Bradford City: Bobby Pointon, He’s One of Their Own
When Valley Parade roared to life on Saturday, it wasn’t just about three points in a derby. It was about a local lad stepping into history. Bobby Pointon, born and raised in Bradford, lit up the West Yorkshire derby with a performance that could define his young career, scoring twice and potentially claiming a hat-trick in City’s 3–1 win over rivals Huddersfield Town.
Everyone loves a local academy lad breaking into the first team and making a difference. It’s a love story as old as football itself, and Bradford fans will be jubilant at the current events in the first team with Pointon. More than anything, they’ll be hoping to see him gracing the pitch for years to come.
Academy Prospect to First Team Regular, the pointon story
Pointon’s story carries a weight few others in the squad can match. A graduate of Bradford City’s youth academy, he honed his game in the club’s system before taking on the challenge of loan spells at Brighouse Town, Farsley Celtic, and Liversedge. Those months in non-league football toughened him up and gave him the edge needed to thrive in the professional game. The 2024–25 season marked his breakthrough. With 8 goals in 50 appearances, he became a crucial figure as Bradford sealed automatic promotion from League Two. His sharp instincts, quick feet, and willingness to press opponents made him a fan favourite, while his nominations for Young Player of the Season signalled wider recognition. Still, a question remained: could he deliver on the biggest of stages?
The West Yorkshire derby provided the perfect stage. Bradford had not faced Huddersfield in league action since 2007, and the anticipation among the 24,000 crowd was palpable. Pointon delivered almost immediately, striking midway through the first half to give City the lead. Just before half-time, he struck again, coolly finishing to double the advantage and send Valley Parade into raptures. The third goal, which came deep into first-half injury time, remains under review by the EFL’s dubious goals panel. Replays suggest Pointon may have had the final touch, which would complete his first career hat-trick. Regardless of the technicality, the crowd knew what it meant: one of their own was driving the Bantams to derby day delight.
What made Pointon’s display so impressive was not just the finishing, but the maturity. He pressed the Huddersfield back line relentlessly, dropped deep to link play, and showed composure well beyond his 21 years. For City boss Graham Alexander, the performance underlined Pointon’s growing importance. For supporters, it was about pride. Watching a Bradford-born player tear apart their fiercest rivals carried a resonance that statistics cannot measure.
The Road Ahead is bright for pointon
Pointon’s derby heroics will raise expectations. Opponents will mark him more closely, and consistency will be demanded. Yet the signs are promising. His development from academy hopeful to derby hero suggests a player with both the resilience and talent to handle the pressure. For Bradford City, the symbolism is clear: promotion, momentum, and now a hometown star shining in League One. For Pointon, it could be the moment that transforms him from promising youngster into the face of a new era at Valley Parade.
Hat-trick or not, Bobby Pointon has written his name into Bradford City folklore. He didn’t just score goals—he embodied what it means to play for the Valley Parade side, bringing passion, hunger, and a touch of quality when it mattered most. If this is the rise of Bobby Pointon, Saturday’s West Yorkshire derby will forever be remembered as the day the city truly took notice. Bobby Pointon he’s one of their own.
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