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End of season thank yous

23 May

The Width of a Post

By Jason McKeown

As we have reached the end of this marathon season, I wanted to say a few public thank yous to the many people who have helped and supported Width of a Post over this season.

Firstly, a big thanks to the ever-expanding team of Width of a Post writers who have contributed articles during the past 10 months. We have been proud to publish a huge number of pieces and this was only possible because of the dedication and creativity of so many people. I’m really proud of the fact that, this season, Width of a Post has provided a platform for 42 Bradford City supporters to write about the club.

In first name order, they are: Alex Scott, Andrew Whieldon, Anne Bell, Chris Herbert, Chris Wilkinson, David Lawrence, David Scott, David Pendleton, Damien Wilkinson, Emma Lavine, Gareth Walker, Ian Hemmens, Ian Sheard, Jess Softley, Joe Cockburn, John Dewhirst, James Storrie, Jim Nicholson, John Wade, Jonathon Ellerton, Josh Chapman, Katie Whyatt, Luke Lockwood, Mahesh Johal, Mark Danylczuk, Mark Scully, Martin Gregory, Martin Keighley, Matty Briggs, Mike Harrison, Mike Holdsworth, Omar Eliwi, Paul Firth, Phil Abbott, Richard Cowman, Richard Johnston, Rob Burn, Rob Craven, Ron Beaumont, Tim Roche, Tom Warden and Will Rook.

In addition, thank you to Jeremy Casey of the Northampton Chronicle & Echo, Ger Corrigan of the band The Corrigan Brothers, David Michael of the Aston Villa site My Old Man Said and Danny Brothers from the Northampton site A Load of Cobblers for their contributions.

From Bradford City Football Club itself, the magnificent David Baldwin has been incredibly kind and supportive. Thanks too go to Stephen Hawthorn-Emmett and Nathan Doyle. Also with City connections, cheers to Jamie Lawrence and Mark ‘Mega’ Ellis for their time when we interviewed them.

Within the wider Bantams community, we are grateful for ongoing support from the Bradford City Supporters Trust, Mick at Friends of Bradford City, Mike Harrison of the City Gent, the Bantams Banter lads Tom and Dom and the Skipton Bantams (my new family!) Special mention also to James Hanson’s dad, Michael, who has been extremely kind and contributed one of the best articles we published this season.

Within the media, thanks to Ian Dennis at BBC 5Live and David Conn from the Guardian for their kind words and promotion.

Most importantly of all, thank you to you – valued reader. Width of a Post’s fortunes have reflected the club we love. Readership has grown by around 60% compared to last season (over 400,000 visits since August). We have been fortunate to receive so much excellent feedback during the last 10 months and it really does mean a lot. It is a great feeling to know that we are providing a service of sorts to City fans, and we feel proud to be part of this community.

Width of a Post will keep very busy over the summer, so please keep visiting us. Our in-depth season review begins tomorrow and will continue all of next week. We have a couple of other features lined up for the close season (potentially a few very exciting interviews too!) in addition to continuing to report on what’s going on at Valley Parade.

Myself and my wife are due to have our first child any day now. This will inevitably have a knock on effect, because the amount of hours Width of a Post takes of my time is considerable. But with my wonderful team of writers’ help, I’m confident it will largely be business as usual.

64 games played by City this season, 64 match reports by Width of a Post. This has been a superb season for myself and the team; and I hope that, in some small way, we have helped towards making it a superb season for you too.

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Parkinson signs up until 2016 as City find stability

22 May

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“Three years was the minimum we wanted. We’re aiming to go back up the divisions and we want Phil to be the man leading us.” Julian Rhodes

By Jason McKeown

Phil Parkinson has finally ended months of speculation by today pledging his future to Bradford City, with the signing of a three-year contract. Along with his assistant, Steve Parkin, and fitness guru, Nick Allamby, Parkinson is being tasked with completing City’s climb back to the Championship.

Even before Saturday, Parkinson had more than proved himself as the man to take City forwards. The job he has performed, since taking charge in September 2011, is nothing short of spectacular. Not only evidenced by the league table and remarkable cup run, but the way that he has transformed attitudes and standards on and off the field.

