Video summary
Josh Pratt expresses immense excitement about joining Bradford City on loan, describing himself as "buzzing" to play for his hometown club where he has family and friends who are dedicated supporters. He highlights that this move is particularly special because it allows him to be home more often to see his mates and spend time with his parents, who are still local. The emotional significance of returning to the city where he grew up adds an extra layer of meaning to the opportunity, making it a cherished achievement in his early career as a professional footballer.
From a footballing perspective, Pratt is optimistic about the current season at Bradford City, noting a strong sense of camaraderie within the squad and believing the team is poised for a successful campaign. He draws on his previous experiences to build confidence, mentioning his first taste of men's football with Charlton Athletic and his subsequent loan spell with Blackburn Rovers in the Championship. Having been recalled unexpectedly from Charlton to play for Blackburn, he found that unexpected opportunities can lead to great runs of form, and he hopes to bring that same hunger and determination to Bradford City this year.
Pratt also emphasizes the importance of familiar faces in easing his transition into the new dressing room, specifically citing Harry Wilson as a helpful figure from his time at Charlton who will help him settle in quickly. He looks forward to meeting all the players and integrating himself into the group immediately, valuing the support that existing connections provide when moving to a new environment. The prospect of playing in front of Bradford City's passionate fanbase, which regularly fills the stadium with around 20,000 supporters, is another major draw for him, as he has always admired their atmosphere and wants to contribute to that electric environment on the pitch.
Ultimately, Pratt sees his loan move as a chance to prove himself in front of the very fans who have supported him since childhood, knowing exactly what the club means to the local community through his own family and friends. He describes his playing style as a left-footed defender comfortable on the left side of a back three, focusing on one-on-one defending and progressing the ball forward. With the upcoming Wednesday night fixtures offering such an unbelievable atmosphere, he admits he cannot wait to step out onto the pitch and deliver his best performance for the Bantams, driven by the desire to match the high energy and support provided by the fans.
Read the full video transcript
Josh come on here brother city how
pleased are you to be here?
>> No, I'm buzzing. I'm buzzing. It's a big
achievement for me for one of my first
loans to be here and especially this is
my hometown as well it makes that a
little bit extra special.
>> How special is that when you know you've
got family and friends who are brother
city supporters and you're coming here
and playing for their football club?
>> No, it's good. I was I was buzzing when
I found out about the interest and I was
just telling my mom and dad who are
still here local and they were buzzing
that I can I can become home a few more
days a week and see my mates a bit more
and see my mates as well.
>> What is it about the move as well from a
football point of view as well as
representing your hometown club?
>> I think I think something extra special
is going on here this year. I seen it a
little bit last year although fell short
just a step too short and obviously
watching a few of the games this season
it looks like there's a there's a good
camaraderie around the group and it
looks like they'll I think I think
they'll be a really good season.
>> That's it it's a good dressing room here
everyone talks about the feeling around
with everyone but how much you look
forward to getting integrated in that
changing room?
>> No, yeah it'd be nice nice to meet
[snorts] meet all the lads and I'm
looking forward to welcoming in and just
get straight into it yeah.
>> You've also had a loan at Charlton as
well recently how much can you take from
that loan bringing it here from first
team men's football?
>> Yeah, I mean that was my first first
taste at men's football before I had a I
had a little stint in in the
championship with Blackburn and our own
loan with Harry as well who who who's
here yeah so it was good to get that
little taste of men's football.
>> How good is it when you know someone
who's from like previous loans as well
like Harry Wilson how much does that
help you in settling in?
>> Yeah, yeah I think when when you can go
into a changing room and you and you
know somebody just takes that little bit
of nerves away from you and you can just
follow them around a little bit and get
to know the place a little bit so yeah.
>> Mention you obviously playing for
Blackburn last season as well how
special was that to come back from loan
and represent your club in the
championship?
>> Yeah, it was it was unbelievable to be
honest something that I didn't really
expect just got recalled from Charlton
and yeah ended up having a good I I had
a good run of games there so I think
when something's not expected it
it's good as well.
>> That's how I would say in BFL football.
I guess you're hungry to kick on in an
AFL club and I like Bradford City.
>> Yeah, of course. Like being being around
fans, around games on the Saturday and
the and the Tuesday nights is what
footballers want to do and having a
taste of that just makes me that that
more hungry.
>> The 20,000 supports on quite regularly
here. How much you looking forward to
playing in front of such a brilliant fan
base?
>> No, I
Well, I can't I can't wait really. It
was a big striving force and we wanted
to come here the fans and how good they
are. I mean, I've been obviously to a
few games when I was younger. I was
coming down quite a bit with my mates
and things like that. So, I can't wait,
yeah.
>> I guess all those experiences makes you
know what the club means to the
community, don't you?
>> No, exactly. Like I was saying before,
my friends and family
they're all big Bradford fans and coming
down as a kid, you know exactly what it
means to them. So, so yeah.
>> For the Bradford City supporters that
might not have seen you play, what can
they expect from you on the football
pitch?
>> Um
left-footed likes playing the left side
of a back back three.
I like to defend one V one and progress
the ball forward.
>> Ellsey, in the game against Burnley, you
got tested atmosphere there. How much
does that wet your appetite to walk out
on that football pitch?
>> Yeah, I mean, it makes me strive want to
strive for it that that little bit more
on the Wednesday night with 20,000 fans
and such an unbelievable atmosphere. I
can't wait to get out there.