'Turn city into a sea of claret and amber' says supporters' club (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)
Get involved: send your pictures, video, news and views by texting TANEWS to 80360, or email
Shops and businesses urged to compete for season ticket prize
7:00am Tuesday 5th February 2013 in News
By Hannah Postles, T&A Reporter
Buy this photo »
Telegraph & Argus staff Lorna Bates and Sophie Vickers outside the Hall Ings offices with the T&A’s banner showing our support for Bradford City
A challenge has been laid down to transform Bradford into a “sea of claret and amber” in preparation for the Bantams’ historic Capital One Cup final appearance.
The Friends of Bradford City have set the task to shops and businesses across the district to wish the League Two side luck in the Wembley showdown against Swansea by creating window displays and decorating stores in the club’s colours.
The Telegraph & Argus has joined in by placing a large banner at the doors of our office in Hall Ings.
The supporters’ group is offering a prize of two season tickets for next season for the best effort before the final on Sunday, February 24.
Chairman Mark Neale said: “We want to see the Bradford area become a sea of claret and amber in the build-up to the final.
“It’s an opportunity for shops to really go to town and wish City good luck, and win season tickets in the bargain.
“I remember in the build-up to the Wembley play-off final in 1996 when lots of shops wished City good luck and it paid off, when we beat Notts County and won promotion – so there’s no doubt the area showing support will lift the team.
“There was even a skip painted in City colours, so any kind of local business can enter into the spirit of things, and we are thinking of florists, decorating stores, and clothes shops putting on a claret and amber display.”
Bradford East MP David Ward, a Bantams’ season ticket holder, transformed his constituency office window to support City before the club’s second- leg clash against Aston Villa and urged others to join him.
“Let’s make it party time,” he said. “This sort of thing won’t come round very often and it’s a great way of showing support.
“This is something that has brought people from all parts of the community together and this is a great thing for the Bradford district.”
Holy Trinity Church in Idle has joined in the fun, placing a banner at its gates backing Phil Parkinson’s men – with a special mention for its local hero, striker James Hanson, who scored in the semi-final victory over Aston Villa.
The Reverend Robin Gamble, a self-confessed Bradford City obsessive who will be at the Wembley final, said: “Since we put the banner up people have been saying to me ‘are you praying for the team, Vicar?’ “People in church feel great about it.
“This is a very special time and it transcends football. It is one of the great news stories of the city and if we can’t celebrate this, what can we celebrate?”
Keighley-based Project It Services projected an image on its building in celebration of the cup heroics.
The Friends of Bradford City say they have adopted the motto “a sea of claret and amber” this year and have sold more than 1,000 scarves to members.
They are also producing a special rosette and T-shirt for Wembley-bound supporters.
Any shop or business that wants to take part in the competition should contact Mr Neale on mnealecity@hotmail.com.
e-mail: hannah.postles@telegraphandargus.co.uk Twitter: @HannahP_TandA
Comments(22)
bigang02
says...
8:51am Tue 5 Feb 13
OutOfBradford
says...
8:55am Tue 5 Feb 13
I'd like to meet Lorna and Sophie please.
Thee Voice of Reason
says...
10:08am Tue 5 Feb 13
Would be nice to see more than the usual 10k there.
Rambo
says...
10:13am Tue 5 Feb 13
Thee Voice of Reason wrote:This.
For those who might not be aware, but have tickets for Wembley, there is a game this weekend at home to Gillingham which could see us move back closer to the play-offs and that 3rd automatic promotion spot which is still within reach.
Would be nice to see more than the usual 10k there.
Bradford City are for life, not just for Wembley.
Chillum Bantam
says...
11:00am Tue 5 Feb 13
Rambo wrote:Seconded. ;-)
Thee Voice of Reason wrote:This.
For those who might not be aware, but have tickets for Wembley, there is a game this weekend at home to Gillingham which could see us move back closer to the play-offs and that 3rd automatic promotion spot which is still within reach.
Would be nice to see more than the usual 10k there.
Bradford City are for life, not just for Wembley.
Thee Voice of Reason
says...
11:13am Tue 5 Feb 13
Whoisevans?
says...
11:19am Tue 5 Feb 13
Thee Voice of Reason wrote:Why not if they pay their way. Every season ticket holder and regular City fan will have their tickets by now.Don't forget these people are contributing to our great football clubs coffers and it will add to the atmosphere like it did in 96. Come on City!!! Dare to Dream.
I'm presuming at least 55 people from the Second West will be making the short trip to Valley Parade on Saturday.
bazzathetyke
says...
11:31am Tue 5 Feb 13
Didnt the Bradford City Council turn it's back on Bradford City when they asked for assistance when the Club was financially strapped?
NOW the Bradford City flag is fluttering in all its glory from the City Hall.
theoutsider
says...
11:45am Tue 5 Feb 13
We'll let them join in ..and the countless other plastics but like it says Bradford City is for life not just for Wembley and folks would do well to remember that on Saturday v Gills and when all this is history !
Bantambessie
says...
1:09pm Tue 5 Feb 13
Thee Voice of Reason
says...
1:23pm Tue 5 Feb 13
http://youtu.be/qaey
foeV_34
Thee Voice of Reason
says...
2:42pm Tue 5 Feb 13
Thee Voice of Reason wrote:Hmm, seems it has included a " at the end.
Meanwhile at The Second West http://youtu.be/qaey foeV_34
http://youtu.be/qaey
foeV_34
Hopefully works.
cheekymofo
says...
2:55pm Tue 5 Feb 13
OutOfBradford wrote:The puppets sure have a big smile on their faces.
Any jobs going at the T&A?! I'd like to meet Lorna and Sophie please.
The Hoffster
says...
3:36pm Tue 5 Feb 13
cheekymofo wrote:True, but not sure if you want someone's hand up your @rse.
OutOfBradford wrote:The puppets sure have a big smile on their faces.
Any jobs going at the T&A?! I'd like to meet Lorna and Sophie please.
m.r.c
says...
4:12pm Tue 5 Feb 13
oakydoaky
says...
4:18pm Tue 5 Feb 13
Joedavid
says...
5:12pm Tue 5 Feb 13
RollandSmoke
says...
5:12pm Tue 5 Feb 13
Andy2010
says...
12:44pm Wed 6 Feb 13
OutOfBradford wrote:Who cares about the cup final
Any jobs going at the T&A?!
I'd like to meet Lorna and Sophie please.
As above would rather see more pictures of these two beauties
RollandSmoke
says...
1:07pm Wed 6 Feb 13
Andy2010 wrote:I'd like to add the author of this piece, reporter Hannah Postles, to the list. She looks like a cutie although far too young for me.
OutOfBradford wrote:Who cares about the cup final
Any jobs going at the T&A?!
I'd like to meet Lorna and Sophie please.
As above would rather see more pictures of these two beauties
GABRIEL.NORDE
says...
2:56pm Wed 6 Feb 13
theoutsider wrote:...And morrison did same as well t "City", that's why i NEVER shop in his stores.
Bratfud Carn't'cil are just bandwagon jumping hippocrites...bazza your not wrong there. Its fine to use the club 'to promote t'City' when we're off to Wembley but they could not give a toss if the club folded when JR/ML could have done with a hand.
We'll let them join in ..and the countless other plastics but like it says Bradford City is for life not just for Wembley and folks would do well to remember that on Saturday v Gills and when all this is history !
Bantam76 says...
8:44am Tue 5 Feb 13