[62] The disaster is also marked by an annual remembrance ceremony on 11 May at Bradford City Hall,[65] and an annual Easter-weekend youth tournament, contested between Bradford, Lincoln and other teams from across Europe. [12] Bradford City's first game at Valley Parade came on 5 September 1903 against Gainsborough Trinity, drawing a crowd of 11,000. The largest stand is the JCT600 Stand, which holds 9,004 supporters, followed by the Kop, which has a capacity of 7,492. [8], Manningham RFC continued playing until 1903, when financial difficulties, caused by relegation at the turn of the century,[9] prompted club officials to change codes from rugby football to association football. The original ground comprised the relocated stand, a 2,000-capacity stepped enclosure with the players' changing rooms beneath the stand, the playing area, a cinder athletics track and fencing to limit the total capacity to 18,000. The game had been organised to stimulate interest in the sport in Bradford and attracted 8,000 fans. An estimated 20,000 spectators attended the match on 10 October 1903, which the English League won 21. The JCT600 Stand is the ground's main stand, and is often called the latter by fans, but is also known as the Sunwin stand owing to the former sponsor. The first match after work was finished took place on Christmas Day 1908, when 36,000fans saw City host Bristol City. He was the man that gave you truth honest, he always respected you, said Sheriff Gordon. Football stadium in Bradford, home to Bradford City A.F.C. The legendary football coach compiled a career record of 193-107-6 in his 29-year tenure. 
[5] Other under-18 fixtures have been played since, the last of which was between England and Belgium in November 2000. The playing field was made of ballast, ashes, soil and sods. [87] No station has ever been built, and a discounted bus route was withdrawn because of low patronage.[88]. Valley Parade, Bradford", Chelsea F.C. [19] The highest league attendance of 37,059, was for a Bradford derby match between Bradford City and Bradford (Park Avenue) on 17 September 1927 in Division Three (North). Hurse also coached the Tornadoes to a state runners up finish in the year 1985, he was inducted into the Florida Athletic Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1988. 
[62] The few existing narrow escape routes led to locked doors in some cases, and the only escape for most spectators was directly onto the field. Several supporters faced criminal proceedings for the incident. It's helped me lose 32 lbs. [11], After Bradford City won the Division Two championship in 190708, the club hurried through a reconstruction programme of the ground to prepare for the club's first season in Division One. [53], Visiting team fans sat in the TL Dallas Stand from 1995 to 2008,[54] but have also been given other parts of the ground for larger matches. It underwent a 2.6million redevelopment and was re-opened in December 1986. The namesake of Bradford High School's football stadium died July 25, the school announced. The name David Hurse is adorned on Bradford High Schools football stadium for a good reason. Click here to subscribe to our newsletter. [4] An additional 2,300-seat capacity corner section was built, which filled in the corner between the main stand and Kop. The rest of this side is taken up by a brick building, situated in the south west corner of the stadium, which houses the club changing rooms and the security offices. A new 5,000 all-seater main stand was built, longer than the structure which had burned down. [4][31] Richmond continued his plans to redevelop the ground as City continued to rise through the league. Over the next 20 years the ground hosted a number of other representative games, including an England international trial, the 1904 FA Amateur Cup Final and an under-15s schoolboy international between England and Scotland. David Hurse, who led the Tornadoes' football program for nearly three decades, was 90 years old. [67][68] It hosted two England under-21 international friendlies. Proposals included a new railway station on the line between Leeds and Bradford Forster Square, and a discounted bus service.
He was a part of the community, He wasnt just a coach he was involved in every aspect of a young mans life. [4] The Sunwin Stand also includes the ground's 17executive boxes and conference facilities, which have capacity for up to 700people. ", "nowhere to sit inside, and no public restroombut fresh hot and ready pizza! "[60] The game was stopped, and the wooden roof caught fire. However, after City's 51 defeat by Manchester United on 10 February 1906, United player Bob Bonthron was attacked as he left the ground.
[11][13] As a result of alterations first implemented in 1897,[14] City players originally changed in a shed behind one end of the ground, and visiting teams used the old rugby club dressing rooms at the back of the nearby Belle Vue Hotel. [66], Valley Parade hosted its first international football game just two months after its first Football League match. [2][45] All five stands are covered except for a small part of the main stand,[46] and all but the Midland Road Stand being two-tiered. The roof of the Kop, which was the largest safe-standing terrace in the country at the time,[32] was removed and the capacity reduced during City's 199899 promotion season, to prepare for a summer 6.5million rebuilding programme. [80] It was not until City were promoted to the Premier League in 1999 that the club again recorded average attendances of higher than 18,000.
