Bradford started September with consecutive defeats; first 2–1 in the league against Barnet, before a 5–1 loss to Doncaster Rovers in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy. For the latter game, McCall had named a weakened team, which included debutants Ben Saynor and Sean Taylforth, and City faced a £5,000 fine from The Football League, but were eventually only fined £3,000. Two victories in the league followed against Lincoln City—the first time the two teams had met in a league game since the fire disaster in 1985— and Peterborough United. But the month ended as it had started with back-to-back defeats against Hereford United and Wycombe Wanderers.