Bradford City will return to League One for the 2025-26 season following six years in English football’s fourth division, however Player of the Year Richie Smallwood will not join them.
A combative, no-nonsense player, Power brings plenty of experience to City ahead of next season, and he appears to be a replacement for Smallwood, who has unexpectedly announced his departure from Valley Parade.
The announcement of Richie Smallwood’s contract sparks an outcry among Bradford City supporters.
Bradford disclosed in mid-May as part of their retained list that they were in talks with Smallwood about a new contract, with the 34-year-old club captain’s current deal expiring at the end of June.
Many would have considered Smallwood’s stay at Valley Parade as a no-brainer, a matter of when rather than if, given his importance to Alexander’s engine room, having appeared 43 times in League Two this season.
However, in a surprise move, Smallwood said in a statement on Monday that he would be leaving Bradford, and he also claimed that the club had opted not to give him a new contract, despite the fact that their retained list indicated that talks were ongoing.
Smallwood’s disclosure has sparked outrage among Bantams supporters, with one stating that the Bradford hierarchy made a “stupid decision”.
Another supporter says Bradford’s decision not to offer Smallwood a new contract is “ridiculous” for a player who was almost always there during their promotion-winning campaign.
Echoing the majority decision from the terraces of Valley Parade, this Bradford supporter referred to the Smallwood decision as “strange”
In contrast, this fan “cannot fathom” Smallwood’s choice to leave the team in light of everything he has done over the last three years.
In what seems to be a widely held opinion, one last supporter feels that Smallwood’s departure from the club makes no sense.
One of Bradford City’s competitors may take advantage and make Bantams repent. Richie Smallwood decided.
Given his performance at the base of Bradford’s midfield this season, Smallwood’s departure from Valley Parade comes as a surprise to most people, however Max Power’s arrival alleviates some of the burden on the club.
Despite being 34 years old, Smallwood has proven that he can still compete at a high level, as evidenced by his Player of the Year title, which will pique the curiosity of some of Bradford’s new League One rivals for the next season.
There are many Yorkshire teams in the third division for the upcoming season if Smallwood doesn’t want to move too far. Barnsley, Rotherham United, and Doncaster Rovers may all have midfield openings, but if he stays in League Two, teams like Oldham Athletic and Salford City are only a few miles away.
It’s unclear what will happen next, but many people seem to be frustrated by Smallwood leaving.
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