Forster Square, which provides train services operated by Northern, also connects to Leeds. Manningham Rugby Football Club, formed in 1876, originally played games at Cardigan Fields, in the Carlisle Road area of Bradford. Contact herat alee@gannett.com. He was beloved by all in the county for winning two state titles back-to-back in 1965 and 1966, but Bradford County Sherriff Gordon Smith says he was a better man than a head football coach. [20] Six years later, the stand had to be demolished for a second time because of continuing foundation problems. Other minor work was carried out to the ground's other two stands. [72], Bradford (Park Avenue) have played 29 games at Valley Parade, including a 20 friendly victory over Swiss side AC Lugano in 1962, and all their home fixtures in 197374, their last season before extinction. The Kop was also covered for the first time and increased to a 7,000 capacity. All rights reserved. 2022 www.gainesville.com. The takings from the game totalling 115 were distributed to Coyle's family and the families of other boys injured in the incident. The first association football game to be played at Valley Parade was a promotional fixture on 6 April 1903 between a side of West Yorkshire footballers and Sheffield United's 1903 FA Cup winning side. [9] The improvements allowed Bradford City to set their record attendance of 39,146 on 11 March 1911 against Burnley during the club's FA Cup winning run. [84] They are Bradford Interchange, which is also the city's main bus terminus,[85] and 1 mile (2km) away from the ground,[86] and Bradford Forster Square,[84] which is 0.6 miles (1km) away from the ground. [30], The two stands which were not altered after the fire were both improved during the 1990s. It has also been home to Bradford (Park Avenue) for one season, and Bradford Bulls rugby league side for two seasons, as well as host to a number of England youth team fixtures. [28][29] It was first used for a league game on Boxing Day when City lost 10 to Derby County. Make sure your information is up to date. The ground underwent significant changes in the 1990s, and early 2000s, and now has a capacity of 25,136. [2] The stadium includes 134seats for media representatives. [23], During the period from 1908 to 1985, the club carried out a number of other lesser work to the rest of the ground. [34][35], Richmond also planned to increase the main stand's capacity by a further 1,800seats by building new changing rooms and office blocks, and add a second tier to the Midland Road stand, to increase the ground capacity to more than 35,000. [70] Valley Parade's next international came seven years later when Bradford City hosted an under-19s European Championship qualifying game, in which England defeated Slovakia 41. Growing up, a lot of us didnt have fathers in our life on a daily basis. [29] The ground was used for reserve team fixtures from September 1985, but only journalists and club officials were present to watch. It is the longest surviving attendance record at any league ground in the country. [1][2][7] The land was previously a quarry, and formed part of a greater site owned by Midland Railway Company. 24 Bradford City A.F.C. [55][56] In March 2008, the club announced that the TL Dallas Stand would be made available for home fans for the 200809 season. 201213 Football League Cup Quarter-finals, "The Origins of Bradford CityChapter Three: Valley Parade's first season", "The fatal occurrence in a football field in Bradford", "A History of Bradford City Valley Parade", "Reinforced Concrete Football Stand at Bradford", "BBC On this day 1985: Fans killed in Bradford stadium fire", "Common sense urged in row over Kop stand", "Exclusive: Bradford City could quit Valley Parade over rent costs", "Valley Parade becomes Utilita Energy Stadium with new power partnership", "Dental surgery to open at Valley Parade", "Hideous images linger after carnage of 'celebration' day", "Bradford fire: forgotten tragedy of the Eighties", "Tickets go on sale for youth international", "Bradford will get a big boost says boss Wilkinson", "How to get to Bradford Road and Railway information", "West Yorkshire in 360! It was to be our day. [28] On 14 December 1986, 582days after the fire, The Hon Sir Oliver Popplewell, who had conducted the inquiry into the fire, opened the new stadium before an exhibition match against an England international XI. Former players of Hurse said that they may gather later in the year to celebrate his life then. It was opened in 2001, increasing the main stand's capacity to 11,000, and the ground's capacity to 25,000. [1][26][61] At least 265further supporters were injured. [26], The old wooden roof of the stand was due to be replaced the day after the Lincoln match, because it did not meet the safety regulations required for Division Two, where the team would be playing in the following season. The total budget for the year, including other rent payments, rates, maintenance and utility bills is 1.25million. [86] Bradford Interchange connects to Leeds railway station for London North Eastern Railway and CrossCountry train services, Grand Central provide a direct service to London, and provides First Bradford and Keighley Bus Company buses to the ground. [16] The total project cost 9,958,[17] and raised the capacity to 40,000. It has been Bradford City's home since, although it is now owned by former chairman Gordon Gibb's pension fund. Further work was performed to lower the railings, erect barriers, move the pitch and add extra turnstiles. The stadium has no parking facilities available to supporters on matchdays. [21] Further improvements were made to the stand in 1969, ready for the club's FA Cup tie with Division One side Tottenham Hotspur on 3 January 1970,[21] which ended in a 22 draw in front of 23,000 fans. [47][48], Many of the stands have more traditional names, but have since been renamed because of sponsorship deals. [82] The Bulls averaged 11,488 in 2002 for Super League VII. Visiting team fans have been accommodated in the end blocks of the East Stand since the start of the 200809 season. [33] A suite of offices and a shop were added at the same time. The changing rooms were also moved, with a tunnel leading from the rooms underneath the Kop along the main stand side of the ground. [2] In 2000, as part of the expansion of Valley Parade, the club drew up a green transport plan in a bid to ease traffic congestion around the ground. The East Stand, sponsored by Northern Commercials, is also named the Midland Road stand, because of the road on that side of the ground. Can't beat that for $5". And follow heron Twitter: @AinsliesTwoBits. [4], The total capacity of Valley Parade is 25,136. Within five minutes of it starting, the whole stand was burnt down.
