Why Bradford City Football Club Earned a Hat-Trick of EFL Award Nominations

It’s a brilliant time to be a fan of Bradford City AFC, as the club is getting some serious recognition for its fantastic season. It turns out people are noticing the amazing work happening both on and off the pitch. The manager, Graham Alexander, and the talented midfielder, Jenson Metcalfe, have both been shortlisted for some major end-of-season honours at the prestigious EFL Awards. And that’s not all – the club itself is up for an award for its brilliant green initiatives. It’s a proper hat-trick of nominations for the Bantams!

The gaffer gets a well-deserved nod

Let's start with the man in the dugout, Graham Alexander. He's been nominated for the Sky Bet League One Manager of the Season award, and honestly, it’s easy to see why. Taking a team into a new league is never a walk in the park, but Alexander has made it look like one. With just a handful of games left, he has guided the Bantams to an incredible third place in the league one table. Think about that – in their first season back at this level, they’re right up there, fighting at the top.

The stats are pretty impressive. The team has racked up 21 wins from 41 games. To put that into perspective, only two other teams in the entire league have won more matches. It shows that Bradford City AFC isn’t just scraping by; they’re consistently outplaying their opponents. Their home form has been particularly epic. The University of Bradford Stadium has become a real fortress, a place where visiting teams know they're in for a tough 90 minutes. Out of 20 home games, Alexander’s lads have won 15 and lost only two. That’s the kind of record that gets you noticed, and it’s why he’s a massive contender for manager of the season.

Metcalfe: The rising star in the middle

It’s not just the manager getting the spotlight. A young player who has been lighting up the midfield has also caught the eye of the experts. Jenson Metcalfe is on the shortlist for the Sky Bet League One Young Player of the Season award. After making a permanent move from the Premier League giants Everton, he’s been a revelation in the heart of the team. He’s what you might call the engine of the side, always running, always tackling, and always looking to make something happen.

The player, known for wearing the number 21 shirt, has been a key part of the club's success. He has already played 42 times this season, which shows how much the manager trusts him. While his job is mostly about controlling the game, he's also popped up with a couple of absolute worldies. His goals weren't just simple tap-ins; they were stunning long-range strikes. Remember that cracker against Port Vale? His brilliant goal was the only one in a 1-0 win at the University of Bradford Stadium, securing a massive three points for the city. It's moments like that which make a young player stand out, and Jenson Metcalfe has certainly done that.

Going green and getting noticed

Success for Bradford City AFC this season isn't limited to the football pitch. The club has also been nominated for the EFL Environmental Award for its fantastic ‘Greener Bantams’ initiative. This shows the club is thinking about the bigger picture and its impact on the planet, which is brilliant to see.

So, what have they been doing? Well, for starters, they've installed 500 solar panels at the University of Bradford Stadium. That’s a huge step towards using clean energy. The kits the players wear, made by their partner Macron, are produced from 100% recycled materials. How cool is that? They've also added EV charging points in the car park and bike racks to encourage staff and fans to travel in a more eco-friendly way. And one of the best bits? For every single goal scored by the men's and women's teams, a tree gets planted. Last season that meant 154 new trees, and they’re doing it again this season. The ‘Greener Bantams’ project is a shining example of how a football club can make a real difference, and the nomination for the environmental award is richly deserved.

The big night in London

All the winners will be announced at a huge awards ceremony in London on Sunday, 19th April. It’s a massive event in the football calendar, celebrating the best of the best across the entire English Football League. For fans wanting to see if Alexander or Metcalfe can bring home a trophy for the city, the whole thing will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Football from 8.30pm. It’s set to be a nail-biting night for everyone involved with Bradford City AFC.

Here are the full lists of nominees for the awards featuring the Bantams:

• Sky Bet League One Manager of the Season Nominees

  • Graham Alexander (Bradford City)

  • Michael Skubala (Lincoln City)

  • Brian Barry-Murphy (Cardiff City)

  • Alex Revell (Stevenage)

• Sky Bet League One Young Player of the Season Nominees

  • Jenson Metcalfe (Bradford City)

  • Dom Ballard (Leyton Orient)

  • Amario Cozier-Duberry (Bolton Wanderers)

  • Dylan Lawlor (Cardiff City)

• EFL Environmental Award Nominees

  • Bradford City (Greener Bantams)

  • Harrogate Town (HarryGator Walk to School)

  • Birmingham City (Blues Go Green)

Fingers crossed for a successful night at the EFL Awards! It’s fantastic to see the hard work from everyone at the club, from the manager to the players to the staff behind the scenes, get this kind of national recognition.