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

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Forthcoming Events and Thanks

The museum would like to offer our sincere thanks to City fan Steve Whittaker who has made another generous donation to the museum funds. As is well known, the museum receives no direct funding and is reliant on donations and the work of its volunteers, so every penny we receive is vital and extremely welcome.

We are planning an event to celebrate the life of the first chairman of Bradford City Alfred Ayrton (pictured right). His granddaughter recently donated a magnificent illuminated address that was presented to her grandfather when he retired as City chairman in 1907. The illuminated address is housed in a solid silver case and has therefore been signed over to the Bradford Industrial Museum. At the forthcoming event we will have the address on show for the first time since the centenary exhibition in 2003. David Pendleton will give a talk on Alfred Ayrton’s significance to the club. He saved Manningham Rugby Club from closure when he became their president in 1900. He later drove through the conversion to football and the birth of Bradford City. Alf negotiated, and later became an active opponent of, the proposed merger with Bradford Park Avenue in 1907. In the 1920s he became president of the Bradford City Supporters’ Club and remained a committed fan until his death. We will announce the date of the event shortly.