Thetownend.com

The Opponent:  Bradford City

After what has seemed an everlasting 2 weeks, we find ourselves on the road once again. To be honest I thought the England double header would at least give me some form of footballing entertainment during the fortnight, how wrong could I be?  Good to hear our midfield’s International call up’s went well, fair play to the 3 of them.

Bradford rose to prominence during the 19th century as an international centre of textile manufacture, particularly wool. It was a boomtown of the Industrial Revolution, and amongst the earliest industrialised settlements, rapidly becoming the wool capital of the world. The area's access to a supply of coal, iron ore and soft water facilitated the growth of Bradford's manufacturing base, which, as textile manufacture grew, led to an explosion in population and was a stimulus to civic investment; Bradford has a large amount of listed Victorian architecture including the grand Italianate City Hall. The textile sector in Bradford fell into decline from the mid-20th century. Since this time, Bradford has emerged as a tourist destination, becoming the first UNESCO City of Film with attractions such as the National Media Museum Bradford City Park, the Alhambra Theatre and Cartwright Hall. However, Bradford has faced similar challenges to the rest of the post-industrial area of Northern England, including  deindustrialisation, social unrest, unbridled whippet breeding and economic deprivation.

Some of the better known names that are Bradfordian include Sir Edward Appleton, discoverer of the ionosphere and Nobel Prize winner, The Brontë sisters, Anne, Emily, and Charlotte born in Thornton on the outskirts of Bradford, but later lived in Haworth. Artist, David Hockney , Samuel Lister  Industrialist & inventor, Social reformer Richard Oastler, Boxer, Junior Witter and former Countdown presenter, the late Richard Whiteley.

Last Time Out –  6th September  - Bradford City 1 Yeovil Town 3 – Att: 12’601. Two first half goals from Defender Aaron Martin set Yeovil on their way to an impressive away win. A second half goal from AJ  Leitch-Smith (great name) secured the 3 points to take back to Somerset.
Starting XI –  Pickford, McArdle, Sheehan, Darby, Meredith, Clarke, Kennedy, Liddle (Yeates 77), Knott, Bennett (McLean 65), Hanson. A couple of familiar names in there for us.

They have served us both – Wayne Allison, Gareth Whalley, Colin Todd, Jimmy Quinn, Andy Petterson, Mark McCammon, David Layne, Chris Kamara, Tom Helsby, Steve Foley, Ted Braithwaite, Alan Connell, Peter Downsborough, Rhys Evans, Stan Harland, Bob Jefferson, Ken Lambert, William Marshall, Billy Paynter, Michael Proctor, Abe Rosenthal, Peter Thorne, Ashley Westwood, Moses Ashikodi (he really does get around), Sandy Cochrane, Ben Woolhouse, Raffaele De Vita, Paul Evans, Lee Holmes, Bruce Walker, Nicky Summerbee, Alex Rhodes, Jack Preece, Tom Hallett, Junior Lewis

One From The Past –  Nationwide League Division 1 – January 24th 1998 – Bradford City 1 Swindon Town 1. Despite a first half goal from Edinho, Town fought back and levelled with a 90th minute Chris Hay goal. Playing for Bradford that day was celebrated non league manager Chris Wilder.

The Odds – Bradford 17/10  Draw 21/10  Swindon17/10 Massimo Luongo’s next goal will be his 10th for Swindon, if you fancy him to score 1st today you can get 16/1 on it or 6/1 on him scoring anytime in 90 mins.

The Son Says – Back to school and early nights again, and not a moment too soon. 0-1 Town victory.

The Prediction – Last trip to Bradford was our recent League 2 winning season, not going this time but think we have enough to sneak this. 2-1 victory, Luongo and Obika on target. 276 Town Fans.

And Finally –  In case you are peckish, Bradford is famous for being home to some of the best curry houses in the country such as, Mumtaz, Akbar's, Prashad's and ZOUK. In 2013 Bradford was again crowned "Curry Capital of Britain" after seeing off other strong contenders such as Glasgow and Wolverhampton. Bradford scored highly not just for the quality of food and service offered by each of the restaurants, but also for food hygiene, a deep understanding of the curry restaurant sector and its success in collectively raising funds for food charity The Curry Tree, which seeks to alleviate the plight of the poor in South East Asia. The judges were also particularly impressed by Bradford's International Food Academy and Jamie's Ministry of Food, which teaches the districts residents how to cook quick, simple, healthy and cost-effective meals.

