Bradford City Manager Fined And Suspended After Dismissal

Bradford City manager Graham Alexander has been given a one-match ban and fined £1,000 after his dismissal in the Bantams’ FA Cup tie away at Cheltenham Town.

The 54-year-old Scot will serve his ban during tonights Vertu Trophy tie away at Doncaster Rovers

Graham Alexander has accepted an FA charge of misconduct following the Bantams’ Emirates FA Cup tie against Cheltenham Town.

He will serve a one-match touchline ban, which will take place against Doncaster Rovers in the Vertu Trophy this evening.#BCAFC

— Bradford City AFC (@officialbantams) November 11, 2025

Drama Unfolds: Why Alexander Saw Red

Bradford City’s FA Cup campaign ended in shock at Whaddon Road as League Two bottom-dwellers Cheltenham Town edged a 1-0 first-round victory, 42 places separating the sides. The tie turned in the second minute when Isaac Hutchinson nodded in from a free-kick. Referee Robert Massey-Ellis had blown to halt a scramble, yet waved play on and upheld the goal, leaving the Bradford City bench incensed and demanding a retake.

Despite 28 attempts on goal, the Bantams found no way past Joe Day in the Cheltenham goal. Tyreik Wright rattled the crossbar with a curler; Andy Cook powered headers narrowly off target. The hosts, winless in nine league games, clung on firmly for an important win.

Tempers flared at the whistle. Manager Graham Alexander sprinted from the dugout to confront Massey-Ellis over the decision for the goal, before being branded a straight red for his protests.

Alexander’s assistant, Chris Lucketti, labelled the officiating “confusing.” Cheltenham manager Steve Cotterill admitted fortune favoured his side after a hard-fought defensive display.

Alexander now faces a touchline ban as Bradford regroups for the fight to get themselves back in the League One play-off picture.

Speaking after the loss away at Cheltenham Town: Alexander’s assistant Chris Lucketti said:

“We are disappointed to be out of the cup, but performance-wise, we have done well, and we have created enough chances to win two or three games.”

“We just focus on the next game, whether it be league, whether it be cup. So, we will focus on the next game, and as we have done all season, we are going to try and win that next game.”

“Looking back, we all know we needed a little bit of quality in the box, because creating 28 chances away from home, you should be winning the game.”

“We have to look at the game and give a little bit of credit to them. They defended well when they had to, and their keeper had a good game.”

Without A Manager: Could This Affect The Bantams’
Performance?

Rounding off our Vertu Trophy group stage campaign with a trip to Doncaster. 👊#BCAFC | @sbk pic.twitter.com/MewqZYyBKQ

— Bradford City AFC (@officialbantams) November 11, 2025

Bradford City head to the Eco-Power Stadium tonight for a Yorkshire derby against Doncaster Rovers in the Vertu Trophy group stage finale, both clubs already through to the knockouts in Northern Section Group C.

The Bantams must manage without manager Graham Alexander, who serves a one-match touchline ban after accepting an FA misconduct charge and £1,000 fine for his red card at Cheltenham Town in the FA Cup. Alexander will watch from the stands, with assistant Chris Lucketti taking dugout duties.

Bradford’s Trophy run has been nothing but resilient. They opened with a 2-1 home win over Grimsby Town, Andy Cook netting twice, including a 95th-minute winner after falling behind.

Then, a 5-1 victory against Everton U21 followed, with Stephen Humphreys making the difference with a clinical brace to seal top spot.

These results mirror last season’s semi-final push, showing Bradford’s ability to grind out results against League Two and academy opposition.

Alexander’s absence could possibly disrupt rhythm. His vocal presence has sparked late turnarounds; without it, Lucketti must maintain intensity amid likely rotations.

Tyreik Wright and others may rest after heavy minutes on all fronts. Doncaster, unbeaten in the group after thrashing Everton U21 and Grimsby, are buoyant despite a league derby loss to Barnsley.

A Bradford slip risks a tougher Round of 32 draw. With promotion hopes still alive in League One, his squad rotation remains important.