2015–16 Bradford City A.F.C. season

Bradford City
2015–16 season
ChairmanMark Lawn
Julian Rhodes
ManagerPhilip Parkinson
(until 10 June)
Stuart McCall
(from 20 June)
StadiumValley Parade
League One5th – Play Off Semi-Final
FA Cup3rd round replay
(knocked out by Bury)
League Cup1st round
(knocked out by York City)
FL Trophy2nd round
(knocked out by Barnsley)
Top goalscorerLeague: James Hanson (11)
All: James Hanson (13)
Highest home attendance19,317 vs. Sheffield United (League One, 20 September)

The 2015–16 season will be Bradford City's 113th season in their history, their 101st in the Football League and 103rd in the English football league system.[1] Along with League One, the club will also compete in the FA Cup, League Cup and Football League Trophy. The season covers the period from 1 July 2015 to 30 June 2016. The new kits were announced in April 2015 – a claret and amber checked home kit, and an all-black away kit.[2]

Pre-Season Friendlies

On 5 June 2015, Bradford City announced their first pre-season friendly against Guiseley.[3] On 10 July 2015, the club confirmed as part of the Scotland tour they will face St Mirren.[4] A day later the Bantams announced they will play host to Carlisle United on 25 July 2015.[5] A pre-season friendly against Burnley was confirmed on 12 June 2015.[6] On 19 June 2015, Bradford City confirmed a friendly against Farsley.[7] On 30 June 2015, the Bantams confirmed their second friendly during the week-long stay in Scotland.[8] On 20 July 2015, Bradford City announced they will send a XI side to Ossett Albion.[9] On 23 July 2015, Bradford announced another friendly addition against Whitby Town.[10]

Date Opponents H / A Result
F–A 		Scorers Attendance
11 July 2015 Farsley Celtic A 3–0 Hanson (2) 19', 27', Watt 36' –
14 July 2015 Motherwell A 3–0 Leigh 45', Sheehan 63', Hanson 70' –
18 July 2015 St Mirren A 1–0 B.Clarke 15' –
21 July 2015 Guiseley A 1–2 Drury 34' –
25 July 2015 Carlisle United H 2–0 Morris 58', Liddle 72' –
28 July 2015 Whitby Town A 0–1
1 August 2015 Burnley A 0–2

League One

Main article: 2015–16 Football League One

Matches

On 17 June 2015, the fixtures for the forthcoming season were announced.[11]

