March 2021 Mansfield Town H 1–0 Rowe 32' 0
6 March 2021 Bolton Wanderers H 1−1 Rowe 90+3' 0
9 March 2021 Newport County A 1−2 Cook 46’ 0
13 March 2021 Carlisle United A 1–3 Evans 64' 0
20 March 2021 Oldham Athletic H 0–0 0
23 March 2021 Scunthorpe United A 0–2 0
27 March 2021 Colchester United A 2–1 Scales 10', Cook 58' 0
2 April 2021 Forest Green Rovers H 4–1 Watt 11', Cook (2) 47', 76', Rowe 90+4' 0
5 April 2021 Stevenage A 1–1 Donaldson 27' 0
10 April 2021 Grimsby Town H 1–0 A.O'Connor 42' 0
13 April 2021 Crawley Town H 0–2 0
17 April 2021 Harrogate Town A 1–2 Cook 72' 0
20 April 2021 Tranmere Rovers H 0–1 0
24 April 2021 Port Vale A 1–2 Donaldson 14' 0
27 April 2021 Salford City H 0–1 0
1 May 2021 Scunthorpe United H 0–0 0
8 May 2021 Morecambe A 0–2 0

FA Cup

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The draw for the first round was made on Monday 26, October.[9] The second round draw was revealed on Monday, 9 November by Danny Cowley.[10]

  Win   Draw   Loss

Date Round Opponents H / A Result
F–A
Scorers Attendance
7 November 2020 First Round Tonbridge Angels A 7–0 A.O'Connor 6', Clarke (2) 14', 45', Donaldson 55', Samuels 69', Pritchard 83', Wood 90+1' 0
28 November 2020 Second Round Oldham Athletic H 1–2 Donaldson 11' (pen.) 0

EFL Cup

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  Win   Draw   Loss

The first round draw was made on 18 August, live on Sky Sports, by Paul Merson.[11] The draw for both the second and third round were confirmed on September 6, live on Sky Sports by Phil Babb.[12]

Date Round Opponents H / A Result
F–A
Scorers Attendance
5 September 2020 Round 1 Bolton Wanderers A 2–1 Novak 26', Pritchard 75' 0
15 September 2020 Round 2 Lincoln City H 0–5 0

EFL Trophy

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  Win   Draw   Loss

The regional group stage draw was confirmed on 18 August.[13]

Pos Div Team Pld W PW PL L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 L2 Oldham Athletic 3 3 0 0 0 9 1 +8 9 Advance to Round 2
2 ACA Wolverhampton Wanderers U21 3 1 1 0 1 3 6 −3 5
3 L2 Bradford City 3 0 0 2 1 2 4 −2 2
4 L1 Doncaster Rovers 3 0 1 0 2 1 4 −3 2
Source: EFL.com
Date Round Opponents H / A Result
F–A
Scorers Attendance
8 September 2020 Group Stage Doncaster Rovers A 0–0 (1–4 p) 0
6 October 2020 Group Stage Wolverhampton Wanderers U21's H 1–1 (3–5 p) Donaldson 83' 0
10 November 2020 Group Stage Oldham Athletic H 1–3 Sutton 60' (o.g.) 0

