Young aspirants from TEN City have accepted two-year academy scholarships and are now starting their ascent up the ladder.
After progressing through the academy’s levels, they will now play for City’s under-17 and under-19 teams for the upcoming two seasons.
In 2024/2025, the following players will start as under-17 first-year scholars: midfielders Mahmoud Mohammed and Joel Martin, right-back Brandon White, goalkeeper Jack Robinson, central defender Hassan Ayub, left-sided player Zante Rose Campbell, forwards Kyro Ziemiecki, Kieran Mboma, Cameron Paul and Ryan Eli, and right-back Brandon White.
Three scholars and three players joined the club as under-13s, while three players joined during the last year. Eli joined City as an under-10, and White has been a member since the under-12 squad.
The scholars participated in the friendly against Pickering Town on Tuesday. Due to the rainy weather, the match had to be called off after 65 minutes, with the home team winning 1-0.
City’s academy head of coaching, Ryan Farrell, said: “As always, the lads have done brilliantly to get to this point. “There is a nice blend of attacking-minded players in this cohort, who I think will mix really well with our current second-year scholars, which should give us good balance.
The exposure we have given the current first-years has helped them in the games so far, especially on Tuesday against Pickering. “We are always looking to try and get under-16s in and around the professional development phase throughout the season, especially towards the back end of the season to give them exposure and experiences to make this transition easier.”
We have had the chance to become close to the players and have learned a great deal about them both on and off the pitch.
Given that several of them have spent a significant amount of time in the youth system, their knowledge of the club and our requests will serve them well. I’m interested to see how the squad functions when everyone is available.
Interim head of academy Tom Calvert said: “Our strategy is to provide a pathway for talented and ambitious individuals from the local community to progress through the academy, eventually earning their right to play for Bradford City. “Bobby Pointon is a great example of that being possible, and we are hopeful that this group of players can earn their opportunity too.
A lot of credit must go to the coaching and performance support staff who work tirelessly to help these young people improve – both on and off the pitch. “Tom Butcher, Dom Rowe, Oli Norman and Matt Maslak have done a brilliant job in preparing these players for their next step, and are examples of where we provide a pathway for talented, local coaches too.
“This group is unique because, back in 2021, when they were still under-13s, they experienced the same anguish that they did after the loss of their friend and current number eight, Tomi Solomon.
“Tomi would undoubtedly be proud of the resiliency and unity they have demonstrated in the years since, as are all of us.”
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