Bradford City Back to It for League One as Walsall Miss Out
The fine margins that exist in football were on full display last Monday, as Bradford City confirmed their return to League One – while Walsall were left to rue what might have been.
A season that promised much for both clubs ultimately ended with joy for the Bantams and disappointment for the Saddlers, whose campaign derailed spectacularly after a 3-0 humbling at Valley Parade back in January.
That emphatic result, in front of a roaring home crowd, marked a turning point. It was not just three points for City – it was the spark that lit the fuse on an extraordinary winning streak that would carry them all the way to promotion. That afternoon saw everything click for Graham Alexander’s side: energy, ruthlessness, and a clear sense of purpose.
For Walsall, however, it was the beginning of the end. The defeat seemed to knock the stuffing out of them. A team once in the play-off picture slipped into inconsistency, and ultimately mediocrity, finishing well short of their aspirations.
It’s a storyline familiar in football: two sides, both dreaming of upward mobility, separated by a single game and the psychological momentum that followed it.
City, in contrast, surged forward with unrelenting determination. Players like Andy Cook and Richie Smallwood stepped up in the season’s critical moments, while the defence – marshalled expertly by Sam Stubbs and Ash Taylor – became one of the most resolute in the division.
Promotion was clinched with a game to spare, but the celebrations only truly began after the final whistle of their 2-1 win over Barrow on Monday, confirming their rise to the third tier. For a club of Bradford’s stature, with its loyal and vast fanbase, the return to League One felt long overdue.
Manager Graham Alexander, appointed mid-season, deserves immense credit. Tasked with steadying the ship, he instilled belief and clarity. That 3-0 win over Walsall was arguably his defining early moment.
Speaking after Monday’s game, Alexander reflected: “This is a reward for the character and togetherness of this squad. That run of wins in January and February built the foundation. We just kept believing.”
For Walsall, it’s another season in League Two – and questions to answer over how a campaign full of promise drifted so far off course.
But for City, thoughts now turn to League One. Recruitment, preparation, and the chance to test themselves at a higher level will dominate the summer. After years of near-misses and frustration, the Bantams are back – and this time, they’re aiming to stay.
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