[1] The new ground and the road it was built upon both adopted the name of the local area, Valley Parade, a name deriving from the steep hillside below Manningham. The Kop,[45] was the former standing area, and its name was derived, like at many stadia across the country, from the Battle of Spion Kop. A visitation was held at the DeWitt C. Jones Chapel in Starke, but there will not be a large public service. [19], Official attendance figures for league games were not kept by The Football League until 1925. City's official highest average attendance at Valley Parade since then is 18,551 for the 192829 promotion season from Division Three (North),[79] although the club reported an average of 22,585 in 192021. [6], The record attendance at Valley Parade is 39,146, for Bradford City's FA Cup fourth round tie against Burnley on 11 March 1911. The smoke was choking. Write a short note about what you liked, what to order, or other helpful advice for visitors. [50] A second function room, called the Bantams Bar, in the Kop, has room for another 300 people. [2][41][42][43] In July 2019 it was re-sponsored and renamed the Utilita Energy Stadium. Plus use our free tools to find new customers. Prior to his coaching career, Hurse graduated from Gainesville High in 1949 before going to the University of Florida where he walked onto the football team as a kicker for Bob Woodruff's squad. Valley Parade, known as the Utilita Energy Stadium for sponsorship reasons, is an all-seater football stadium in Bradford, West Yorkshire, England. The flames became more visible within minutes, and police started to evacuate people in the stand less than six minutes later. [74][75] Bradford Northern became Bradford Bulls with the advent of the Super League, and played two seasons at Valley Parade in 2001 and 2002 during redevelopment of their home ground at Odsal. Built in 1886, it was the home of Manningham Rugby Football Club until 1903, when they changed code from rugby football to association football and became Bradford City.
[51] There is also more office space, a club store, ticket office and museum in the car park behind the Kop.
[42] The ground was renamed due to sponsorship as the Northern Commercials Stadium in July 2016 but was still commonly known throughout football as Valley Parade. [54], On 11 May 1985, a crowd of 11,076 attended Bradford City's final Division Three game of the 198485 season against Lincoln City. "I will forever cherish these and all the fond memories we made. An inquest decided the death was accidental and the accident happened due to the weight of spectators leaning on the barrier. [20] The floodlights were replaced in 1960 and again used for the first time against Hull City, but when one fell over in 1962, an FA Cup game with Gateshead had to go ahead with only three pylons, prompting an FA inquiry. The investigation resulted in the closure of half the Midland Road stand. The strong wind was fanning it from the end where the blaze had started. City recorded an average of 18,030 in 19992000, and 18,511 the following season. (2015), West Yorkshire Association Football League, Huddersfield and District Association Football League, Bracken Hall Countryside Centre and Museum, Keighley and District Local History Society, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Valley_Parade&oldid=1083123463, Infobox mapframe without OSM relation ID on Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Spen Valley and District Association Football League, This page was last edited on 17 April 2022, at 05:16. Vaughan was one of the key figures that pushed to have Bradford Highs football stadium named after Hurse and he hopes it stays that way. The fire spread the length of the stand, and timber and the roof began to fall onto the crowds. [83] The highest crowd for a Bradford Northern fixture at Valley Parade was 20,973 on 13 February 1926 for a Challenge Cup game against Keighley, which finished 22. The fire started 40minutes into the club's final game of the 198485 season against Lincoln City and destroyed the main stand in just nine minutes. [22] The cost of the work forced the club to sell Valley Parade to Bradford Corporation for 35,000, but it was bought back by 1979 for the same price. The Bradford end of the ground was made a double-decker, all-seater stand, with a new scoreboard, in 1991. [1], On Christmas Day 1888, 12-year old Thomas Coyle was killed at the ground when the barrier under which he was sitting collapsed on him breaking his neck. Football architect Archibald Leitch was commissioned to redevelop the ground when Bradford City were promoted to the First Division in 1908.
[4] Once the work was completed, a second tier was added to the main stand at the cost of 6.5million. The Florida Athletic Coaches Association recognized Hurse with its Hall of Fame award in 1988. Yum! [36][37] The following year, Valley Parade was sold to Gibb's pension fund for 5million, with the club's offices, shop and car park sold to London-based Development Securities for an additional 2.5million. [71] The England women's team have also played at Valley Parade, including their first home match under the auspices of The Football Association in 1994 against Spain. [44], The stadium is divided into five all-seater stands, the JCT600 Stand, the Kop, the Midland Road Stand, the North West Corner and the TL Dallas Stand. The record attendance of 39,146 was set in 1911 for an FA Cup tie against Burnley, making it the oldest surviving attendance record at a Football League ground in the country. [39], The ground has been renamed a number of times for sponsorship reasons. The stadium underwent few changes until the fatal fire on 11 May 1985, when 56supporters were killed and at least 265 were injured. [76] The record attendance since the Valley Parade grounds were rebuilt in 1986 (all-seated attendance) is 24,321, set on 7 March 2015 in the 2015 FA Cup Quarter-finals draw against Reading,[77] surpassing the previous record of 23,971, set on 10 December 2012 in the club's 201213 Football League Cup Quarter-finals victory over Arsenal. [26] Memorials have been erected at the ground and at Bradford City Hall, the latter of which was provided by Bradford's twin town of Hamm, in Germany.
