Bradford City full-back on fatherhood and fitness

The right-back and his girlfriend Annouska had their first baby earlier this yr, and pop admitted typically he must get himself into sport mode, nonetheless a lot he needs to assist out.

The 27-year-old stated: “It was onerous to begin with, simply after my little lady was born, with sleep and stuff.

“But I’ve realized the significance of stepping away earlier than the sport, ensuring I sleep in our spare room if wanted, issues like that.

“It’s an necessary time for my girlfriend and my daughter although, and going ahead, I do know my predominant function in life is as a dad.”

Levi Sutton can also be a brand new dad, whereas Lee Angol and Matty Foulds each had their younger kids concerned in the summertime shoot for City’s 2022/23 residence equipment.

Asked if there was a little bit of a “dads’ membership” at City at present, Halliday stated: It’s half and parcel of life as you become older, that your loved ones will get larger.

“Us lads do discuss this stuff over espresso, how having a little bit one impacts us and we attempt to assist one another out with parenting recommendation the place we are able to.

“It’s not all the time straightforward, however I’m completely loving dad life.”

Halliday is having fun with life at City too, cementing his place because the beginning right-back over Luke Hendrie.

Many thought Hendrie can be an everyday starter this season after signing a contract over the summer season, however Halliday has stored the previous Grimsby Town man out of the aspect.

But there isn’t any unhealthy blood between the pair, with Halliday saying: “I knew Luke earlier than I got here right here, having performed towards him just a few occasions and lined up for a number of the similar golf equipment as him.

“It was good to see a well-recognized face and that competitors makes you’re employed onerous, as with Luke round, I can’t simply sit and assume my place within the workforce is safe.

“We discuss to one another in and across the altering room and have an excellent snicker, however we additionally push one another, and assist out with the opposite one’s sport.

“At the top of the day, we’re all pulling in the identical path as team-mates.”

Halliday missed nearly the entire of final season with Fleetwood Town, having picked up a cruciate ligament damage in mid-August.

It means he’s significantly grateful to be getting a lot sport time this time period.

He stated: “It’s nice to be taking part in, even my first sport in pre-season I used to be actually excited because it was my first time again on the pitch since my damage final August.

“I believe I’m getting again up to the mark now after my long-term damage, and lately I’ve simply felt that bit fitter.

“The extra video games I’ve, the stronger I really feel I’m getting.

“I’ve beloved being again, and folks do say it’s the most effective job on the earth, and I imagine it’s.”

It will in all probability proceed to really feel that method if the Bantams can win at play-off rivals Mansfield Town tonight, and finish a run of three League Two attracts in a row.

Halliday stated: “This division is aggressive from high to backside, so each sport is huge.

“But I suppose it’s particularly necessary to attempt to win towards the groups round us, as they’re nearly like six-pointers.”

City must shake of the frustration of Saturday’s limp 1-0 defeat to Harrogate Town within the FA Cup first spherical forward of tonight’s league sport, with Halliday saying: “We talked within the altering rooms afterwards and stated that was not how we needed our cup run to finish.

“In that sense, it’s good that we’re taking part in on Tuesday, because it provides us an opportunity to place issues proper quickly after.”