1907–08 Bradford City A.F.C. season

The 1907–08 season was the fifth season in Bradford City A.F.C.'s history and the fifth successive in the Second Division since their election to the league in 1903.

Bradford City
1907–08 season
ManagerPeter O'Rourke
StadiumValley Parade
Football League Second Division1st
FA CupFirst Round
Top goalscorerLeague: Frank O'Rourke (21)
All: Frank O'Rourke (21)
Highest home attendancec. 27,000 (v Leeds City, 5 October 1907;
v Burnley, 20 April 1908)
Lowest home attendancec. 8,000 (v Stockport County, 22 February 1908)

Background
Main article: 1906–07 Bradford City A.F.C. season
See also: History of Bradford City A.F.C. and List of Bradford City A.F.C. seasons

Bradford City had been elected to the Football League in 1903,[1] since when they had played in the Second Division.[2] They finished 10th in their first season in the league,[3] and followed it with two further mid-table positions.[2] Their best position in the first four seasons came in 1906–07, manager Peter O'Rourke's first full campaign having replaced Robert Campbell in November 1905.[4] He led City to fifth position in 1906–07, helped by a record of 10 victories from their final 14 games of the campaign.[5]

Review

Pre-season

O'Rourke added to his squad which finished the previous season with a string of victories by signing Scottish national goalkeeper Willie Muir from Dundee, centre forward Sam Higginson from Reading and left half Harry Hanger from Kettering Town.[6]

September

Bradford started the season by winning 8–1 at home against Chesterfield,[6] the first time the club had scored more than six goals in a league game.[7] Wally Smith's four goals in the match[8] was also the first time any City player had managed the feat.[7] Despite losing the second game of the season at Burnley, Bradford responded with 1–0 and 3–0 successes against Oldham Athletic and Clapton Orient.[8]

Match results

Legend
Win Draw Loss

Football League Second Division
Source: Frost[8]
GameDateOpponentVenueResultAttendance[A]Goalscorers
17 September 1907ChesterfieldHome8–114,000Handley (2), McDonald, O'Rourke, Smith (4, 1 pen)
214 September 1907BurnleyAway1–28,000O'Rourke
321 September 1907Oldham AthleticHome1–017,000McDonald
428 September 1907Clapton OrientAway3–010,000Bartlett, Higginson, O'Rourke
55 October 1907Leeds CityHome5–027,000Bartlett, Hanger, McDonald, Smith (2, 1 pen)
612 October 1907Wolverhampton WanderersAway0–08,000
719 October 1907Gainsborough TrinityHome7–115,000Hanger, McDonald, O'Rourke (4), Smith
826 October 1907Stockport CountyAway1–14,000Smith
92 November 1907GlossopHome2–112,000Bartlett, Clarke
109 November 1907Leicester FosseAway1–215,000Handley
1116 November 1907BlackpoolHome3–011,000McDonald, O'Rourke, Robinson
1223 November 1907StokeAway0–35,000
1330 November 1907West Bromwich AlbionHome0–018,000
147 December 1907Grimsby TownAway1–02,000Handley
1514 December 1907Hull CityAway2–09,000Bartlett, Smith
1621 December 1907Derby CountyHome3–117,000Bartlett, Handley (2)
1725 December 1907BarnsleyHome2–018,000O'Rourke (2)
1826 December 1907FulhamHome1–325,000Smith (pen)
1928 December 1907Lincoln CityAway4–22,000Bartlett, Handley, McDonald, Smith
201 January 1908BarnsleyAway2–18,000Handley (2, 1 pen)
214 January 1908ChesterfieldAway1–12,000O'Rourke
2218 January 1908Oldham AthleticAway0–418,000
2325 January 1908Clapton OrientHome1–010,000Smith
241 February 1908Leeds CityAway1–025,600McDonald
258 February 1908Wolverhampton WanderersHome6–216,000Higginson (2), McDonald, Smith (3)
2615 February 1908Gainsborough TrinityAway5–14,000Handley (3), O'Rourke (2)
2722 February 1908Stockport CountyHome5–08,000Clarke, Handley, Higginson, McDonald, Smith
2829 February 1908GlossopAway2–22,000O'Rourke (2)
297 March 1908Leicester FosseHome1–517,000McDonald
3014 March 1908BlackpoolAway1–23,000McDonald
3121 March 1908StokeHome6–014,000Clarke, Handley, O'Rourke (3), Smith
3228 March 1908West Bromwich AlbionAway2–37,000O'Rourke, Smith
334 April 1908Grimsby TownHome1–116,000Bartlett
3411 April 1908Hull CityHome2–116,000Smith (2)
3517 April 1908FulhamAway2–040,000Handley, O'Rourke
3618 April 1908Derby CountyAway3–214,000Hanger, Higginson, McDermott
3720 April 1908BurnleyHome2–027,000Handley, McDonald
3825 April 1908Lincoln CityHome2–012,000McDonald, O'Rourke

FA Cup
Main article: 1907–08 FA Cup
Source:Frost[8]
RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendance[A]Goalscorers
111 January 1908Wolverhampton WanderersHome1–115,100Handley
1R15 January 1908Wolverhampton WanderersAway0–116,000
A. a b All attendances are approximate.

League table
Main article: 1907–08 Football League § Second Division
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GR Pts Promotion or relegation
1 Bradford City 38 24 6 8 90 42 2.143 54 Division champions
2 Leicester Fosse 38 21 10 7 72 47 1.532 52 Promoted
3 Oldham Athletic[lower-alpha 1] 38 22 6 10 76 42 1.810 50
4 Fulham[lower-alpha 1] 38 22 5 11 82 49 1.673 49
5 West Bromwich Albion 38 19 9 10 61 39 1.564 47
Source:
Notes:
  1. New club in the league

Player details
Source: Frost[9]
Pos. Name League FA Cup Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
FWAlbert Bartlett 18700187
RBRobert Campbell 30010310
ORWillie Clarke 22300223
LBFred Farren 30020320
OLGeorge Handley 3716213917
CHHarry Hanger 34320363
CHSam Higginson 35520375
CHGerald Kirk 300030
GKHerbert Kneeshaw 100010
IFTommy McDermott 410041
FWJimmy McDonald 3613203813
DFJimmy McLean 14010150
DFDavid Melville 200020
HBJimmy Millar 300030
GKWillie Muir 28020300
CFFrank O'Rourke 3621203821
FBJames Roberts 200020
HBGeorge Robinson 37120391
FWWally Smith 3420203620
GKMartin Spendiff 500050
FWJames Vallance 302050
GKAlbert Wise 400040
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See also

References
  1. Frost 1988, p. 13
  2. Frost 1988, p. 168
  3. Frost 1988, p. 170
  4. Frost 1988, p. 65
  5. Frost 1988, p. 176
  6. Frost 1988, p. 32
  7. Frost 1988, p. 170–176
  8. Frost 1988, p. 178
  9. Frost 1988, p. 179
Bibliography
  • Butler, Bryon (1987), The Football League 1888–1988 The Official Illustrated History, Macdonald Queen Anne Press, ISBN 0-356-15072-0
  • Frost, Terry (1988), Bradford City A Complete Record 1903–1988, Breedon Books Sport, ISBN 0-907969-38-0
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