Parkinson is huge on character and told me that he ranks this quality even above a player’s ability. He has successfully blended together a talented squad of hungry and motivated players, who have delivered incredible results over a marathon season. Mark Lawn’s comments in the T&A that Parkinson turned down the chance to sign a striker mid-season, because of his potential to disrupt the dressing room, tells you everything about the man and his ethics. This group of players, to a man, have given everything to this club. Parkinson has instilled that culture and environment.

The contract negotiations have taken a while to conclude, with numerous rumours of clubs interested in Parkinson’s services. Width of a Post understands that the sticking points were the way in which the contract was originally drafted, and Parkinson’s insistence Parkin and Allamby’s contracts were sorted out at exactly the same time. In addition, the health issues with Parkinson’s agent and Julian Rhodes’ selling of his business have slowed progress. Yet what has been clear, since Parkinson arrived, is that the chairmen and City manager have a strong bond. Whatever doubts and fears us supporters, and even players, have carried over the last few weeks, crucially this was not the case between those at the sharp end of the negotiations.

That Parkinson has signed for three years is also notable. It is the longest managerial contract City have given out since Colin Todd signed for five years in 2005. It represents a clear statement of intent by the club – that they recognise the importance of the stability Parkinson has delivered. After Todd almost completed three years in the hotseat, his sacking, and replacement of David Wetherall as caretaker, saw mid-table City slump to relegation. Stability returned under Stuart McCall, before the Bantams quickly went through two managers and on the field went backwards. There’s a repeated lesson, which has thankfully being taken on board.

Parkinson has reversed City’s 12-year slump and delivered impressive success. He is the club’s biggest asset, and so tying him down for so long provides us with the best possible chance of continuing our upwards curve.

Undoubtedly the goal will be for Parkinson’s new deal to run out with City a Championship club. There is talk of back-to-back promotions, but that is a big ask. More realistically, Parkinson has three seasons to get us promoted out of League One or at least ensure that we are challenging at the top end of the table. There will inevitably be bumps in the road, but the Chairmen need to back their judgement and stay the course with him.

Today’s news suggests that they have every intention of doing so.

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A walk through the history of Bradford sport

13 Apr

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Bradford city centre

10.30am-noon, 20 April 2013

By David Pendleton 

The hidden sporting history of Bradford will be brought to life in a guided walk around the city centre on Saturday 20 April. The walk, staged as part of the inaugural Bantams’ History week, will follow part of the route taken by Bradford City’s victorious team when they returned in triumph with the FA Cup in 1911.

Buildings and locations will include: where Bradford Northern Rugby League Club were formed; where the Bradford jewellers Fattorini’s designed the current FA Cup; the hotel where City’s players celebrated their cup triumph; the wool warehouse which was the business of Bradford City’s chairman during the Great War; a sports outfitters owned by a Bradford rugby international in the days when players were supposed to be strictly amateur; the premises where millions of football collectors cards were manufactured.

Walkers are requested to meet downstairs in the Turls Green public house (formerly known as Lloyds) in Centenary Square 10am for 10.30am. The pub has kindly agreed to host the meeting place of the walk. There will be a halt for refreshments at the Midland Hotel and the walk will end at the Sparrow Bier Cafe on North Parade in time for the official launch of the Bantams’ History Week at midday.

The walk will be led by the bantamspast museum curator David Pendleton and the irrepressible Glyn Watkins, poet, writer and leader of the recent walk celebrating Bradford’s patron Saint Bishop Blaise. The walk is free but a donation to the Bradford Burns Unit would be appreciated.

Locations en route:

  • Bradford fire memorial, Centenary Square
  • Site of Mechanics’ Institute, Centenary Square
  • Former Bradford Daily Telegraph office, Centenary Square
  • Site of Great War recruiting office, Norfolk Gardens
  • Site of Bradford Exchange railway station
  • Great Northern Victoria Hotel
  • Route taken through streets of Bradford by Bradford City team parading FA Cup in 1911
  • Wool Exchange, Market Street
  • Site of Fattorini’s where FA Cup was designed
  • Site of Sports & Pastimes, makers of Bradford City’s shirts in 1911
  • Plaque commemorating FA Cup win outside Midland Hotel
  • Site of former Bradford Midland (Forster Square) Railway station
  • Midland Hotel, Spirit of Bradford bar
  • Former warehouse of I & G Lancaster, Cheapside
  • Former British Sport Depot shop, Darley Street/Duke Street
  • Former shop of Baines Cards, North Parade
  • Sparrow Bier Cafe, North Parade

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City Gent 185 on sale

29 Mar

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By Jason McKeown

If there is ever a moment for fanzines to shine, the recounting of a major football event is it. The new edition of the City Gent – which goes on sale at Valley Parade today – does a fantastic job of reflecting Bradford City’s momentous day at Wembley stadium last month.

