When a mob of young men attacked St Philip's Church in Girlington last November without any provocation or warning, forcing its vicar to flee a barrage of stones and racial abuse, it was a major setback for race relations in the city.

Huge efforts had been made to overcome the strains placed on mixed communities by the disastrous July 7 riots. Appeals for tolerance and understanding had come from all sides. Yet this shocking and blatantly racist attack, which again put Bradford in the national headlines, suggested that there were still people here who were bent on stirring up trouble.

But although the vicar, the Reverend Tony Tooby, fled on that day (and was wise to do so, given the ferocity of the mob), he has remained admirably determined not to let his mission to help the community in which St Philip's is based be defeated by the antics of a hot-headed minority.

His decision to open up the church to all members of that community tomorrow at the suggestion of Detective Sergeant Raham Khan, to allow them to watch the World Cup final on large-screen television, is a splendid gesture of conciliation.

Interest in the World Cup has spanned all racial groups. Whatever community they are from, most Bradford people have been gripped by the action as the world's national teams have battled it out.

Mr Tooby says he hopes people of all faiths will come together with the common goal of football and build new relationships. It is a hope which deserves solid support from Girlington people of all backgrounds, for Bradford's sake.