Bradford City's end goal is the same - but Bantams hope to get more from Tom McIntyre than Charlton Athletic did | OneFootball

The Bantams are aiming to learn from their new signing this year as they look to mount a successive promotion bid.

Bradford City book-ended what was an impressive transfer window with the signing of defender Tom McIntyre from Portsmouth on deadline day.

The 26-year-old arrives as the only loan addition to Graham Alexander’s squad, and will stay with the club until the end of the season. McIntryre was part of the Charlton Athletic side that won play-off promotion from League One last term, as well as being a part of the Pompey squad that won the title a year earlier.

On McIntyre’s signing, Alexander spoke of the need to bring the player up to speed before he can hit the ground running.

Bradford's new man has not featured in a professional game since an injury in April, so his integration into the squad will likely be a gradual one.

Tom McIntyre's injury woes hampered his Charlton days

McIntyre’s presence during The Addicks’ achievements last season was hampered by injuries, so Bradford will aim to get more out of their new man than the London outfit did.

In his ten games at the club, the centre-half only started four with an average of 35 minutes per game - despite coming with high expectations when he joined from Championship Portsmouth in January. During this time, McIntyre managed a single clean sheet.

He did not feature during Charlton's play-off campaign, instead watching on from the sidelines.

Injury woes have also haunted the player in recent seasons. McIntyre only managed 54 minutes during the Blues’ title-winning campaign, after suffering a broken ankle on his debut against Northampton in March 2024.

Injuries continued to blight any return to action, with the defender being ruled out of Pompey's pre-season schedule this summer; this understandably casts doubts on his fitness.

Though when he does get up to speed he will be an asset, and even with these issues this signing is another demonstration of City’s keen desire to capitalise on their promotion momentum and continue to progress in the third tier this year.

Bradford City hope to get more out of defender than previous clubs

With his experience at Charlton last year, McIntryre adds to a long list of promotion winners rooted in Bradford’s squad.

This is something that the recruitment team have succeeded at again this season, and the ability to attract proven promotion winners to the club is a big deal if they are to continue making progress in League One. City operated on a similar basis last year, and it seems that this method has continued, albeit adjusted to match the higher standards of the third tier.

If McIntyre can stay fit, there is no doubt that he can play a big role in City's promotion ambition. His arrival provides added competition for the club's defensive players, with the likes of Ciaran Kelly and Curtis Tilt also fighting for that left-sided role. From a personal point too, McIntyre will want to ensure that this will be third time lucky for him should Bradford stick around for a promotion battle. The onus is now on him to deliver as a more involved figure.

Bradford hope to bounce back from defeat to resume party

Bradford's start to League One life has been impressive. Seven games in, City sit fifth, with four wins, two draws and a single defeat. The club's defeat away at Doncaster Rovers was the first blip in the road for Alexander's squad.

If the Bantams can bounce back from this defeat and inflict a defeat over Huddersfield this weekend, it would be a real statement. With McIntyre in the door, and talisman Andy Cook netting twice on an emphatic return against Grimsby midweek, City will be all guns blazing going forward. Manage to translate the Valley Parade feel-good factor into results, and Bradford will be well on their way to mounting a play-off charge this term and, hopefully, matching the feat of McIntyre's Charlton 12 months ago.