The ground was officially opened on 27 September 1886 for a game against Wakefield Trinity which was watched by a capacity crowd, but construction work meant most of Manningham's early games were away fixtures. 25. The Kop was converted into a two-tier 7,500-seat capacity stand. We use the latest and greatest technology available to provide the best possible web experience.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings to continue. [78] The lowest attendance for a league home match at Valley Parade is 1,249, on 15 May 1981, for a Division Four fixture with Hereford United. As a result, The Football Association closed the ground for 14 days, ordering City to switch its changing rooms to the nearby Artillery Barracks for the 190607 season. I eat 1/2 for lunch & 1/2 for supper. [21] In 1985, football ground writer Simon Inglis described the view from the main stand, which was still the same as when it was developed in 1908, as "like watching football from the cockpit of a Sopwith Camel" because of its antiquated supports and struts. [74], Bradford is served by two railway stations. The game's governing bodies wanted to promote the sport in the West Riding of Yorkshire, so chose Valley Parade to host a game between an English League side and an Irish League side, despite the ground not being up to standard. Sponsors have included The Pulse radio station,[40] Bradford & Bingley, Intersonic[41] and Coral Windows. ", Ainslie Lee is The Gainesville Sun's high schoolsports writer. Jackson, who has coached the Indians' girl's golf program for the past five seasons, told Dickinson he is stepping away from coaching so that he can watch his youngest daughter compete at Keystone Heights. [1] When their ground was sold to facilitate the construction of Drummond School, the club required a new home. He was not a very tall guy, but we all looked up to him, said Vaughan. They were originally used against Hull City on 20 December 1954. Consequently, they bought one-third of the Valley Parade site in Manningham,[4] taking a short-term lease out on the rest of the land in time to play there for the 188687 season. When opened in December 2000 it took the capacity of Valley Parade to more than 20,000 for the first time since 1970. [81], During their two years at Valley Parade, the Bradford Bulls recorded their highest attendance on 4 March 2001 against St. Helens with a crowd of 16,572. All rights reserved. The decision came after an overwhelmingly positive text message poll from the club's supporters to use the Bradford End of the ground.
[1][26] For the next season and the first five months of the 198687 season, Bradford City played home games at Leeds United's Elland Road, Huddersfield Town's Leeds Road and Bradford Northern's Odsal Stadium, while Valley Parade was rebuilt. The TL Dallas Stand is also known as the Bradford end, because it is nearest to the city centre. [64] Instead, it took until July 1986 for rebuilding work to begin. We couldn't breathe. The TL Dallas Stand is the smallest of the five stands with a capacity of 1,840. Foursquare 2022 Lovingly made in NYC, CHI, SEA & LA, "I have been getting the 12" Turkey sub with shredded Monterey cheddar,lettuce,onions, green peppers,jalapeo,&banana peppers. [69] The other was against Italy's under-21s 26 March 2002. it ended in a 1 - 1 draw with 21,642 in attendance. [24] It also included the introduction of floodlights in English football. ", Sir Oliver Popplewell published his inquiry into the fire in 1986, which introduced new safety legislation for sports grounds across the country. Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. "It has been a privilege to hold this position for the last five years and I appreciate you giving me the opportunity," Jackson wrote in his resignation letter. [19], On 17 March 1932, Bradford City paid Midland Railway Company 3,750 for the remaining two-thirds of the site to become outright owners of the ground, which was now 45years old. He later saw his name affixed to the press box of Bradford's football stadium in 2000. Four area student-athletes inked college scholarships this week: Keystone Heightsgirls' golf coach Billy Jackson notified the school'sathletic director Chuck Dickinson of his intentions to resign on July 21. [25], On 11 May 1985, one of the worst sporting disasters occurred at Valley Parade, 56 people died and at least 265 were injured when the main stand was engulfed by fire. [27] Huddersfield-based firm J Wimpenny carried out the 2.6million work, which included funding from insurance pay-outs, Football League stadium grants, club funds and a 1.46million Government loan obtained by two Bradford MPs, Geoffrey Lawler and Max Madden. [18] The work was not completed until midway through the 190809 season. bradford high school football stadium starke , bradford high school football stadium starke photos , bradford high school football stadium starke location , bradford high school football stadium starke address . [38] Bradford City's annual rent bill in 2011 to Gibb's pension fund is 370,000. [59] Ultimately, the fire killed 56spectators, ranging from 11-year-old children to the 86-year-old former chairman of the club, Sam Firth. [49], The Sunwin Stand has further room for expansion,[35] and is unusual because it only runs three-quarters of the length of the pitch. [59] The match was abandoned and never replayed, with The Football League ordering the scoreline at the time of abandonment to stand. The highest attendance at Valley Parade, as it is now, was against Reading in the 2015 FA Cup Quarter-finals. In his five-year tenure, Jackson led the Indians to five state championship appearances, five district championships and three Alachua County-Jill Darr championships. Valley Parade's first floodlights cost 3,000 and were lamps mounted on telegraph poles running along each side of the ground. [4] It was first used for a Yorkshire derby against Sheffield United on Boxing Day 1996, before being officially opened by Queen Elizabeth II on 27 March 1997. In fact, I think it was timed at 4min 35sec. City's promotion to Division One in 1996 meant that chairman Geoffrey Richmond announced the construction of a 4,500 seater stand on the Midland Road side.
