History of Bradford City FC: Ups and Downs of the Bantams

Jan 1, 2012
Steve Rogerson

Entrance to Valley Parade - Photo by Steve Rogerson

Bradford City, known as the Bantams, have had an up and down life since the club was formed in 1903.

Bradford City FC can trace their origins back to the sport with the oval ball – rugby league, still played in the city today, notably by Bradford Bulls. But it was Manningham Rugby Club that provided the spark for the current football club. Manningham Rugby Club was founded in 1880 on a field on Whetley Hill. They started off playing in black and white before changing to claret and amber, colours still used by today’s football team.

In 1886, the rugby club moved grounds to Valley Parade, where the football club plays today. The club scored its first major triumph in 1896 when it won the Rugby League Championship. But the team struggled financially and decided that maybe the round ball might provide more rewards, and thus in 1903 the football club was formed. Within three months, the new team had been accepted to the Football League.

Bradford City, the Early Days

After losing their first league game away at Grimsby Town, the club went on to finish tenth in their first season in Division Two. The team improved and in 1908 won the Division Two championship and had their first taste of top-flight football. Success continued, and in 1911 they finished fifth in Division One – a highest ever finish record that still stands today – and won the FA Cup, but it took them two games to do it. They drew 0-0 against Newcastle United at Crystal Palace before winning the replay 1-0 at Old Trafford thanks to an early goal by captain Jimmy Speirs.

However, good times were soon to come to an end and their life in Division One ended in 1922 with relegation to the second division followed by relegation again in 1927 to Division Three (North). Two years later, they were back in Division Two but were relegated again in 1937. They won the Third Division North Challenge Cup in 1939 but then football was suspended because of the Second World War.

When the regional division threes ended in 1958 to create separate divisions three and four, Bradford City ended up in Division Three, were they stayed until relegation in 1961. They struggled in Division Four and twice had to apply for re-election. Promotion though followed in 1969, but they were back down in the basement division three years later were they stayed until winning promotion in 1977 and then relegation in 1978. Their next promotion to the third tier was in 1982.

Tragedy Strikes

The final game of the 1984-85 season should have been a party. The team had already won the Third Division championship and the last game, at home against Lincoln City, was set to be a party atmosphere in which they would be presented with the trophy.

A packed Valley Parade watched the two teams for 40 minutes before a fire broke out in the rubbish that had accumulated over the years beneath an old wooden stand (ironically, the wooden stand was due to be replaced two days later and the new metal supports were already at the ground). The fire caught quickly and though many fans escaped, 56 people lost their lives and another 265 were injured.

In the year and a half that it took to rebuild the ground, Bradford City played home matches at Elland Road in Leeds, Leeds Road in Huddersfield and Odsal Stadium in Bradford. The only part of the original ground that still remains in the clubhouse next to the main stand.

Rise and Fall of Bradford City

On the field, the team pushed for promotion to the top flight and reached the play-offs in 1987 but were beaten by Middlesbrough. In 1989, they were relegated back to the third tier. Promotion again to the second tier came via the play-offs and a Wembley victory against Notts County in 1996. A runners-up finish in 1999 saw Bradford City back in the top flight and in what was now the Premiership for the first time.

Many believed that this could be the start of glory days for the Yorkshire club, hopes that were helped by them narrowly avoiding relegation the following season with a last match victory against Liverpool. But the following season, they were relegated to the second tier.

Financial problems followed and the club was put into administration twice in three seasons leading to a fall through the leagues to return in 2007 to the bottom tier, where they remain today.

Bradford City Today

The club look out of place in the Football League’s basement division with a large following and a 25,000 capacity stadium. A trip to the club is normally an enjoyable day out, usually involving a visit to one or more of the many pubs of Bradford.