In the quarter of a century since moving back into Valley Parade in December 1986, following the fire disaster of the previous year, Bradford City have had – including latest boss Phil Parkinson – 17 full-time managers and several caretakers.
Seven managers were full international footballers: Trevor Cherry (England), Terry Yorath (Wales), Frank Stapleton (Republic of Ireland), Bryan Robson (England), Colin Todd (England), Stuart McCall (Scotland) and Peter Taylor (England).
Although City won the Third Division Championship in high style under Cherry and his assistant Yorath in 1985, the biggest successes occurred under Chris Kamara and Paul Jewell, former professionals who did not make it to the very top as players.
In the 1995-96 season under Kamara, City beat Notts County 2-0 in a play-off at the old Wembley Stadium to win a place in the Championship. Three years later, former City striker Jewell took them into the Premiership.
Under the mercurial chairmanship of Geoffrey Richmond (1994-2004), 11 men came and went from the manager’s seat in the dugout, among them Stapleton, Lennie Lawrence and Kamara.
McCall, Wayne Jacobs and Steve Smith both served briefly in a caretaker capacity.
Starting with Paul, the Jewell in the crown, here are the last ten City gaffers, who have come and gone in just 13 years.
Paul Jewell Manager from January 6, 1998 to June 18, 2000. Left the club in controversial circumstances after City finished 17th in the Premiership. Under Jewell, City played 117 games, won 46, drew 26 and lost 45. Will always be remembered as the man who took City to the top.
Chris Hutchings Manager from June 18, 1999 to November 6, 2000. Currently Jewell’s assistant at Ipswich Town. Took City into Europe, reaching the semi-finals of the Intertoto Cup. City beat Chelsea 2-0 in their first home game in the Premiership. But the manager’s playing record of played 21, won seven, drew four and lost ten, failed to impress Geoffrey Richmond, who sacked him.
Jim Jefferies Manager from November 20, 2000 to December 2001. Former Hearts player took over from Stuart McCall, caretaker manager for two weeks in November 2000. JJ brought Matthew Etherington, now with Stoke City, to the club, but a run of poor results cooled Geoffrey Richmond’s favour, who maintained that Jefferies resigned.
Nicky Law Manager from January 1, 2002 to November 9, 2003. Took over from Steve Smith, who lost both games as caretaker. The shaven-headed manager’s playing style did not endear him to the fans and ultimately to the chairman. His record was played 87, won 23, drew 21, lost 43.
Bryan Robson Manager from November 24, 2003 to June 17, 2004. A recent survivor of throat cancer. The former Manchester United and England superstar arrived on a short-term contract. Under his stewardship City took 22 points from 27 games and were relegated to Division Two. But by then the club were heading for administration.
Colin Todd Manager June, 2004 to February, 2007. The former England defender was sacked after failing to lift City out of the lower depths. The record of City’s longest-serving manager for 20 years was played 139, won 44, drew 46, lost 49.
David Wetherall Interim manager from February 12, 2007 to May 22, 2007. Will be remembered as the player whose headed goal against Liverpool kept City in the Premier League for a second season. Record during time at helm was played 14, won 2, drew 4 and lost 8.
Stuart McCall Manager from May 22, 2000 to February 8, 2010. Now manager of Motherwell in the SPL. Many hoped that the appointment of City’s favourite modern player would make their dreams of promotion come true. But when McCall left the club by mutual consent, his record read played 133, won 46, drew 35 and lost 52.
Peter Taylor Manager February, 2010 to February, 2011. The former stylish England winger turned down the chance to join Newcastle as assistant to Alan Pardew, after seeing City through a difficult season. He left City by mutual consent after poor results. His record was played 46, won 18, drew 7, lost 21.
Peter Jackson Manager from May 25, 2010 to August 25, 2011. Like Robson a cancer survivior. Former City skipper arrived back at Valley Parade as caretaker following Taylor’s departure. On May 25, he was given the job and, with little cash for transfers, set about rejuvenating the playing squad. Evidently the job proved too much and he resigned with a managerial record of played 19, won 4, drew 4 and lost 11.
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