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Talks underway with ten players
Stuart McCall revealed he has had talks with ten players - but it could be a while before any of them join the Bantams.
Fans are eagerly awaiting who the first major signing of the close season will be but, with the City chief having just begun a two-week break, they may need to be patient.
McCall, pictured, said: "I don't expect anything to happen while I'm away but plans are in place in case we need to act.
"There are two and a half months to build a squad and I won't be rushed into anything but I am quite excited and optimistic that out of the ten players, we will make some good quality signings when I get back. Some of the players we have spoken to are also going away."
The Bantams boss did not make his first permanent signing last year until July but was not as advanced in his recruitment planning as he is this time.
He said: "I feel much better than last season with regards to who we want coming in. I would be more concerned if we had not been out there and done the digging and the spadework. We are aiming high but being realistic."
He is keeping the identity of his targets under wraps but they are likely to centre on the spine of his team with a goalkeeper, centre back, central midfielder and a striker all priorities.
| Not all the players might be big names but I think some will excite supporters | | Stuart McCall |
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Huddersfield hitman Luke Beckett is the only confirmed player with whom he has had talks.
McCall said: "I am not one to speculate on signings - that is one thing I learned very early on since becoming a manager. Not all the players might be big names but I think some will excite supporters."
Joint-chairman Mark Lawn said: "Ideally, we would have liked to have got in a signing or two but it doesn't work like that. Stuart has got his targets but everyone else is after those targets as well.
"If we get who we want, we should be pressing for a top-three place."
Lawn admits that part of the difficulty in securing players at this time of the year is agents "playing the game".
He said: "An agent can say Give us your best offer', which we do and then he'll come back and say, Can you give us more?'. I am not that type of person and would rather just be honest and up front."
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9:58pm Sunday 25th May 2008
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CommentPosted by: jaffalaffa, middle of the hills on 11:17pm Sun 25 May 08
Patience is a virtue. Act in haste repent at leisure. We need to get the right calibre of player in a group that will jell and produce the goods. Rushing into the shop too early, means that we could end up paying too much and/or end up with the wrong players.
Patience is a virtue. Act in haste repent at leisure. We need to get the right calibre of player in a group that will jell and produce the goods. Rushing into the shop too early, means that we could end up paying too much and/or end up with the wrong players.
Posted by: Henley B, Timbukthree on 7:31am Mon 26 May 08
Too right.
Posted by: Freespeech, Shipley on 8:54am Mon 26 May 08
Yeah! Lets wait and wait, get a squad together who have never played together, and spend the first half of the season getting them in some sort of order! the new team need to be together earlier this season to train together so we can start winning from the first day!
Yeah! Lets wait and wait, get a squad together who have never played together, and spend the first half of the season getting them in some sort of order! the new team need to be together earlier this season to train together so we can start winning from the first day!
Posted by: Mr Sensible, Bingley on 9:46am Mon 26 May 08
More hot air and a string along. Think it would have been better if he had said two or three players, but ten means either not positive or counting the lad who delivers his paper and plays for his school. Glad he has time for two weeks away, fans could have had a couple of days if they hadn't thrown £150 away.
More hot air and a string along. Think it would have been better if he had said two or three players, but ten means either not positive or counting the lad who delivers his paper and plays for his school. Glad he has time for two weeks away, fans could have had a couple of days if they hadn't thrown £150 away.
Posted by: STM, Bratfud on 10:12am Mon 26 May 08
WELL PLAYED DONCASTER ROVERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!.
WELL PLAYED DONCASTER ROVERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!.
Posted by: Darryl, BD2 on 10:29am Mon 26 May 08
Off to France myself next week, the season ticket was SO cheap I can afford to go away as well as watch pro football next season. CTID
Off to France myself next week, the season ticket was SO cheap I can afford to go away as well as watch pro football next season. CTID
Posted by: audal, lovell on 10:37am Mon 26 May 08
it never fails to amaze me that players in the bottom 2/3 tiers of the league feel the need to pay an agent, if they want to move on then they should circulate their cv.to all clubs stating required wages etc.this must be better than swanning off to skeggy and letting the agent line his own pocket by sending his "act" off to bymee utd.
it never fails to amaze me that players in the bottom 2/3 tiers of the league feel the need to pay an agent, if they want to move on then they should circulate their cv.to all clubs stating required wages etc.this must be better than swanning off to skeggy and letting the agent line his own pocket by sending his "act" off to bymee utd.
