The Origins of Football Culture in Bradford
Mechanics Institute, 76 Kirkgate, Bradford, West Yorkshire, BD1 1SZ
Bradford’s football story began long before City and the Bulls. Join sports historian John Dewhirst for a lively dive into the Victorian roots of Bradford’s sporting obsession — from Park Avenue glory and booming crowds to the rise of rugby and association football. Discover how early clubs shaped community life and laid the foundations for the city’s modern sporting culture. He will discuss the origin of organised sport in the town and the early history of Bradford Cricket Club, the adoption of the round ball game at Valley Parade and Park Avenue, and the co-existence of different clubs - Avenue, City, Northern and 'Bradford Rugby' - in the city, as well as how the Bulls and City have actively promoted community connections.
Mechanics Institute, 76 Kirkgate, Bradford, West Yorkshire, BD1 1SZ