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Bradford City's Resurgence: How Their Form is Powering a Return to Former Glory

Undefeated in the league after six games and two away wins against Championship opposition in the cup, Graham Alexander's Bradford City have enjoyed a brilliant start to their 2025/26 campaign. Firing on all cylinders after their promotion from the fourth tier, The Bantams are loving life in League One. Sitting third in the table ahead of their trip to Doncaster this Saturday, the newly-promoted side are yet to taste defeat across all competitions so far this season.

After their relegation from the third tier in 2019, Bradford had endured a tough time of things in their efforts to bounce back to League One. With just one play-off appearance up until their automatic promotion last year, they were a club which lacked direction, languishing in England's fourth division. Here is a look at the shift in momentum at Valley Parade, which has seen them begin to climb the footballing pyramid once more.

The Impact of Alexander

Since his appointment in November 2023, Graham Alexander has managed Bradford to 52 victories in his first 100 games in charge. Alexander's impact on this team cannot be understated. In his first season at the helm, the Scot was able to steady the ship by taking his side to a ninth-placed finish after a worrying start to the season. This was then followed by a truly rememberable 2024/25 campaign, as the West Yorkshire side sealed their promotion to League One with a 1-0 win over Fleetwood on the final day.

Penning a new three-year deal in July, there is very much a sense that there is more to come from Alexander's Bradford side. Implementing a winning mentality and a never-say-die attitude at Valley Parade, he has been able to restore an air of ambition and confidence at the club. With an electric start to their return to League One, Bradford fans will be looking forward to what is on the horizon, with their Scottish manager calling the shots for the next three years.

A Return To The Big Time

With a last Premier League appearance coming way back in the 00/01 season, even the most avid Bradford City fan will have felt that a return to the Premier League was perhaps out of the question. Their fall down the footballing pyramid has seen players and managers frequently come-and-go, but with a following that has refused to diminish in this time, their will be a belief from supporters that a return to English football's elite has now re-emerged as a possibility.

Brad Halliday was full of praise for the strength in depth at Graham Alexander's disposal ahead of our trip to Doncaster this weekend. 💬#BCAFC | @PethBassSols
— Bradford City AFC (@officialbantams) September 4, 2025

Now, with a squad assembled which looks like it can compete with the very best of League One, Bradford can consider themselves on a path of an upward trajectory. 21 years after their relegation from the Championship, could consecutive promotions be in the offing for Alexander and his men, as they continue their charge towards the summit of England's third tier.