bantamspast Books: What's Coming Up

Myths and reality: A new series of books offering fresh perspectives on the history of Bradford football challenging the traditional version of events.

A History of Bradford City AFC in Objects

John Dewhirst (pub 2014, on sale in Waterstones)

Acclaimed by Hunter Davies as “the best illustrated history of any club I have ever read”, it provides an alternative history of the Bantams through surviving artefacts and memorabilia. Also includes comparative Park Avenue programmes and relics.

Re-Inventing Bradford City AFC 

Jason McKeown (pub March, 2016)

The last 30 years of Bradford City have featured a rollercoaster highs and lows. From promotions, relegations, the Premier League, almost going bankrupt, reaching a major cup final, and becoming the pioneers of affordable football.

Featuring interviews with players, managers, directors, journalists and fans, RE-INVENTING BRADFORD CITY tells the inside story of how City emerged from tragedy in 1985 and evolved through modern times. How they have continued to reinvent themselves, in both good ways and bad.

Room At The Top: The origins of Bradford football & the rivalry of Bradford FC and Manningham FC 

John Dewhirst (pub June, 2016)

The story of all the pioneering clubs, the military heritage and the origins of claret and amber as well as the red, amber and black. The author’s research and analysis provides a new interpretation of the rugby schism of 1895 as well as the conversion to soccer at Valley Parade in 1903 and at Park Avenue in 1907. Above all it explains the antagonism between the two Bradford clubs which set the tone for the twentieth century relationship.

The final volume in the series, WOOL CITY RIVALS, an illustrated history of the twentieth century Park Avenue / City rivalry will be published in 2017/18

Further details from Amazon ;  widthofapost.com ; johndewhirst.wordpress.com

Join the mailing list and get subscriber details from glorious1911@paraders.co.uk

history revisited | bantamspast publications

A History of Bradford City AFC in Objects

by John Dewhirst
Published by bantamspast, October 2014

A unique 344, all colour publication which features more than 1,000 items of City memorabilia and historic club artefacts. It includes a 67,000 word definitive history of the club including the story of organised supporter groups at Valley Parade to the present day. The book provides an alternative history of the club as recorded by surviving artefacts and memorabilia and has been well received by football supporters not only in Bradford but across the UK.

Feedback reviews can be read on Amazon but also include the following comments:

Hunter Davies: 'Lucky old Bradford City - this is the best illustrated history of any club I have ever read. I am so envious of all John's football treasures and memorabilia, which will  appeal to and interest and amuse and fascinate all real football fans, not just those of Bradford City'

Simon Parker, Telegraph & Argus: 'a unique way of following the clubís path to the present day. I can't recommend it highly enough'

David Conn, Guardian: 'A History of Bradford City AFC in Objects, a new book by lifelong supporter John Dewhirst, appears not much more promising than a compulsive collection of memorabilia but it is much more than the sum of its badges, pennants and other ephemera which the author admits his wife and three daughters would eagerly de-clutter tomorrow. Any risk of appearing parochial is avoided by the care with which the objects are set out, the clean design and Dewhirst's detailed explanations. It adds up to a labour of love, testament to a cherished institution and the 111 years in which it has played.'

Tom & Dom of BANTAMS BANTER: 'the greatest toilet reading book of all time'

City supporters have also acclaimed it as possibly the best book published ever about the Bantams and it will appeal to fans of all ages.

Available from Waterstones, Wool Exchange and the club shop as well as Amazon, price £30.

Further information email here.

Bradford Pals badges

The likelihood is that Bradford City AFC will be adopting the Bradford Pals badge in 2015 (refer page 43 of 'A History of Bradford City AFC in Objects') and ahead of this bantamspast is commissioning a limited edition run of 100 enamel badges to feature the Bradford Pals / West Yorkshire regiment crests against a claret and amber background. The initiative is to help raise funds for the appeal but also to produce what we consider to be a tasteful derivation of the badge before other variants start to appear. BCAFC does not have the monopoly on Pals commemorations but the claret and amber colours of the regiment are part of a shared heritage. The bantamspast badges therefore include claret and amber but deliberately have not incorporated a BCAFC crest. A bantamspast inscription on the reverse serves to denote the association with BCAFC supporters.

The badges are designed as shown. The horse of the WY Regiment will be produced in 3D. They will be 20mm in diameter and inscribed on the back: BANTAMSPAST X OF 100 etc and are being sold in pairs.

A little number remain available. If you would like to order a pair please confim by email. Collection / despatch and payment arrangements will be confirmed later this month. The cost per pair of badges will be £15.

Please ensure that your name, mobile number and postal address are clearly stated in your email.

On Saturday 29th November Dave Pendleton is organising a special event in conjunction with supporters of Leyton Orient to raise money for the 'Honour the Pals Appeal'. It takes place from noon at Jacobs Beer House, Kent Street, Bradford. It is a free event, but donations will be welcome towards the T&A's appeal to erect a memorial to the Bradford Pals on the Somme.

Coming Soon - A History of Bradford City in Objects

You can pre-order your copy by completing the form you can download from here.