The Bantams of Bradford are with us for our Boxing Day treat.

We welcome five sponsorship groups to the fixture this Boxing Day.

Match Sponsor - JJ Electrical

Click HERE to visit the JJ Electrical official website.

Associate Sponsor - Lloyd Motors

Click HERE to visit the Lloyd Motors official website.

Associate Sponsor - Story Homes & Story Contracting

Click HERE to visit the Story Homes official website and HERE to visit Story Contracting official website.

Match Ball Sponsor - More Handles

Click HERE to visit the More Handles official website.

Match Ball Sponsor - Arkale Lodge

Click HERE to visit to look at makign a booking for the Arkale Lodge (Cody's B&B).

Bradford come into this game having had a three-week enforced lay-off due to the extreme cold weather.

Prior to that they'd suffered a run of three straight defeats (two in the league) so they'll be keen to get back at it.

Just outside the play-off places they have just the five losses so far, and they've already made moves ahead of the winter transfer as they look to bolster the squad. 

24-year-old defender Ciaran Kelly has agreed a move from Irish Premier Division side Bohemians, signing a two-and-a-half-year contract, which kicks in at the beginning of January.

Striker Andy Cook has 16 goals from 24 appearances so far this season.

A product of our youth team, we know all too well that he has more than just being a targetman in his repertoire. 

Strong and athletic, he can hold the ball up and link the play, and he has a real eye for the nets if you give him half a glimpse. 

In a rich vein of form, he'll need to be watched closely.

Click HERE to purchase a match pass that will allow you to WATCH this fixture.  

With match commentary provided by BBC Radio Cumbria, this is a fantastic way to follow your team through the season.

Match audio passes are available for ALL EFL league games - click HERE to find out more about this season’s iFollow United service.

United's final game of the 21/22 season was a 2-0 away defeat at Valley Parade. Lee Angol and Jamie Walker scored either side of the break for the hosts.

Watch the highlights from that game here:

These teams met in Carlisle in January 2022 and goals from former Bantams Omari Patrick and Jordan Gibson sealed the deal for the hosts.

Watch the highlights from that fixture here:

March 2021 brought the Bantams to Brunton Park as Rhys Bennett (2) and Ozzy Zanzala opened up a three-goal lead. Paudie O'Connor bagged a consolation, but the points stayed in Cumbria.

Watch the highlights from that game here:

Rhys Bennett bagged the only goal of the game in December 2020 to earn the Cumbrians a deserved away win.

Watch the highlights from that game here:

A game blighted by red cards went the way of the Bantams back in September, as they bagged three in response to Olufela Olomola's early opener, but the match became a difficult one to measure for the Blues following a first-half sending off for Jack Bridge.

Watch the highlights from that game here:

We hadn't seen Bradford prior to that since the 1-0 home victory at Brunton Park back in February 2014. Striker Lee Miller scored the only goal of the game - and it was an absolute stunner - and keeping goal for the Blues that night was a certain young man called Jordan Pickford.

Watch the highlights from that game here:

A more recent meeting between the teams was the July 2018 pre-season friendly, played at Brunton Park. It was a tight game with the winner coming in time added on when Richie Bennett got on the end of a deflected Hallam Hope shot.

Watch the highlights from that game here:

Referee - Adam Herczeg
Assistant Referee 1 - Graeme Fyvie
Assistant Referee 2 - Ivan Stankovic
Fourth Official - Paul Newhouse
Observer - Barry Sygmuta

Our referee for this game is Mr Adam Herczeg. Adam has taken charge of 17 games so far this season showing 49 yellows and two reds.

He was in charge for our 3-3 home draw with Rochdale in September 2022. Jon Mellish and Kris Dennis scored for the Blues, with Paul Huntington netting a dramatic late equaliser. No Carlisle names were taken on the day.

Tickets for this fixture are on sale now.

Methods of purchase:

• In person – come to the main ticket office at the designated time.
• Phone – ring the ticket office 03300 945 930 option 1 at the designated times and pay with a credit / debit card.
• Internet – buy online HERE

Please note - persons under the age of 14 MUST be accompanied by an adult. Minors under the age of 14 will not be permitted entrance and parents / guardians will be called to collect the child and escort them from the premises.

Normal opening hours will resume from Thursday 5 January. 

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