List of Bradford City A.F.C. seasons

Last updated

The Bradford City side that won the 1911 FA Cup--the only major honour to be won by the club Bradford1911.jpg
The Bradford City side that won the 1911 FA Cup the only major honour to be won by the club

Bradford City Association Football Club were formed in 1903 and were elected into the Second Division before they had even played a game. Bradford City and Chelsea, in 1905, remain the only teams to be elected into the league before playing a competitive fixture. [1] The club were promoted to the First Division when they won the Second Division title in 1907–08. In 1910–11 the club recorded their highest league position of fifth and also won their only major honour when captain Jimmy Speirs lifted the FA Cup after he scored the only goal to defeat Newcastle United 1–0 in the final replay. [2] Bradford City's honours also include the Third Division North title in 1928–29 and the Third Division crown in 1984–85, as well as the Third Division North Challenge Cup in 1938–39.

Contents

Bradford City have spent two seasons in the Premier League. In 1999–2000, they avoided relegation with just 36 points, then a record low to stay up, after defeating Liverpool 1–0 in the final game with a headed goal from David Wetherall. [3] The club have won promotion in a total of eight seasons and been relegated on ten occasions; three relegations in the previous seven seasons meant the 2007–08 season was their first in the fourth tier in 26 years. Bradford City have also played in European competition when they took one of England's two places in the Intertoto Cup in 2000. They defeated FK Atlantas and RKC Waalwijk before being knocked out by FC Zenit Saint Petersburg in the semi-finals. [4]

