Bradford 1903
Article by Footymad
Updated Friday, 2nd November 2001
Bradford City sprang to life in this rugby dominated area of Yorkshire as a direct result of the financial difficulties Manningham R.F.C. found themselves in during 1903.
They were persuaded to abandon the handling code and turn to football instead, forming Bradford City, whilst continuing to play at Valley Parade.
The Football League recognising the opportunity to carry out some missionary work granted the new club immediate membership of the Second Division.
Manningham were accepted into Division Two before it had played a match or assembled a team. In their fifth season the club won the Division Two Championship.
In 1911 the club won the F.A.Cup beating Newcastle 1-0 in a replay. In the same season the club finished fifth in Division One - their highest ever position. The club were relegated in 1921-22 and only re-appeared in the top Division for the 1999-2000 season.
The 1984 season saw the club win the Division Three title Tragically the final home match of that season against
Lincoln City saw the main stand engulfed by a fire which claimed 56 lives.