[5] Other under-18 fixtures have been played since, the last of which was between England and Belgium in November 2000. The playing field was made of ballast, ashes, soil and sods. [87] No station has ever been built, and a discounted bus route was withdrawn because of low patronage.[88]. Valley Parade, Bradford", Chelsea F.C. [19] The highest league attendance of 37,059, was for a Bradford derby match between Bradford City and Bradford (Park Avenue) on 17 September 1927 in Division Three (North). Hurse also coached the Tornadoes to a state runners up finish in the year 1985, he was inducted into the Florida Athletic Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1988. [62] The few existing narrow escape routes led to locked doors in some cases, and the only escape for most spectators was directly onto the field. Several supporters faced criminal proceedings for the incident. It's helped me lose 32 lbs. [11], After Bradford City won the Division Two championship in 190708, the club hurried through a reconstruction programme of the ground to prepare for the club's first season in Division One. [53], Visiting team fans sat in the TL Dallas Stand from 1995 to 2008,[54] but have also been given other parts of the ground for larger matches. It underwent a 2.6million redevelopment and was re-opened in December 1986. The namesake of Bradford High School's football stadium died July 25, the school announced. The name David Hurse is adorned on Bradford High Schools football stadium for a good reason. Click here to subscribe to our newsletter. [4] An additional 2,300-seat capacity corner section was built, which filled in the corner between the main stand and Kop. The rest of this side is taken up by a brick building, situated in the south west corner of the stadium, which houses the club changing rooms and the security offices. A new 5,000 all-seater main stand was built, longer than the structure which had burned down. [4][31] Richmond continued his plans to redevelop the ground as City continued to rise through the league. Over the next 20 years the ground hosted a number of other representative games, including an England international trial, the 1904 FA Amateur Cup Final and an under-15s schoolboy international between England and Scotland. David Hurse, who led the Tornadoes' football program for nearly three decades, was 90 years old. [67][68] It hosted two England under-21 international friendlies. Proposals included a new railway station on the line between Leeds and Bradford Forster Square, and a discounted bus service. He was a part of the community, He wasnt just a coach he was involved in every aspect of a young mans life. [4] The Sunwin Stand also includes the ground's 17executive boxes and conference facilities, which have capacity for up to 700people. ", "nowhere to sit inside, and no public restroombut fresh hot and ready pizza! "[60] The game was stopped, and the wooden roof caught fire. However, after City's 51 defeat by Manchester United on 10 February 1906, United player Bob Bonthron was attacked as he left the ground.
[11][13] As a result of alterations first implemented in 1897,[14] City players originally changed in a shed behind one end of the ground, and visiting teams used the old rugby club dressing rooms at the back of the nearby Belle Vue Hotel. [66], Valley Parade hosted its first international football game just two months after its first Football League match. [2][45] All five stands are covered except for a small part of the main stand,[46] and all but the Midland Road Stand being two-tiered. The roof of the Kop, which was the largest safe-standing terrace in the country at the time,[32] was removed and the capacity reduced during City's 199899 promotion season, to prepare for a summer 6.5million rebuilding programme. [80] It was not until City were promoted to the Premier League in 1999 that the club again recorded average attendances of higher than 18,000.