Squad statistics

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No. Pos. Name League FA Cup EFL Cup EFL Trophy Total Discipline
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals    
1 GK   Richard O'Donnell 28 0 2 0 2 0 0 0 32 0 0 0
2 DF   Bryce Hosannah 8 0 2 0 0 0 1 0 11 0 1 0
4 DF   Paudie O'Connor 41(1) 1 2 0 2 0 2 0 47(1) 1 11 1
5 DF   Niall Canavan 15(1) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 15(1) 0 1 0
6 DF   Anthony O'Connor 45 2 2 1 2 0 0 0 49 3 6 1
7 MF   Harry Pritchard 11(5) 2 1 1 1(1) 1 2 0 15(6) 4 2 0
8 MF   Callum Cooke 30(4) 3 1(1) 0 2 0 0 0 33(5) 3 3 0
9 FW   Lee Novak 15(2) 6 0 0 1 1 0 0 16(2) 7 2 0
10 FW   Clayton Donaldson 19(16) 4 2 2 1(1) 0 2 1 24(17) 7 3 0
11 MF   Zeli Ismail 1(2) 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 3(2) 0 0 0
12 MF   Jordan Stevens 1(15) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1(15) 0 0 0
13 GK   Sam Hornby 18 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 21 0 1 0
14 DF   Matty Foulds 0(3) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0(3) 0 0 0
15 MF   Charles Vernam 15(6) 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 15(6) 2 0 0
16 FW   Billy Clarke 20(9) 2 2 2 2 0 0 0 24(9) 4 2 0
17 MF   Gareth Evans 19(8) 3 0(1) 0 0 0 0 0 19(9) 3 1 0
18 MF   Elliot Watt 44(2) 3 2 0 1 0 0 0 47(2) 3 8 0
19 FW   Rumarn Burrell 0(2) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0(2) 0 0 0
20 GK   Will Huffer 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
21 DF   Reece Staunton 8 1 1 0 1(1) 0 0(2) 0 10(3) 1 3 0
22 DF   Levi Sutton 30(4) 2 0 0 0 0 2 0 34(4) 2 7 1
23 DF   Connor Wood 46 1 2 1 2 0 0 0 50 2 4 0
24 DF   Finn Cousin-Dawson 20(3) 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 23(3) 0 5 0
25 DF   Jorge Sikora 1 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 4 0 0 0
26 MF   Kian Scales 6(14) 1 0 0 0 0 3 0 9(14) 1 1 0
27 MF   Connor Shanks 0 0 0 0 0 0 2(1) 0 2(1) 0 1 0
29 FW   Andy Cook 16(5) 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 16(5) 8 1 0
31 MF   Ollie Crankshaw 11(8) 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 11(8) 1 2 0
33 FW   Charlie Wood 0 0 0 0 0 0 0(1) 0 0(1) 0 0 0
34 MF   Olivier Sukiennicki 0 0 0 0 0 0 0(1) 0 0(1) 0 0 0
Players out on loan for rest of the season
Players left during the season
- DF   Tyler French 7(7) 0 0(1) 0 2 0 1(1) 0 10(9) 0 2 0
- FW   Kurtis Guthrie 4(4) 0 0 0 2 0 0(1) 0 6(5) 0 0 0
- DF   Jackson Longridge 0(2) 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 3(2) 0 0 0
- MF   Dylan Mottley-Henry 4(7) 0 0(2) 0 0(1) 0 3 0 7(10) 0 0 0
- DF   Ben Richards-Everton 9(1) 0 1 0 1 0 2 0 13(1) 0 1 0
- FW   Danny Rowe 8(10) 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 8(10) 5 4 0
- FW   Austin Samuels 6(6) 0 1(1) 1 0 0 0 0 7(7) 1 0 0
- Own goals 1 0 0 1 2

As of 11 May 2021.

Transfers

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Transfers in

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Date Position Nationality Name From Fee Ref.
11 July 2020 RB   Levi Sutton   Scunthorpe United Free transfer [14]
17 July 2020 AM   Billy Clarke   Grimsby Town Free transfer [15]
25 July 2020 AM   Callum Cooke   Peterborough United Free transfer [16]
27 July 2020 CM   Elliot Watt   Wolverhampton Wanderers Undisclosed [17]
25 September 2020 AM   Gareth Evans   Portsmouth Free transfer [18]
7 January 2021 GK   Will Huffer   Bradford (Park Avenue) Free transfer [19]
12 January 2021 CB   Niall Canavan   Plymouth Argyle Undisclosed [20]
16 January 2021 LB   Matty Foulds   Como 1907 Free transfer [21]
20 January 2021 CF   Danny Rowe   Oldham Athletic Undisclosed [22]
1 February 2021 AM   Charles Vernam   Burton Albion Undisclosed [23]
1 February 2021 AM   Ollie Crankshaw   Wigan Athletic Undisclosed [24]

