The badge of Bradford is quite a simple one. (PIC 1) On top of the shield is a chicken or to be more precise, and I’d better be because it is also their nickname, a Bantam. This originates from the days when the groundsmen at Valley Parade had to clear the birds from the pitch before the game could go ahead. Next, we have the shield in the colours of Bradford City. The club’s initials are inside the shield, and on the scroll underneath the club’s nickname “The Bantams”, and that, as they say, is that.
A little more lies behind the history of Bradford though. Like the fact that they were elected to the football league without even playing a single game, or even having a side to play with. Neither did they have a place to play their games, and yet despite all this they were elected on 25th May 1903. Not only did they manage to achieve this quite remarkable feat, but they also made a rugby-loving city change its allegiance to football. The dominant sporting force in Bradford was Manningham Rugby Football Club. They were having trouble remaining solvent so they held a summer archery contest to raise the necessary funds. This they did, but while there the members were persuaded to adopt the game of football.
I remember being at Valley Parade in 1976 when Bradford made it to the Quarter Final of the FA Cup. An old fashioned looking ground as I remember it then, with quite a view over a bleak Yorkshire skyline. In order to try and out-sing us, they had microphones hanging down from the main stand, and loudspeakers placed around the ground. I remember it being quite funny at the time, and it didn’t work of course as I have yet to hear anything drown out “Oh when the Saints go marching in” at full blast. So it was with great sadness and heavy heart that I watched on the TV the events of Saturday 11th May 1985. The match against Lincoln City was being televised for a regional program, but was broadcast live on Grandstand when a small fire was reported by TV commentator John Helm. In less than five minutes it had engulfed the whole stand. I watched in horror along with millions as fire engulfed the main stand at Valley Parade. (PIC 2) The ground like many others like it was antiquated so it wouldn’t have taken much to start the fire. As it turned out forensic scientist Dr. David Woolley concluded the cause was probably, due to the accidental dropping of a match or cigarette stubbed out in a polystyrene cup. It claimed the lives of 56 football-loving Bradford fans.
The tragedy, as with that of Hillsborough four years later brought about new legislation governing football stadiums. Getting rid of antiquated wooden stadiums prevalent in the lower divisions. Among the memorials to the 56 is a thought-inspiring sculpture by Patricia McAllister which can be seen above the suites in Burlington Street. (PIC 3) Another by the main entrance has the names of the 56 who perished that sad day. Many thanks to whoever it was that replied to my letter, but I cannot name you in person as you did not sign the compliment slip. Valley Parade now holds 25,136. It gets its name from the valley it sits atop, hence the view I mentioned earlier. The stadium has had a couple of names due to sponsorship but I won’t name it as it could have easily changed by now. The name Bradford comes from Broad-ford, a wide or broad crossing area of a river or stream. A number of rivers and streams wind the way towards Bradford where it becomes the Beck. The beck runs mostly underground through Bradford these days, so there is no need for the ford. Bradford’s rivals down the years have included Huddersfield and Leeds. For more on “The Bantams” peck your way to www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk
