2002–03 Bradford City A.F.C. season

Just after the end of the previous season, Bradford had been placed into administration, as a result of the collapse of ITV Digital, "six weeks of madness" in the transfer market in 2000 and the collapse of the sale of Benito Carbone (on weekly wages of £40,000) to Middlesbrough. The only way for Bradford, £13 million into debt, to move forward was to going into administration to try and save the club and find a buyer. Cuts had to be made, the most drastic being the cancelling of the contracts of sixteen members of the professional squad, leaving manager Nicky Law with five professionals with a handful of senior appearances among them and sixteen scholars.

After a summer of uncertainty, on 1 August the administrators managed to get creditors to accept a Creditors Voluntary Agreement, which would reschedule debts and reinstate the players, who had gone unpaid since April. One player not to return was Benito Carbone, who sacrificed a large chunk of the money owed to him on his contract and moved back to Italy. Chairman Richmond resigned from the board of directors on 10 August, after a reign of eight years. He was replaced as chairman by theme park magnate and new co-owner Gordon Gibb, who, along with Julian Rhodes, had completed a take-over of the club at the 11th hour before Bradford were due to lose their Football League status.[3]

On 30 August, agreement was finally reached with the Professional Footballers' Association over payment owed to the players. With agreement having already been made with the creditors, this now allowed the Football League to return Bradford City's share in the League, effectively bringing the club out of administration.

With a transfer embargo in place, manager Nicky Law had to show an eye for a bargain and unearthed some raw talent. Youngsters Danny Forrest and Simon Francis emerged while Law worked the loan system to cope with an horrific list of injuries.

Bradford eventually finished the season in 19th place; given all that had happened off the field, this was to be considered a success.[4]

Claus Jorgensen scored in eight consecutive away matches.

Bradford City's score comes first[5]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player 1 GK Gary Walsh 2 DF Peter Atherton 3 DF Andy Myers 4 MF Tom Kearney 5 DF David Wetherall (captain) 6 DF Mark Bower 8 FW Danny Cadamarteri 9 FW Ashley Ward 10 MF Paul Evans 11 FW Andy Gray 12 DF Robert Molenaar 14 DF Gus Uhlenbeek 15 MF Juanjo 16 MF Michael Standing 17 GK Aidan Davison

No. Position Player 18 DF Lewis Emanuel 19 MF Claus Bech Jørgensen 20 DF Andy Tod 21 MF Andy Lee 22 DF Wayne Jacobs 24 MF Paul Reid 34 DF Simon Francis 35 FW Mark Danks 38 FW Danny Forrest 39 FW Kevin Sanasy 41 MF Tom Penford 43 FW Ben Muirhead 45 FW Laurens ten Heuvel (on loan from Sheffield United)

Left club during season

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player 7 MF Jamie Lawrence (to Walsall) 10 FW Benito Carbone (to Como) 11 MF Eoin Jess (to Nottingham Forest) 13 GK Steve Banks (on loan from Bolton Wanderers) 14 MF Gary Locke (to Kilmarnock) 23 FW Michael Proctor (on loan from Sunderland) 25 DF Stephen Warnock (on loan from Liverpool)

No. Position Player 26 GK Dave Beasant (to Wigan Athletic) 27 MF Harpal Singh (on loan from Leeds United) 28 FW Delroy Facey (on loan from Bolton Wanderers) 29 GK Boaz Myhill (on loan from Aston Villa) 34 FW Damian Hatton (retired) 37 FW Graeme Tomlinson (to Bedford Town) 42 GK Neil Bennett (to Rochdale)

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player 30 GK Stefan Magnusson 31 MF Craig Fishlock 32 DF Robert Morgan 33 DF Keith Brodie

No. Position Player 36 GK Nicky Beach 40 FW Daniel Ekoku 44 DF Frazer McHugh 46 DF Jake Wright