Forster Square, which provides train services operated by Northern, also connects to Leeds. Manningham Rugby Football Club, formed in 1876, originally played games at Cardigan Fields, in the Carlisle Road area of Bradford. Contact herat alee@gannett.com. He was beloved by all in the county for winning two state titles back-to-back in 1965 and 1966, but Bradford County Sherriff Gordon Smith says he was a better man than a head football coach. [20] Six years later, the stand had to be demolished for a second time because of continuing foundation problems. Other minor work was carried out to the ground's other two stands. [72], Bradford (Park Avenue) have played 29 games at Valley Parade, including a 20 friendly victory over Swiss side AC Lugano in 1962, and all their home fixtures in 197374, their last season before extinction. The Kop was also covered for the first time and increased to a 7,000 capacity. All rights reserved. 2022 www.gainesville.com. The takings from the game totalling 115 were distributed to Coyle's family and the families of other boys injured in the incident. The first association football game to be played at Valley Parade was a promotional fixture on 6 April 1903 between a side of West Yorkshire footballers and Sheffield United's 1903 FA Cup winning side. [9] The improvements allowed Bradford City to set their record attendance of 39,146 on 11 March 1911 against Burnley during the club's FA Cup winning run. [84] They are Bradford Interchange, which is also the city's main bus terminus,[85] and 1 mile (2km) away from the ground,[86] and Bradford Forster Square,[84] which is 0.6 miles (1km) away from the ground. [30], The two stands which were not altered after the fire were both improved during the 1990s. It has also been home to Bradford (Park Avenue) for one season, and Bradford Bulls rugby league side for two seasons, as well as host to a number of England youth team fixtures. [28][29] It was first used for a league game on Boxing Day when City lost 10 to Derby County. Make sure your information is up to date. The ground underwent significant changes in the 1990s, and early 2000s, and now has a capacity of 25,136. [2] The stadium includes 134seats for media representatives. [23], During the period from 1908 to 1985, the club carried out a number of other lesser work to the rest of the ground. [34][35], Richmond also planned to increase the main stand's capacity by a further 1,800seats by building new changing rooms and office blocks, and add a second tier to the Midland Road stand, to increase the ground capacity to more than 35,000. [70] Valley Parade's next international came seven years later when Bradford City hosted an under-19s European Championship qualifying game, in which England defeated Slovakia 41. Growing up, a lot of us didnt have fathers in our life on a daily basis. [29] The ground was used for reserve team fixtures from September 1985, but only journalists and club officials were present to watch. It is the longest surviving attendance record at any league ground in the country. [1][2][7] The land was previously a quarry, and formed part of a greater site owned by Midland Railway Company. 24 Bradford City A.F.C. [55][56] In March 2008, the club announced that the TL Dallas Stand would be made available for home fans for the 200809 season. 201213 Football League Cup Quarter-finals, "The Origins of Bradford CityChapter Three: Valley Parade's first season", "The fatal occurrence in a football field in Bradford", "A History of Bradford City Valley Parade", "Reinforced Concrete Football Stand at Bradford", "BBC On this day 1985: Fans killed in Bradford stadium fire", "Common sense urged in row over Kop stand", "Exclusive: Bradford City could quit Valley Parade over rent costs", "Valley Parade becomes Utilita Energy Stadium with new power partnership", "Dental surgery to open at Valley Parade", "Hideous images linger after carnage of 'celebration' day", "Bradford fire: forgotten tragedy of the Eighties", "Tickets go on sale for youth international", "Bradford will get a big boost says boss Wilkinson", "How to get to Bradford Road and Railway information", "West Yorkshire in 360! It was to be our day. [28] On 14 December 1986, 582days after the fire, The Hon Sir Oliver Popplewell, who had conducted the inquiry into the fire, opened the new stadium before an exhibition match against an England international XI. Former players of Hurse said that they may gather later in the year to celebrate his life then. It was opened in 2001, increasing the main stand's capacity to 11,000, and the ground's capacity to 25,000. [1][26][61] At least 265further supporters were injured. [26], The old wooden roof of the stand was due to be replaced the day after the Lincoln match, because it did not meet the safety regulations required for Division Two, where the team would be playing in the following season. The total budget for the year, including other rent payments, rates, maintenance and utility bills is 1.25million. [86] Bradford Interchange connects to Leeds railway station for London North Eastern Railway and CrossCountry train services, Grand Central provide a direct service to London, and provides First Bradford and Keighley Bus Company buses to the ground. [16] The total project cost 9,958,[17] and raised the capacity to 40,000. It has been Bradford City's home since, although it is now owned by former chairman Gordon Gibb's pension fund. Further work was performed to lower the railings, erect barriers, move the pitch and add extra turnstiles. The stadium has no parking facilities available to supporters on matchdays. [21] Further improvements were made to the stand in 1969, ready for the club's FA Cup tie with Division One side Tottenham Hotspur on 3 January 1970,[21] which ended in a 22 draw in front of 23,000 fans. [47][48], Many of the stands have more traditional names, but have since been renamed because of sponsorship deals. [82] The Bulls averaged 11,488 in 2002 for Super League VII. Visiting team fans have been accommodated in the end blocks of the East Stand since the start of the 200809 season. [33] A suite of offices and a shop were added at the same time. The changing rooms were also moved, with a tunnel leading from the rooms underneath the Kop along the main stand side of the ground. [2] In 2000, as part of the expansion of Valley Parade, the club drew up a green transport plan in a bid to ease traffic congestion around the ground. The East Stand, sponsored by Northern Commercials, is also named the Midland Road stand, because of the road on that side of the ground. Can't beat that for $5". And follow heron Twitter: @AinsliesTwoBits. [4], The total capacity of Valley Parade is 25,136. Within five minutes of it starting, the whole stand was burnt down.
