Bradford City are in the thick of the League One promotion race after a positive start to the 2026-27 campaign. The club's current form, sitting 4th in the table with nine points, is the backdrop to news involving a former player and reflections from a recent opponent.
Michael Smith, the Mansfield Town striker, has reflected on a missed opportunity in his side's recent 1-0 defeat to Bradford City. Speaking to the media in a press conference, Smith said he should have done better with an early header at Valley Parade. He described it as probably the best chance his team had in the game. Smith also discussed a second-half goal that was disallowed for Mansfield. He admitted that, upon review, he could see why the officials overturned the decision. His manager, Nigel Clough, had suggested after the match that a point would have been a fair result had that goal stood.
Former Bradford City defender Darren Moore has been appointed as the new manager of the England Under-20s side. The 52-year-old, whose last club role was at Port Vale, will lead the Young Lions in their upcoming fixtures against Italy, France and Germany. Moore said he felt huge pride in the appointment. He said he was excited to work with some of the best young talent in the country and help them fulfil their potential. His playing career included a spell at Bradford City before a £650,000 move to Portsmouth in November 1999.
Graham Alexander's side have made a solid start to the new season. They currently occupy 4th place in the League One standings, having taken nine points from their opening five matches. Their record shows three wins and two losses, with a goal difference of plus one. The Bantams are just three points behind early leaders Sheffield Wednesday. Their next challenge is an away trip to face Notts County on September 12th. Fans can track the team's progress and view the full fixtures list on our site. The latest standings are also available.
Attention now turns to a trip to Meadow Lane to face Notts County this coming Saturday. County currently sit 12th in the table, making it a key early-season encounter. A win for Bradford City could see them close the gap at the top further. The match kicks off on September 12th, 2026. It presents another opportunity for the Bantams to build momentum in their pursuit of a promotion spot this season.
