2024/25 Squads - KEEP/GET RID/BURN THEM AT THE STAKE, etc

[Chris FGR]

Did Sean Robertson play much for you this season?

A bit at the start, usually at wing back or under Deeney as a winger in a front 3. Cotterill didn't use him much at all. Has got some pace but after two years here hasn't really ever shown enough tbh.

As is always the case, I see we're being linked with a couple already.

Dom Bernard mainly. Any good?

Great attitude, locally based and a bit of a character. Overall pretty popular with fans and although he has a mistake in him at times you can guarantee he'll give 100% every week. Pretty versatile as well, can play RB, CB and in midfield, decent utility player to have I would say.

 

[lordofthepies]

A bit at the start, usually at wing back or under Deeney as a winger in a front 3. Cotterill didn't use him much at all. Has got some pace but after two years here hasn't really ever shown enough tbh.

Yeah, I think there is something there but not sure what. He looked alright going forward for us last year but has a lot of work to do defensively.

 

[saddler78]

A bit at the start, usually at wing back or under Deeney as a winger in a front 3. Cotterill didn't use him much at all. Has got some pace but after two years here hasn't really ever shown enough tbh.



Great attitude, locally based and a bit of a character. Overall pretty popular with fans and although he has a mistake in him at times you can guarantee he'll give 100% every week. Pretty versatile as well, can play RB, CB and in midfield, decent utility player to have I would say.

How's Matty Stevens these days he didn't look right with us after his injury?

 

[Chris FGR]

How's Matty Stevens these days he didn't look right with us after his injury?

Not quite the player he was, but was still our top scorer this season. Taken a long time to get over his ACL, still turns slower then he used to and does seem to keep picking up niggling injuries. Still a got a good goal scorers instinct though.

 

[Son of Cod]

No real surprises other than trying to keep both Green and Clifton.

Wonder if they will look to get rid of any under contract or decide it costs too much to pay them off.

Yeah I'm not bowled over by the prospect of three CM slots being taken up by Clifton, Green and Thompson when we're supposed to be moving towards a more expansive "game model". Hopefully, Clifton is offered a deal as more of a utility player than a dedicated CM.

Wasn't Abo Eisa the guy scoring the screamers?

Yes but that is quite literally all he does. He doesn't even run around to make it look like he is contributing.

 

[WilsdenBantam]

Don't know what his contract situation is but I doubt Dylan Youmbi is going to make it at Bradford

He came off the bench once for us and it was the worst I have ever seen a Scunny player look, he looked like he hadn't played football in his life and was then never seen again.

He’s getting released according to social media. We have far better prospects, but one is currently being touted by PL clubs so unlikely many new youngsters will make the grade this year.

 

[Si Robin]

Out official retained list:

Under Contract:

• Max Harris (GK)
• Lewis Freestone (D)
• Liam Kinsella (M)
• Elliot Bonds (M)
• Jordan Thomas (M)
• Tom Pett (M)
• Matty Taylor (F)
• Aidan Keena (F)
• Rob Street (F)
• Tom King (F)

Contract Option Triggered:

• Tom Bradbury (D)

Out of Contract (Offers have been made):

• Luke Southwood (GK)
• Sean Long (D)
• Will Ferry (D)
• Liam Sercombe (M)
• George Lloyd (F)

Scholars offered pro contracts:

• Brandon Liggett (M)
• Freddy Willcox (M)

Loans (Returning to parent clubs):

• Andy Smith (D)
• Jack Shepherd (D)
• Joe Nuttall (F)

Out of Contract (Released):

• Jamie Pardington (GK)
• Ben Williams (D)
• Liam Smith (D)
• Curtis Davies (D)
• Dan Adshead (M)
• James Olayinka (M)
• Josh Harrop (M)
• Adulai Sambu (D)
• Greg Sloggett (M)

No real surprises then - Sloggett might have been a cheap option, but he only played a couple of games. My son is devastatated that Olayinka has been let go - especially as he'd come back into the fold late on and played some decent football. The rest of the released lot have been either disappointing or are moving on (Curtis Davies is retiring).

Of those being offered a new contract, I expect Long and Sercs to sign, Southwood has already done a goodbye tweet on Sunday (which makes his offer a strange one), Lloyd apparently already has offers elsewhere and I really wouldn't be surprised to see Ferry sign elsewhere - though I'd love it he stays.