COYR COYR COYR COYR

I made that come on you reds smiley. From scratch.  You use it four times and I don't get one thanks.

That's the problem with Town support nowadays. No thanks for the hard work which others have put in before.

That's the problem with you kids. Next thing you'll want me to do a sound track to go with it, and then you'll still moan.

Don't get me wrong, it's a good effort post. But where's the meat to it. We've got football and stuff. Where's the non-football happy times. Where are the manatees?

It's like you've gone on a picnic but forgotten the food.

True Story. I once actually went on a picnic.

Thanks.

Death burger  :no:

Thank God football has returned. Be interesting to see how we line up for this one what with the new signings.

Wasn't our last performance there last season as opposed to the league 2 title winning season. Pritchard with his MoM performance and equaliser.

Tough game and a lot will depend on Stephens v Hanson

Fucking hell, I thought the season was over.....

Lets get a nice away win today.

For those going...get there early to get in that pub nearby.....otherwise you are fucked and will have to walk into town...

Fuck me, I forgot the football season was still here.

Nice 5-0 thrashing today please town, I could rather do with a result like that.

As a Bradfordian with a couple of whippets, I feel a tad out of place on here today  :(

Are the whippets supporting Town?

Piss easy today.

The promotion push starts here!

1-1

2-1 to the town

In bradford already, no traffic at all! More time for :beers:

Think we will win 2-1, Smith and Stephens

I have put a fiver on us to win 4.0 today, that last time I done this result was against Rotherham away last season, unfortunately it was only £2 that time.
So, 4.0 Swindon.

They are southern whippets, so they will be curled up on the sofa asleep all afternoon - should have called them Don & Rogers  :D

2-1 Town.

Is Jack Stephens injured? Not even a sub...

Tonsilitis

Tonsillitis

Town starting XI: Foderingham, Branco, Thompson N (C), Turnbull, Byrne, Kasim, Thompson L, Luongo, Smith B, Obika, Smith M

Subs: Belford, Barthram, Lelan, Reeves, Waldon, Barker, Williams

Harsh on Williams

True, but I think he can still be a useful impact sub with some pace.

Horses for courses, a bit roughty toughty for williams today  I would have said.

FFS pen to Bradistan

Saved by Fods
Phew

The Pox 1-0 down already and officially bottom of The Football League.

We'll done Wes, best keeper in this league by a mile!

Come on Exeter . . . . :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:

Gotta love Wes.

FFS

OG from Louis  :cry:

we are gift aided

We sound all over the place at the moment.

Sounds like Bradford have come out flying and we havent started yet

They have cone out to batter us from the start.

We sound very poor so far.

Yup.

:) Goooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooal

Obika

(http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s187/daddybozz/beaker.jpg) (http://media.photobucket.com/user/daddybozz/media/beaker.jpg.html)

Obika! Never doubted him!

Obika off and running
At least town have woke up

YESSSSS!!!

Obika header from 2 feet

Get in . . .

They all count...

From head, surely.  (Sorry).

Yep, he missed in his last game for us vs Walsall from about 2 feet out with an open goal in front of him.

Beeks again!

And I was trying to wipe that miss out of my memory...

Always say you should never go back.  :D

OH BEAKER!!!!

(http://i736.photobucket.com/albums/xx10/cymbala/Beaker.gif) (http://media.photobucket.com/user/cymbala/media/Beaker.gif.html)

Come on Town!!!!!!

And Wovers have screwed up a 2-0 lead....

Obika hattrick anyone?

Come on, then.

Who was the last to score 3 on debut

Super Sam and before him Alan Mayes, Mayes away at Rovrum, SSP at home to Barnsley I think.

But it's really not his debut, is it, as he's played for us previously...

Alan Mayes - what a goalscorer.

Remember that Wolves fucker in the semi

Hahaha..

Never a pen that, fods got all of the ball. First 10-15 mins was awful but we bossed the rest i would say.

Hansen is winning every header and they are getting a lot of second balls, needs to be addressed.  Obika 2 great finishes, looks completely different player to what we had last time, putting in a good shift. Not a bad turnout from town fans either, wish that prick with the drum would fall down the stairs

I'm not even there yet I fully agree with this comment :)

Got to score next, grind out a win here and we will be well placed with a game in hand on most sides around us.

COYR

Funnily enough, so do I...

310 town fans up at Bradford today.

Got goal alerts on M4 from London....

back now....Obika with two...dream start...