Loans in

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Date from Position Nationality Name From Date until Ref.
29 September 2020 RB   Bryce Hosannah   Leeds United End of season [25]
10 October 2020 CF   Austin Samuels   Wolverhampton Wanderers January 2021 [26]
8 January 2021 RW   Jordan Stevens   Leeds United End of season [27]
14 January 2021 CF   Rumarn Burrell   Middlesbrough End of season [28]
27 January 2021 CF   Andy Cook   Mansfield Town End of season [29]

Transfers out

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Date Position Nationality Name To Fee Ref.
1 July 2020 CM   Hope Akpan   SJK Seinäjoki Released [30][31]
1 July 2020 CM   Jermaine Anderson   Aldershot Town Released [30][32]
1 July 2020 CM   Danny Devine   Carlisle United Released [30][33]
1 July 2020 LW   Jordan Gibson   St Patrick's Athletic Released [30][34]
1 July 2020 RB   Adam Henley   Chorley Released [30][35]
1 July 2020 SS   Shay McCartan   Ballymena United Released [30][36]
1 July 2020 RB   Kelvin Mellor   Morecambe Released [30][37]
1 July 2020 CM   Jake Reeves   Notts County Released [30][38]
1 July 2020 RB   Joe Riley   Carlisle United Released [30][39]
1 July 2020 GK   George Sykes-Kenworthy   Derby County Released [30][40]
1 July 2020 LM   Chris Taylor   Barrow FC Released [30]
11 August 2020 CF   James Vaughan   Tranmere Rovers Mutual consent [41][42]
17 October 2020 CM   Eliot Goldthorp   Frickley Athletic Free transfer [43]
11 January 2021 CB   Ben Richards-Everton   Barnet FC Mutual consent [44]
15 January 2021 CF   Kurtis Guthrie   Port Vale Free transfer [45]
19 January 2021 LB   Jackson Longridge   Livingston FC Mutual consent [46]
31 January 2021 CB   Tyler French   Wrexham A.F.C. Mutual consent [47]
31 January 2021 MF   Dylan Mottley-Henry   Larne FC Mutual consent [47]
22 April 2021 CF   Danny Rowe   Chesterfield F.C. Undisclosed [48]

