New Bradford City kit evokes spirit of 1903

7:00am Thursday 28th June 2012 in Sport Photograph of the Author By Simon Parker, Bradford City Reporter

STRIKE A POSE: From left: Rory McArdle, Ricky Ravenhill, Kyel Reid and Andrew Davies model the new City home kit STRIKE A POSE: From left: Rory McArdle, Ricky Ravenhill, Kyel Reid and Andrew Davies model the new City home kit

City are going back to their roots with the new home kit for next season.

Phil Parkinson’s team will step out at Valley Parade in hoops – echoing the shirts first worn when they were formed from the Manningham rugby club in 1903.

The first-choice kit also includes white shorts and socks – the first time that has happened since the fire disaster 27 years ago.

City briefly began the season after the second administration in white shorts but quickly changed after a deal collapsed with the manufacturers.

Rory McArdle joined new team-mates Andrew Davies, Ricky Ravenhill and Kyel Reid for the unveiling photo shoot. And Gary Jones, another recent capture, is tipping Northern Ireland international McArdle to become City’s Mr Reliable at the back.

Midfielder Jones, who played with McArdle at Rochdale, said: “Rory’s a seven out of ten player every week. He’ll bring that determination to the team and bit of organisation at the back.

“He was a bit unlucky with Rochdale because Craig Dawson had just come through the ranks. He’s flying now with the England under-21s.

“But Rory is a really good player and totally reliable. He’s going to be an important signing for the club.”

Fans will get an immediate opportunity to snap up replica gear when the new club shop opens tomorrow. It has now moved back to the site of the former players’ bar on the corner of Valley Parade.

City’s new away kit is expected to be unveiled before the pre-season programme kicks off. The first friendly takes place on Saturday, July 21 at Tadcaster Albion, the day before the team head for Ireland.

Comments(54)

Wakeywakey says...
7:13am Thu 28 Jun 12

Dont like it! looks like a rugby
kit.

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ricky76 says...
7:25am Thu 28 Jun 12

Not convinced with it as wakey says more like a rugby top and white shorts dont go been better in claret with amber socks.

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Lancashire Bantam says...
7:25am Thu 28 Jun 12

It looks fantastic!!

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silverbantam says...
7:31am Thu 28 Jun 12

The socks should be black as they were in 1903

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Solomon Grundy says...
7:48am Thu 28 Jun 12

I think it looks great.

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shoatsy says...
7:49am Thu 28 Jun 12

Excellent!!!! love it!

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J4CKO says...
7:54am Thu 28 Jun 12

Love it, and love seeing quality players like Reid, Ravenhill, Davies and McArdle in it even more. Wets the appetite for the new season, assuming at some point we sign a left back, a right back and a right winger!!

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BD16 says...
7:55am Thu 28 Jun 12

Wakeywakey wrote:
Dont like it! looks like a rugby kit.
Has it been done to try appease the Bulls fans should they be heading to VP as many expect?

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spleen ventor says...
8:05am Thu 28 Jun 12

Don't care what others think...I LOVE IT!

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CasualBantam says...
8:07am Thu 28 Jun 12

For heaven's sake, is there nothing that some fans won't moan about! It's the kit FFS; not the club moving you from your seat of 15 years, doubling season ticket prices or 'doing a Cardiff' with the colours! I think it looks fantastic. If you think otherwise, simply don't buy it and deny the club that bit extra cash, no matter how small. On a more positive note, one more sleep until The Stone Roses!

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Nickloza says...
8:07am Thu 28 Jun 12

Looks good.

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shaun from richmond says...
8:08am Thu 28 Jun 12

YEP!! Love the the New Kit!!
BEST FOR YEARS!!

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_Size3_ says...
8:25am Thu 28 Jun 12

At least it isn't zig-zags this year.

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citytilidie465 says...
8:29am Thu 28 Jun 12

don't like it! stripes should go downwards. shouldn't matter

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Prisoner Cell Block A says...
8:31am Thu 28 Jun 12

Only professional outfit in a rugby kit next season :p

It will make me look shorter and fatter than I already am but I don't mind it. Can we go for black with vertical stripes and platform socks next time please.

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usher dave says...
8:36am Thu 28 Jun 12

LOOKS GOOD,STANDS OUT

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Correctness says...
8:37am Thu 28 Jun 12

It will make the wearers look to be going slower, if possible.