Posted by: Bantman, Bradford on 10:37am Mon 26 May 08
Yes got my purchased my Season Ticket at Christmas [bold]sensibly[/bold]Cheap.
Have a great holiday Stuart look forward to the some top signings on your return...CTID
Yes got my purchased my Season Ticket at Christmas
sensiblyCheap.
Have a great holiday Stuart look forward to the some top signings on your return...CTID
Posted by: Mr Sensible, Bingley on 11:56am Mon 26 May 08
Good old Batman. I would look more forward to next Christmas than top signings. Assume you got the ticket as a present. Good job they did not think you are that bad or they would have givenyou two.
Good old Batman. I would look more forward to next Christmas than top signings. Assume you got the ticket as a present. Good job they did not think you are that bad or they would have givenyou two.
Posted by: Globalman, Keighley on 12:17pm Mon 26 May 08
Mr. Sensible- do you really think that paying £150 will stop people going out?
You are just plain daft and that backs up what people have been saying for weeks on here.
BTW how did your trip to Moscow go?
Mr. Sensible- do you really think that paying £150 will stop people going out?
You are just plain daft and that backs up what people have been saying for weeks on here.
BTW how did your trip to Moscow go?
Posted by: skippy on 12:32pm Mon 26 May 08
[quote][bold]Darryl[/bold] wrote:
Off to France myself next week, the season ticket was SO cheap I can afford to go away as well as watch pro football next season. CTID[/quote] where are you going to watch pro football?
Darryl wrote:
Off to France myself next week, the season ticket was SO cheap I can afford to go away as well as watch pro football next season. CTID
where are you going to watch pro football?
Posted by: Bendix, skipton on 12:41pm Mon 26 May 08
Has any club in our league (or the one Beeston are still in) made any signings for next season yet. And my other team Hull City still haven't signed anyone for their first season in the Premier League. Sensible people there should start panicking
Has any club in our league (or the one Beeston are still in) made any signings for next season yet. And my other team Hull City still haven't signed anyone for their first season in the Premier League. Sensible people there should start panicking
Posted by: Darryl, BD2 on 12:47pm Mon 26 May 08
[quote][bold]skippy[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]Darryl[/bold] wrote: Off to France myself next week, the season ticket was SO cheap I can afford to go away as well as watch pro football next season. CTID[/quote] where are you going to watch pro football?[/quote] Valley Parade, same as last year, same as 31 years ago, same as I will for years to come, although I'm paying the same next year as I was when I was 14, and I get a seat too!!...HAPPY DAYS. And where will you be watching pro footy next season Skippy? CTID
skippy wrote:
Darryl wrote: Off to France myself next week, the season ticket was SO cheap I can afford to go away as well as watch pro football next season. CTID
where are you going to watch pro football?
Valley Parade, same as last year, same as 31 years ago, same as I will for years to come, although I'm paying the same next year as I was when I was 14, and I get a seat too!!...HAPPY DAYS. And where will you be watching pro footy next season Skippy? CTID
Posted by: jaffalaffa, middle of the hills on 1:20pm Mon 26 May 08
Skippy you know who we support. Declare your loyalty if such a term can fit into your cranium!
Skippy you know who we support. Declare your loyalty if such a term can fit into your cranium!
Posted by: SHAUN, richmond on 1:23pm Mon 26 May 08
With season tickets selling alarmingly slowly........this is news is hardly going to get the floating supporters rushing down to Valley Parade!!
Still support isnt everything....just ask leeds!! (Big well done to Donny)
With season tickets selling alarmingly slowly........this is news is hardly going to get the floating supporters rushing down to Valley Parade!!
