Bradford City Eye Play-Off Push Amid Busy Transfer Window

Bradford City Eye Play-Off Push Amid Busy Transfer Window

January 25, 2026

Bradford City are firmly in the mix for a League One play-off spot as the 2025/26 season enters its crucial phase, with manager Graham Alexander urging his side to maintain their recent momentum despite a mixed run of results.

The Bantams currently sit in the upper half of the table, having shown resilience after a heavy West Yorkshire derby defeat to Huddersfield Town earlier this month. That match, which saw City's defence exposed in a disappointing loss, was followed by a club statement condemning "abhorrent" racist abuse directed at defender Curtis Tilt from a section of opposition supporters. The incident has drawn widespread condemnation, with Bradford promising full cooperation with authorities to identify those responsible.

On the pitch, Alexander's men have bounced back with some encouraging performances. A solid victory away at Blackpool earlier in January highlighted their attacking intent, while recent home wins have kept them within touching distance of the top six. Key players such as captain Max Power and loanee wing-back Harrison Ashby have been pivotal, with Ashby expressing his determination to prove doubters wrong and push for a permanent future at Valley Parade.

Off the field, the club has been active in the January transfer window. Defender Brad Halliday departed by mutual consent to join Dundee, bringing an end to a successful spell that included promotion from League Two. Meanwhile, Bradford are reportedly closing in on a loan deal for promising Manchester United striker Ethan Wheatley, who could add firepower to their attacking options for the run-in. The potential arrival of the young forward follows the early termination of Tom McIntyre's loan from Portsmouth, as Alexander looks to fine-tune his squad.

Alexander has praised the honesty within his group following recent setbacks. "The players have been excellent in owning where we need to improve," he said in a recent interview. "We've come a long way this season, and the focus now is on consistency to secure a play-off place."

Upcoming fixtures offer no respite, with tough tests against promotion contenders like Doncaster Rovers and Lincoln City on the horizon. A positive result in the home clash against Doncaster later this week could propel City further up the standings and boost confidence ahead of what promises to be an exciting second half of the campaign.

Fans will also be eagerly anticipating the annual BBC Radio Leeds Fans' Forum in February, where supporters can put questions directly to the manager and board. Amid the ongoing push for success on the pitch, Bradford City remain committed to fostering a positive environment both on and off it.

As the Bantams chase a return to the Championship, the blend of youth, experience, and determination could prove decisive in the months ahead.

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Home of Bradford City AFC

Opened 1886

Capacity 25,136

History (from Wikipedia)

The stadium is divided into five all-seater stands, the JCT600 Stand, the Kop, the Midland Road Stand, the North West Corner and the TL Dallas Stand.[2][45] All five stands are covered except for a small part of the main stand,[46] and all but the Midland Road Stand being two-tiered. Most of the stands are cantilever structures, and because of the ground's location on the hillside, the Midland Road Stand overhangs the road.[47][48]

Many of the stands have more traditional names, but have since been renamed because of sponsorship deals. The JCT600 Stand is the ground's main stand, and is often called the latter by fans, but is also known as the Sunwin stand owing to the former sponsor. The Kop,[45] was the former standing area, and its name was derived, like at many stadia across the country, from the Battle of Spion Kop. The East Stand, sponsored by Northern Commercials, is also named the Midland Road stand, because of the road on that side of the ground. The TL Dallas Stand is also known as the Bradford end, because it is nearest to the city centre.[4]

The total capacity of Valley Parade is 25,136. The largest stand is the JCT600 Stand, which holds 9,004 supporters, followed by the Kop, which has a capacity of 7,492. The Midland Road Stand holds 4,500, and the North West Corner 2,300. The TL Dallas Stand is the smallest of the five stands with a capacity of 1,840.[2] The stadium includes 134 seats for media representatives.[49]

The Sunwin Stand has further room for expansion,[35] and is unusual because it only runs three-quarters of the length of the pitch. The rest of this side is taken up by a brick building, situated in the south west corner of the stadium, which houses the club changing rooms and the security offices.[4] The Sunwin Stand also includes the ground's 17 executive boxes and conference facilities, which have capacity for up to 700 people.[50] A second function room, called the Bantams Bar, in the Kop, has room for another 300 people.[51] There is also more office space, a club store, ticket office and museum in the car park behind the Kop.[4][52] From early 2010, the area near the store will also include a dental surgery, which will be run by NHS Bradford and Airedale in partnership with the football club.[53]

Visiting team fans sat in the TL Dallas Stand from 1995 to 2008,[54] but have also been given other parts of the ground for larger matches.[55][56] In March 2008, the club announced that the TL Dallas Stand would be made available for home fans for the 2008–09 season. The decision came after an overwhelmingly positive text message poll from the club's supporters to use the Bradford End of the ground. Visiting team fans have been accommodated in the end blocks of the East Stand since the start of the 2008–09 season.[54]

Things to do in Bradford.