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Old Peculiar says...
8:40am Thu 28 Jun 12

Love it ! I'll be getting one of those.

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food_for_thought says...
8:40am Thu 28 Jun 12

Prisoner Cell Block A wrote:
Only professional outfit in a rugby kit next season :p

It will make me look shorter and fatter than I already am but I don't mind it. Can we go for black with vertical stripes and platform socks next time please.
Actually it won't. Despite years of everybody 'knowing' that vertical stripes make you thinner and horizontal stripes make you look fatter - once some scientific testing was carried out it appears that it works the other way around! Don't you ever watch QI?

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macca1969 says...
8:48am Thu 28 Jun 12

Looks great, i will defo be buying it. The team should also swarm over the opposition with that kit and leave us fans buzzing.

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bantamcougar says...
8:51am Thu 28 Jun 12

Correctness wrote:
It will make the wearers look to be going slower, if possible.
Deception, good call going faster than they appear, brilliant

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bantamcougar says...
8:54am Thu 28 Jun 12

BD16 wrote:
Wakeywakey wrote:
Dont like it! looks like a rugby kit.
Has it been done to try appease the Bulls fans should they be heading to VP as many expect?
No money to pay their share of the rent so that won't happen

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bantamcougar says...
8:56am Thu 28 Jun 12

food_for_thought wrote:
Prisoner Cell Block A wrote:
Only professional outfit in a rugby kit next season :p

It will make me look shorter and fatter than I already am but I don't mind it. Can we go for black with vertical stripes and platform socks next time please.
Actually it won't. Despite years of everybody 'knowing' that vertical stripes make you thinner and horizontal stripes make you look fatter - once some scientific testing was carried out it appears that it works the other way around! Don't you ever watch QI?
You may have to explain vertical and horizontal mate to some mate !!!

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Cityman23 says...
9:06am Thu 28 Jun 12

"It looks like a rugby kit!" Well since it's marking City's 'birth' from 'Manningham Rugby' team...that's not a big surprise!!

To be honest, it's a lot more pleasing on the eye than one or two kits City have worn in recent memory and of course...at the rate City change their kits....they won't be wearing it very long any way!!!

Best home kit: thicker vertical stripes/black shorts/claret socks

Best away kit: Light blue shirt/shorts and socks

These'll be back....in a year or two!!

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BCFCBoothy1 says...
9:10am Thu 28 Jun 12

I Love it, it makes a great change and goes back to the history of the club (without the dodgy string lace collar) and I think it will stand out.
I think it is plain claret on the back so the numbers will be easier to see, if the Dalai Lama was showing off the new shirt the other day.

Just need a few more players to fill them now.

CTID

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ALEXIMO.56. says...
9:10am Thu 28 Jun 12

Mixed feelings on the design and some have mentioned that it looks like a rugby top. Q.P.R. - Reading and maybe afew more out there that play in Hoops. I'm not so sure yet until I have tried it on. Knowing me, I will end up buying it.

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Prisoner Cell Block A says...
9:22am Thu 28 Jun 12

food_for_thought wrote:
Prisoner Cell Block A wrote:
Only professional outfit in a rugby kit next season :p

It will make me look shorter and fatter than I already am but I don't mind it. Can we go for black with vertical stripes and platform socks next time please.
Actually it won't. Despite years of everybody 'knowing' that vertical stripes make you thinner and horizontal stripes make you look fatter - once some scientific testing was carried out it appears that it works the other way around! Don't you ever watch QI?
Indeed I do and I also saw the one you are talking about, I just didn't think anyone else on here did due to the 'high brow' thought behind many comments. That is why I added the ultra-attraction of platform socks, you know, just as a little tittilation and fun.

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Cityman23 says...
9:33am Thu 28 Jun 12

Worst shirt design of the new season? Answer: the new Man Utd 'chintz' top!!

Gosh those players are going to look like 'proper Charlies' wearing that!!!!

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Dancinfeet says...
9:44am Thu 28 Jun 12

Really like the new kit! Any news on the mike grella rumours? Think he would be an exciting signing. Man utd new kit is by far the worst I have seen, ever! Apart from every l##ds kit. Ever!

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RuggerTyke says...
10:01am Thu 28 Jun 12

Wakeywakey wrote:
Dont like it! looks like a rugby
kit.
Best of both worlds now we don't have one!

Kudos to Nike for actually giving us a unique one, tempted to purchase.