Supporters have queued up to write interesting articles about their experience of the League Cup Final. Highlights include Sophie Cunliffe’s account of watching the game with her family, Dave Welbourne comparing ’13 with ’96, Mark Neale assessing the legacy for the club, Chad Soucy travelling over from America to watch the match and James Podlewski spending the day being Capital One’s ‘super fan’. Width of a Post has contributed an article on writing about the cup run, too.

For the first time in City Gent’s long and distinguished history, the fanzine is printed in full colour; which does full justice to the range of outstanding photographs taken by Emily Harrison that feature throughout. There’s also an extended interview with Julian Rhodes by former BBC Radio Leeds commentator Derm Tanner, with some revealing insights.

Even if the disappointment of City getting thrashed by Swansea – and negative impact on league form – leaves you feeling too upset to want to read about Sunday 24 February, 2013, buy it. Buy it, don’t read it, but stick it away somewhere safe. Because in a few years’ time, when the memories of the cup run start to fade and the bitterness over recent results is long since forgotten, you’ll be grateful for every memento you kept of City’s glorious achievement – and you’ll regret it if you haven’t bought City Gent 185.

On sale around Valley Parade today.

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Bantams’ History Week

23 Mar

Valley Parade

20-26 April 2013

By David Pendleton

The inaugural Bantams’ History Week takes place in late April to coincide with the 102nd anniversary of Bradford City AFC’s FA Cup triumph, 26 April 1911. On that fateful day Bantams became the first winners of the current FA Cup trophy, which, by a happy coincidence, had been designed by the Bradford jewellers Fattorini’s.

The history week is being organised by Bradford City AFC’s museum bantamspast. The ethos behind the event is illustrating the interaction of the history of the football club with that of the city centre. At various locations that overlapping, yet often forgotten, history will be brought back to life via displays, a self-guided walk and a tour.

The history week will culminate with a dinner at the Midland Hotel on 26 April – the anniversary of Bradford City’s FA Cup triumph. The dinner will take place in the same room from which the Bantams’ captain, Jimmy Speirs, showed the glittering trophy to a crowd estimated at 100,000 people – a third of the entire population of the city at that time.

 

Saturday 20 April

Launch of Bantams’ History Week

Sparrow Bier Cafe

12pm

Free event

The Bantams’ History Week will be launched at the Sparrow Bier Cafe at noon with the pulling of the first pint of an exclusively produced beer. A brief welcome and talk will be given by the organiser of the Bantams’ History Week, and author of Glorious 1911 and Paraders, David Pendleton, on the Bantams’ History Week and hidden sporting history of North Parade.

North Parade, historically one of the smarter streets in the city centre, has strong links with the heritage of Bradford City AFC. Based on North Parade was Baines Cards, the producers of millions of collectors cards depicting sports personalities and clubs in the late Victorian and Edwardian periods. Originally from Manningham, Baines moved to North Parade as the business grew to staggering proportions. Featured on their cards were numerous players of Bradford City, Bradford Park Avenue and Bradford Northern. However, Baines produced cards for a national and international audience and every conceivable sporting aspect was covered by their cards which were avidly collected by boys young and old.

From Montevideo to Manchester, Tokyo to Turin, today the appeal of football cards knows no bounds. Yet how many people are aware that this global obsession has its roots in Victorian Bradford? John Baines, a Bradfordian who shaped global football culture.

The sporting heritage of North Parade will be celebrated by a storyboard displayed on the walls of the Sparrow Bier Cafe. You will be able to toast that heritage with a pint of Baines Bantams’ Beer, specially produced and exclusively on sale at the Sparrow.

