Shay Mcarten

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@BradfordBanter

Bradford City: Club have been transformed, says McCartan
By Simon Parker ParkerTandA

Shay McCartan felt a negative mood in his previous spell with City


SHAY McCartan admitted he didn’t want to come back to City – but is now relishing being part of a “much happier place”.

The Irishman is keen to seize his second chance at Valley Parade after returning from a season-long loan at Lincoln.

McCartan helped the Imps to the League Two title, scoring seven goals in 38 appearances – and was on target in the 1-1 draw with Cheltenham that sealed promotion.

He was initially reluctant to be back with the Bantams after a tricky first spell but has found a “completely different” club.

“Up to a month ago I had it in my head that I didn’t want to be here,” said McCartan.

“Lincoln were doing really well but Bradford, ever since I joined, had this negative vibe with the whole place and I didn’t enjoy it.

“But the whole atmosphere is black and white to what it was like before.

“I was speaking to some of the lads just before I came back and they were saying it’s miles better now.



“Since I’ve been in for the last fortnight, it feels like a completely different club.


“It’s just a lot more professional and better run and it’s a lot happier place. The manager has instilled that and it’s a good place to be at the minute.”

Gary Bowyer told McCartan and Jordan Gibson, who spent the second half of last season at Stevenage, that it would be a clean slate for everybody.

McCartan believes his new boss is a major factor in the transformed mood since City were relegated – and is being allowed to manage after the meddling that his predecessors constantly faced from former chairman Edin Rahic.

He added: “The managers before had their hands tied behind their backs really. It was difficult for them as well – it was difficult for everybody.

“It was frustrating for us because of what was going on behind the scenes. But that’s gone now and we can’t use that excuse any more.

“The club is in a very different place. The gaffer has brought in some good lads and we’ve all gelled well together.

“Training has been tough but the gaffer is enthusiastic and the days are long but enjoyable. That helps with this group of lads.

“If it was a poisonous changing room, you couldn’t wait to get home. But the fact everyone gets on so well makes it a lot easier.”

McCartan joined Lincoln last July just a couple of weeks into pre-season. He did not hear from City again throughout the campaign.

“I was away for a full season and the first contact I had off Bradford was from the gaffer now,” he said. “That says a lot about what was going on behind the scenes.

“But now it’s like I’ve not been away. It’s been great.

“I think one of his goals is to try to get the morale back and the positivity and I think it’s shown on the training pitch.

“You’ve got a lot of banter flying about now where before it felt more like a funeral.

“Bradford may be a massive club but I never got a family feel off it.

“Now you feel that everyone cares about you. It’s a positive place to be at the moment.”

City are expected to send a mixed side to Brighouse Town tonight for their second friendly (7.30).

Bowyer said: “There will be a few of the trialist boys and we’ll see how people have responded after Saturday.”

 

Cheers Dave, making it very easy for me not to do any work!!

 

No interest in him and Lincoln don't want him.

What else do people think he's going to say?

He isn't good enough and certainly not the answer for Bradford City.

 

Guff that we all read. Its served its purpose then

 

He’s a right cry baby though.

Needs to prove it this season otherwise he is one expensive flop in the history of bad city signings

all these owner issues didn’t stop the Blackpool players getting promoted and jut missing out twice on the play offs in league one did it?

Or Coventry getting promoted? Etc etc.

Been an easy cop out for a lot of our shite and now it’s gone be interesting how they perform.

 

Yes but the difference on our owner was that he wasnt just a prick of an owner but he was meddling with the footballing side. So you can see why it would upset managers and players.

 

The Blackpool situation was completely different. Oyston just took all the money out of the club and didn't invest in anything, pitch, training, ground, players etc.

Rahic did invest in those areas, but also felt he knew how to manage a football team better than the people employed to do that job. coming up with training plans he made the manager use, he signed players the manager didn't know, or didn't want and expected them to be playing, he told the manager what tactics to use. He told players they weren't in his plans for the club. you name it, he did it, make no mistake Bradford City was a miserable place to be around while he was in charge, staff didn't want to be here, players didn't want to be here, supporters didn't want to go to games. It was a horrible existence.

I'm delighted that Shay McCarten feels that its nothing like that anymore and a much happier place to be. hopefully this will show in the new season's results.

 

Or Coventry getting relegated twice, moving grounds, not having a ground etc

 

Just found out when you go on the T&A website you can register and access the site without subscribing

 

I hope it’s shown in the results and performances too

Rahic left with plenty of games to spare in the season last year and we still didn’t see much of an improvement.

The players were just not good enough and are blaming it all on the situation. Granted it was massive factor but they’ve got a lot to prove this year

 

The players that Rahic signed.

 

Can I just point out that it's McCartAn.

Cheers.

 

If Shay stays, hopefully his a positive impact on the forthcoming season.

 

Not seeing your point here?

 

Go incognito mate. That way you can see the content.

 

TBF Sisu seem to leave the football side alone, they’ve a reputation amongst some fans for not putting a lot of money in, that’s nothing new in football though.
The difference is Joy Seppala isn’t in the club every day making a nuisance of herself.

 

We need 4 strikers McCarten makes up the 4

 

I know very little/have no interest in the situation but from the outside it seems like the situation hasn't helped due to being relegated twice and trouble with the ground.

 

Told you so