Still support isnt everything....just ask leeds!! (Big well done to Donny)
Posted by: jaffalaffa, Eldwick today on 1:24pm Mon 26 May 08
Notso if you support L***s and pay £650 for your ticket is that good value? I guess you are really an arm chair whinger or a sad old BPA fan.
Notso if you support L***s and pay £650 for your ticket is that good value? I guess you are really an arm chair whinger or a sad old BPA fan.
Posted by: skippy on 5:52pm Mon 26 May 08
[quote][bold]Darryl[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]skippy[/bold] wrote: [quote][bold]Darryl[/bold] wrote: Off to France myself next week, the season ticket was SO cheap I can afford to go away as well as watch pro football next season. CTID[/quote] where are you going to watch pro football?[/quote] Valley Parade, same as last year, same as 31 years ago, same as I will for years to come, although I'm paying the same next year as I was when I was 14, and I get a seat too!!...HAPPY DAYS. And where will you be watching pro footy next season Skippy? CTID[/quote] i will be watching football at vp,its just that you see pro football a little different than i do,there were only a couple of teams at vp that i saw that even resembled professional standards and both teams were promoted.please dont tell me bc are pros not after the garbage that was dished up at vp and things wont get any better with wj still at the club,he must go.
Darryl wrote:
skippy wrote: Darryl wrote: Off to France myself next week, the season ticket was SO cheap I can afford to go away as well as watch pro football next season. CTID
where are you going to watch pro football?
Valley Parade, same as last year, same as 31 years ago, same as I will for years to come, although I'm paying the same next year as I was when I was 14, and I get a seat too!!...HAPPY DAYS. And where will you be watching pro footy next season Skippy? CTID
i will be watching football at vp,its just that you see pro football a little different than i do,there were only a couple of teams at vp that i saw that even resembled professional standards and both teams were promoted.please dont tell me bc are pros not after the garbage that was dished up at vp and things wont get any better with wj still at the club,he must go.
Posted by: Darryl, BD2 on 6:09pm Mon 26 May 08
I see professional football as a team of full time employed players with no other career, although I can't really remember , I'm sure the standard of football was the same, if not worse in the 70's when we were in the same 'professional' division. What ever the quality of football 'dished up' I'll still continue to watch my team, personally I can't see WJ having such a negative influence on the club though. CTID
I see professional football as a team of full time employed players with no other career, although I can't really remember , I'm sure the standard of football was the same, if not worse in the 70's when we were in the same 'professional' division. What ever the quality of football 'dished up' I'll still continue to watch my team, personally I can't see WJ having such a negative influence on the club though. CTID
Posted by: paul, camberley surrey on 8:15pm Mon 26 May 08
sad shaun get of this site how did leeds get on [italic][bold]ha ha ha[/bold] [/italic]
sad shaun get of this site how did leeds get on
ha ha ha Posted by: Mr Sensible, Bingley on 8:38pm Mon 26 May 08
Heard on my 'grape vine' that season ticket offer going to be extended to 30 June. Don't think it's because staff can't cope with demand although I expect one or two of you to think that
Heard on my 'grape vine' that season ticket offer going to be extended to 30 June. Don't think it's because staff can't cope with demand although I expect one or two of you to think that
Posted by: Chris, Bradford on 9:26pm Mon 26 May 08
It would make sense to extend it to the 30th June. You would guess McGod will start make signings in the last 2 weeks of June in time for preason to start, 1st July isn't it?
That way the fans that want to see signings before purchasing their ticket (which they do have the right to) can do. At the same time it could have an adverse effect on certain players they can and can't sign?
It would make sense to extend it to the 30th June. You would guess McGod will start make signings in the last 2 weeks of June in time for preason to start, 1st July isn't it?
That way the fans that want to see signings before purchasing their ticket (which they do have the right to) can do. At the same time it could have an adverse effect on certain players they can and can't sign?