Date Opponents H / A Result
F–A 		Scorers Attendance Position
8 August 2015 Swindon Town A 1–4 Morris 4' 8,090 23rd
15 August 2015 Shrewsbury Town H 1–1 B. Clarke 43' 18,039 24th
18 August 2015 Gillingham H 1–2 Hanson 7' 17,496 24th
22 August 2015 Barnsley A 0–0 10,342 22nd
29 August 2015 Port Vale H 1–0 Cole 90' 17,806 16th
5 September 2015 Oldham Athletic A 2–1 Burke 21', Cole 63' 5,619 11th
12 September 2015 Fleetwood Town A 1–1 Hanson 20' 4,044 14th
20 September 2015 Sheffield United H 2–2 Meredith 33', Cole 47' 19,317 12th
26 September 2015 Peterborough United H 0–2 17,970 18th
29 September 2015 Colchester United A 0–2 3,334 19th
3 October 2015 Rochdale A 3–1 Evans 34', Cole 59', Lancashire 61' (o.g.) 4,534 16th
17 October 2015 Doncaster Rovers A 1–0 Cole 1' 8,410 15th
20 October 2015 Bury H 2–1 McArdle 45', Brown 51' (o.g.) 17,575 11th
24 October 2015 Wigan Athletic H 1–1 Hanson 63' 19,171 14th
31 October 2015 Millwall A 0–0 9,367 14th
3 November 2015 Blackpool H 1–0 Hanson 45' 17,435 9th
14 November 2015 Crewe Alexandra H 2–0 Liddle 45', B.Clarke 58' 17,546 7th
21 November 2015 Scunthorpe United A 2–0 McMahon 28' (pen.), Leigh 52' 4,865 7th
24 November 2015 Coventry City H 0–0 17,757 6th
28 November 2015 Walsall A 1–2 Evans 64' 4,668 9th
19 December 2015 Chesterfield A 1–0 McMahon 72' 6,795 8th
28 December 2015 Sheffield United A 1–3 Liddle 83' 24,777 10th
2 January 2016 Gillingham A 0–3 6,446 12th
16 January 2016 Oldham Athletic H 1–0 McMahon 50' 18,522 10th
23 January 2016 Port Vale A 1–1 Proctor 65' 4,849 10th
26 January 2016 Barnsley H 0–1 17,470 11th
30 January 2016 Fleetwood Town H 2–1 Hanson 67', Davies 90+3' 17,554 10th
6 February 2016 Burton Albion A 1–3 McArdle 90+2' 3,796 12th
13 February 2016 Peterborough United A 4–0 Hanson (2) 45', 68', Reid 56', Davies 77' 5,816 11th
16 February 2016 Southend United H 2–0 McMahon 17', Hanson 74' 17,701 8th
20 February 2016 Rochdale H 2–2 McArdle 40', Davies 62' 17,936 8th
27 February 2016 Blackpool A 1–0 Reid 54' 8,780 7th
1 March 2016 Colchester United H 1–2 Thomas 17' 16,786 9th
5 March 2016 Bury A 0–0 4,036 8th
8 March 2016 Burton Albion H 2–0 Reid 13', Burke 28' 17,500 7th
12 March 2016 Doncaster Rovers H 2–1 Proctor (2) 7', 49' 17,889 6th
19 March 2016 Wigan Athletic A 0–1 10,890 7th
26 March 2016 Millwall H 1–0 Davies 79' 18,538 6th
28 March 2016 Crewe Alexandra A 1–0 Proctor 50' 5,320 6th
2 April 2016 Scunthorpe United H 1–0 Davies 68' 17,873 5th
9 April 2016 Swindon Town H 1–0 B.Clarke 20' 18,043 3rd
16 April 2016 Shrewsbury Town A 1–1 Proctor 71' 6,247 4th
23 April 2016 Walsall H 4–0 Morais 54', Hanson (3) 58', 72', 73' 19,336 5th
30 April 2016 Southend United A 1–0 Evans 12' 8,571 5th
8 May 2016 Chesterfield H 2–0 Evans 7', B.Clarke 87' 20,807 5th

League table

Pos Team
 Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Promotion, qualification or relegation
3 Walsall 46 24 12 10 71 49 +22 84 Qualification for the League One play-offs[a]
4 Millwall 46 24 9 13 73 49 +24 81
5 Bradford City 46 23 11 12 55 40 +15 80
6 Barnsley (O, P) 46 22 8 16 70 54 +16 74
7 Scunthorpe United 46 21 11 14 60 47 +13 74
Updated to match(es) played on 1 July 2016. Source: BBC Sport
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored
(O) Play-off winners; (P) Promoted
Notes:
  1. ^ Four teams play for one spot and promotion to Football League Championship.

Play-offs

After finishing fifth in League One, City were entered into the end-of-season play-offs to determine who would get promoted to Championship for the 2016–17 season. Bradford were against fourth-placed Millwall in the semi-finals and played them over two legs.

Date Round Opponents H / A Result
F–A 		Scorers Attendance
15 May 2016 Semi-final
First leg 		Millwall H 1–3 McMahon 13' (pen.) 19,241
20 May 2016 Semi-final
First leg 		Millwall A 1–1 Proctor 44' 16,301

FA Cup

Main article: 2015–16 FA Cup
Date Round Opponents H / A Result
F–A 		Scorers Attendance
8 November 2015 Round 1 Aldershot Town A 0–0 2,640
18 November 2015 Round 1 replay Aldershot Town H 2–0 Leigh 61', McMahon 76' (pen.) 2,930
6 December 2015 Round 2 Chesham H 4–0 Reid 22', Hanson 43', Liddle 90', Cole 90' 6,047
9 January 2016 Round 3 Bury A 0–0 6,962
19 January 2016 Round 3 replay Bury H 0–0
(2–4p) 		6,227

