A breif history of Bradford City AFC

By Nathan Jackson
August 2 2008

Bradford City have spent most of their history switching from the top of the League to the bottom and back to the top again. They have a generally mixed history, having several highs but many, many lows, including a moment that will never be forgotten by the fans, players and everyone in attendance in May 1985.

The Bantam's formed in 1908 and the club were pushed straight into Division Two, it was an attempt by the Football League to have football as the most popular sport in Yorkshire as it was on the back-foot to rugby at the time. They replaced Doncaster Rovers as Bradford City Association Football Club, they also adopted their current purpley-brown colour (and no, it's not claret) and amber kit.

Rob Campbell became the club's first manager and compiled his first squad for a cost of £917. Their first game, much like most other first games for other clubs, was a defeat, 2-0 away at Grimsby Town. A tenth place finish in the first season was fairly respectable and it wasn't long before Peter O'Rourke took over. He guided them to the Division Two title just two season before recording their highest ever finish in the League, finishing 5^th in Division One. They also won the FA Cup that season when a Jimmy Speirs goal won the replay against Newcastle.

The next season saw two unique incidents. First of all was the Bradford derby against Bradford Park Avenue and also a 12 match run without conceding a goal. The Bantams stayed in Division One until 1921/2, being relegated with Manchester United. Five seasons later and they were relegated again, this time to Divison Three (North) and they stayed their for 1955/6, changing to the merged Division Three in 1958.

They struggled for form and were relegated again in 1960/61, although they did defeat Manchester United in the inaugural season of the League Cup. 1961/2 was a strange season, they also earned automatically promotion, that despite a 9-1 defeat to Colchester United. They quickly discovered their generally rubbish form and had to re-apply to the League twice in three years.

It was a bad time at the club, despite winning a promotion in the late 60's, this period will be known before Grenville Hair died in training following a heart attack. Bradford went through a spell of following promotions with relegations and vice versa. However, the appointment of Roy McFarland turned the club around for a brief period, winning promotion in his first season in charge.

The club went into receivership during the mid 80's but were still fairly successful at the time, winning Division Four in 1985, but the game will be remembered for a different moment than winning the League. Some litter caught fire and destroyed the main stand at Valley Parade, killing 56 fans in a game against Lincoln City. Bradford's side that day included current Lincoln manager, Peter Jackson.

Bradford spent almost two years away from Valley Parade whilst the new stadium was built. They worked their way back up to Division Two, getting defeated in the Playoffs by Middlesbrough, being relegated back to Division Three soon afterwards.

Geoffrey Richmond took over as chairman and promised Premier League football within five years....and he achieved it. The first step included a 2-0 win over Notts County in a Playoff final to win promotion to what is the modern day Championship. Paul Jewell was appointed as boss in 1998 and guided the Bantams to a second place finish, winning promotion to the Premiership.

Two relegation battles later and they were relegated back to Divison One. Placed back into administration twice in three seasons, it was hardly surprising when the club were relegated to Division Two. 2006/7 was going averagely for the club before selling their two best players and again, it was very little surprise when they were relegated again, returning to the fourth tier for the first time since the 80s. They finished 10^th in their first season back, that despite spending most of the season in the lower reaches.