Posted by: Luke, Leeds on 11:40am Tue 27 May 08
Brandon set to sign apparently, good news.
http://www.terrier-b
ytes.com/article.htm
l/news/538/260508
Brandon set to sign apparently, good news.
http://www.terrier-b
ytes.com/article.htm
l/news/538/260508
Posted by: scargutt, Horsforth on 1:22pm Tue 27 May 08
[quote][bold]Darryl[/bold] wrote:
Off to France myself next week, the season ticket was SO cheap I can afford to go away as well as watch pro football next season. CTID[/quote] Interestingly the BBC ran a feature at lunchtime on season ticket prices in the premiership. It makes ours look very good value. Plus, the likes of Farsley, York City etc are all more expensive than us! I bought mine at christmas and will do the same this year if they repeat the offer!
Darryl wrote:
Off to France myself next week, the season ticket was SO cheap I can afford to go away as well as watch pro football next season. CTID
Interestingly the BBC ran a feature at lunchtime on season ticket prices in the premiership. It makes ours look very good value. Plus, the likes of Farsley, York City etc are all more expensive than us! I bought mine at christmas and will do the same this year if they repeat the offer!
Posted by: Chris, Bradford on 4:39pm Tue 27 May 08
Great news on Chris, was told things progressed at the weekend. If you read this Chris get the contract signed. Would be great to see someone with passion about the club and the game pull on the shirt. When it is someone you know makes it all the more sweater.
On the season ticket subject, QPR is £600 up from £400 last year. I would never pay that, couldnt afford it..
Great news on Chris, was told things progressed at the weekend. If you read this Chris get the contract signed. Would be great to see someone with passion about the club and the game pull on the shirt. When it is someone you know makes it all the more sweater.
On the season ticket subject, QPR is £600 up from £400 last year. I would never pay that, couldnt afford it..
Posted by: Gentleman Jim, Yooohooo over here on 6:16pm Tue 27 May 08
[quote][bold]Darryl[/bold] wrote:
I see professional football as a team of full time employed players with no other career, although I can't really remember , I'm sure the standard of football was the same, if not worse in the 70's when we were in the same 'professional' division. What ever the quality of football 'dished up' I'll still continue to watch my team, personally I can't see WJ having such a negative influence on the club though. CTID[/quote] Ditto. And the standard was far worse in the 70's, but strangely a lot more enjoyable. We had some reet old hoofers playing for us then, and pretty much same as now, the players were has beens, never were's or cast-offs no one else wanted. One player of undoubted quality was Peter Downsborough, amazing keeper, and Don Hutchins, 30 fags a day and could still waltz round people like their feet were nailed to the floor.
Darryl wrote:
I see professional football as a team of full time employed players with no other career, although I can't really remember , I'm sure the standard of football was the same, if not worse in the 70's when we were in the same 'professional' division. What ever the quality of football 'dished up' I'll still continue to watch my team, personally I can't see WJ having such a negative influence on the club though. CTID
Ditto. And the standard was far worse in the 70's, but strangely a lot more enjoyable. We had some reet old hoofers playing for us then, and pretty much same as now, the players were has beens, never were's or cast-offs no one else wanted. One player of undoubted quality was Peter Downsborough, amazing keeper, and Don Hutchins, 30 fags a day and could still waltz round people like their feet were nailed to the floor.
Posted by: tyker, midland road on 6:25pm Tue 27 May 08
[bold]and Don Hutchins, 30 fags a day and could still waltz round people like their feet were nailed to the floor.[/bold]
and occassionally sit on the ball on the wing whilst still in open play:if memory serves me right he also worked in Bob Martin'S Supermarket at Shipley:the same Bob Martine who was chairman at that time!!
Gerry Ingram springs to mind: sorry no water pun intended as he was a plumber by trade!!
and Don Hutchins, 30 fags a day and could still waltz round people like their feet were nailed to the floor.
and occassionally sit on the ball on the wing whilst still in open play:if memory serves me right he also worked in Bob Martin'S Supermarket at Shipley:the same Bob Martine who was chairman at that time!!