Seasons

SeasonLeague FA Cup EFL Cup [A] Europe / OtherTop scorer [B]
DivisionPWDLFAPtsPos
1903–04 Div 2 [C] 3412715455931 10th 4Q Johnny McMillan 16
1904–05 Div 23412814454932 8th IR Jack Forrest 17
1905–06 Div 23813817466034 11th R3 Wallace Smith 24
1906–07 Div 23821512705347 5th R3 Wallace Smith 14
1907–08 Div 2382468904254 1st R1 Frank O'Rourke 21
1908–09 Div 1 38121016474734 18th R3 Frank O'Rourke 19
1909–10 Div 13817813644742 7th R2 Frank O'Rourke 23
1910–11 Div 13820513514245 5th W Frank O'Rourke 14
1911–12 Div 13815815465038 11th QF Harold Walden 14
1912–13 Div 138121115506035 13th R1 Oscar Fox 13
1913–14 Div 138121412404038 9th R2 Dicky Bond 10
1914–15 Div 138131411554940 10th QF Oscar Fox 17
1915–19No competitive football was played between 1915 and 1919 because of the First World War.
1919–20 Div 142141117546339 15th QF Dicky Bond
Jimmy McIlvenny
13
1920–21 Div 142121515616339 15th R2 Billy Hibbert 13
1921–22 Div 142111021487232 21st R2 Billy Hibbert 15
1922–23 Div 242121317414537 15th R1 Cecil Kilborn
Fred Rhodes
Arthur Rigby
5
1923–24 Div 242111516354837 18th R1 Fred Rhodes 7
1924–25 Div 242131217375038 16th R3 Reuben Butler 15
1925–26 Div 242131019476636 16th R3 Norman Winn 8
1926–27 Div 2427926508823 22nd R3 Ralph Burkinshaw
Charlie Moore
8
1927–28 Div 3N 42181212856048 6th R2 Charlie Moore 17
1928–29 Div 3N4227961284363 1st R4 Albert Whitehurst 24
1929–30 Div 242121218607736 18th R5 Sandy Cochrane 21
1930–31 Div 242171015616344 10th R4 John Hallows 19
1931–32 Div 242161313806145 7th R3 John Hallows 21
1932–33 Div 242141315656141 11th R3 Stan Alexander 16
1933–34 Div 24220616736746 6th R3 Joe Spence 24
1934–35 Div 24212822506832 20th R4 Harry Adamson 10
1935–36 Div 242151314556543 12th R5 Harry Travis 18
1936–37 Div 24291221549430 21st R3 George Murphy 11
1937–38 Div 3N42141018666938 14th R3 Third Division North Challenge Cup [D] RU Jack Deakin 27
1938–39 Div 3N4222812895652 3rd R1 Third Division North Challenge CupW Jack Deakin 29
1939–40 [E] Div 3N3012361 21st
1939–45No competitive football was played between 1939 and 1945 because of the Second World War.
1945–46 R1 [F] George Murphy 2
1946–47 Div 3N42201012624750 5th R1 George Murphy 15
1947–48 Div 3N42151017656640 14th R2 John Neilson 12
1948–49 Div 3N4210923487729 22nd [G] R2 Jimmy Brown 12
1949–50 Div 3N4212822617632 19th R2 Billy Price 16
1950–51 Div 3N46211015906352 7th R1 Billy Price 16
1951–52 Div 3N46161020616842 15th R2 Whelan Ward 12
1952–53 Div 3N46141814758046 16th R2 Eddie Carr 20
1953–54 Div 3N4622915605553 5th R1 Abe Rosenthal 15
1954–55 Div 3N46131023475536 21st R3 Billy Tunnicliffe 7
1955–56 Div 3N46181315786449 8th R2 Bobby Webb 19
1956–57 Div 3N4622816786852 9th R1 Les Samuels 19
1957–58 Div 3N46211510734957 3rd R3 David Jackson 14
1958–59 Div 3 [H] 46181117847647 11th R4 John McCole 34
1959–60 Div 346151219667442 19th R5 Derek Stokes 35
1960–61 Div 346111421658736 22nd R2 R3 David Layne 10
1961–62 [I] Div 4 4421914948651 5th R3 R1 David Layne 36 [J]
1962–63 Div 446111025649332 23rd [G] R3 R1 Peter Bircumshaw
Stan Harland
11
1963–64 Div 44625615766256 5th R1 R1 Rodney Green 31
1964–65 Div 44612826708832 19th R1 QF Tom Brownlee 14
1965–66 Div 446121321639437 23rd [G] R1 R1 Ken Leek 11
1966–67 Div 446191017746248 11th R1 R1 John Hall 18
1967–68 Div 446231112725157 5th R2 R1 Bruce Bannister 16
1968–69 Div 44618208654656 4th R1 R2 Bobby Ham 20
1969–70 Div 346171217575046 10th R3 R4 Bobby Ham 19
1970–71 Div 346131419496240 19th R2 R1 Bruce Bannister 19
1971–72 Div 346111025457732 24th R1 R1 Peter Middleton 11
1972–73 Div 446161119616543 16th R4 R1 Allan Gilliver 20
1973–74 Div 446171415585248 8th R4 R1 Gerry Ingram 18
1974–75 Div 446171316565147 10th R1 R2 Bobby Ham 14
1975–76 Div 446121717636541 17th QF R1 Joe Cooke 24
1976–77 Div 446231310785159 4th R1 R2 Joe Cooke 18
1977–78 Div 346121024568634 22nd R1 R1 Don Hutchins
Bernie Wright
10
1978–79 Div 44617920626843 15th R2 R2 David McNiven 15
1979–80 Div 446241210775060 5th R3 R2 David McNiven 18
1980–81 Div 446141616536044 14th R1 R2 Bobby Campbell 22
1981–82 Div 44626137884591 [K] 2nd R1 R3 Football League Group Cup [L] QF Bobby Campbell 29
1982–83 Div 346161317686961 12th R3 R3Football League Group CupQF Bobby Campbell 33
1983–84 Div 346201115736571 7th R1 R1 Football League Trophy [M] R2 John Hawley 23
1984–85 Div 3 [N] 4628108774594 1st R3 R2 Football League TrophyR2 Bobby Campbell 26
1985–86 Div 24616620516354 13th R3 R2 Full Members Cup [O] R1 Greg Abbott
John Hendrie
13
1986–87 Div 246151017626255 10th R4 R4Full Members CupQF John Hendrie 17
1987–88 Div 246221111745477 4th [P] R5 QFFull Members CupSF Ron Futcher 19
1988–89 Div 246131716525956 14th R4 QFFull Members CupR2 Mark Leonard 12
1989–90 Div 24691423446841 23rd R3 R2Full Members CupR1 Mark Leonard
Jimmy Quinn
7
1990–91 Div 346201016625470 8th R1 R3Football League TrophyQF Sean McCarthy 16
1991–92 Div 346131914626158 16th R2 R2Football League TrophyPR Sean McCarthy 17
1992–93 Div 2 [Q] 46181414696768 10th R2 R1Football League Trophy QF/N Sean McCarthy 25
1993–94 Div 246191314615370 7th R1 R2 Football League TrophyR2 Sean McCarthy 21
1994–95 Div 246161218576460 14th R1 R2 Football League TrophyR2 Paul Jewell 14
1995–96 Div 24622717716973 6th [R] R3 R3Football League TrophyR1 Paul Showler 14
1996–97 Div 146121222477248 21st R5 R1 Ole Bjørn Sundgot
Chris Waddle
6
1997–98 Div 146141517465957 13th R3 R1 Edinho
Robert Steiner
11
1998–99 Div 14626911824787 2nd R4 R3 Lee Mills 24
1999–2000 Prem 389920386836 17th R4 R3 Dean Windass 10
2000–01 Prem3851122307026 20th R3 R3 UEFA Intertoto Cup SF Dean Windass 8
2001–02 Div 146151021697655 15th R3 R3 Eoin Jess 14
2002–03 Div 146141022517352 19th R3 R1 Andy Gray 15
2003–04 Div 14610630386936 23rd R3 R1 Michael Branch
Andy Gray
Dean Windass
6
2004–05 Lge 1 [S] 46171415646265 11th R1 R1 Football League TrophyR1 Dean Windass 28
2005–06 Lge 146141913514961 11th R2 R2 Football League TrophyR3 Dean Windass 20
2006–07 Lge 146111421476547 22nd R2 R1 Football League Trophy R1 Dean Windass 12
2007–08 Lge 2 46171118636162 10th R2 R1 Football League Trophy R1 Peter Thorne 15
2008–09 Lge 246181315665567 9th R2 R1 Football League Trophy R1 Peter Thorne 17
2009–10 Lge 246161416596262 14th R1 R1 Football League Trophy SF/N James Hanson 13
2010–11 Lge 24615724436852 18th R1 R2 Football League Trophy R2 Dave Syers 10
2011–12 Lge 246121420545950 18th R3 R1 Football League Trophy SF/N James Hanson 14
2012–13 Lge 246181513635269 7th [T] R2 RU [U] Football League Trophy SF/N Nahki Wells 18
2013–14 Lge 146141715575459 11th R1 R1 Football League Trophy R1 Nahki Wells 15
2014–15 Lge 146171415555565 7th QF R3 Football League Trophy R1 Billy Clarke 14
2015–16 Lge 146231112554080 5th [V] R3 R1 Football League Trophy R2 James Hanson 13
2016–17 Lge 14620197624379 5th [W] R1 R1 EFL Trophy QF Jordy Hiwula 12
2017–18 Lge 14618919576763 11th R3 R1 EFL Trophy R2 Charlie Wyke 15
2018–19 Lge 14611827497741 24th R2 R1 EFL Trophy GS Eoin Doyle 11
2019–20 Lge 237141211444054 9th R1 R1 EFL Trophy GS James Vaughan 11
2020–21 Lge 246161119485359 15th R2 R2 EFL Trophy GS Andy Cook 8
2021–22 Lge 246141616535558 14th R1 R1 EFL Trophy GS Andy Cook 12
2022–23 Lge 246201610614376 6th [X] R1 R2 EFL Trophy R32 Andy Cook 30
2023–24 Lge 246191215615969 9th R1 R3 EFL Trophy SF