And me...

Williams on for smith

STFC Player is utterly shite today, worst ever break ups for me, the Bradford player is so much clearer with no break ups at all, just a bit "by eck" Yorkshire drivel.

SAME WITH ME PV

Thank fuck for that, Braford goal disallowed.

Bradford goal disallowed

Shit-no, disallowed!

The Bradford commentators are like chimps on acid at our "alleged" antics in timewasting, fucking love it :)

old player is a little better ... very little.

Every fucker does it.

Does me head in, though

Obika off

Yeah I was going to say like they would be doing different in the same situtation. :)

Sent?

Reeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeveeesssssssss on for Obika.

Franchise 5 - 0 up now.

Wilson to leave in the morning?

Sounds a bit backs to the wall in the final minutes and with the 2 big strikers off gonna struggle at set pieces
Lets hope we manage to hold on to take the points

Too many free kicks against

Can't keep giving Sheehan free kicks, he'll put one away eventually, the cunt.

City looking like the team to beat. 3 - 0 up against Donny.

Shagger missed the pen, though

Yeah I have a feeling this season could be their season, should be the amount they have spent this season on fees and wages, Agard apparently was between £750k & £900k transfer fee.

Lansdowne continues to spunk his fortune. It can't last forever. Sounds like sour grapes but I'd rather be in our position any day.

6th as things stand on a Yeovilesque budget.

6 mins extra to hang on for  :badmood:

Or get our third.  :toocool:

Oxford fail to beat one of the few teams that are beneath them in the table.

Fucking nervy now.

Yes Fods! Squeaky bum time

Bursting for a piss

Seasons are made or fall short on the back of spells like this.  Come on Swindon.  Hang in there.

this is fucking painful

Decent sounding save from Fods and now yet another corner.


Barnsley back to 3-5 now

Cmon!!!!

Sheehan punch! Straight red hahahahaha

Cheerio you stupid Irish drunk prick

Ha Sheehan

That has to be worth knocking a few mins off extra time, surely?

FFS, ref, it's 5 o'clock.

FT, great result.

The Bradford comms is some of the best entertainment I've heard for years. Reminds me of this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o58stoJJ5No

Result! Well done Town.

Up to 6th. Very decent start to the season.

Great result!

Thank fuck for that, the Bradford comms saying Branco should be sent off for faking being punched!

Hard fought win by the sound of it
Decent up there as usually come away empty handed

Yet again a gutsy, come from behind result.

Impressive stuff.

Bring on Oldham

steely!

:Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:

Fantastic result, get in Town!!!

Arent they! bunch of absolute cunts, bad losers.

Optimism payed off Audrey!

Great result, 3 pts for Town & Sheehan misses a penalty & gets sent off :)

Had us doubled with Coventry

Fantastic win/start to the season

Sheehan has always been a bit of a prick, not a bad player, but a prick.

Can't argue with that, the Bradford comms saying Branco faked it, be interesting to see if it was just sour grapes from them or if he did hit him, he has always been petulant.

Ill take that all day long, Mr Kane.

It's a great result up there, plus i had town to win £10 at 15/8 nice £28.75 back thanks william hill

Bet you got quite good odds for that? We were 9/4 weren't we?

Excellent!

9/5 Swindon, Coventry 10/11

Just under 5/1

About player .... today was very poor, lots of breaks, but has anybody noticed that it only seems to be during the game? Post match with Sean is fine. Maybe the comm's mikes are crap and need replacing?

 Well we passed a test....survived the aerial bombardment, and ground out an away win at a norvern outpost  :)

 A brace for Obika also....fuck off Sheehan.

That really is a fantastic, uplifting result. A surprise win after going behind and two goals on debut for a striker that we all hope will do the job, but one that people have had their doubts about.

 :smugfu:  wrong again. Typically clueless. Can't wait to hear your prediction for Tuesday. For the record, we were very good... But we have a very good team, so that isn't altogether surprising.  :bye:

Just got back in from my 'home' game. Their penalty was right infront of us and was 100% the wrong call, great stuff from Wes Anyway going 1-0 down a few minutes later stirred us up rather than let our heads to down, thought between 15-60ish minutes we were very good, played a lot of neat football and deserved to be up 2-1 up. Thought their midfield was poor, seemed to struggle retaining the ball, Yass in particular capitalised on this, luongo had a good game as well. Last 30 mins sat back a lot, rode our luck a lot and got Wes to thank (again) for taking three points rather than one, especially for the save at the end. Obika - great start, here's hoping over a few drinks tonight we've found the +20 goal a season frontman we've missed the last couple of seasons. Oh and Sheehan, what's the score, Sheehan Sheehan what's the score!

