Football Season Review

It was another season to forget for Bradford City, who continue to languish in the bottom half of League 2. It might have been even worse for the Bantams had it not been for joint-managers Conor Sellars and Mark Trueman, who oversaw a mid-season revival that saw the side avoid a relegation battle and even enjoy a brief flirtation with the play-offs. Stuart McCall might be a club legend but a dreadful start to the campaign didn’t save him from criticism as the side slide inexorably towards the bottom of the table and ignominy of non-league football. A run of six straight defeats saw his reign end in December with the team second bottom of the table. Sellars and Trueman were initially appointed as caretakers but had an immediate impact with a much-needed home win over promoted Cambridge United. They adopted a 4-2-3-1 system that got the best out of players such as defenders Anthony and Paudie O’Connor and midfielders Callum Cooke and Levi Sutton. They recruited well in the January transfer window, bringing in strikers Danny Rowe and Andy Cook, the latter finishing as leading goalscorer with eight goals. A run of just one defeat in 14 matches saw Sellars and Trueman handed the roles on a permanent basis. Sadly just as the play-offs appeared in sight, the side's form plummeted and one win in the last nine matches meant a 15th place finish. It proved costly for Sellars and Trueman, who were sacked and the appointment of an experienced manager is expected.

Player of the Season: Paudie O'Connor