Bradford City v Exeter City - Maturing Reece Staunton itching for return of Bantams fans

Bradford City’s fanbase is the envy of most of their League Two rivals, with the only comparable club in terms of size, stature and support being Bolton Wanderers.

In league matches on home soil in particular – but also on the road where City boast a big away contingent which ensures that the coffers of rival clubs are usually filled – it can provide those in claret and amber on the pitch with a shot in the arm at critical junctures of games.

That has been missing for the Bantams this term with fans absent due to Covid-19 restrictions and it is perhaps one of the reasons why the club have made a patchy start to the season.

In his breakthrough campaign, it has ensured that family and friends of teenage defender Staunton have missed out on watching his progress along with countless other Bantams followers who like nothing better than seeing ‘one of their own’ do well.

In that respect, Staunton has missed out.

Prior to this campaign, the 18-year-old’s experience of crowds at games has not really been akin to the real thing either.

In 2019-20 and 2018-19, his sole City appearances arrived in Trophy games in front of crowds of 868 and 1,015, respectively, against the visiting duo of Manchester City Under-21s and Oldham.

Staunton had made history just over three years ago on November 7, 2017 when he made his debut as a late substitute in a Checkatrade Trophy game against Rotherham United to become the youngest player to represent the club at 15 years and 332 days.

Less than a thousand spectators – 931 to be precise – were there to witness it and while a good deal more were there in Staunton’s next appearance at the end of the club’s final league game of 2017-18 at Scunthorpe in May, 2018, the occasion was a decidedly ‘end of season’ one.

But while part of him cannot wait for the adrenalin rush of playing in front of fans on a regular basis when they are allowed to return, in terms of his development it has not necessarily been a bad thing.

Speaking ahead of this afternoon’s home meeting with Exeter City, Staunton – who signed an improved four-year deal with his boyhood club in September – commented: “Honestly, with all the fans there, it will help us as they are the ‘Twelfth Man’ and they push us up the field.

“But as a young lad, it can be a bit daunting with all those fans. Some players like it and some don’t.

“Probably the only time with a few fans for me was on my league debut against Scunthorpe and that was not massive.

“Now I have played a few games and my confidence is high and I know what I am doing and am more aware of where to be, I will deal with the pressure a lot better.”

A ball-playing defender who brings plenty to the table in a three-man backline and offers versatility in several roles, Staunton is coming along nicely.

It is hard to think that it is three years since his debut given that he only turns 19 next month and memories will never fade of that date against Manchester City.

Not many folk were there, but those closest to him were. As to whether he received any praise, well that is a moot point.

With a trace of smile, Staunton said: “My dad and my brother do not praise me, but nit-pick and tell me where to go and what to do better and stuff like that!

“We get clips sent from our games and I always watch it on a Sunday or a Monday, whenever they come through and try and take it into the next game and see what I can do better.”

As for those delicious memories of three years ago, the former Bradford Academy pupil added: “I went to school the next day. Everyone was asking me how it went and congratulating me.

“The teachers were saying: ‘Just keep working hard.’ Especially my PE teachers who know me and my family quite well.

“They were a big help, especially when I was 15 and playing in the youth team.

“Obviously, it was a big moment for me as a City fan. I remember going to the Arsenal (League Cup) game, the Swansea game and Aston Villa game. They were the big games I remember and the atmosphere was crazy.”

Staunton was one of seven City academy products on the pitch at the end of Tuesday’s Papa John’s Trophy game with Oldham.

It provides ample evidence to suggest that the future of the club is in good hands, although manager Stuart McCall, who himself came through the youth system at the club, adds a caveat.

McCall said: “That is down to them. You can have a dozen young kids and it is great to give them a go. But are they good enough?

“I have always said that I cannot remember how many kids I have given debuts to at Motherwell who have gone on and done well. It has been because they are good enough and not a token gesture.

“In pre-season, I sat down and thought Reece Staunton could be a main part of our side.

“It is down to him to perform and there are other ones we have looked at who can be key parts of the club and that is how it should be.”

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