An enduring love of Bradford City FC has brought two boyhood friends back together - after losing touch for 15 years.

Geoff Simpson, from Pudsey, had given up hope of ever seeing old pal Stuart Williamson again after he emigrated to Canada.

The pair were inseparable as lads, standing side by side on the Kop at Valley Parade to cheer on their heroes, attending Eccleshill Secondary Modern School together and sharing a love of old locomotives.

Mr Simpson, now electrical maintenance officer at Bradford University, stayed in his home city but Mr Williamson moved to Canada to work for a chemical company.

They saw each other 15 years ago and paid a nostalgic visit to Valley Parade, but then lost touch.

Mr Simpson had given up hope of hearing from his friend again - until he tuned into Bantams Radio, the match day programme broadcast by Bradford Community Broadcasting (BCB).

He explained: "They have a spot called Bantams in Exile where they read out e-mailed messages from fans who have sent them via the Internet from all over the world.

"I heard the name Stuart Williamson from California and thought it had to be him, even though the last I heard he was living in Canada.

"I contacted BCB and they gave me his e-mail address. When I e-mailed him, he confirmed he was my long lost school mate."

Mr Williamson has not forgotten Bradford City and finds he can keep in touch with Valley Parade developments via Bantams Radio, which is beamed across the world via the Internet.

The friends have now corresponded via their computers several times and Mr Simpson was delighted to receive an old snap of the two of them indulging in their favourite habit of trainspotting.

Now 51 and married with two children, Paul, 20 and Helen, 18, Mr Simpson is still a season ticket holder at Bradford City.

He and his wife Elizabeth have now been invited to stay with Mr Williamson and his new wife at their home in Orange County, California.

"My family are pleased for me but they keep pulling my leg about the train spotting," he said.

"In the photo we are at a station both drooling over a locomotive."

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.