League Cup

Main article: 2015–16 Football League Cup

On 16 June 2015, the first round draw was made, Bradford City were drawn away against York City.[12]

Date Round Opponents H / A Result
F–A 		Scorers Attendance
11 August 2015 Round 1 York City A 2–2
(2–4p) 		Routis 21', Hanson 90' 4,201

Football League Trophy

Main article: 2015–16 Football League Trophy

On 5 September 2015, the second round draw was shown live on Soccer AM and drawn by Charlie Austin and Ed Skrein. Bradford will host Barnsley.[13]

Date Round Opponents H / A Result
F–A 		Scorers Attendance
13 October 2015 Round 2 Barnsley H 1–2 Knott 22' 4,127

Squad statistics

No. Pos. Name League FA Cup League Cup League Trophy Total Discipline
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
1 GK England Ben Williams 44 0 5 0 1 0 1 0 51 0 1 0
2 DF England Stephen Darby 47 0 5 0 0 0 1 0 53 0 4 0
3 DF Australia James Meredith 40(3) 1 3 0 0 0 0 0 43(3) 1 3 0
4 MF England Lee Evans 35(1) 4 3 0 0 0 0(1) 0 38(2) 4 10 1
5 DF England Nathan Clarke 20(6) 0 2 0 1 0 1 0 24(6) 0 3 1
6 DF Republic of Ireland Alan Sheehan 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 2 0 1 0
7 MF Jamaica Mark Marshall 8(23) 0 2(3) 0 1 0 1 0 12(26) 0 2 0
8 MF England Gary Liddle 17(3) 2 3(1) 1 1 0 1 0 22(4) 3 3 0
9 FW England James Hanson 30(10) 11 4 1 0(1) 1 1 0 35(11) 13 7 0
10 FW Republic of Ireland Billy Clarke 21(8) 4 3(2) 0 0(1) 0 0 0 24(11) 4 0 0
11 MF England Billy Knott 17(7) 0 3 0 0 0 1 1 21(7) 1 3 0
12 MF Republic of Ireland Josh Cullen 18 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 18 0 4 0
14 MF England Josh Morris 7(5) 1 0(2) 0 0(1) 0 0 0 7(8) 1 0 0
15 DF England Greg Leigh 6 1 2 1 0 0 1 0 9 2 1 0
16 DF England Reece Burke 33 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 35 2 4 0
17 MF England Kyel Reid 33(2) 3 3 1 0 0 0 0 36(2) 4 3 0
18 DF France Christopher Routis 9(2) 0 2(1) 0 1 1 0 0 12(3) 1 1 0
19 FW England Jamie Proctor 14(5) 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 13(5) 6 1 0
20 MF Portugal Filipe Morais 3(4) 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 3(4) 1 0 0
21 DF England Tom Thorpe 2(2) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2(2) 0 0 0
22 GK Australia Brad Jones 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0
23 DF Northern Ireland Rory McArdle 36 3 5 0 1 0 1 0 43 3 6 0
24 FW England Steve Davies 6(19) 5 0(1) 0 1 0 0(1) 0 7(21) 5 5 0
25 MF England Sam Wright 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
26 MF England Paul Anderson 5(8) 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 6(8) 0 2 0
27 MF England Joe Brennan 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
28 MF England Dylan Mottley-Henry 0(1) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0(1) 0 0 0
29 DF England Tony McMahon 40(1) 5 5 1 1 0 1 0 47(1) 6 9 0
30 GK England Joe Cracknell 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
31 DF England James King 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
33 FW England Luke James 1(8) 0 1(2) 0 1 0 1 0 4(10) 0 0 0
34 FW England Reece Webb-Foster 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
39 FW England Wes Thomas 6(4) 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 6(4) 1 1 0
44 FW England Devante Cole 12(7) 5 2(2) 1 0 0 0(1) 0 14(10) 6 1 0
- FW United States Jonathan Lewis 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
- FW England Jordan Bowery 1(2) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1(2) 0 0 0
- – Own goals – 2 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 2 – –