 :blowkiss:

Just seen the goals on Sky, never, never a pen - shocking decision

Is that about the 3rd really shit pen decision against us this season?  Luton?  Crawley?

Oh do fuck off, you tiresome little gobshite.

(http://i866.photobucket.com/albums/ab225/mark_woolhouse/seehanpunch_zps35402a44.jpg)

Says a lot about the football background of the current Adver crew that they referred to "Sheenan" all afternoon. Obviously have no idea who he is.

I know he scored 2, but how well did Obika actually play? I missed the first half and think I only heard his name mentioned 2-3 times in the second half.

Or it could just be the latest in a litany of mis-spellings, as their writing skills seem about as strong as their football knowledge

+1. If there's one thing more annoying than Reg's Eeyore act, it's people bickering with him about it.

Criminal! Disgraceful.


















Those white shirts with black stripes combined with white shorts with red stripes... what were they thinking?

I put it down to a typo at first, but it was the same every time.

Haha did cross my mind but have since remembered away shorts are black so they would have clashed too

Really enjoyed that and can't remember a match where we were so dominant in midfield.Kasim was immense at holding on to the ball with players trying to kick lumps out of him,Thompson never stopped running and Luongo was different class. Add to that,Byrne having there left back on toast,Smith and Obika pulling there defence all over the place andRossi Branco never letting that dirty twat Hansen have everything his own way,and it was a really satisfying result. I'd hate to be a Bradford fan and have to watch that shit every week.Hoping that Branco thumping his badge at the end means he'll sign a new contract when it's offered because I love his passion. Can't decide whether Nathan cocking up after two minutes or Wilma doing his Bambi on ice routine was funnier but neither cost us in the end so onward and upwards  :bye:

Cracking result today and another game where we went behind and didn't roll over. If Branco did cheat then tough shit Sheehan you useless lump of shit as you cheated Swindon for a fucking season you  wankstain.

Great win! As others have said we bossed it from about 20-75 and should have scored more than 2, we carved them open at ease and should have worked their keeper more. The 3 central midfielders were brilliant today and I thought luongo was immense. 2 good goals from obika which will hopefully give him the confidence to bang them in for the rest of the season. Fods had to make 2/3 excellent saves because we kept giving away silly fouls which gave them the opportunity to toss the ball in, felt we were a bit naive towards the end as we could have made things a lot easier for ourselves. Definitely a red, can't argue with that photo.

Sheehan missed a pen, we won 2-1 after being behind and then sheehan sent off - perfect away day. Enjoy your evening :clap:

I'm delighted with the Bradford fan response.

Boo hoo.

Unbelievable responses on twitter. They really are a bunch of deluded, thick northerners.

Anything to take their mind off the fact they live in Bradford

Just seen the sending off on sky, it was soft but if you are 2 foot away from the ref & you swing an arm towards another player you are going to walk, it doesn't matter if you connect or not, but i do think he did connect with Branco but he made a meal of it.

I thought he thumped Thompson in the guts after the pen miss...

Just saw the penalty decision on the FLS. Awful, awful decision. Not even close to being a penalty.

As for Branco. Doesnt matter if he made a meal of it or not, he got punched and Sheehan is an idiot. Bradford fans should be more concerned about their player being a twat.

The football league show really is shit!!

Rossi Branco "the Argentian," they really do know fuck all.

He led the line very well. He not only held the ball well (similar to Ranger) but also brought the other players into the game and looked to attack the defence when he could. 8)

Sheehan got sent off for something daft when he played against us for Leeds too didn't he? Silly bastard.

I see that some bantam mouth breathers on Twitter are praising him for showing a bit of passion. Never understood why fans do this (and ours do too) but one of your players getting needlessly sent off does not show their passion as much as their lack of brain cells.

Penalty my arse, Wes cleared the ball then their player fell over his outstretched leg..way after the ball went.

Nice to see Sheehan get ratty even after his penalty miss.

Couldn't see if Branco took a dive from Sheehan's punch. Normally play acting pisses me off, but its Sheehan so meh...
-------------------
I can understand the 'passion' calls. Sometimes the team is so lacklustre and players lacking in effort the only thing left to praise is the one that does put it in, even if that's OTT.

