Bradford City enter the 2026-27 campaign with momentum after a season that produced the club’s best League One finish in 23 years. Yet the close season has brought notable changes to the squad that will shape expectations at Valley Parade.
Last season’s platform
Under manager Graham Alexander, City secured fourth place in League One and reached the play-offs — a significant improvement on recent years and the highest league position since the mid-2000s. The club’s home form has been particularly consistent across Alexander’s tenure, providing the foundation for their success.
| Metric | Figure |
|---|---|
| League finish (2025-26) | 4th |
| League home defeats across two full seasons | 6 |
| Seasons reaching 50+ points | 2024-25 and 2025-26 |
Summer departures and the challenge in midfield
There have been a number of exits this summer that affect the playing squad. Most prominently, Max Power has moved to League One rivals Wigan Athletic, and Jenson Metcalfe completed a transfer to Millwall. Those departures leave a potential gap in central midfield — an area the club may need to reinforce if they are to replicate last season’s performance levels.
- Power’s influence in midfield will be difficult to replace, according to assessments in the local press.
- Metcalfe’s move represents a significant outgoing transfer for the club.
- Bradford have recruited with contingencies in mind, though questions remain over depth at centre midfield.
What this means for the season ahead
If City can preserve the strong home record that has seen them lose only six league matches at Valley Parade over Alexander’s two full seasons, they will retain a solid platform from which to challenge again for the top six. Home fixtures have become environments that energise the team, and maintaining that atmosphere will be important as new and remaining players bed in.
Supporters and stakeholders will be watching closely how the club addresses the midfield departures and whether incoming recruits — or tactical adjustments by Alexander — can offset the losses. While some turnover is routine, the scale and timing of the exits mean early-season form may be decisive in setting the tone for the campaign.
For local followers of the Bantams, continuity at Valley Parade remains vital: sustained home performances, intelligent recruitment and squad unity will determine whether Bradford can match or better last season’s high-water mark.
