When one Teessider departs the Bantams, another arrives; Callum Johnson of Yarm arrived shortly after Harry Chapman of Hartlepool left at the end of the season.
This means he joins players like Alex Pattison, who was born in Darlington, and Brad Halliday, who was born in Redcar. All five of the aforementioned players attended Middlesbrough’s academy as young players.However, the right-back says the North East-based Boro alumni’s carpooling days are over, disclosing that new manager Graham Alexander has pushed his players to live close to the team.
Johnson, released by promoted League Two side Mansfield last month, said: “Brad’s in Wetherby now and I’ll be moving close to the area too.
“I had a chat with the manager about that and he’s keen for us to move close by, because it’s beneficial.
“It’s not good for us to be driving here and back from the North-East all the time for training.
“I said to Graham when we had our initial chat that I’d be moving close to the area, and then maybe head back up to the North-East on weekends after games.
“I was talking to Patto and he’s said he’s living closer by this season too.”
With the Bantams having that Teesside streak running through their squad, with Andy Cook and Alex Gilliead only hailing from just up the road too, Johnson was asked if that familiarity had helped him ease into his time at his new club.
He said: “I know a few of the lads from the Boro area, and a couple of them I came through with in the club’s academy.
“It’s always nice to have that I suppose, but I don’t know all of the lads from there.
“It’ll be good to meet them, as well as the other lads at Bradford.”
Not only do Halliday and Johnson have the Teesside connection, but they are also both predominantly right-backs.
Johnson actually signed for Fleetwood on loan three years ago after Halliday suffered a dreadful knee injury, going on to play 35 League One games for the Cod Army in the 2021/22 campaign.
Halliday recovered from that setback superbly, and was City’s Player of the Season last term, so where does that leave Johnson, who has joined the Bantams with the aim of being a regular starter?
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