DEPARTURES and arrivals at football clubs are only part of the story on every all-singing-and all-dancing deadline day.

There are also the players who remain at their parent clubs after moves elsewhere don't transpire.

Bradford City forward Stephen Humphrys falls into that category.

He was the subject of interest from former club Wigan Athletic, but a switch did not happen and the Lancastrian, pictured, remains in the white rose county.

SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND - AUGUST 20: Graham Alexander, Manager of Bradford City, looks on prior to the Sky Bet League One 2026/27 match between Sheffield Wednesday and Bradford City at Hillsborough on August 20, 2026 in Sheffield, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)

placeholder image — SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND - AUGUST 20: Graham Alexander, Manager of Bradford City, looks on prior to the Sky Bet League One 2026/27 match between Sheffield Wednesday and Bradford City at Hillsborough on August 20, 2026 in Sheffield, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)

That sort of scenario could potentially create a problem, but Bantams chief Graham Alexander doesn't foresee any issues. Humphrys' seniority helps to explain why.

Alexander, who brought in Humphrys' old Barnsley team-mate Corey O'Keeffe on deadline day, said: “I don't think it's anything he's probably not experienced before.

“He's a lad that's played for several different clubs, so I'm sure he's been involved in moments like this prior to that.

“When windows are open and there's grey areas and there's not clarity, I think it's difficult for players. It's difficult for managers, I know that.

Bradford City signed Stephen Humphrys from Barnsley last year. Picture: Jonathan Gawthorpe

“Once we've got the players that we need, I think most managers say they can't wait for the window to shut. But Humps is committed to the actual work we've been doing day in, day out, so I've never seen him shirk away from that in any moment.”

Fitness wise, the 28-year-old has been playing catch-up since missing City's first two weeks of pre-season and is currently undergoing a rigorous programme to get him back to the standards Alexander expects.

Should the player get back to the optimum levels of last season, both in terms of fitness and form, then the City boss insists that he very much still has a positive future.

A fully-firing Humphrys still has something to offer to a Bantams side who have lost their past two matches, although they were unfortunate to lose out in midweek to Cambridge United.

On his message to the forward, Alexander added: “Just perform. That's it. He knows how we want to play. He knows how we behave. He knows the fitness levels expected from the team to succeed.

“He has real clarity about what's expected and it's down to every player to do this.

“I've sat him down and I'm going to sit down with him now that the window's closed. And I'll give him that clear message again. There’s definitely a player in there. We've seen that in the past. He lost his way last season for one reason or another. But it's well within his grasp to find it again without a shadow of a doubt.”

After a surprise loss at fortress Valley Parade, City are desperate to atone at home to Mansfield Town this weekend, with captain Antoni Sarcevic happy for the short turnaround.

He added: “I think last year we had spells and moments throughout the season where we had nights like this (Tuesday). And I think everyone knows that we've got a gaffer that knows how to bounce back and we've got a squad of players that know how to.”