Bradford City AFC is pleased to confirm the appointment of Jordan Broadbent and Jordan Davison - as part of a restructure of the club’s academy.
Broadbent, (above, centre right), returns to the Bantams as lead youth development phase (YDP) coach, having previously filled a similar role in City’s academy, prior to a spell at Barnsley.
He will assist in the coaching of one of two under-18s sides the club will field this coming campaign, alongside Ryan Farrell (above, far right) - who has been promoted to the position of professional development phase (PDP) support coach.
Davison (above, centre left), meanwhile, arrives as head of academy analysis - having worked previously at the likes of Newcastle United and Wolverhampton Wanderers - following Scott Dyer’s progression into the Bantams’ first-team setup.
The second of City’s under-18s sides will see up to three players in the under-19 age group permitted per match, and will continue to be led by senior technical and tactical coach Martin Drury, who will oversee the professional development phase alongside head of coaching Lewis Nightingale.
Both sides will contest separate fixtures at 11.00am on Saturday mornings, with home matches set to take place at the club’s Woodhouse Grove training base.
Further full-time appointments in the academy include Jack Newbery, who will work alongside Josh Coulson in the performance department, aiming to bring the best out of those in the club’s YDP and PDP each day.
City’s under-19s side will compete in the EFL Youth Alliance North East division, with their campaign set to get underway with a trip to Scunthorpe United this Saturday (August 7).
To view the team’s full 2021/22 fixture list, please CLICK HERE.
Broadbent, 35, said: “I am delighted to be back at Bradford City, and am very excited for the challenge ahead, leading the YDP and coaching in the PDP.
“It promises to be a really interesting year, with what is a new under-17s and under-19s programme.
“From my time here before, I know there are some extremely talented players within the academy, many of whom I have worked with already. This is credit to all the staff who have laid the foundations before me.
“Bradford City is renowned for producing young players and giving them a genuine pathway through to the first team. I hope to add more value along the way, and carry on the fantastic work the staff here are already completing.”
Twenty-two-year-old Davison added: “I am delighted to have joined Bradford City as head of academy analysis.
“During the recruitment process, it was clear to me that the club and staff were highly ambitious in progressing the academy, which made it extremely attractive for me to join.
“Bradford City has a rich history of developing talented players and coaches through its academy system, and it is my job to support and optimise the learning process and performance of both our young players and coaches - through the use of video and statistical analysis.
“I feel I can add real value to this academy setup, implementing new ideas and methodologies from my previous experiences at Newcastle United and Wolves.
“I am very excited and honoured to be assigned this job role, and am looking forward to the challenges ahead.”
City’s academy manager, Neil Matthews (above, far left), said: “Firstly, Ryan Farrell has put in an awful lot of good, hard work over the past few years, to progress from the YDP to the PDP.
“The amount of locally-based players who have all come through our academy to become first-year scholars is testament to his efforts. He deserves the opportunity to progress into what will be another exciting challenge for him.
“Jordan Broadbent has stepped into Ryan’s role with a lot of experience in the YDP, which is a very important aspect of the job. He understands and has worked with the current under-16s previously, when here before.
“He is certainly the most suitable person for the job, and will work closely with Ryan in helping the next group of scholars come through, ahead of the 2022/23 season.
“Jordan Davison has been given an opportunity as the stand-out candidate from a number of applications we received. He fills a great role in football with a lot of potential - which is demonstrated by Scott Dyer’s progression into the first team, just a few months into his full-time job.
“We wanted another full-time analyst in, and Jordan possesses a lot of similar, impressive attributes. He is very driven and has experience at some great clubs. We feel he will add to what we have got currently, and are looking forward to welcoming him on board.
“Over the past year or so, a lot of discussion has taken place with the EFL, in consultation with category-three academy clubs. The intention is to give more opportunities to category-three players, with an under-17s and under-19s model.
“This will give under-19s who are not getting game time in the first team an opportunity to impress, while aiding the development of players in the YDP.
“Three under-19s can now continue to play Youth Alliance football each week, while a second fixture allows game time for those looking to earn their place in the under-19s team, while progressing through the academy.
“We are looking forward to seeing these changes implemented in our academy structure, and hopefully helping even more players and coaches move successfully through our ranks.
“I would like to take this opportunity to welcome both Jordan Broadbent and Jordan Davison, as well as congratulate Ryan Farrell on a well-deserved new role, as we look to continue making forward strides as an academy.”