By Jim Brown
Relegation, which had hovered around the club for six years, finally arrived in 1925. The season started reasonably well with three home wins in the first six games but heavy defeats to Crystal Palace (1-4) and Manchester United (1-5) were ominous. Close season signing George Thompson was dropped after just two games and the defence generally looked suspect. After a 5-1 win over Oldham in October, City fell apart and a 12-game run without a win and only two draws left them anchored at the foot of the table.
Albert Pynegar continued his goalscoring feats from the previous season and notched 19 in league and cup but the other big summer signing Fred Morris, a former England international with West Brom, faded after a good start and could score only eight goals. At the back goalkeeper Jerry Best was given poor protection and only the tough tackling local-born full-back Jackie Randle (pictured) looked good enough for the division.
In November 1924 Manager Albert Evans was relieved of his managerial duties after over four years in charge and secretary Harry Harbourne took over on a caretaker basis. For the first time in five years City reached the First Round of the FA Cup after defeating Walsall and Nelson, and faced First Division Notts County. Over 21,000 turned out for the game but the top-flight team were too good for the struggling Bantams and won 2-0.
With little money available and relegation looming, the board sanctioned the signing of Jack Bellas, a hard full-back who put some steel into the defence. The veteran ‘stars’ Shea and Morris were axed and Tommy Parkin and Arthur Wood promoted to the first-team. The changes seemed to have worked in March when a five-game unbeaten run lifted them out of the bottom two. It was a false dawn however and City’s annual scramble to avoid relegation was doomed. They were relegated with 31 points, four short of safety, along with Crystal Palace. Relegation meant entry to Division Three North and the team had the prospect of trips to places like Ashington, Wigan, Durham and New Brighton to look forward to.
