The Bantams of Valley Parade

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Bradford City Association Football Club was founded in 1903 when its predecessor, Manningham FC, abandoned rugby despite having been inaugural champions of the breakaway Northern Union (Rugby League) in 1896. The Football League wanted to gain representation in West Yorkshire and the new club was elected to Division Two without having played a competitive game. Bradford City inherited its unique claret and amber colours from Manningham and continued to play at Valley Parade, which had opened in 1886. The club was promoted to Division One in 1908 and achieved FA Cup success in 1911. After relegation from the top tier in 1922 came a long decline. Relegated to Division Three (North) in 1937, the club spent forty-eight years in the lower divisions before returning as Division Three champions in 1985 – a triumph eclipsed by the fire disaster at Valley Parade, in which fifty-six people died and more than 260 were physically injured.

The last forty years have witnessed a remarkable cycle of highs and lows. This has included a brief stay in the Premier League from 1999 to 2001, financial implosion in 2002 and then a Wembley League Cup final in 2013, becoming the first fourth-tier club to achieve this feat. After relegation back to the basement division in 2019 the club bounced back with promotion in 2025 and reached the League One play-offs in 2026. Bradford City is one of the best supported in the Football League and attendances in 2025/26 were at the highest level for more than a hundred years.

This approachable history of Bradford City AFC charts the fascinating story of the football club from its beginnings to the present day. It will appeal to followers of the Bantams everywhere.