Ultimately, we have a decent base to work from, with a competent manager at the helm. There are reasons to be optimistic.

 

[chipmunx]

ours is imminent i think;- George Ray has just said his goodbye on twitter

 

[Meadow]

ours is imminent i think;- George Ray has just said his goodbye on twitter

Talking of George Ray, I was listening to a L2 Podcast and the host mentioned a podcast that Ray was on.

I Had Trials Once... on Apple Podcasts

Sport · 2024

podcasts.apple.com

 

[TrinidadsNumberOne]

ours is imminent i think;- George Ray has just said his goodbye on twitter

Surprised he's left. Seemed to be really enjoying it up there so must've been Wild's decision?

 

[Tinpot and proud]

Surprised he's left. Seemed to be really enjoying it up there so must've been Wild's decision?

I can’t see it being it “not part of wilds plan”
I feel it could be a negotiation/ agent over valuing failure. He’s been solid enough to warrant new contract but not at a bigger financial cost.

 

[GTFCfish]

I really wouldn't be surprised to see Ferry sign elsewhere - though I'd love it he stays.

I was hoping we would sign him but looks like the ship has sailed on that one.

 

[chipmunx]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1785703871295193118

 

[BarraMatt]

Ray probably the only surprise out of that list. I can't see Whitfield and Chester re-signing, but outside of that, a decent spine to work with going into the summer.

 

[chipmunx]

Ray probably the only surprise out of that list. I can't see Whitfield and Chester re-signing, but outside of that, a decent spine to work with going into the summer.

Wouldn't be surprised to see Maher who Grimsby let go sign for us now, given he was captain at Halifax under Wild.

 

[WilsdenBantam]

Ray probably the only surprise out of that list. I can't see Whitfield and Chester re-signing, but outside of that, a decent spine to work with going into the summer.

Wouldn't be surprised to see Maher who Grimsby let go sign for us now, given he was captain at Halifax under Wild.

What is James Chester like these days? We need an experienced centre back as we don't have a defender over 30.

 

[LS Bantam]

What is James Chester like these days? We need an experienced centre back as we don't have a defender over 30.

* or a good central defender.

 

[lordofthepies]

Conor Thomas has signed a new 2 year contract so we can add him to the under contract part of ours.

 

[chipmunx]

What is James Chester like these days? We need an experienced centre back as we don't have a defender over 30.

Chester is hoping to get a 1 year deal sorted with Barrow, but he's a central defender with a lot of experience who might not be the quickest, but as they say the 1st few yards are in the head. He knows what positions he should take up. Probably needs at least 1 quick centre back with him.

 

[chipmunx]

* or a good central defender.

Platt is a good central defender....

 

[TrinidadsNumberOne]

Seems we've kept Conor Thomas on a 2 year deal which is surprising, especially if we get promoted this Summer as he'll be totally ineffective in League One and a squad player in League Two at best.

I wouldn't have been surprised if it was 1 year but 2 years is far too steep. That said, I'd wager we've given him a significant pay cut but offered to fund all his coaching qualifications given he's got a nice side hustle with his own coaching academy.

Clearly a good influence in the dressing room too. I'd have got rid but not gonna complain too much about this as long as we bring in some quality in the middle of the park for next season regardless of division.

 

[AR27]

Platt is a good central defender....

Platt gets some grief from a selection of our fans for some reason but he's more than good enough at this level.

 

[chipmunx]

Platt gets some grief from a selection of our fans for some reason but he's more than good enough at this level.

Yeah i know, a section of our fans would happily have him back.

 

[WhiteRussian]

I presume ours won't be released until we know what league we are playing in next season. All the good players will have been snapped up by then.

 

[F!RTHY]

Our Retained List:


The following players have not been offered new contracts, and will be released on 30th June 2024:


- Dylan Youmbi

- Finn Cousin-Dawson

- Harry Chapman

- Harvey Rowe

- Heath Richardson

- Isaac Robinson

- Liam Ridehalgh

- Luke Hendrie

- Matt Derbyshire

- Noah Wadsworth

- Sam Bentley

The club has activated an option to extend the contracts of the following players, by a further season:

- Bobby Pointon

- Brad Halliday

The following players triggered clauses during this season to automatically extend their contracts by a further season:

- Richie Smallwood

- Sam Stubbs

The following players have been offered new terms with the club:

- Colin Doyle (will also remain men’s first team goalkeeping coach)

- Jamie Walker

- Matty Platt

The following players remain under contract for the 2024/25 season:

- Adam Wilson

- Alex Gilliead

- Alex Pattison

- Andy Cook

- Ash Taylor

- Calum Kavanagh

- Ciarán Kelly

- Clarke Oduor

- Jake Young

- Kevin McDonald

- Lewis Richards

- Sam Walker

- Timi Odusina

- Tyler Smith

- Vadaine Oliver

The following players - who spent the 2023/24 season on loan with the Bantams - have returned to their parent clubs:

- Daniel Oyegoke (Brentford)

- Jonathan Tomkinson (Norwich City)

- Tyreik Wright (Plymouth Argyle)

 

[WilsdenBantam]

It will be interesting to see how many of those released get an EFL club, I'm going to predict none. Still some crap under contract needs shifting.

 

[Mighty_Bantam]

It will be interesting to see how many of those released get an EFL club, I'm going to predict none. Still some crap under contract needs shifting.

I'd also say none. Chapman when applying himself could get a league club comfortably, but he seems to be the sort that has talent and just ends up drifting downwards. Wouldn't surprise me to see him rock up at his hometown club next - Hartlepool.

Of those under contract Wilson, Taylor, Odusina, Oliver all need transfer listing immediately. Probably McDonald too.

I could also argue for Oduor being let go too. He clearly has some ability but he has a heart the size of a pea.

 

[WilsdenBantam]

I'd also say none. Chapman when applying himself could get a league club comfortably, but he seems to be the sort that has talent and just ends up drifting downwards. Wouldn't surprise me to see him rock up at his hometown club next - Hartlepool.

Of those under contract Wilson, Taylor, Odusina, Oliver all need transfer listing immediately. Probably McDonald too.

I could also argue for Oduor being let go too. He clearly has some ability but he has a heart the size of a pea.

If we could shift those you say, leaving us with around 7/8 spots to make up a 25 man squad, then I'd say if we got our recruitment right and threw a good budget at it then we could easily make up the difference to the top 3. It shouldn't really take much, especially with 3 of the top spenders going and potentially 4 in the MK Dons to bridge the gap. We need to make sure all coming in improve us and are of first team quality, for the first time in years we don't need squad fillers as we have them already.

 

[LS Bantam]

90% of those let go are effectively youth players, I don’t see us freeing up hardly any cash there. As above the challenge will be moving on the significant amount of deadwood but given a lot of those are on three year deals (ridiculous), it might not be that straightforward to do (other than us taking a financial hit, great recruiting as ever guys).

 

[leedsvaliant]

Our Retained List:


The following players have not been offered new contracts, and will be released on 30th June 2024:


- Dylan Youmbi

- Finn Cousin-Dawson

- Harry Chapman

- Harvey Rowe

- Heath Richardson

- Isaac Robinson

- Liam Ridehalgh

- Luke Hendrie

- Matt Derbyshire

- Noah Wadsworth

- Sam Bentley

The club has activated an option to extend the contracts of the following players, by a further season:

- Bobby Pointon

- Brad Halliday

The following players triggered clauses during this season to automatically extend their contracts by a further season:

- Richie Smallwood

- Sam Stubbs

The following players have been offered new terms with the club:

- Colin Doyle (will also remain men’s first team goalkeeping coach)

- Jamie Walker

- Matty Platt

The following players remain under contract for the 2024/25 season:

- Adam Wilson

- Alex Gilliead

- Alex Pattison

- Andy Cook

- Ash Taylor

- Calum Kavanagh

- Ciarán Kelly

- Clarke Oduor

- Jake Young

- Kevin McDonald

- Lewis Richards

- Sam Walker

- Timi Odusina

- Tyler Smith

- Vadaine Oliver

The following players - who spent the 2023/24 season on loan with the Bantams - have returned to their parent clubs:

- Daniel Oyegoke (Brentford)

- Jonathan Tomkinson (Norwich City)

- Tyreik Wright (Plymouth Argyle)

Blimey, that squad is way too big for league 2! I thought we had problems with trying to shift people under contract. We've been down that road before of collecting loads of players and then hoping we can put together a rabble that is effective.

I'm hoping we go for a squad of 22-25 , with the emphasis on quality rather than quantity.