You mention the words Bradford City to any Lincoln fan and that fateful day in the 80s comes back to mind. What was meant to be a day of celebration for the Bantams after 28 wins had propelled them to the Division 3 title, but it ended in tragedy as a fire broke out in the main stand and a number of fans died.

Since then the fates of the Imps and the Bantams have been very different. Lincoln have been promoted twice, failed in the Playoffs five times and relegated twice in that time, whereas Bradford have suffered 4 relegations, 3 promotions and a failed Playoff attempts. Just 7 years ago Bradford were one of the best 20 sides in the country as they competed in the Premiership but a completely miserable time then has seen them finish just two of the following six seasons in the top half of a table.

Last season saw Bradford meandering in midtable position and then they let Dean Windass join Hull City on loan and the men from Valley Parade suddenly collasped. They weren’t doing spectacularly before hand but they only won two of the final 18 games and were comfortably relegated.

In an attempt to win promotion back at the first attempt they have reduced adult season tickets to just £138 and you get a free child’s season ticket at the same time. This scheme has seen them sell over 12,000 season tickets and hope is high at Bradford this will swing it in their direction. At most they’ve only actually sold 6,000 adult season tickets and that won’t get them much money at all compared to what other teams will get for selling less tickets but for considerably more money.

If all season ticket holders turn up to every game, add on the away fans and you will have easily the biggest crowds in the division.

Bradford haven’t been particularly busy in the transfer market, with the most well known name coming in being two time Darlington man Barry Conlon. Other names in the squad that was already there might sound familiar to a few. David Wetherall used to play for Leeds and Wednesday but has been with Bradford ever since the club’s Premiership days.

Going on what a few Bradford fans tell me they are extremely reliant on the long ball and for most teams in the division is doesn’t work, unless your names happen to be Paul Trollope or Keith Alexander.

I think Bradford will do well in the division comparatively but will struggle to adapt initially due to the huge difference between League’s One and Two. For this reason I don’t think they will achieve a playoff place and will initially finish 9^th, but surely Bradford fans would take that if you gave it to them given their recent instability.

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