1998/99 Promotion run to the Premier League

We started off very slowly and Jewell’s job was in danger. We gained momentum but it was still expected that Ipswich would pip us to the post.
Fortunately or unfortunately depending on how you view our fortunes since the PL we held on.

 

But it felt different then. Once they hit their stride that promotion-winning team was different gravy. There were no weak links in defence or midfield and the attack was exceptional - Mills and Blake with Beagrie feeding them was a dream forward line.. We weren’t scraping narrow wins, we were battering teams for fun on a regular basis. The football was the most exciting I’ve seen in 40 years of watching City.
That we only secured auto promotion on the last day of the season is a tribute to the strength of several other teams that year. But that city team had a swagger that this one can only dream about.

 

Correct I don’t think there’s a single player in our current squad that would have even made the bench of the 1999 squad. It’s the GOAT.

 

Great post offy. Sums it up perfectly.

 

That’s a different quality division and player so not a worthy comparison for sure .

 

I’ve always said, and seen nothing to change my opinion . We won’t ever see a better pair of forwards playing together than in Mills and Blake . Streets ahead of anything seen in 66 years for BCAFC .

Their pinnacle has to be Wolves away , I can’t see a better combo ( as you say add in Beags) that day.

 

Yeah of course, top end championship v top end league 1. Massive gulf

 

Glad you realise it . Especially 26 years ago.

 

Even before the game at Wolves started, we weren't expected to go up

 

After the disappointment of the playoffs against Middlesbrough I didn't know what to expect but apart from an altercation with wolves fans After the game it was the perfect day, and as has been said before what a team we had

 

Sort of but it was our third season in the division and we had spent some big money by our standards although admittedly not as much as other teams.

We were expected to fall away as the season went on.

As others have said it was just a great team and a great season, we were beating teams without getting out of second gear.

Wolves away will forever be one of the best days of my life.

 

Enjoy

 

Thanks.
I think all the goals from that season used to be available on YouTube. I’ll have a look later to see if they’re still there.

 

I will never see a Bradford City team play the sort of football that side did in the championship promotion season. Back when 4-4-2 was fashionable we had the ultimate line up, a strike partnership that complemented each other perfectly, two wide men who could genuinely beat their respective full backs and arguably the best central midfield we've ever had. Throw in a strong defence and keeper, we really did have it all.

 

Thanks Geoff

 

Thank you, thank you, thank you. What a day, I even picked myself and 2 sons out. I know it included pens but 15 goals being our 3rd scorer showed the ethos of the team.

 

42 goals between Mills and Blake …

 

Blake and Beagrie could hit a ball with either foot too.

 

We really hammered some teams, they couldn't live with us. A one-off season with an outstanding team.

The Crewe and Gillingham 5-0s stick in my mind. Don't think I've seen us win 5-0 since.