Valley Parade

1pm: An opportunity to peek behind the scenes at Valley Parade on a matchday, including access to the dressing rooms, directors’ suite, 1911 Club and the bantamspast museum. The tour, led by the Friends of Bradford City, must be pre-booked. For further details please visit www.friendsofbcfc.com

3pm-4.45pm: Catch the Bantams in League Two action when Bradford City play Burton Albion at Valley Parade.

Sunday 21 April

Undercliffe Cemetery

2pm

Free event (donations welcome to the cemetery volunteers)

A guided tour of Bradford’s famous necropolis, including visits to the graves of former Bradford City chairmen Alf Ayrton and Stafford Heginbotham. We also pay our respects to Thomas Coyle, a 12-year-old boy killed when a barrier collapsed at Valley Parade on Christmas Day 1888. Although this event is free we would appreciate donations towards the work of the Undercliffe Cemetery volunteers and their efforts to maintain the huge cemetery.

Friday 26 April

26 April 1911 anniversary Dinner

Forster Suite, Midland Hotel

Dress code: tie for gentlemen, dress for ladies is preferred, but smart-causal will suffice.

Guest speaker David Conn of the Guardian

Two course dinner £18 per person

The culmination of the Bantams’ History Week is a dinner to mark the 102nd anniversary of Bradford City AFC’s FA Cup victory. The dinner will take place in the very room where Jimmy Speirs walked out onto the balcony of the hotel to show the FA Cup to an estimated 100,000 people packed onto the streets of Bradford.

Toasts will be made to the great team of 1911. Our guest speaker will be the Guardian’s David Conn. Well known for his investigative journalism into football’s finances, his latest book, Richer than God, tells the story of Sheik Mansour’s arrival at Manchester City and its impact on English football.

Spaces are limited to forty diners, so early booking is advised. Please send a cheque for £18 payable to ‘bantamspast’ to:

Bantamspast, PO Box 307, Shipley, BD18 9BT. Bookings are strictly on a first come first served basis.

Bantams’ History Week Trail

20-26 April

A self-guided walking tour of locations in central Bradford that are linked to the history of Bradford City AFC. As many of the attractions within the establishments listed, it may be worth double checking their opening times if you are travelling from outside the city.

Midland Hotel

When Bradford City won the FA Cup in 1911 they were met by 100,000 people on the streets of Bradford. Their journey from the Exchange station to the Midland Hotel took nearly an hour as nearly a third of the entire population of the city turned out to welcome the conquering heroes.

Put yourself in the footsteps of those famous players and visit Bradford’s iconic former railway hotel. Adjacent to the front car park is a plaque celebrating the centenary of the FA Cup victory and the planting of one hundred trees by Britain in Bloom in March 2011. The Spirit of Bradford bar (turn immediate left on entering the hotel) has a fabulous illuminated mural of the city including a representation of Valley Parade.

Opposite the hotel was the now demolished headquarters of the jewellers Fatttorini’s where the present FA Cup was designed. It was first competed for in 1911 and the first winners were none other than Bradford City. Adjacent to Fattorini’s was Sports and Pastimes where the shirts that the Bantams wore when they won the FA Cup were designed and produced by the Fattorini owned company Sports and Pastimes. Bradford City’s England international midfield player Evelyn Lintott worked at the shirt manufacturers immediately following his transfer to Valley Parade.

Waterstone’s

Situated in the magnificent Wool Exchange building, Waterstone’s will have a display of Bradford City, Bradford Park Avenue and Bradford Bulls books on show.

Bradford Cathedral

The Cathedral houses a plaque that commemorates the millions of pounds raised in the wake of the fire disaster at Valley Parade in 1985. The slate plaque can be viewed on the left hand side of the church as you approach the Alter. The Cathedral was also the place where Robert Torrance, the man-of-the-match in the 1911 FA Cup Final was married in late 1916. You will be able to view his marriage certificate complete with the great man’s signature.

Corn Dolly public house

A popular pub with generations of Bradford City fans, the Corn Dolly has on display an oil painting of the Bantams record appearance holder Ces Podd and several other images. Also there is a pennant from Glasgow Rangers supporters presented prior to Stuart McCall’s testimonial match when City played Rangers in front of over 20,000 supporters.

