Bradford City Association Football Club: Introduction

Bradford City Association Football Club, commonly known as Bradford City or simply “Bradford,” is a professional football club based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, England. The club has a rich history, with both triumphs and challenges.

Bradford City currently plays football in English League Two. The Fanbase staff hopes that the club and supporters all do well in the coming seasons. So, here’s an overview of the club:

Before we continue, here’s a link to the club’s official website.

Foundation and Early History

• Founded: 1903
• Nicknames: The Bantams, The Paraders and The Citizens
• Stadium: Valley Parade (currently known as the Utilita Energy Stadium for sponsorship reasons)
  • Capacity: Approximately 25,136

Bradford City was formed from the remnants of Manningham Rugby Club, which switched from rugby to football in 1903. The club was admitted to the Football League in the same year, starting in the Second Division.

Bradford City Association Football Club: Major Achievements

• FA Cup Success: Bradford City’s most significant achievement came in 1911, when they won the FA Cup. They defeated Newcastle United 1-0 in a replay at Old Trafford, with Jimmy Speirs scoring the winning goal. This victory remains a cornerstone of the club’s history.
• League Success: The club’s highest-ever league finish was in the 1910–11 season, where they finished 5th in the First Division (now the Premier League).

Notable Periods

• Early Success and Decline: Following their FA Cup victory, Bradford City spent several years in the top tier of English football. However, the club was relegated in 1922 and spent much of the 20th century in the lower divisions.
• Promotion to Premier League: In the 1998-99 season, Bradford City achieved promotion to the Premier League under the management of Paul Jewell. The club spent two seasons in the top flight, managing to avoid relegation in their first season, but were relegated in the 2000-01 season.
• Financial Difficulties: Bradford City faced severe financial problems in the early 2000s, leading to administration in 2002 and again in 2004. These financial issues saw the club plummet through the divisions.

Although Bradford City won the FA Cup in 1911, the club has not won too many honours. However, they have won the lower leagues on some occasions.

Bradford City Association Football Club: Recent History

• League Two and Promotion: Bradford City spent several years in League Two (the fourth tier of English football) before achieving promotion to League One in 2013. This was under the management of Phil Parkinson, who also led the club to the final of the League Cup in 2013, famously defeating Premier League sides Arsenal and Aston Villa along the way. Despite their lower-league status, Bradford City narrowly lost to Swansea City in the final.
• 2014-15 FA Cup Run: Bradford City gained national attention again in the 2014-15 FA Cup when they defeated Chelsea 4-2 at Stamford Bridge, one of the most memorable upsets in the competition’s history. They reached the quarter-finals before being knocked out by Reading.

Rivalries

• Local Rivalries: Bradford City’s main rivals are Leeds United, Huddersfield Town, and Halifax Town. The rivalry with Leeds is particularly intense due to the close proximity of the cities and historical competition between the clubs.
• Oldham Athletic, Barnsley and Burnley also provide a degree of rivalry.

Bradford City Association Football Club: Stadium

• Valley Parade: Valley Parade has been the home of Bradford City since the club’s formation. The stadium has undergone several renovations, particularly after the tragic fire in 1985, which claimed the lives of 56 spectators. This remains one of the darkest days in the history of the club and English football.

We all share in the grief that came from the Bradford City stadium fire at Valley Parade. On 11 May 1985, while the game between Bradford City and Lincoln City was in play, a fire started. This was because of the accumulation of debris under the stands and was responsible for killing 56 and injuring at least 265. Rest In Peace.

Bradford City Association Football Club Identity

• Club Colours: The club’s traditional colours are claret and amber, often worn in stripes.
• Support: Bradford City has a passionate fanbase, with strong support both locally and from ex-pat communities worldwide.

Current Status

As of the most recent season (2023-24), Bradford City competes in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. The club continues to be a significant presence in the lower leagues, with aspirations of climbing back up the football pyramid.

Bradford City Association Football Club: Management

• Ownership and Leadership: The club has seen various changes in ownership over the years. Stefan Rupp is the current owner, having taken over in 2016.
• Manager: The club’s managerial position has seen frequent changes, reflecting the competitive and challenging nature of managing a football club in the lower leagues.

This storied club has a loyal following and a history that reflects the challenges and triumphs of English football across the decades.

Bradford City Association Football Club Promotion!

The Football Fan Base is fully interactive so that all like-minded football fans can interact together. So, why not take advantage of our soccer platforms and promote Bradford City AFC? Because if you don’t, then others will make their football team look better than yours, and that’s not on!

The Football Fan Base now incorporates the Bradford City Fans Forum on the message boards. Our Football Forum is the biggest and best platform of its type anywhere on the internet. So, pop over and project Bradford City AFC above all your rivals.

Enjoy the football banter and ensure that your football team comes top all the time!

** Information updated on September 3, 2024.