Bradford City chief exec criticises Carlisle United boss

The League Two club have hit out at Simpson for a second time after the Blues boss said the Bantams were asking a "ridiculous" fee for striker Jake Young.

Simpson made his comments when responding to a question from the News & Star on Tuesday, when we invited him to respond to recent speculation regarding the Bradford forward.

Since then, Bradford manager Graham Alexander has said it was "completely wrong" for the United manager to talk about another club's player - and chief executive Ryan Sparks has now described Simpson's remarks as "unacceptable".

In an interview with Bradford's Telegraph & Argus today, Sparks said: "I don’t think it’s appropriate for managers or representatives of other clubs to publicly discuss a player who is contracted to another club.

"We have rejected three offers for Jake Young. One of those offers was tabled by Carlisle United."

Sparks said discussions over Young have been held with both Simpson and United owner Tom Piatak, but the League Two club expected those to stay confidential.

Paul Simpson made the comments to the News & Star on Tuesday night (Image: Richard Parkes)

"On Tuesday, I had a conversation with Carlisle’s owner Tom Piatak and he asked me about our position on Jake," added Sparks.

“I was very clear and it was a constructive conversation which should have remained private.

"For some reason, however, Paul Simpson then chose to discuss the matter on more than one occasion following Carlisle’s game against Barnsley, which I thought was unacceptable, particularly given a similar conversation Paul had shared with Graham Alexander last week.

“I’m not sure what the EFL’s opinion is on the matter, although I know what the rules and regulations state, and it will be interesting to see if any action is taken.”

Sparks added of Young: “There is naturally a lot of speculation floating around, but we would never look to sell any player unless the club was comfortable in doing so and adequately compensated."

Simpson, replying to our post-match question after Tuesday's 2-1 defeat at Barnsley, said: "He’s a player who we all like but we can't afford him.

“Bradford are talking a ridiculous figure so that won't be happening.

Asked if a potential move was dead or whether there remained any hope, United’s manager added: “From what I’m hearing the figure they’re quoting is way out of our league, and certainly not a figure that I would expect anybody to be paying for him."

Simpson, two days later, revised his comments to say that Carlisle could afford Young but were not prepared to pay the sort of fee Bradford were asking.

United remain in the market for another forward, particularly in light of Ryan Edmondson's departure this week.