Bradford City have confirmed via a post on X that promotion-winning captain, Richard Smallwood, will leave the club upon the expiration of his deal at Valley Parade, with the club opting against offering a new deal.
The experienced midfielder has been an ever-present figure for the Bantams since joining the club in the summer of 2022, tallying 157 appearances in claret and amber.
Smallwood’s time at Valley Parade comes to an end on a high, after the midfielder made his last feature for the club against Fleetwood Town, subbed off just before Antoni Sarcevic’s iconic stoppage-time winner, sealing Bradford’s return to League One.
With the club choosing not to offer the captain a new deal, the skipper will depart Valley Parade at the end of his contract.
A cult hero for Bradford City?
Smallwood will be remembered fondly amongst the Bradford faithful since joining from Hull City the 34-year-old has become a culture-setter for the club.
His three years in West Yorkshire have been coupled with a much-improved trajectory for the club, which before his arrival had recently finished 15th and 14th in League Two.
He has since been a part of the resurgence of a club punching below its weight, winning player of the season at the club’s end-of-season awards, also featuring in the League Two Team of the Season.
Upon his departure, Smallwood has taken to X to thank the club, players, and fans for his tenure with City, stating:
“Three years ago, I made the decision to leave the Championship and join Bradford City in League Two. The objective was clear: promotion
“It’s taken longer than anticipated, but together, as a team, we achieved our goal.
“In every single game, I’ve given 100% for the shirt, for the club, and for the supporters.
“We stuck together through the highs and lows and reached our collective ambition.
“I’ve been fortunate enough to win promotion with Rotherham United, Blackburn Rovers, Hull City and now Bradford City.
“This one means so much because of the journey we’ve been on and the way we made it happen”
“My time at Bradford City is now coming to an end. My contract will expire shortly, and the club has made the decision not to offer a renewal.
“I want to sincerely thank the fans for the unwavering support you’ve shown me and my family during my time here.
“I wish you nothing but success”
Was this the right decision?
Bradford’s decision not to offer new terms to their promotion-winning captain is a controversial one.
A presence both on and off the pitch, the club captain will leave big boots to fill as he departs Valley Parade; however, the club have already begun to target experienced heads, having signed Max Power and recently being linked with Matthew Pearson.
It remains to be seen how this decision will pan out, and many questions still remain about Graham Alexander’s squad going into the 2025-26 season.
Bradford remain in talks with Lewis Walker, Ciaran Kelly, and Lewis Richards, while City will also need to look at dealing with the departures of their loan stars – particularly Jack Shepherd and Omotaye Adaramola.
What next for Smallwood?
A serial winner in the EFL, Smallwood has achieved promotions with Rotherham United, Blackburn Rovers, and Hull City throughout his career.
As previously mentioned, recently claiming player of the season for a promoted club, the 34-year-old is sure to be on the radar of many clubs this summer.
Offering experience, leadership, and the quality to match, the now former Bradford City man still has much to offer at the level.
Any club that signs the midfielder in the summer would be signing an experienced promotion winner, with quality on and off the pitch to match, it would not be a surprise to see the veteran involved in another promotion race next season.