00:00It was a winning start for Bradford City as they returned to League One in the best way possible.
00:08Bradford defeated Wiccan Wanderers by two goals to one on Saturday afternoon.
00:12Exactly what all inside Valley Parade, from a Bradford City perspective, would have wanted to see.
00:18They were 2-0 ahead after just 13 minutes in the game, really feeding off the crowd energy inside of the stadium.
00:25After six minutes, it was 1-0 through Anthony Sarcevic.
00:28And of course, it was Anthony Sarcevic who had scored the infamous goal that had seen Bradford promoted automatically at the end of last season from League Two to League One.
00:37And he very much carried on where he had left off.
00:39And then, after 13 minutes, it was Bobby Poynton who doubled the lead for the Bantams.
00:44And things were looking really good at half-time.
00:46Two goals up, Bradford really feeding off the energy inside of Valley Parade and looking good for the victory.
00:53Then, Wiccan did come back into the game in the second half.
00:55It's fair to say they did have chances and, of course, they did pull a goal back midway through the second half.
01:01Daniel Doe managing to get on the score sheet for the visitors.
01:04That made it a bit of a nervy ending for the Bantams.
01:07They did actually have to keep Wickham out a couple of times as well.
01:10And certainly, the goalkeeper for Bradford forced into a few saves to make sure that Bradford did not drop two points, having been in such a good position early on in the game.
01:20But they stayed steadfast, they held on to the three points and they won on their return to England's third tier.
01:27Certainly, a fantastic day for all associated with the club.
01:31Exactly what they would have wanted on their return to League One.
01:35So, let's now hear from their manager, Graeme Alexander, who spoke after the game about the fixture and what he thought of the game itself.
01:44Certainly, he was happy with the performance and the way that his side went about it.
01:47And he said that he just had a good feeling going into the match.
01:51No, yeah, couldn't have asked for more, really.
01:54Clean sheet, maybe.
01:55I think we were wanting that as well once we were 2-0.
01:57But a great start to the season, great start to the game from us.
02:00I thought we put them under pressure straight away.
02:05Made our minds up.
02:06You know, we wanted to be us straight away and show what we're about.
02:08And we know if we're in the final third, we've got goal scorers throughout that team.
02:12We've got people who can take people on.
02:13We've got people who can get shots off.
02:15We've got people with that instinct to be in good areas.
02:18So, we've got to be in those areas as often as possible.
02:20And it was a real test for us today because they're a very good team.
02:24Obviously, finished in the playoffs last season.
02:27And, you know, they've got a lot of good players throughout their squad, really.
02:32So, for my boys, it's a good start.
02:34It's a good indication about the challenge ahead.
02:38So, I was delighted for them because they were exceptionally hard in pre-season.
02:42You know, obviously, two goals pretty early on.
02:43When you've been working as hard as they have done to get that reward instantly,
02:46it must be really pleasing as well.
02:47Yeah, look, I felt it in the changing room, to be honest.
02:50I was smiling just before when they were coming out for the kick-off
02:54because I could sense it.
02:55I could sense within the changing room.
02:58It's a nice, tight changing room.
02:59I love it.
03:00It's really intimate.
03:01Everyone's together.
03:02And I could just feel from there, just ready to go.
03:05So, I had a little smile at myself that I was jealous.
03:08I just wanted to be in that kit with the trackie top on, ready to go out.
03:12But they're a lot younger and fitter than me now.
03:15But it was great, you know, because I think there's loads of confidence in there.
03:19We know we haven't cracked anything.
03:21It's one game.
03:22But I think we've got a humiliator about us that understands what the challenges are going forward.
03:28And we have to work exceptionally hard to improve.
03:30Because we have to get better.
03:31We can be better.
03:32But certainly on day one of the new season, with maybe two or three pre-season,
03:39real pre-season games behind us, I thought we looked very well organised.
03:45We know what each is about.
03:46And I thought we had that trust and that connection that we talk about so often.
03:50When you look at the aggression from the team today, obviously from the front foot all the way from the back,
03:53that's kind of what you want to create here, isn't it?
03:55Get the fans on their feet here at the University of Bradford Stadium.
03:58I think so.
03:59I think, you know, I've learnt over my time here about what the fans want to see.
04:03What they want to feel.
04:05I think what they want to feel is more important.
04:07I think there's a feeling of anticipation and hope coming to the stadium.
04:13And smiles on their faces when they leave.
04:15You know, that's what's happened quite a lot over the last 12 months.
04:18And we need to work hard to keep that.
04:19But I think, not knowing the fans, I want to see it.
04:23I want to see my team not feel second best to anybody.
04:27We know it's not always going to go away.
04:28But never take a backward step.
04:31Always take the game to the opposition and believe in yourselves.
04:34And I think we saw a team that believed in themselves today.
04:37And, you know, that's good to see from with so many new players into the squad
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