The basics
Bradford City AFC was founded in 1903 and has played at Valley Parade, on the hillside just north of Bradford city centre, ever since. The team wears claret and amber and goes by the Bantams. For today's fixtures, squad and tickets, the official club website is the place to go. BBC Sport covers results and news.
1911: the FA Cup
City won the FA Cup in 1911, beating Newcastle United 1–0 in a replay at Old Trafford. It was the first final played for the current trophy, which was made in Bradford. It remains the club's only major honour, and it came up on the podcast whenever another cup run got going.
1985: the Valley Parade fire
On 11 May 1985, on the day City celebrated winning the Third Division, fire broke out in the main stand. 56 people died and hundreds more were injured. The Bradford City stadium fire led to major changes in ground safety across Britain, and the Plastic Surgery and Burns Research Unit in Bradford was set up in its aftermath. Bantams Banter raised money for the Burns Unit through charity singles and raffles, and the club marks the anniversary every year.
1999 to 2001: the Premier League
Under Paul Jewell, City were promoted to the top flight in 1999 and stayed up on the final day of the season by beating Liverpool 1–0, David Wetherall scoring the header. They went down the following year, and financial trouble pushed the club down the leagues over the next decade.
2013: two trips to Wembley
The season that made Bantams Banter. Phil Parkinson's League Two side beat Wigan, Arsenal and Aston Villa to reach the League Cup final, the first fourth-tier club to get there in 51 years. They lost to Swansea, then went back to Wembley in May and beat Northampton Town 3–0 in the play-off final to win promotion.
2015: Chelsea away
On 24 January 2015, City came from 2–0 down at Stamford Bridge to beat José Mourinho's league leaders 4–2 in the FA Cup fourth round. They went on to knock out Sunderland and reach the quarter-finals.
More on the club
- Bradford City AFC official website
- Bradford City A.F.C. on Wikipedia
- Valley Parade on Wikipedia
- Bradford Disability Football Club
For the story of the fan podcast, see the Bantams Banter podcast.