BRADFORD City releasing nine players has been met with an element of shock by supporters.

Anthony O’Connor, Billy Clarke, Clayton Donaldson, Connor Shanks, Connor Wood, Harry Pritchard, Lee Novak, Will Huffer, and Zeli Ismail, have all been shown the exit door.

The overriding feeling is the biggest misses will be that of defenders O'Connor and Wood, and striker Novak.

The first two had been at the club since 2018, and made well over 100 appearances each in City colours.

Meanwhile, the latter netted seven goals in 18 games in the season just gone, making him the club's second highest scorer.

The Valley Parade faithful were pleased to see who was on the retained list though.

It read: Callum Cook, Charles Vernam, Elliot Watt, Finn Cousin-Dawson, Gareth Evans, Levi Sutton, Niall Canavan, Ollie Crankshaw, Paudie O’Connor, Reece Staunton, and Richard O’Donnell.

The Bantams have also confirmed that Jorge Sikora, Kian Scales, Matty Foulds and Sam Hornby have all been offered new contracts.

Loanees Andy Cook, Jordan Stevens and Rumarn Burrell have returned to their respective parent clubs following the expiry of short-term agreements.