Bradford City back in contact training this week, but without the cost of twice-a-week coronavirus testing

When the top two divisions resumed in June, it was on the proviso that all players and staff were tested twice a week for covid-19. The Premier League paid for its testing, but the Football League did not.

Remarkably few positive results were returned, a tribute to the discipline and professionalism of those involved.

With restrictions easing, and with tests costing £100 a person, there is a lighter touch for League One and Two players as they prepare for the 2020-21 campaign.

Bradford returned to pre-season training last week, but only in small groups. Half the squad trains in the morning, half in the afternoon.

“We had our first test on Monday so we can go into contact training on Thursday,” revealed manager Stuart McCall, who has added three players to his squad and his hoping for “two or three” more. “We're just waiting for those results back.

“But it will be once more during pre-season, then one more before the season starts. It's not as strict as when they first started because clubs at our level wouldn't be able to afford it.

“I don't think it would be viable or possible to do it like the Premier League and the Championship did."

Bradford's opening game of the 2020-21 season is scheduled for September 12, and will be played behind closed doors.

McCall has been in touch with a couple of clubs about organising pre-season friendlies, but nothing has been fixed as yet.

The Bantams train at Woodhouse Grove School, but their manager is not expecting the return of pupils next month to cause too many extra logistical problems in what is already a complicated process.

Bradford's last match was at Salford City on March 7, and group training was abandoned shortly afterwards. Eventually the season followed suit, with Bradford ninth in League Two. Clubs at that level felt it was not viable to stage matches behind closed doors whilst following all the protocols.

“We've got a really good relationship with the school and they've still got summer clubs on but we're well away and we've got our own little bit so it should be fine,” said McCall of his team's training base. “We've got a very good relationship with the school so we're okay.”

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