[1] The new ground and the road it was built upon both adopted the name of the local area, Valley Parade, a name deriving from the steep hillside below Manningham. The Kop,[45] was the former standing area, and its name was derived, like at many stadia across the country, from the Battle of Spion Kop. A visitation was held at the DeWitt C. Jones Chapel in Starke, but there will not be a large public service. [19], Official attendance figures for league games were not kept by The Football League until 1925. City's official highest average attendance at Valley Parade since then is 18,551 for the 192829 promotion season from Division Three (North),[79] although the club reported an average of 22,585 in 192021. [6], The record attendance at Valley Parade is 39,146, for Bradford City's FA Cup fourth round tie against Burnley on 11 March 1911. The smoke was choking. Write a short note about what you liked, what to order, or other helpful advice for visitors. [50] A second function room, called the Bantams Bar, in the Kop, has room for another 300 people. [2][41][42][43] In July 2019 it was re-sponsored and renamed the Utilita Energy Stadium. Plus use our free tools to find new customers. Prior to his coaching career, Hurse graduated from Gainesville High in 1949 before going to the University of Florida where he walked onto the football team as a kicker for Bob Woodruff's squad. Valley Parade, known as the Utilita Energy Stadium for sponsorship reasons, is an all-seater football stadium in Bradford, West Yorkshire, England. The flames became more visible within minutes, and police started to evacuate people in the stand less than six minutes later. [74][75] Bradford Northern became Bradford Bulls with the advent of the Super League, and played two seasons at Valley Parade in 2001 and 2002 during redevelopment of their home ground at Odsal. Built in 1886, it was the home of Manningham Rugby Football Club until 1903, when they changed code from rugby football to association football and became Bradford City.
[51] There is also more office space, a club store, ticket office and museum in the car park behind the Kop.
[42] The ground was renamed due to sponsorship as the Northern Commercials Stadium in July 2016 but was still commonly known throughout football as Valley Parade. [54], On 11 May 1985, a crowd of 11,076 attended Bradford City's final Division Three game of the 198485 season against Lincoln City. "I will forever cherish these and all the fond memories we made. An inquest decided the death was accidental and the accident happened due to the weight of spectators leaning on the barrier. [20] The floodlights were replaced in 1960 and again used for the first time against Hull City, but when one fell over in 1962, an FA Cup game with Gateshead had to go ahead with only three pylons, prompting an FA inquiry. The investigation resulted in the closure of half the Midland Road stand. The strong wind was fanning it from the end where the blaze had started. City recorded an average of 18,030 in 19992000, and 18,511 the following season. (2015), West Yorkshire Association Football League, Huddersfield and District Association Football League, Bracken Hall Countryside Centre and Museum, Keighley and District Local History Society, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Valley_Parade&oldid=1083123463, Infobox mapframe without OSM relation ID on Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Spen Valley and District Association Football League, This page was last edited on 17 April 2022, at 05:16. Vaughan was one of the key figures that pushed to have Bradford Highs football stadium named after Hurse and he hopes it stays that way. The fire spread the length of the stand, and timber and the roof began to fall onto the crowds. [83] The highest crowd for a Bradford Northern fixture at Valley Parade was 20,973 on 13 February 1926 for a Challenge Cup game against Keighley, which finished 22. The fire started 40minutes into the club's final game of the 198485 season against Lincoln City and destroyed the main stand in just nine minutes. [22] The cost of the work forced the club to sell Valley Parade to Bradford Corporation for 35,000, but it was bought back by 1979 for the same price. The Bradford end of the ground was made a double-decker, all-seater stand, with a new scoreboard, in 1991. [1], On Christmas Day 1888, 12-year old Thomas Coyle was killed at the ground when the barrier under which he was sitting collapsed on him breaking his neck. Football architect Archibald Leitch was commissioned to redevelop the ground when Bradford City were promoted to the First Division in 1908.
[4] Once the work was completed, a second tier was added to the main stand at the cost of 6.5million. The Florida Athletic Coaches Association recognized Hurse with its Hall of Fame award in 1988. Yum! [36][37] The following year, Valley Parade was sold to Gibb's pension fund for 5million, with the club's offices, shop and car park sold to London-based Development Securities for an additional 2.5million. [71] The England women's team have also played at Valley Parade, including their first home match under the auspices of The Football Association in 1994 against Spain. [44], The stadium is divided into five all-seater stands, the JCT600 Stand, the Kop, the Midland Road Stand, the North West Corner and the TL Dallas Stand. The record attendance of 39,146 was set in 1911 for an FA Cup tie against Burnley, making it the oldest surviving attendance record at a Football League ground in the country. [39], The ground has been renamed a number of times for sponsorship reasons. The stadium underwent few changes until the fatal fire on 11 May 1985, when 56supporters were killed and at least 265 were injured. [76] The record attendance since the Valley Parade grounds were rebuilt in 1986 (all-seated attendance) is 24,321, set on 7 March 2015 in the 2015 FA Cup Quarter-finals draw against Reading,[77] surpassing the previous record of 23,971, set on 10 December 2012 in the club's 201213 Football League Cup Quarter-finals victory over Arsenal. [26] Memorials have been erected at the ground and at Bradford City Hall, the latter of which was provided by Bradford's twin town of Hamm, in Germany.
