Match Thread Bradford City Vs Barrow Tuesday 3rd December 7.45

My first season that, although it is the 68/69 season that my memory goes as far back to.

 

The period 1986 to 1989 was a great time to watch City, we had a fantastic team for the 'nearly' season and getting to see City compete on level terms with the likes of Chelsea, West Ham, Manchester City and Aston Villa back then was special. Chris Kamara's tenure, leading into Paul Jewell's success was also a great time to be a City fan - those were my favourite 5 years of watching us. Parky gave us some pride, created a terrific team for that level and provided incredible cup game experiences. Other than that, being a City fan has been a pretty miserable/uneventful part of life hasn't it?

The difference in recent times, and what has been so frustrating, is that the club has built up a fanbase that just didn't exist for most of recent history. I know the tickets are cheap etc etc, but we still have more season ticket holders than back in the old division 2. The initiative of Mark Lawn gave us a chance that the SR regime has squandered: taking us from being a strong league one team to a bang average league two team.

As a result, and back on to topic, we are playing Barrow on equal terms tonight. A club that has done admirably to become a solid league 2 side, while we've pratted about. I live in hope that we might get an ambitious owner again one day.

As for the match, both teams are struggling for form and it is one we really need to win. It is a very average division this season so we still have every chance, statistically, of being in contention at the end of the season: even if the visual evidence goes against this.

 

I can only think it will be a drab affair on a freezing cold night and much of the same as Saturday. Baldwin back in contention now apparently and will at least make the bench, so probably won’t have much of an impact if he does play….of course I’m going down!!

But seriously, a draw or loss tonight in a third-full stadium - followed by a cricket score at Crewe on Saturday (I think we’ll get hammered at Crewe even if we win tonight btw) and that’ll be curtains for GA. There might even be another manager in place by the time the rest of L2 kick off at 3pm…..

 

In no way it outlines our future Dave it isn’t meant to . Someone said it’s the worst we have ever been in the last 40 years , which isn’t true and my bit was relating that it was far far and away worse before then . Nobody make the mistake I’m excusing the present day !

 

I'll be honest I wasn't sure of the history between the wars. I do remember looking years ago at our history post WW2 and and being particularly surprised at the years in and around the basement division.

 

I thought being "drugged up" was something of a prerequisite for watching City.

 

Thought you were saying you have had all the pain you could take this week without adding more.

 

Plastic.

 

All the best in your recovery, sir.

 

I started going in 1961,and yes,the stadium was shall we say,faded,and for much of the time the team were not all that good,but they were our team,and we felt a connection with them,something that is sadly lacking at the present time.

 

We would have probably had more promotions in that era as in the 3rd division north days only the champions were promoted. So once you were relegated from 2nd division you were stuck there unless you had an outstanding team.

 

Oh I still do , bred in me , I was only a couple of years in front of you . Unless Rupp gives it away, there’s a thought, we are stuck.

 

Hope you are ok Staff?

 

Just don't say that about Leicester

 

Depends how the players can handle the big crowd at home! Er hum. That's been thrown at them a few times but I'd guess the actual attendance will be below 10,000. Let's see if they can perform in front of a smaller crowd then!