Bradford didn't sound that bad yesterday though.

Never a pen but we fuck me that was shocking defending from Nathan and Turnbull.

Well up for Tuesday now, if that aren't few hundred more on the gate then I don't know what performances will get the crowds in.

Just watched it, he def punched Thompson as well

Real poachers goals from Obika, great to see!

When was the last time we scored two from corners?

The back-pass to Wes that lead to the penalty was shocking. But I think it was caused by a slip in midfield that put us under pressure?

yup, looked like that to me.

Wes clearly got the ball too

Yesterday!

How can the ref tell anything, it looks likes he is miles away from the ball.

Good Morning Robins, Bradford City fan here in peace

I thought, and hope, you might welcome a view from a fair minded opposition fan about Saturdays game.

First of all, well done on your victory at Valley Parade.

I thought we dominated the first twenty minutes or so, and were well worth our goal lead. Sat behind the goal on the kop at the other end, it was difficult for me to determine whether the penalty decision was a correct one, even the tv coverage I have seen seems inconclusive. However, no matter, we didn't put the spot kick away anyhow.
After that opening period, where you barely got out of our half, our insecurities about defending set pieces without our injured star defender Andrew Davies, came to the fore and we conceded two more goals from set pieces, following on from the two in our last home game against Yeovil.
After you took the lead, I thought you played some terrific football and were well worth your half time lead. The second half started where the first half ended, with your team outclassing our pedestrian midfield, and were carving us open with ease. It wasn't until we brought on our sub Filipe Morais, that we started to get back into the game, as we abandoned the diamond formation and started to play with more width. Then for some inexplicable reason your team resorted to gamesmanship to attempt to stop us in our tracks.
Now, along with most Bradford City fans, I think I am fair minded where the opposition are concerned, and our message board, 'Claret and Banter', was full of gushing praise for Yeovil last week, who played us off the park. What sullied your performance for me was the antics of Thompson and Branco with their despicable gamesmanship. Branco, quite frankly was a complete embarrassment to the profession, flinging himself to the ground feigning injury on a few occasions in the last 15 minutes or so. One incident as we lined up to take a corner when he had hold of Billy Clarke,and Clarke managed to free himself and Branco fell to the ground screeching like a baby holding his face, was one of the worst cases of cheating I have ever seen.
I am not here to condone Sheehan, by the way, who deservedly got his marching orders, but I can understand why he lost it with this blatant cheat.

Its a shame my report ends on that note, as I thought your team played some terrific football, and were gaining praise from fans around me. However, Cooper needs to have a word with Thompson, and especially Branco. Now I am sure Swindon fans who were at the game may say its sour grapes on my part and that I have exaggerated, but sat at the other end of the ground, your fans would not have appreciated this blatant cheating from them, and could not possibly for example have seen Thompson winking and laughing at our fans on the kop after feigning an injury. I can assure you its not sour grapes, I just for the life of me cannot understand why a good footballing side as yours had to resort to these ugly tactics

All the best for the rest of the season

Glad to hear or young professionals are wising up to Div 1 football.

Sorry to hear that. If true, it's unfortunately not that surprising from a player brought up in the South American tradition.

A  big difference in 'wising up' and cheating. Is it a tactic of Cooper, or just in the South American nature of Branco, I wonder?. I thought this cheating nonsense was exclusive to the prima donna foreign players that ply their trade in the Premiership.  

Any comment on Sheehan punching out just after his penalty miss, which can be clearly seen on the highlights?

Yes sure, if you watch it, Thompson runs from out of initial camera shot, all the way up to Sheehan, and for some inexplicable reason, barges in to him, whats that all about then?

Why would you think that? It occurs in every under-9 game where the kids have access to television, and all levels in between. There should be more retrospective punishment available where simulation is proven by video review.

Sourest of sour grapes. Your salty tears nourish me.

I think you should have a good look at your own players when you take off your rose tinted glasses, Hanson was at it all match,pushing,holding Branco down,elbowing and going down like a dying swan.By all means point out misdemeanours,but have a look at your own

I can clearly remember John Jock cunt McGinlay cheating us in the League cup semi final and it still pisses me off....

Forget chips in footballs and squirty foam....start retro banning players for diving and feigning injury.

Ahhh a hard done by Bradford fan. The ref was fucking awful for both teams on Saturday. In actual fact he let you get away with a hell of a lot too. Oh and he gave you a penalty for a perfectly good tackle. The moral for Mr Sheehan in this is; don't punch someone on the football pitch and expect them not to go down you big headed twat.

