Bradford City manager Graham Alexander has explained why he felt unable to stand in the way of Brad Halliday’s January departure, admitting the defender’s request to leave left the club with little choice but to act pragmatically.
The Bantams agreed to tear up Halliday’s contract on Wednesday, allowing the 30-year-old full-back to join Dundee on a two-and-a-half-year deal. Halliday’s Bradford contract had been due to expire at the end of the season, and Alexander conceded that blocking the move would have created more problems than it solved.
“One hundred per cent I could say no,” Alexander said. “But then I’ve got an unhappy player and I’m not even playing him. I can half-justify sitting in front of a player and saying, ‘You’re not going anywhere’ when he’s playing. But when he’s not, what’s my argument?”
Halliday, who previously represented Middlesbrough, York City and Doncaster Rovers, had found his opportunities limited following Josh Neufville’s arrival in the summer. He made five League One starts this season, but Alexander stressed that experience and honesty shaped the club’s response to his request.
“Sometimes I have to be a bit more direct with a younger player because I don’t think they’ve got the experience to make the right decisions,” he added. “We treat our players as men and we understand their whole life so I can’t just then ignore it when it suits me or suits the club.”
Alexander also highlighted Halliday’s professionalism in the weeks leading up to his exit.
“He came to see me probably a week to 10 days before he got back in the team,” the Bradford boss revealed. “He said, ‘I think I’ll be leaving in January. I want to shake your hand when that happens, but I want the team to be flying and whatever I can do to help that along, I’m all in.’”
That approach, Alexander suggested, helped smooth the path for subsequent business, including the arrival of Harrison Ashby on loan from Newcastle United. Halliday’s personal conduct also left a strong impression.
Not the only departure
Halliday is not the only departure. Popular striker Andy Cook is also on his way out of the club. He made an emotional return earlier this campaign, scoring against Newcastle which turned out to be part of his final chapter in a Bantams’ shirt.
“Everything comes to an end at some point,” Alexander reflected. “From a professional position, for me only, it was an easy decision because of all the factors and my ideas of progressing. From an emotional point of view and what he means to the club and the support, that’s when it became really difficult.”
More to come
Bradford’s January business is not finished either. Alexander confirmed further departures remain possible, with replacements already being explored. “If they do, we’ll hopefully have a replacement and the best squad we can possibly have on February 2,” he said, underlining that the reshaping of the Bantams’ squad is still very much a work in progress.
It leaves Bantams fans hoping for back-to-back promotions. Their side is currently second in the table, but face four of the top seven in the coming weeks, with Cardiff at Valley Parade, and Lincoln, Huddersfield and Luton on their travels.
Come February 14th, they’ll have a clear indication of whether they’re fighting for a top-six spot, or whether they’re following Wrexham into the Championship after a single League One season. Either way, Halliday won’t be with them.