Hamm Strasse Memorial

In the wake of the fire disaster the people of Bradford’s twin town in Germany Hamm showed tremendous compassion and eventually donated the memorial that stands in Centenary Square. As a mark of appreciation the new road linking Canal Road with Manningham Lane was named Hamm Strasse. For many years only a small plaque told that story, but on the 25th anniversary of the fire a marker stone was kindly provided by the building suppliers Marshall’s. It was unveiled by the Lord Mayor of Bradford and the Burgomaster of Hamm.

Sparrow Bier Cafe

A relatively new business, the Sparrow has become a popular watering hole for City fans on matchdays. Home of the launch of the Bantams’ History Week, you can read about North Parade’s links to the football club on a storyboard on the cafe’s walls. Also on sale, at least until it sells out, is the exclusive Bantams History Week ale – Baines Bantams’ Beer.

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Beyond Wembley: What can bring Bradford together?

18 Feb

26 February 2013, 6:30-8:00pm

Carlisle Business Centre, 60 Carlisle Road, Bradford, BD8 8BD

By Helen Stroud

Bradford City have thrilled a city and surprised the whole country by becoming the first team from English football’s fourth division to reach a major Wembley Cup final.

This event will reflect on what this moment has meant for Bradford, and how to build on it after the cup final.

Speakers include:

  • Anthony Clavane, chief sportswriter of the Sunday Mirror and author of books on identity and football, and the Jewish contribution to English football.
  • Sabbiyah Pervez, proud Bradfordian and participant in Make Bradford British TV programme.
  • Riz Rehman, operations director of the Zesh Rehman Foundation, a social inclusion project to bring communities together using football; ex-footballer and qualified coach.
  • Jason McKeown, editor of The Width of a Post website, covering Bradford City FC.

Join them to discuss questions including:

Q. How far has it captured an inclusive pride in a city more used to negative headlines?

Q. Will it help persuade Bradfordians to support their local club, not Premiership teams, or boost the club’s efforts to build local Asian support?

Q. Beyond Wembley, what can we learn about the possibilities of sport, and other areas of common interest, to be a positive force for inclusion and integration?

Q. British Future is an independent thinktank which promotes constructive public debate about identity and integration in Britain today. See www.britishfuture.org for more information.

To reserve a place, please RSVP to Helena Stroud at info@britishfuture.org or call 020 7632 9069.

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BANTAMSPAST update and news of a new book

16 Feb

bantamspast
By John Dewhirst

When it was first announced that the new school would be opening in the VP office block it was hoped that the BANTAMSPAST museum could be relocated elsewhere in the ground – for example in the Bantams Bar in the Kop stand – but despite the best efforts of all it was not possible. For the record the efforts of David Baldwin in supporting us cannot be faulted.

Certain artefacts are now on display in the function areas of the main stand but most of the remainder has been (or is in the process of being) returned to the owners who had originally lent the items. We retain the hope of reviving a physical museum at Valley Parade but remain committed to encouraging interest in the club’s history through various initiatives.

One objective is to act as a publisher of historical books about the club. For example in 2010 we published Glorious 1911 (a history of the club’s golden era between 1908-15 and a certain event in 1911) and in 2011 we published Paraders, also written by Dave Pendleton to commemorate the 125th anniversary of VP with an updated history. Last year we assisted Paul Firth with the promotion and publishing of his book about Bobby Campbell.

We have also promoted the PARADERS range of enamel badges (www.paraders.co.uk) featuring historic crests and sales of badges raised £5,000 that was donated to the Burns Unit in 2011.

We are also looking to continue organising ad hoc events which have previously included the centenary Glorious 1911 dinner at the Midland Hotel in 2011 and various film nights at Pictureville since 1997 that have included the showing of archive film from the 1940s as well as from 1903.

In April this year Dave Pendleton is organising the Bradford Football History Week – details of which will be confirmed shortly.  Longer term we are exploring options to enhance the existing BANTAMSPAST website to provide a virtual online museum.

In the meantime I am working on a new publication which will hopefully be published in October/November this year to mark the club’s 100th peacetime season in League competition. Essentially it will be a compilation of memorabilia, ephemera and relics to provide an alternative history of the club in objects.