This .... but we'd end up watching 5 a side games.

Could be something to do with the fact that Sheehan was a complete and utter cunt when he played for us. Took a very good wage and did fuck all for it. I don't condone cheating but that mouth breather cheated a wage for a year from us so that's just a very small part repayment.  

Not hard done at all. As I say, I thought your team played some good football and deservedly won the game. We should have been out of sight, before Thompson and Branco's cheating antics kicked in

Haha, I quite liked you until then, go cry your bitter tears into your horlicks...

I like being an admin.

Sheehan punched him in the stomach FFS. Why dont you point the blame at that Irish twat instead of us. It didn't cost you the game, we were the better side, you gave as good as you got (lets face it, the penalty decision was much more of a farce than the sending off).

Personally I think kicking two lumps of shit out of the opposition is cheating more so, than someone getting punched in the stomach and having the gall to fall to the floor :)

I assume you mean that we should have been out of sight. Anyway, if I was getting an arm or elbow in the head everytime I went up for a header I'd be trying to let the ref know about it. I was pretty proud of the way our boys stood up to your bigger boys to be honest.

Also quite funny how Branco and especially Thompson have never been guilty of this before Saturdays game!

Think they're fans were just fucked off with losing. Parkinson didn't seem to take to kindly to a few of them either.

I can understand where our northern friend is coming from - it pisses me off no end - BUT last season when our youngsters were getting roughed up, being the easiest way to stop them playing, it is not difficult to see why they resort to the dark arts occasionally.

We were such an easy touch away from home last season and although I dont condone it, I can understand why.

It will be interesting to see Sheff Utd this coming Saturday, as last season I thought they were the least cheating bastards of all the teams at the CG.

Hope for the same

Agreed - Bradford are a hard physical side with a big unit upfront who's a throwback to a bygone era. Based on what I saw of us away last season (eg Stevenage springs to mind), we'd have been outfought and rolled over within 1/2 hr. Not this year though, our boys didn't panic , fought hard to get back in the game after going 1-0 down and showed a lot of character - let's have more of the same on the road this season.

Your big unit up front Michael Smith is the same size as James Hanson, Obika is bigger and more physical than our other forward Billy Clarke..Apart from Rory McArdle at centre half, the rest of our team are far from been hard and physical, indeed fans are commenting on how we are losing out on the physical battles most weeks.

Ha ha, just noted your admin changing my user name. I didnt realise this site was run by schoolkids, I actually thought I was coming onto a welcoming and friendly site, obviously wrong.

And may I be the first to say, CUNT.

Don't mind Jayo. The power goes to his head.

Eloquently put, not....Ask your teacher what that means

hahahahahahhahaha

That this attempted insulted is, in itself, so childish makes it very fucking ironic.

Will you be mentioning a mental asylum next?

Cunt...is the traditional welcoming word on the TEF, which means Ironside likes you.....he probably missed you in Roverum at the weekend and is hoping for a future meet up.

Now now kids, let's not let another thread descend into name-calling.

Shut up you French twat

 ;D

Power-crazed yokel.  :nerner:

This was fun

Who the fuck are you calling French?!

Being an admin on here gives my life meaning  :cry:

Back to the point....when confronted with traditional norvern hoofball merchants intent on physical damage, reverting to some underhand tricks is sadly a necessary part of the game.

It was ever thus....when writing of how Our 'Arold was kicked out of the 1912 FA Cup semi final by Barnsley, and so missing the replay, the correspondent of the Daily Express was moved to write " Barnsley's treatment of one of the cleanest players to ever don a football shirt was disgraceful. To stop a clever opponent by maiming him is not football as understood in the South"

Plus ca change plus c'est la meme chose.

Pretty sure it was mention on coms Saturday that Hanson was the most penalised player in the football league last season up until around march when injuries limited his outings

He was/is, you are correct.

Cheers Geoff.

Tbf Branco does like to go down rather easily (punch aside), yesterday not being the first time.

Hard to see what was going on down their end of the pitch but at our side of the pitch hansen was all over our defenders which Smith was doing as well so fair game imo, ref was too weak to stop it. The ref was that useless prick we had for the farcical notts county away game last season. For what its worth I didnt think Bradford were that dirty compared with other teams we have played in the last year, especially in CM where our 3 outfought theirs for the majority of the game