Exclusive: David Prutton makes excited Bradford City claim ahead of League One | OneFootball

David Prutton speaks on Bradford City's recent promotion from League Two and how he expects them to compete in League One next season.

Bradford City secured promotion with a last-minute winner against Fleetwood Town on the final day of the League Two season, which earned them the third and final automatic promotion spot.

The Bantams finished the season one point above fourth-placed Walsall, who looked to have had promotion wrapped up by the start of 2025, before a run of just three wins since January meant that they dropped out at the last minute.

Under Graham Alexander's stewardship, City have been a solid side all season and, despite a poor run towards the end of the season, have spent much of the campaign at the top end of the table.

Now, they must adapt to a league that they haven't played in since the 2018/19 season.

Sky Sports presenter and former EFL midfielder David Prutton exclusively spoke to FLW about his reaction to the promotion, and how he thinks City will fare in League One next season.

"Possibly the turning point" - David Prutton on the importance of promotion for Bradford City

With such a big club being stuck in the fourth tier for six years until their promotion, Prutton explained the expectation that surrounds the club and his general reaction to them going up.

"Bradford in League One, yes, in the doldrums, haven't they been for six seasons? There were ecstatic scenes when they got up with the last-minute goal, will be forever remembered as possibly being the turning point," Prutton said.

"I think what Graham Alexander's done, with the expectation of the club, regardless of who has been in the Bradford City shirt, it is a big club that has been operating in League Two. Therefore, if you get 27,000 fans you expect to get out of the division, he has done that."

The size of Bradford will benefit them in League One

The general size of the club and the fanbase that Bradford have will fit seamlessly into League One, with them already being bigger than a lot of clubs at the level, which Prutton sees as being beneficial for recruitment. He also believes that they may attempt to do what Wrexham have recently done and go back-to-back from League Two to the Championship.

He said: "League One will be very, very tough but the sheer history, heritage and size of the club hopefully permits decent signings that turn them into the next level. And I think they will be a team to keep an eye on because of the fact they'll be in a hurry to at least get back to the Championship."

Such is the nature of the lower leagues, there will be plenty of players out of contract this summer and if Graham Alexander can tempt a few good players to head to Valley Parade, then they will hope to make a big impact on the league next season.