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. Pos. Nation Player 1 GK  ENG Gary Walsh 2 DF  ENG Peter Atherton 3 DF  ENG Andy Myers 4 MF  ENG Tom Kearney 5 DF  ENG David Wetherall (captain) 6 DF  ENG Mark Bower 8 FW  ENG Danny Cadamarteri 9 FW  ENG Ashley Ward 10 MF  WAL Paul Evans 11 FW  SCO Andy Gray 12 DF  NED Robert Molenaar 14 DF  SUR Gus Uhlenbeek 15 MF  ESP Juanjo 16 MF  ENG Michael Standing 17 GK  NIR Aidan Davison

No. Pos. Nation Player 18 DF  ENG Lewis Emanuel 19 MF  FRO Claus Bech Jørgensen 20 DF  SCO Andy Tod 21 MF  ENG Andy Lee 22 DF  ENG Wayne Jacobs 24 MF  AUS Paul Reid 34 DF  ENG Simon Francis 35 FW  ENG Mark Danks 38 FW  ENG Danny Forrest 39 FW  ENG Kevin Sanasy 41 MF  ENG Tom Penford 43 FW  ENG Ben Muirhead 45 FW  NED 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. Pos. Nation Player 7 MF  JAM Jamie Lawrence (to Walsall) 10 FW  ITA Benito Carbone (to Como) 11 MF  SCO Eoin Jess (to Nottingham Forest) 13 GK  ENG Steve Banks (on loan from Bolton Wanderers) 14 MF  SCO Gary Locke (to Kilmarnock) 23 FW  ENG Michael Proctor (on loan from Sunderland) 25 DF  ENG Stephen Warnock (on loan from Liverpool)

No. Pos. Nation Player 26 GK  ENG Dave Beasant (to Wigan Athletic) 27 MF  ENG Harpal Singh (on loan from Leeds United) 28 FW  GRN Delroy Facey (on loan from Bolton Wanderers) 29 GK  WAL Boaz Myhill (on loan from Aston Villa) 34 FW  ENG Damian Hatton (retired) 37 FW  ENG Graeme Tomlinson (to Bedford Town) 42 GK  ENG 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. Pos. Nation Player 30 GK  DEN Stefan Magnusson 31 MF  ENG Craig Fishlock 32 DF  ENG Robert Morgan 33 DF  ENG Keith Brodie

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