Bradford City AFC Academy 2025–26 season showcasing progress along the EPPP development pathway for youth players.
Located in West Yorkshire, Bradford City AFC runs a category 3 academy.
- Head of Academy: Tom Calvert
- Head of Academy Coaching: Tom Butcher
- Lead YDP Coach: Luke Hendrie
Bradford City Retained List 2025/26
View the complete list of Bradford City players who have been retained, released, or have returned to their parent clubs following loan spells.
Contract Extended via Option Clause
- Harry Ibbitson
- Zac Hadi
Bradford City AFC Scholars 2025/26
These 8 Academy prospects will join Bradford City AFC for the 2025/26 season.
- Oliver Hewitt
- Jacob Hall
- Jenson Gaitely
- Edward Baldwin
- Leroy Gomes
- Harry Parr
- Jack Ryder
- Thomas Cissa
Bradford City Academy Players On Loan 2025/26
- Harry Ibbitson (Forward) Chorley
- George Goodman (Defender) Guiseley AFC
Bradford City AFC Academy Products in The First Team 2025/26
Youth players in the first team.
- Bobby Pointon (Midfielder) #23
Bradford City AFC Academy International Players 2025/26
- Harry Barrow (Goalkeeper) Wales U16
Bradford City AFC Academy Competitions For 2025/26
U17 Professional Development League Cup
The U17 Professional Development League Cup is an English youth football tournament created for players aged 17 and under.
U17 PDL Cup Group Stage
Bradford City U17 will play against Under-17 teams from Oldham Athletic, Hull City and Salford City.
- Bradford City U17 lost away against Oldham Athletic (3 – 1)
- Bradford City U17 lost at home against Salford City U17 (0 – 1)
- Bradford City U17 lost away against Hull City U17 (2 – 1)
U18 Youth Alliance Cup
The EFL Youth Alliance Cup is a youth football tournament in England, organized by the English Football League (EFL). It features under-18 teams from League One and League Two clubs that compete in the EFL Youth Alliance, the league system for these academies.
The competition follows a format like the EFL Trophy, beginning with a regional group stage before progressing to a national knockout phase.
Designed to foster young talent at lower-tier EFL clubs, the tournament provides a structured competitive environment beyond regular league matches.
U18 Youth Alliance Cup Group Stage
- Bradford City U18 lost away against Preston North End U18 (4 – 2)
FA Youth Cup
First Round Proper
Bradford City U18 have been drawn at home against Stockton Town
- Bradford City U18 won at home against Stockton Town (5 – 3)
- Oscar Lunn
- Gabriel Holt
- Lucas Goodall
- Harry Parr
- Leeroy Gomes
Second Round Proper
Bradford City U18 have been drawn at home against York City
- Bradford City U18 won at home against York City (4 – 1)
- Harry Parr (3)
- Gabriel Holt
Third Round Proper
Bradford City U18 have been drawn away against Crystal Palace
- Bradford City U18 lost away against Crystal Palace U18 (3 – 0)
Bradford City Academy News
19th May 2025
George Goodman has signed his first professional contract with the club following an impressive spell during his scholarship.
31st October 2025
Bradford City U18s advanced to the second round of the FA Youth Cup with a 5-3 victory at home against Stockton Town U18s.
25th November 2025
Bradford City U18s will travel to Selhurst Park to take on Crystal Palace U18s in the FA Youth Cup third round on Friday, December 5th, with kick-off at 6:00 pm.
The young Bantams will face the young Eagles at Selhurst Park.
5th December 2025
Bradford City U18s’ FA Youth Cup journey came to an end in the third round with a 3-0 defeat away to Crystal Palace U18s.