Statistics accurate as of 20 May 2016

Transfers

Transfers in

Date from Position Nationality Name From Fee Ref.
1 July 2015 CF England Steve Davies Blackpool Free transfer [14]
1 July 2015 LM England Josh Morris Blackburn Rovers Free transfer [15]
3 July 2015 RB England Tony McMahon Blackpool Free transfer [16]
7 July 2015 CF United States Jonathan Lewis Fort Lauderdale Strikers Free transfer [17]
13 July 2015 LM Jamaica Mark Marshall Port Vale Free transfer [18]
28 July 2015 CB England Nathan Clarke Leyton Orient Free transfer [19]
1 August 2015 RW England Paul Anderson Ipswich Town Free transfer [20]
6 August 2015 GK England Joe Cracknell Hull City Free transfer [21]
6 August 2015 LB England Greg Leigh Manchester City Free transfer [22]
17 August 2015 GK Australia Brad Jones Liverpool Free transfer [23]
28 August 2015 CF England Devante Cole Manchester City Free transfer [24]
1 February 2016 CF England Jamie Proctor Fleetwood Town Free transfer [25]

Transfers out

Date from Position Nationality Name To Fee Ref.
1 July 2015 CB England Andrew Davies Ross County Free transfer [26]
1 July 2015 DM England Matthew Dolan Yeovil Town [a] Free transfer [28]
1 July 2015 AM Scotland Andy Halliday Rangers Free transfer [29]
1 July 2015 CM England Jason Kennedy Carlisle United Free transfer [30]
1 July 2015 CF England Aaron McLean Barnet [b] Released [32]
1 July 2015 GK England Matt Urwin Free Agent Released [29]
13 July 2015 CF Scotland Oli McBurnie Swansea City Undisclosed [33]
25 August 2015 RW Republic of Ireland Mark Yeates Oldham Athletic Free transfer [34]
22 January 2016 CF England Devante Cole Fleetwood Town £75,000 [35]
1 February 2016 MF England Gary Liddle Chesterfield Undisclosed [36]
  1. ^ Following Dolan's release he joined Yeovil Town.[27]
  2. ^ Following McLean's release he joined Barnet.[31]

Loans in

Date from Position Nationality Name From Date until Ref.
10 July 2015 CF England Luke James Peterborough United End of season [37]
20 August 2015 CB England Reece Burke West Ham United 20 September 2015 [38]
20 August 2015 CM Wales Lee Evans Wolverhampton Wanderers 9 January 2016 [39]
22 January 2016 CF England Jamie Proctor Fleetwood Town 1 February 2016 [40]
29 January 2016 CF England Wes Thomas Birmingham City 29 April 2016 [41]

Loans out

Date from Position Nationality Name To Date until Ref.
25 September 2015 LB Republic of Ireland Alan Sheehan Notts County 26 December 2015 [42]
26 September 2015 ST England Jon Lewis Farsley Celtic 24 October 2015 [43]
22 January 2016 LB Republic of Ireland Alan Sheehan Luton Town 31 July 2016 [44]