References

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  1. ^ "Bradford City sack manager McCall". British Broadcasting Corporation. 14 December 2020. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
  2. ^ "Trueman & Sellars appointed Bradford bosses". BBC Sport. Retrieved 22 February 2021.
  3. ^ "BANTAMS NARROWLY BEATEN IN PRE-SEASON OUTING". Retrieved 20 August 2020.
  4. ^ "CITY SET FOR TERRIERS FRIENDLY". Retrieved 20 August 2020.
  5. ^ "Fans can watch Bantams play Huddersfield on YouTube". Retrieved 24 August 2020.
  6. ^ "FRIENDLY REPORT: Bantams beaten by Wigan in final work-out". Retrieved 31 August 2020.
  7. ^ "EFL Regulations Section 3 – The League; subsection 9 – Method of Determining League Positions". EFL. Retrieved 30 July 2019.
  8. ^ "Sky Bet League Two fixtures 2020/21". Sky Sports. 21 August 2020. Retrieved 21 August 2020.
  9. ^ "EFL League One And Two Clubs Join Emirates FA Cup After Monday's First Round Draw". The FA. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  10. ^ "FA Cup second-round draw in full". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 9 November 2020.
  11. ^ "Carabao Cup Round One draw confirmed". English Football League. 18 August 2020. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
  12. ^ "Carabao Cup: Round Two and Three draw confirmed". English Football League. 6 September 2020. Retrieved 6 September 2020.
  13. ^ "EFL Trophy Regional Groups confirmed". English Football League. 18 August 2020. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
  14. ^ "Sutton Becomes First Summer Signing". Bradford City A.F.C. 11 July 2020. Retrieved 11 July 2020.
  15. ^ "Clarke Returns For Third Stint". Bradford City A.F.C. 17 July 2020. Retrieved 17 July 2020.
  16. ^ "Cooke Pens Permanent Deal". Bradford City A.F.C. 25 July 2020. Retrieved 25 July 2020.
  17. ^ "City Secure Sought-After Watt". Bradford City A.F.C. 27 July 2020. Retrieved 27 July 2020.
  18. ^ "City Snap Up Evans". Bradford City A.F.C. 25 September 2020. Retrieved 25 September 2020.
  19. ^ "Park Avenue keeper Huffer joins Bradford City as back-up". Telegraph & Argus. Retrieved 7 January 2021.
  20. ^ "Experienced Canavan Becomes Third January Signing". Bradford City A.F.C. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
  21. ^ "Defender Foulds leaves Italy to sign for Bradford City". Telegraph & Argus. 16 January 2021.
  22. ^ "Bradford City sign Oldham striker Rowe". The Telegraph & Argus. Retrieved 20 January 2021.
  23. ^ "Charles Vernam joins Bradford City". Burton Albion. 1 February 2021. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
  24. ^ "DEADLINE DAY: Wigan winger Crankshaw becomes Bradford City's ninth signing".
  25. ^ "City Swoop For Highly-Rated Hosannah". Bradford City A.F.C. 29 September 2020. Retrieved 29 September 2020.
  26. ^ "Wolves striker Samuels joins Bradford City on loan". The Telegraph & Argus. Retrieved 10 October 2020.
  27. ^ "City Complete Stevens Loan Capture". Bradford City AFC. Retrieved 8 January 2021.
  28. ^ "City Complete Burrell Loan Capture". Bradford City AFC. Retrieved 14 January 2021.
  29. ^ "City Complete Cook Loan Capture". Bradford City AFC - Official Site. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  30. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Ten Bantams To Depart". Bradford City A.F.C. 26 May 2020. Retrieved 26 May 2020.
  31. ^ "Former Bradford City midfielder Akpan joins SJK in Finland". Telegraph & Argus. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
  32. ^ "Shots Sign Anderson". Aldershot Town FC. 5 December 2020. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
  33. ^ "A seventh summer signing for the Blues". Carlisle United F.C. 6 August 2020. Retrieved 6 August 2020.
  34. ^ "St Patrick's Athletic complete double swoop for Jordan Gibson and David Titov". Irish Mirror. 29 July 2020. Retrieved 29 July 2020.
  35. ^ "Ex-Blackburn Rovers duo join Chorley in National League North". Lancashire Telegraph. Retrieved 20 November 2020.
  36. ^ "Sky Blues Unveil McCartan Signing". NIFL. Retrieved 30 September 2020.
  37. ^ "Signing | Kelvin Mellor". Morecambe F.C. 13 August 2020. Retrieved 13 August 2020.
  38. ^ "Jake Reeves signs". Notts County F.C. 18 August 2020. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
  39. ^ "Summer signing number five confirmed". Carlisle United F.C. 5 August 2020. Retrieved 5 August 2020.
  40. ^ "View George Sykes-Kenworthy". Derby County FC. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
  41. ^ "Vaughan Departs". Bradford City A.F.C. 11 August 2020. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
  42. ^ "James Vaughan signs for Tranmere Rovers". Tranmere Rovers F.C. 11 August 2020. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
  43. ^ "Eliot Goldthorp and Carl Johnston Join The Celt Army". Farsley Celtic FC. Retrieved 11 January 2021.[permanent dead link]
  44. ^ "Richards-Everton Departs". Bradford City AFC. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
  45. ^ "Port Vale complete signing of Kurtis Guthrie". Port Vale FC. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
  46. ^ "Longridge Leaves Utilita Energy Stadium". Bradford City AFC. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
  47. ^ a b "Tyler French Departs". Telegraph and Argus. 31 January 2021.
  48. ^ "Rowe joins Chesterfield". Telegraph and Argus. 22 April 2021.