Bulldogs at Billingham

mick bomber fan · Joined: 29 Oct 2007 Posts: 3

I just wanted to express my admiration for the Bulldogs players who played their hearts out at Billingham last night.

I have alot of respect for Bradford (and I know that goes for a lot of people in Billingham) for their attitude over the years but last night you did ice hockey proud. It was clear that with so few skaters the result was a foregone conclusion but Bulldogs held the score at 0-0 for 10 minutes. Even when the goals started going in your boys kept their heads up and right to the final buzzer every Bulldog's player gave everything they had and played in excactly thes ame way as when the score was 0-0. Bombers were in supertb form last night and the score is no discredit all to you.

You might have been on the wrong end of a big scoreline but I hope everyone connected with Bradford Bulldogs travelled home feeling proud of your contribution.

Good luck for the rest of the season and we'll look forward to seeing you all next year.

Regards,
Mick Fern

Yvonne · Joined: 10 Sep 2007 Posts: 2

First message to Mick Fern, many thanks for your kind words, and also a big thanks to all your supporters and players who gave the lads the brilliant send off after the game. It was nice to see and hear. I have always had the believe that money can buy a lot of things but respect is something that cannot be bought but earned. I'm sure that last night many people who were at the game will agree that every bulldog that played last night earned more than their fair share. Also our goalie was ill, and one of our players was playing with a broken skate that we had to tape up for him to carry on - thats commitment. The lads attitude in the changing room after the game was the right one to have, considering the score line and how they had been let down by the rest of the lads. I must admit that at times their heads could have gone, and despite a temper tanterm towards the end of the game, they carried on to the final whistle. On a lighter note, not many teams can fit in 2 cars, one with players, one full of kit!
As to why we where so short, we had one player injured, one ill and one banned. Our 2 U18s had their own game the same day, but as to the rest. When we rejoined the league, these same players (who didn't turn up) where in the changing room with the rest of the lads, the coaches and the managers, and they all commited to playing, saying it's time that Bradford was taken serious, It's time that we only played players who want to see Bradford succed, it's time that Bradford stopped being the whipping boys of the league, it's time that we all commit to training - well these same players (and you know who you are) let our team, our club and supporters down BIG STYLE! I know we're pay to play and every one has lifes outside hockey but when you know that games are due you do not leave it till last minute or even not tell me that you are not coming. We have many good players in the senior side, and it is the first time that I can remember that we have had a full rosta and every shirt filled. So why did we have only 9 players yesterday. Answers on a postcard or let me know on Tuesday at training. But its time to get your acts together, recommit and get ready for our next game. Yvonne

Da Boss · Joined: 04 Jul 2007 Posts: 48

Cheers Mick, much appreciated as was the support towards the end of the game. Credit to your guys too. They could have just tried to bang us all round the rink (like many teams have in the past) and just won the game by the odd goal. They stuck to their plan and produced some clinical passing, resulting in 15 pretty good goals. If i hadn't been playing i think i would have enjoyed watching.

Hope when you come down to Bradford we can give you a better game and hope our hospitality is somewhere near what you guys showed us.

mick bomber fan · Joined: 29 Oct 2007 Posts: 3

Yvonne / Da Boss, I and the people around me felt that the Bulldogs players deserveda chant after the game and a warm round of applause. I'm a Bombers fan but appreciate the good things in ice hockey no matter where they come from. Most of us like to give credit where credit is due and no-one has ever deserved creddit more than the heroes in Bulldoigs shirts on Sunday.

I'm amazed to hear that your netminder was unwell. We've given him many rounds of applause for his performances in the past and I thought he had a great game on Sunday too. Many netminders let their heads go down when they've let in a few goals but he just kept on going and made some great stops and must have been in contention for the mom award. He got abit annoyed at one point when I think he felt he could have done better with a goal - at that stage of the game that just shows what he's made of.

I can understand your frustration at the players who didn't turn up but I thin k they lost out. I truly hope that your players on that night understand the respect they earned. Well done to each and every one of them. I admire players/coaches/etc who give up so much of their time to ice hockey and hope that those missing players come back and help to stop Bulldogs take hidings like that that they don't deserve.

Best wishes to you all for the rest of the season and I hope to be at Bradford for the return game in February.

Cheers,
Mick Fern