Having collected (hoarded) City stuff for the last forty years I have a good selection to feature but I’d appreciate the help of City fans who may have unusual or rare memorabilia. In particular I am interested in souvenirs (including scarves), old season-tickets and tickets from pre-1975 and programmes or handbooks as well as postcards or photographs from pre-1939. Membership cards of supporter organisations pre-1973 also needed.

Additionally I’d welcome material relating to Park Avenue derby games. However to make the project manageable I am excluding newspaper scrapbooks and cuttings from the scope.

In the first instance could I ask you to send me a digital photograph of the item(s) concerned. Even if I cannot feature it in the book we are keen to build a collection of images that could be featured on the BANTAMSPAST website (www.bantamspast.co.uk).

I have been working in Saudi Arabia since July last year and return to Bradford next week to travel down to Wembley. Needless to say I haven’t been a regular at VP this season but then again it is the only season where I have never seen the team lose. Hopefully a positive omen.

John can be contacted at johnpdewhirstatgmaildotcom

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FIFA rules against Bradford City on Mark Stewart

7 Feb

By Jason McKeown

FIFA has today announced that Bradford City must pay Falkirk 250,000 euros compensation for the signing of Mark Stewart in the summer of 2011.

Stewart arrived at Valley Parade on a free transfer; but being only 22-years-old at the time, Falkirk claimed they were entitled to receive a transfer fee in view of their role in his development as a youth player. The Scottish club quickly announced it would be referring the matter to FIFA.

Having failed in attempts to sign Ashley Grimes and Clayton Donaldson, it is understood that then-manager Peter Jackson agreed to look at alternative players suggested by then-Chief Scout and Head of Football Development, Archie Christie. Stewart was one of the strikers put forward, but it would seem as though Jackson also knew about him anyway after stating shortly after the transfer was completed, “He has a lot of pace and can easily play down the middle or out wide on either side. I’ve seen him score goals with his left foot, right foot and his head.”

Jackson’s assessment was understandable, given Stewart had netted 17 goals for Falkirk the previous season and other clubs were also said to be chasing him. However, despite impressing in pre-season, Stewart was one of a number of players who struggled at the start of the season. Jackson left as manager four games in, Phil Parkinson arrived and shortly afterwards new signings took Stewart’s place. He now plays for Dundee.

Nevertheless, Falkirk did not abandon their claim for €330,000. Width of a Post understands that negotiations took place between the two clubs in the autumn of 2011 and that a fee of £76k was almost settled upon, but City decided that this was still too high and talks stalled. In December 2011, the Telegraph & Argus reported that, “City’s stance has never changed on the striker since they signed him in the summer. They have always maintained that Stewart was a free agent after his contract with the Bairns ran out the week before he arrived at Valley Parade.”

Now FIFA have ruled that City must pay within 30 days, although they have the right to appeal. It would seem there are two issues surrounding this debate: do City owe Falkirk money (they claim not to because Stewart was out of contract) and how much is Mark Stewart worth? On the latter, his performances both before, during and after would suggest not the €250,000 (£215,620) that FIFA have concluded.

I personally thought Stewart was an okay player and worked hard for the team, but his lack of goal threat was an obvious issue for a side that was struggling to find the back of the net.

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Wembley song number two: The Spirit of Bradford City

7 Feb

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By Jason McKeown

Hot on the heels of the Corrigan Brothers recording a song about Bradford City’s appearance at Wembley, Bradford City supporter Simon Crabtree has written and recorded his own effort, named ‘The Spirit of Bradford City’. It’s already causing a stir amongst the Bradford City Twitter community, with almost 700 listens within three days of appearing on the ‘net.

Simon kindly told Width of a Post the story behind his song:

“I started writing it on the Wednesday evening after the Villa game. I sat down and watched the recording of the game, from the night before, and had a few tears in my eyes seeing the pictures of us all in the stands at the end. Then the interview with Phil Parkinson on the pitch where he comes out and says, ‘It’s dreamland…we said we had a chance to make history’, so that was a starting point. I grabbed a notebook and started writing stuff down.

“I needed a title, and the one thing that I think has epitomised this team is spirit. Going back to the earlier round game against Burton where I thought we’d battered them and we couldn’t work out how we were 2-0 down at half time. But they came back and showed the sort of spirit that made you proud to support them.

