Bradford City fun on five fabulous away days for me

It was all looking a bit rubbish on Boxing Day, after yet another loss at Carlisle, meaning the Bantams STILL haven't won there since 1985.

But December 29 brought a first home win since mid-September, as well as a rare league double over another of City's bogey teams, Harrogate.

Then New Year's Day produced one of the most exciting games seen at Valley Parade for a long time, as Mark Hughes' side edged out the team everyone else in League Two loves to hate, Salford, 3-2.

The signing of Matt Derbyshire earlier this week not only adds to City's attacking arsenal, but also gives a little thrill to all of us who love to hear about how our favourite cult hero strikers from the late noughties-era of the Premier League are doing.

So with City up to fifth after two wins in a row, I thought I'd take advantage of the good feeling with a look back at some of the funniest moments I've experienced covering the club in Simon Parker's absence.

And I'll start with a unique trip to Kent...

1) Tonbridge Angels 0 City 7 (November 2020)

It is unlikely that the Bantams will ever face the Angels again, barring another FA Cup run for the National League South side, so I'll always treasure this first round tie from the 2020/21 season.

The country was in mini-lockdown at that point, so Dad and I travelled down to Kent on the Friday night encountering little to no traffic.

After staying in a Premier Inn, we popped into Costa on the local high street for a takeaway coffee, only for Dad to brake hard in the car and cause me to spill mine over my jumper.

Yeah, so this wasn't a good look. (Image: Nathan Atkinson.)

It was a little embarrassing having to interview Bantams legend Stuart McCall with a giant stain down my front, but everyone was in a jovial mood anyway, after City's biggest competitive win in nearly 50 years.

Dad got his karma anyway, as his futile attempts to peep over a wall to watch the game were thwarted by an eagle-eyed steward, who had to politely remind him that no fans were allowed in for a reason.

2) Accrington 0 City 2 (July 2021)

This is somewhere between a funny and fond memory, as this friendly came just after fans were allowed back into stadiums following a 16 month absence due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The atmosphere was fantastic all afternoon, with Accrington cracking hosts and the Bantams playing some cracking football, winning 2-0 thanks to an Andy Cook brace.

From my position in the tight press box, it seemed like plenty of City's fans were, um, well-oiled that afternoon and my suspicions were proven right back on the platform at Accrington train station.

There was plenty of police presence, but no real disorder, as some wobbly and loud Bantams fans stumbled back on the train for a raucous ride back to West Yorkshire.

Writing my Accrington match report in style back in July 2021. (Image: NQ Staff.)

I may have had to sit on the floor of my carriage to write up my match report, but it was just nice to be back among fans again.

3) Hartlepool 1 City 3 (August 2022)

The Bantams recorded their first away win of the season at Victoria Park, with Scott Banks the star of the show for my money.

But the young Scot, on loan from Crystal Palace, quickly got a humbling after the game.

He and City's press officer made the fatal mistake of walking across the pitch after the game to come and chat with the assorted members of the press.

That did not go down too well with the home groundsman, a middle-aged gentleman who took his role very seriously.

He unleashed an angry volley at Banks, with the Bantams press officer hitting back with as good as he had.

Maybe walk around the pitch next time Scott? (Image: Tom Pearson.)

Eventually they escaped the man's wrath, with Banks conducting most of our interview with a sheepish grin.

Mark Hughes had to do his interview in the stands too, and the way he energetically vaulted over those tricky Victoria Park barriers to come and speak to me, I'd suggest he could probably still do a half-decent job up front for his side.

4) Mansfield 1 City 2 (November 2022)

I love a petty argument and people getting wound up, so Mansfield was a real treat the other month.

My poor mate Jason had his own funny story, the young lads in front of him having a Snapchat fail with the girl they both fancied the only thing easing the pain of a 6ft 5in man like him trying to sit properly in the cramped Ian Greaves stand.

I meanwhile had to cope with an angry, sweary fan behind me, whose daughter, and the irate home commentator in front of me, kept telling him off.

Both commentator and fan engaged in some choice words with one another, while the fume continued for both, as they despairingly watched street-smart City use all the tricks in the book to produce a fine 2-1 win with 10 men.

Debatable red card on the pitch, angry red faces in the stands. (Image: Thomas Gadd.)

5) Sutton 0 City 2 (November 2022)

I'd had an early start in my trek down to south London, and I really needed some food just before kick-off.

Having successfully swerved Sutton's pathetic, un-melted attempt at cheesy chips, I smugly went to season my fries, only for the salt lid to fall off and the contents of the bottle to fall inside my polystyrene box, rendering the contents inedible.

Shrugging off that disappointment, I watched City record a fine 2-0 win, before conducting my post-match interview with Mark Hughes.

A flustered PA reporter had somewhere else to be, but set his phone up to record my chat with the Bantams boss in a precarious position on a pitch-side pole.

Mark Hughes' face when he realises he has to chat to me after a game. (Image: Thomas Gadd.)

Sure enough, it fell off partway through, with the Welshman and I unsure what to do.

PA man returned, apologised, and I joked :"My question wasn't that good don't worry."

Hughes responded, eyebrow raised: "He's right, you haven't missed much."

It was comforting to know the the City boss rates my journalistic skills as much as many of our readers...