Key

ChampionsRunners-up Promoted Relegated

Division shown in bold when it changes due to promotion or relegation. Top scorer shown in bold with when he set or equalled a club record.

Footnotes

A.  ^ : The League Cup was founded in the 1960–61 season.
B.  ^ : Figures include goals in the Football and Premier Leagues, FA Cup, League Cup, European competitions, playoffs, Full Members Cup, Football League Trophy, Football League Group Cup and the Football League Third Division North Challenge Cup.
C.  ^ : Bradford City were elected to the Second Division for the 1903–04 season.
D.  ^ : The Football League Third Division North Cup ran from the 1933–34 season until 1945–46 season.
E.  ^ : The 1939–40 season was abandoned in early September and all results annulled, after only three matches had been played.
F.  ^ : All FA Cup ties in 1945–46 were played on a two legged basis.
G.  a b c : The club successfully applied for re-election to the Football League.
H.  ^ : Bradford City were placed in the Third Division on league reorganization.
I.  ^ : Accrington Stanley resigned from the league after playing 33 matches. Their results were declared void, omitted from the calculation of the final league table and their league record expunged.
J.  ^ : David Layne's 36 goals, 34 in the league and two in the FA Cup, remain a club record.
K.  ^ : The 1981–82 season saw the introduction of three points for a win.
L.  ^ : The Football League Group Cup was founded in the 1981–82 season and lasted just two seasons.
M.  ^ : The Football League Trophy was founded in the 1983–84 season.
N.  ^ : Record includes a 0–0 draw against Lincoln City which was abandoned after 40 minutes due to a fire in the main stand. The result at the time was ordered to stand by the Football League.
O.  ^ : The Full Members Cup was founded in the 1985–86 season and lasted until the 1991–92 season.
P.  ^ : Lost in play-off semi-finals to Middlesbrough.
Q.  ^ : The Third Division was renamed the Second Division following the advent of the Premier League.
R.  ^ : Promoted via play-offs after defeating Notts County 2–0 in the final.
S.  ^ : The Second Division was renamed League One following the advent of the Championship.
T.  ^ : Promoted via play-offs after defeating Northampton 3–0 in the final.
U.  ^ : Lost to Swansea City in the Final.
W.  ^ : Lost in play-off final to Millwall.
X.  ^ : Lost in play-off semi-finals to Carlisle United.

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References

  1. Frost, Terry (1988). Bradford City A Complete Record 1903–1988. Breedon Books Sport. p. 13. ISBN   0-907969-38-0.
  2. "Leader on the pitch and the battlefield". Telegraph & Argus. 13 August 2007. Archived from the original on 17 December 2019. Retrieved 4 December 2007.
  3. "Bradford pull off great escape". BBC Sport. 29 June 2000. Archived from the original on 13 January 2016. Retrieved 4 December 2007.
  4. "Bantams Euro dream over". BBC Sport. 2 August 2000. Retrieved 4 December 2007.

Sources