Gerry Ingram springs to mind: sorry no water pun intended as he was a plumber by trade!!
Posted by: Darryl, BD2 on 6:37pm Tue 27 May 08
Well, remember these were the days you could kick the 'keeper into the net WITH the ball, and rules have made football much less a contact sport these days, mores the pity!!! CTID
Well, remember these were the days you could kick the 'keeper into the net WITH the ball, and rules have made football much less a contact sport these days, mores the pity!!! CTID
Posted by: jaffalaffa, middle of the hills on 8:31pm Tue 27 May 08
Notso Sensible given that you are obsessed with the City ticket offer, clarify your exact thoughts. In particular if you support L***s you can pay £650 for your ticket, Barnsley £360, Huddersfield £175 in certain parts despite the £100 offer, Burnley £396, Oldham £328, Rotherham £396 are these good value?? I still believe you are really an arm chair whinger or a sad old BPA fan.
Notso Sensible given that you are obsessed with the City ticket offer, clarify your exact thoughts. In particular if you support L***s you can pay £650 for your ticket, Barnsley £360, Huddersfield £175 in certain parts despite the £100 offer, Burnley £396, Oldham £328, Rotherham £396 are these good value?? I still believe you are really an arm chair whinger or a sad old BPA fan.
Posted by: tyker, midland road on 7:49am Wed 28 May 08
it seems that seneless's main objection now is the methodology adopted for the season ticket sales:his objection seems to be the BOGOF idea.
He obviously has no friends to enable him to utilise the additional ticket so assumes that if he cannot take up the offer he should get his ticket for half the ridiculously low figure now being charged.
His alternative would be to charge the full proper rate and only have half the tickets sold without, of course, considering the impact that halved number has on potential sales of ancilliaries at each game.
He has failed to come up with any blue print on how the club should be managed and run profitably and how the club can survive without the considerable input of benefactors.
Alternatively if he could put together a consortium of businessmen using his undoubted network of contacts then he should do it and do it quickly as the club, as we are all aware, is strapped for cash.
If, senseless, you cannot do either than please change the tune:we have heard it so often now it is just plain irritating.
Come up with positive constructive working ideas, place them before the directors or belt up!
it seems that seneless's main objection now is the methodology adopted for the season ticket sales:his objection seems to be the BOGOF idea.
He obviously has no friends to enable him to utilise the additional ticket so assumes that if he cannot take up the offer he should get his ticket for half the ridiculously low figure now being charged.
His alternative would be to charge the full proper rate and only have half the tickets sold without, of course, considering the impact that halved number has on potential sales of ancilliaries at each game.
He has failed to come up with any blue print on how the club should be managed and run profitably and how the club can survive without the considerable input of benefactors.
Alternatively if he could put together a consortium of businessmen using his undoubted network of contacts then he should do it and do it quickly as the club, as we are all aware, is strapped for cash.
If, senseless, you cannot do either than please change the tune:we have heard it so often now it is just plain irritating.
Come up with positive constructive working ideas, place them before the directors or belt up!
Posted by: Henley B, Timbukthree on 4:18pm Wed 28 May 08
Don't ask him please, or he'll respond with some garbage speak......... oh hang on here he comes ........
Don't ask him please, or he'll respond with some garbage speak......... oh hang on here he comes ........
Posted by: Gentleman Jim, Yooohooo over here on 8:36am Fri 30 May 08
Now then tyker, I thought Don worked at the Wakefield Rd store. Maybe a bit of moonlighting. Did you know Bob Martin was extremely good friends with non other than Ron Atkinson, don't know how the friendship came about, probably that horrible game, golf, but just an odd fact I have gleaned along the route of life.
Now then tyker, I thought Don worked at the Wakefield Rd store. Maybe a bit of moonlighting. Did you know Bob Martin was extremely good friends with non other than Ron Atkinson, don't know how the friendship came about, probably that horrible game, golf, but just an odd fact I have gleaned along the route of life.
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