References

  1. ^ "History". Statto. Archived from the original on 27 April 2015. Retrieved 20 April 2015.
  2. ^ "NEW KITS REVEALED | News | Bradford City".
  3. ^ "Guiseley Friendly Confirmed". Bradford City AFC. 5 June 2015.
  4. ^ "St Mirren Friendly Confirmed". Bradford City AFC. 10 June 2015.
  5. ^ "Carlisle United Friendly Confirmed". Bradford City AFC. 11 June 2015.
  6. ^ "Burnley Friendly Confirmed". Bradford City AFC. 12 June 2015.
  7. ^ "Farsley Friendly Confirmed". Bradford City AFC. 19 June 2015.
  8. ^ "Motherwell Friendly Confirmed". Bradford City AFC. 30 June 2015.
  9. ^ "Ossett Friendly Confirmed For City XI". Bradford City AFC. 20 July 2015.
  10. ^ "Whitby Town Friendly Confirmed". Bradford City AFC. 23 July 2015.
  11. ^ "CITY TO START WITH SWINDON TRIP". Bradford City AFC. 17 June 2015.
  12. ^ "Capital One Cup 2015/16 Round 1 Draw". Capital One Cup. 16 June 2015. Archived from the original on 17 June 2015. Retrieved 16 June 2015.
  13. ^ "Johnstone's Paint Trophy Round 2 draw". Football League. 5 September 2015. Retrieved 7 September 2015.
  14. ^ "Davies Becomes City's First Summer Signing". Bradford City AFC. 30 June 2015.
  15. ^ "Morris Deal Confirmed". Bradford City AFC. 1 July 2015.
  16. ^ "McMahon Returns To The Bantams". Bradford City AFC. 3 July 2015.
  17. ^ "Lewis Arrives At The Bantams". Bradford City AFC. 7 July 2015.
  18. ^ "Marshall Moves To The Bantams". Bradford City AFC. 13 July 2015.
  19. ^ "Clarke Joins The Bantams". Bradford City AFC. 28 July 2015.
  20. ^ "Anderson Arrives!". Bradford City AFC. 1 August 2015. Retrieved 1 August 2015.
  21. ^ "City Add Cracknell To Their Squad". Bradford City AFC. 6 August 2015. Retrieved 6 August 2015.
  22. ^ "City Sign Up Leigh". Bradford City AFC. 6 August 2015. Retrieved 6 August 2015.
  23. ^ "Brad Jones: Bradford City sign ex-Liverpool goalkeeper". BBC Sport. 17 August 2015. Retrieved 17 August 2015.
  24. ^ "City Sign Cole". Bradford City AFC. 28 August 2015. Retrieved 28 August 2015.
  25. ^ "City Sign Proctor". BBC Sport. 1 February 2016. Retrieved 2 February 2016.
  26. ^ "Defender Leaves The Bantams". Bradford City AFC. 30 June 2015.
  27. ^ "Matt Dolan: Yeovil Town sign midfielder". BBC Sport. 17 June 2015.
  28. ^ "Dolan To Leave The Bantams". Bradford City AFC. 15 May 2015.
  29. ^ a b "Duo To Leave The Bantams". Bradford City AFC. 22 May 2015.
  30. ^ "Kennedy Leaves The Bantams". Bradford City AFC. 19 May 2015.
  31. ^ "Aaron Mclean: Barnet sign striker after Bradford City exit". BBC Sport. 19 August 2015. Retrieved 19 August 2015.
  32. ^ "Aaron McLean To Leave City". Bradford City AFC. 5 June 2015.
  33. ^ "Swans complete McBurnie signing". Swansea City. 13 July 2015.
  34. ^ "Mark Yeates: Oldham Athletic bring in former Bradford winger". BBC Sport. 25 August 2015. Retrieved 26 August 2015.
  35. ^ "Fleetwood Sign Cole". BBC Sport. 22 January 2016. Retrieved 22 January 2016.
  36. ^ "Chesterfield Sign Liddle". BBC Sport. 1 February 2016. Retrieved 2 February 2016.
  37. ^ "James Arrives On Loan". Bradford City AFC. 10 July 2015.
  38. ^ "City Sign West Ham Defender On Loan". Bradford City AFC. 20 August 2015. Retrieved 20 August 2015.
  39. ^ "Evans Arrives At City". Bradford City AFC. 20 August 2015. Retrieved 20 August 2015.
  40. ^ "Proctor Joins City". BBC Sport. 22 January 2016. Retrieved 22 January 2016.
  41. ^ "Thomas Joins City". BBC Sport. 29 January 2016. Retrieved 31 January 2016.
  42. ^ "Sheehan Rejoins Notts County On Loan". Bradford City AFC. 25 September 2015. Retrieved 27 September 2015.
  43. ^ "Lewis Joins Up With Farsley Celtic". Bradford City AFC. 26 September 2015. Retrieved 27 September 2015.
  44. ^ "Sheehan Joins Luton On Loan". BBC Sport. 22 January 2016. Retrieved 22 January 2016.