Video summary
Reece Welch has officially joined Bradford City on a two-year deal, expressing his excitement about the club's size and positive atmosphere after spending several weeks there prior to signing. During this trial period, he was able to integrate with the squad and understand their playing style before committing, which made him feel that moving forward was difficult not to do given how well he fit into the group. He noted that while such opportunities are not always granted at the end of a trial, his ability to settle in quickly allowed him to put pen to paper on a contract he is eager to fulfill with full effort and dedication.
Welch emphasized that his commitment stems from a desire to give 100% regardless of whether his current game form is perfect, highlighting that hard work on the pitch is what truly matters to him. He also reflected on the strong connection with the fans, recalling how supporters traveled nearly thirty hours by bus just to watch them play in Austria and eagerly sought autographs after matches against Preston. This interaction reinforced for Welch that having a supportive fanbase behind you is incredibly rewarding, especially knowing they are there to see players perform well at Valley Parade's large stadium which holds around 20,000 spectators every game.
The decision to step into men's football now was influenced by his age and maturity over the last two years, during which he felt a growing urge to prove himself in this level of competition. Although the manager had considered bringing him in previously, Welch believes that time has made it the right moment as he is physically more mature and knows exactly what he can bring to the team today. His previous loan experiences, even those less successful ones like his most recent stint, have been instrumental in helping him grow personally and learn how to handle adversity effectively on the field.
As the season approaches with matches scheduled for the weekend, Welch looks forward immensely to returning to competitive football at Valley Parade in front of its passionate supporters. He acknowledges that there is no better environment than a major stadium filled with fans who come out every single game, making his return all the more special. Ultimately, he feels ready to show what he is capable of achieving within this new chapter of his career while grateful for the faith placed in him by the club and its management team.
Read the full video transcript
Reece, welcome to Bradford City.
Two-year deal. How are you to be here?
>> Uh, I'm really excited to be here. Um,
obviously you know the size of the club.
Um,
I've been here for a few weeks prior to
signing. And I can already feel the good
energy around the club. Um,
there's the lads are all sound, great
players. Gaffer's obviously sound. Um,
and I'm just grateful that he's put his
faith in me. And um,
hopefully I can show what I'm about.
>> What's it like when you've got that
trial period cuz it doesn't always
happen, you don't always get the move at
the end of it, but to be able to bed
yourself with the group of lads and also
to learn how the how we play before
signing.
>> Yeah, it can be difficult because you're
coming into a new environment and um,
for me,
after a couple of days I knew this is
where I wanted to be, so
I'm really happy that I have managed to
put pen to paper. Um,
so I think it would have been difficult
to not have done that um, after a few
weeks of being here just because of
how I feel like I can fit into the group
um,
and I enjoy the environment.
>> The manager in his press conference when
he was asked about you spoke about your
desire and the way you put it came to us
and put that work in. Is that a big
factor of what you and your commitment
to this football club already?
>> Yeah, um, I think that is the thing with
me. I'll always try and put in 100%
effort. Um, I like to work hard on the
pitch whether
my game might not be the best at the
time as long as I'm putting in the
effort then that's all I can do.
>> You see the support you've had on social
media from the fans as well when you see
after game on Wednesday against Preston
and they wanted your autograph and
everything. So how's that connection
already must be really pleasing?
>> Yeah, even when we was out in Austria
and um, a few of the fans came over.
They did a something like 29-hour bus
journey just to be there and after the
game I was speaking to them all and um,
yeah, it's nice to have that to know
that the fans are all behind you and I'm
to see you play.
>> Any challenge for yourself now stepping
into men's football after leaving
everything. What was it about meeting
you that made you feel like it was the
right time for you?
>> Probably my age, to be honest. Um I
think
maybe over the last 2 years I've been
itching to have a taste of men's
football and finally show that I can do
it in men's football. Um
so I'm just excited to go on and do
that.
>> The manager also spoke about looking at
you in previous years and looking at
potentially bringing you in, but felt
that now was the time it was right. Do
you feel that as well?
>> Yeah, 100%. I think maybe
I might have been a bit too young back
then when maybe he thought of bringing
me in, but I feel like now I know who I
am. I know what I can bring.
Um and obviously I'm a lot older,
physically more mature.
Uh so I think it was it's the right
time.
>> How much do you feel those loan
experiences in men's football will help
you when you sign here?
>> Um massively. Uh I've not had the most
successful loans.
Um
especially my last one, but it's allowed
me to grow as a person more so than on
the pitch and now I can deal with as
much adversity as comes my way.
>> Just finally getting everything done
before the season starts at the weekend.
How much are you looking forward to
getting out back at Valley Parade again
in front of the supporters?
>> Yeah, um really excited. Um
obviously it's a big big stadium, 20,000
or so coming to watch you every game.
There's
you can't really beat that in football.
Um
and I'm just excited to get back to
playing competitive games.