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.

Background

had been elected to the Football League in 1903, since when they had played in the Second Division. They finished 10th in their first season in the league, and followed it with two further mid-table positions. 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. He led City to fifth position in 1906–07, helped by a record of 10 victories from their final 14 games of the campaign.

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.

September

Bradford started the season by winning 8–1 at home against Chesterfield, the first time the club had scored more than six goals in a league game. Wally Smith's four goals in the match was also the first time any City player had managed the feat. 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.

Match results

Legend

Football League Second Division

GameDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorers
17 September 1907ChesterfieldHome8–114,000Handley, McDonald, O'Rourke, Smith
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
612 October 1907Wolverhampton WanderersAway0–08,000
719 October 1907Gainsborough TrinityHome7–115,000Hanger, McDonald, O'Rourke, 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
1725 December 1907BarnsleyHome2–018,000O'Rourke
1826 December 1907FulhamHome1–325,000Smith
1928 December 1907Lincoln CityAway4–22,000Bartlett, Handley, McDonald, Smith
201 January 1908BarnsleyAway2–18,000Handley
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, McDonald, Smith
2615 February 1908Gainsborough TrinityAway5–14,000Handley, O'Rourke
2722 February 1908Stockport CountyHome5–08,000Clarke, Handley, Higginson, McDonald, Smith
2829 February 1908GlossopAway2–22,000O'Rourke
297 March 1908Leicester FosseHome1–517,000McDonald
3014 March 1908BlackpoolAway1–23,000McDonald
3121 March 1908StokeHome6–014,000Clarke, Handley, O'Rourke, Smith
3228 March 1908West Bromwich AlbionAway2–37,000O'Rourke, Smith
334 April 1908Grimsby TownHome1–116,000Bartlett
3411 April 1908Hull CityHome2–116,000Smith
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

RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorers
111 January 1908Wolverhampton WanderersHome1–115,100Handley
1R15 January 1908Wolverhampton WanderersAway0–116,000


League table

Player details