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
Bradford City 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 WinDrawLoss
Football League Second Division
Source: Frost +GameDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorers17 September 1907ChesterfieldHome8–114,000Handley (2), McDonald, O'Rourke, Smith (4, 1 pen)214 September 1907BurnleyAway1–28,000O'Rourke321 September 1907Oldham AthleticHome1–017,000McDonald428 September 1907Clapton OrientAway3–010,000Bartlett, Higginson, O'Rourke55 October 1907Leeds CityHome5–027,000Bartlett, Hanger, McDonald, Smith (2, 1 pen)612 October 1907Wolverhampton WanderersAway0–08,000719 October 1907Gainsborough TrinityHome7–115,000Hanger, McDonald, O'Rourke (4), Smith826 October 1907Stockport CountyAway1–14,000Smith92 November 1907GlossopHome2–112,000Bartlett, Clarke109 November 1907Leicester FosseAway1–215,000Handley1116 November 1907BlackpoolHome3–011,000McDonald, O'Rourke, Robinson1223 November 1907StokeAway0–35,0001330 November 1907West Bromwich AlbionHome0–018,000147 December 1907Grimsby TownAway1–02,000Handley1514 December 1907Hull CityAway2–09,000Bartlett, Smith1621 December 1907Derby CountyHome3–117,000Bartlett, Handley (2)1725 December 1907BarnsleyHome2–018,000O'Rourke (2)1826 December 1907FulhamHome1–325,000Smith (pen)1928 December 1907Lincoln CityAway4–22,000Bartlett, Handley, McDonald, Smith201 January 1908BarnsleyAway2–18,000Handley (2, 1 pen)214 January 1908ChesterfieldAway1–12,000O'Rourke2218 January 1908Oldham AthleticAway0–418,0002325 January 1908Clapton OrientHome1–010,000Smith241 February 1908Leeds CityAway1–025,600McDonald258 February 1908Wolverhampton WanderersHome6–216,000Higginson (2), McDonald, Smith (3)2615 February 1908Gainsborough TrinityAway5–14,000Handley (3), O'Rourke (2)2722 February 1908Stockport CountyHome5–08,000Clarke, Handley, Higginson, McDonald, Smith2829 February 1908GlossopAway2–22,000O'Rourke (2)297 March 1908Leicester FosseHome1–517,000McDonald3014 March 1908BlackpoolAway1–23,000McDonald3121 March 1908StokeHome6–014,000Clarke, Handley, O'Rourke (3), Smith3228 March 1908West Bromwich AlbionAway2–37,000O'Rourke, Smith334 April 1908Grimsby TownHome1–116,000Bartlett3411 April 1908Hull CityHome2–116,000Smith (2)3517 April 1908FulhamAway2–040,000Handley, O'Rourke3618 April 1908Derby CountyAway3–214,000Hanger, Higginson, McDermott3720 April 1908BurnleyHome2–027,000Handley, McDonald3825 April 1908Lincoln CityHome2–012,000McDonald, O'Rourke
FA Cup
Source:Frost +RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorers111 January 1908Wolverhampton WanderersHome1–115,100Handley1R15 January 1908Wolverhampton WanderersAway0–116,000
A. All attendances are approximate.
League table
Player details Source: Frost Pos.NameLeagueFA CupTotalAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsFWAlbert Bartlett18700187RBRobert Campbell30010310ORWillie Clarke22300223LBFred Farren30020320OLGeorge Handley3716213917CHHarry Hanger34320363CHSam Higginson35520375CHGerald Kirk300030GKHerbert Kneeshaw100010IFTommy McDermott410041FWJimmy McDonald3613203813DFJimmy McLean14010150DFDavid Melville200020HBJimmy Millar300030GKWillie Muir28020300CFFrank O'Rourke3621203821FBJames Roberts200020HBGeorge Robinson37120391FWWally Smith3420203620GKMartin Spendiff500050FWJames Vallance302050GKAlbert Wise400040
See also 1907–08 in English football
References
Bibliography