IT has certainly been an eventful 2019/20 season for the young Bradford Schools footballers, who have sadly had to miss out on a dream experience today.

They were meant to be in action at Dixon’s Allerton at 10:15 am, where their Under-11s A team were going to play the U11s B team, while the U12s were set to face Harrogate Schools.

After a bite to eat, they were due to go on to Valley Parade to do a lap of honour around the pitch at half time in recognition of their superb efforts throughout their first full season as a set-up.

City's game against Colchester United, and the other aforementioned activities, have sadly been called off due to the coronavirus pandemic, but Bradford Schools leader Lee Walker was still in buoyant mood.

He said: "Bradford City had been fantastic by offering the lads and a parent a free ticket for the game, which was brilliant to see.

"Myself and (fellow leader) Mark Senior are delighted with the lads' progress.

"The Under-11s A team (managed by Gary Serrant, who is assisted by Lee Parr) have beaten some well established teams in Leeds, Sheffield and Barnsley in their first season, which is a real achievement.

"A huge thanks goes to Aldo’s Italian Restaurant in Greengates, who are sponsoring next season's kit again. We would also like to thank Craig Walker of Forceshield Security for sponsoring our jackets.

"Our U11s B team (managed by Gary Ratnik and assisted by Peter Larvin and Colm Rafferty) have also had a fantastic first season, beating Wakefield, Rotherham and Barnsley.

"The B team have been playing most weeks and have developed brilliantly.

"I would like to say a massive well done to Gary Ratnik for his fantastic efforts this season, arranging games and always bringing through local talent and a massive thanks to Wesley Serrant of Key Living Project for sponsoring the kit.

"Big thanks too to Anthony Brear, for sponsoring the shirts with the Autism Awareness logo.

"Our U12s, managed by our head Mark Senior, have done really well when they've played and have an array of talented footballers.

"In the Yorkshire Cup tournament in Sheffield, they were great, beating Wakefield and overall winners York in the group stages.

"We would also like to thank Manfred Wojtas for refereeing many of our games at no cost, which was a brilliant gesture and one we were very grateful for.

"Next season, we will be looking at having trials for our new U11s and are currently in talks with our potential manager.

"This season's U11s are looking to enter a league, which will be a great step going into U12s.

"We are very excited about the future of the Schools after a superb first full season."

The players who have progressed through the trials for the various age groups this season are:

U11s A team -

Callum Schofield (GK)

Aston Louch

Harry Parr

Harrison Young

Louie Emmanuel

Tyler Firth

Max Bucktrout

Archie Walker

Musa Salah

Louie Walker (Captain)

Oliver Stead

Freddie Best

Zeshaan Gul

U11s B team -

Milo Berry (GK)

Sabian Ratnik (Captain)

Max Larvin

Noah Penn

Thomas Thackray

Cole Hunter

Reuben Armitage

Jack Raper

Reuben Tyson

Lucas Horsman

Jayden Archer

Tawseef Ali

Luke Summerscales

U12s -

Ben Pickles

Theo Howard

Jack Smith

Liam Smith

Regan Axon

Oliver Longley

Daniel Senior

Alfie Ramsden

Theo Armitage

Harry Miles

Jamie Pickles