The ground was officially opened on 27 September 1886 for a game against Wakefield Trinity which was watched by a capacity crowd, but construction work meant most of Manningham's early games were away fixtures. 25. The Kop was converted into a two-tier 7,500-seat capacity stand. We use the latest and greatest technology available to provide the best possible web experience.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings to continue. [78] The lowest attendance for a league home match at Valley Parade is 1,249, on 15 May 1981, for a Division Four fixture with Hereford United. As a result, The Football Association closed the ground for 14 days, ordering City to switch its changing rooms to the nearby Artillery Barracks for the 190607 season. I eat 1/2 for lunch & 1/2 for supper. [21] In 1985, football ground writer Simon Inglis described the view from the main stand, which was still the same as when it was developed in 1908, as "like watching football from the cockpit of a Sopwith Camel" because of its antiquated supports and struts. [74], Bradford is served by two railway stations. The game's governing bodies wanted to promote the sport in the West Riding of Yorkshire, so chose Valley Parade to host a game between an English League side and an Irish League side, despite the ground not being up to standard. Sponsors have included The Pulse radio station,[40] Bradford & Bingley, Intersonic[41] and Coral Windows. ", Ainslie Lee is The Gainesville Sun's high schoolsports writer. Jackson, who has coached the Indians' girl's golf program for the past five seasons, told Dickinson he is stepping away from coaching so that he can watch his youngest daughter compete at Keystone Heights. [1] When their ground was sold to facilitate the construction of Drummond School, the club required a new home. He was not a very tall guy, but we all looked up to him, said Vaughan. They were originally used against Hull City on 20 December 1954. Consequently, they bought one-third of the Valley Parade site in Manningham,[4] taking a short-term lease out on the rest of the land in time to play there for the 188687 season. When opened in December 2000 it took the capacity of Valley Parade to more than 20,000 for the first time since 1970. [81], During their two years at Valley Parade, the Bradford Bulls recorded their highest attendance on 4 March 2001 against St. Helens with a crowd of 16,572. All rights reserved. The decision came after an overwhelmingly positive text message poll from the club's supporters to use the Bradford End of the ground.
[1][26] For the next season and the first five months of the 198687 season, Bradford City played home games at Leeds United's Elland Road, Huddersfield Town's Leeds Road and Bradford Northern's Odsal Stadium, while Valley Parade was rebuilt. The TL Dallas Stand is also known as the Bradford end, because it is nearest to the city centre. [64] Instead, it took until July 1986 for rebuilding work to begin. We couldn't breathe. The TL Dallas Stand is the smallest of the five stands with a capacity of 1,840. Foursquare 2022 Lovingly made in NYC, CHI, SEA & LA, "I have been getting the 12" Turkey sub with shredded Monterey cheddar,lettuce,onions, green peppers,jalapeo,&banana peppers. [69] The other was against Italy's under-21s 26 March 2002. it ended in a 1 - 1 draw with 21,642 in attendance. [24] It also included the introduction of floodlights in English football. ", Sir Oliver Popplewell published his inquiry into the fire in 1986, which introduced new safety legislation for sports grounds across the country. Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. "It has been a privilege to hold this position for the last five years and I appreciate you giving me the opportunity," Jackson wrote in his resignation letter. [19], On 17 March 1932, Bradford City paid Midland Railway Company 3,750 for the remaining two-thirds of the site to become outright owners of the ground, which was now 45years old. He later saw his name affixed to the press box of Bradford's football stadium in 2000. Four area student-athletes inked college scholarships this week: Keystone Heightsgirls' golf coach Billy Jackson notified the school'sathletic director Chuck Dickinson of his intentions to resign on July 21. [25], On 11 May 1985, one of the worst sporting disasters occurred at Valley Parade, 56 people died and at least 265 were injured when the main stand was engulfed by fire. [27] Huddersfield-based firm J Wimpenny carried out the 2.6million work, which included funding from insurance pay-outs, Football League stadium grants, club funds and a 1.46million Government loan obtained by two Bradford MPs, Geoffrey Lawler and Max Madden. [18] The work was not completed until midway through the 190809 season. bradford high school football stadium starke , bradford high school football stadium starke photos , bradford high school football stadium starke location , bradford high school football stadium starke address . [38] Bradford City's annual rent bill in 2011 to Gibb's pension fund is 370,000. [59] Ultimately, the fire killed 56spectators, ranging from 11-year-old children to the 86-year-old former chairman of the club, Sam Firth. [49], The Sunwin Stand has further room for expansion,[35] and is unusual because it only runs three-quarters of the length of the pitch. [59] The match was abandoned and never replayed, with The Football League ordering the scoreline at the time of abandonment to stand. The highest attendance at Valley Parade, as it is now, was against Reading in the 2015 FA Cup Quarter-finals. In his five-year tenure, Jackson led the Indians to five state championship appearances, five district championships and three Alachua County-Jill Darr championships. Valley Parade's first floodlights cost 3,000 and were lamps mounted on telegraph poles running along each side of the ground. [4] It was first used for a Yorkshire derby against Sheffield United on Boxing Day 1996, before being officially opened by Queen Elizabeth II on 27 March 1997. In fact, I think it was timed at 4min 35sec. City's promotion to Division One in 1996 meant that chairman Geoffrey Richmond announced the construction of a 4,500 seater stand on the Midland Road side.