“I was separated from the other members of the ‘Food & Beverage Sub Committee’ (my usual co-watchers) at that Villa away game, high up behind the goal, surrounded by strangers, but everyone around me felt like my best mates that night – there was a mix of terror, ecstasy and ‘oh my god I can’t believe it’. I don’t think I’ve ever hugged so many strangers!

“I wanted to write something that made you feel that pride, I didn’t want to create a novelty song, something funny or gimmicky, I just wanted it to reflect how I’d felt the night before – proud.

“I stuck a rough version on the iPod and took it down to the Fighting Cock to run it by the rest of the ‘Committee’, and they voted it through, so I rushed home (after a few more drinks) and got it to a point where I dared to stick it on the web. Since then there’s been some heavy Twitter-marketing activity, a fair amount of nice feedback, very little nasty feedback (though I’m preparing myself for that) and over 700 downloads.

“I’m now wondering whether to pluck up the courage and take a CD down to the club!”

To listen to Simon’s excellent song and read the lyrics, please click on the following link.

https://sites.google.com/site/spiritofbradfordcity/

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Fancy a retro 80s Bradford City to wear at Wembley?

2 Feb

wembley 1

By Jason McKeown

Bradford City’s Wembley date with Swansea has prompted all manner of talk about kits. The club’s shirt suppliers, Nike, are unable to produce any new stock of this season’s kits, meaning fans looking to ensure they are suitably decked in claret and amber for the big day are having to look for alternatives.

One such option is to go retro, with a handful of websites selling classic football shirts from all manner of clubs. However, City supporter and Steeton FC manager Roy Mason was less than inspired by the limited range of Bradford City retro kits available to buy, and is looking to rectify this in time for the final.

“I have been in contact with Toffs.com, to suggest they look at extending their current range to include classic Bradford City shirts of the 80s, because I’m sure there are many supporters like me who would love to wear one at Wembley,” Roy explained to Width of a Post. “Toffs have responded to me saying they are interested in investigating the feasibility of bringing out some new retro City shirts in time for the final, and have asked me to submit suggests shirts to produce.”

Roy has put forward the following five classic City shirts for them to consider, which you can find details of below, and Toffs are keen to gauge whether other City supporters would be interested in buying one of the new range. So, if you are keen to buy a classic City shirt, please email Widthofapost@gmail.com, or leave a reader comment below, and we will pass them to Roy, to pass on to Toffs. You can also tweet Toffs directly - @toffsretro.

There are no guarantees these shirts would be produced in time, but as Roy says, “the more emails of interest I can pass on to Toffs, the more chance there is this will come off.”

City’s 80s classic shirts for Toffs to consider, by Roy Mason

(Images borrowed from the superb historicalkits.co.uk)

Bradford_City_1982-1983

1982 shirt wore when we won promotion from 4th Division under Roy McFarland. This kit was the first sponsored shirt we had and TOY CITY was a local toy shop – they no longer exist. The shirt maker was a local firm Litesome and it was it was the first ‘modern shinny’ polyester shirt we had.

Bradford_City_1979-1981

1980 shirt we wore as a 4th division side when we beat Liverpool 1-0 in the league cup in August 1980 – Bobby Campbell scored the winner. The kit was made by Admiral from the same ‘rougher’ polyester as the England 1978 kit.

Bradford_City_1983-1984-aef

This kit was worn in 1983/84 and was made by Patrick – we wore this kit when we had our record 10 consecutive wins. The maker was Patrick and the kit sponsor was the Council at the time and it was ‘Bradford Mythbreakers’. The shirt was made from the shiny polyester of the time. It was also the away shirt in 1984/85.

Bradford_City_1984-1985

This was the 1984/85 shirt we wore when we won the third division title. It was also the kit we wore on May 11th 1985 when 56 supporters lost their lives in the Bradford Fire. The maker was Patrick and the sponsor was Bradford Mythbreakers.

Bradford_City_1987-1988

The ‘nearly season’ – 1987/88 – where under Terry Dolan we just missed out on promotion to the old first division. Made by Admiral the kit is again sponsored by the council.

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