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Stafford Heginbantam says...
11:18am Thu 28 Jun 12

Like the shirt - Claret shorts would definitely have been better that white. Couldn't someone have run an iron over the shorts? Attention to detail lacking.

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chriswray says...
11:32am Thu 28 Jun 12

A refreshing change, it looks really attractive. Is there the touch of black somewhere for the supporters who lost their lives in the fire? This was a promise for all subsequent kits.

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BigFigure says...
11:45am Thu 28 Jun 12

chriswray wrote:
A refreshing change, it looks really attractive. Is there the touch of black somewhere for the supporters who lost their lives in the fire? This was a promise for all subsequent kits.
Looking good! And there is the black memorial ribbon on the back.

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Go Torps! Yer flying. says...
12:15pm Thu 28 Jun 12

Great! Looks like they've got the colours just right and as someone else has said, at least there's no chuffing zig zags or lightning flashes.

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Prisoner Cell Block A says...
12:15pm Thu 28 Jun 12

Cityman23 wrote:
"It looks like a rugby kit!" Well since it's marking City's 'birth' from 'Manningham Rugby' team...that's not a big surprise!!

To be honest, it's a lot more pleasing on the eye than one or two kits City have worn in recent memory and of course...at the rate City change their kits....they won't be wearing it very long any way!!!

Best home kit: thicker vertical stripes/black shorts/claret socks

Best away kit: Light blue shirt/shorts and socks

These'll be back....in a year or two!!
Best home kit. Totally agree, thick claret and amber stripes

Best away kit. All amber with claret shorts and amber socks.

The more I look at this kit the more I appear to be liking it.

What I want to know is has someone had RR on 'The Rack' ?
I appreciate perception and angles but he looks as tall as the 2 CHs in the pic.

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ALEXIMO.56. says...
12:17pm Thu 28 Jun 12

Dancinfeet wrote:
Really like the new kit! Any news on the mike grella rumours? Think he would be an exciting signing. Man utd new kit is by far the worst I have seen, ever! Apart from every l##ds kit. Ever!
I am hearing that Scunthorpe have offered Grella a contract.

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Scuba Dee says...
12:38pm Thu 28 Jun 12

Brilliant. The players will recognise the history and pride the fans have when pulling these new tops on. It's the best kit for decades in my opinion. Definitely purchasing.

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Wakeywakey says...
12:47pm Thu 28 Jun 12

Not so much The Bantams
as The Hornets!
Still if enough fans like the kit fair do,s.

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TirNaNog says...
12:47pm Thu 28 Jun 12

C'mon the Hoops!

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Shadrach Dingle says...
1:04pm Thu 28 Jun 12

Worst ever kit in the clubs history bar none (and we've had some rubbish). For a start the amber is too yellow and the white shorts clearly don't go with the shirt. It looks like something cobbled together by a rag tag and bobtail Sunday morning pub team that can't afford proper gear. My guess is it was designed by a colour blind competitition winner with special needs.

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Shoot Me Im a City Fan says...
1:08pm Thu 28 Jun 12

Fickle fans are out in force....

I love the new look kit and will be proudly wearing it at 10 am tommorow thanks to the wife and kids...

looking at the picture above i get the sence these players mean busines!!

CTID.. onwards and upwards

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bigbantam says...
2:52pm Thu 28 Jun 12

Cant say i like it right now, but as i do every time we have a new kit i will end up liking it.

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parader no1 says...
3:15pm Thu 28 Jun 12

Dont understand why fans are being called fickle just because they dont like new kit. Personally I love the shirt, never have liked white shorts with claret and amber shirt, doesnt look right, but shirt is ace

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citytilidie465 says...
4:29pm Thu 28 Jun 12

i've changed my mind i quite like it. stands out and looks good

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mickthemod says...
4:40pm Thu 28 Jun 12

i really don't give a flying hoop or stripe what the kit looks like so long as the players and parky get us out of this lge i dont support the kit i support the club and so long as its claret and amber and has the black ribbon on for our 56 brothers & sisters that perished that fateful day then il be happy CTID.

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GT Horton Bantam says...
5:29pm Thu 28 Jun 12

I will be getting it. Hope they have size FB on launch date instead of size zero like evey year.

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beardedclam says...
5:33pm Thu 28 Jun 12

City fans are never happy, and never will be happy. Bugger off then!

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Pablo says...
5:55pm Thu 28 Jun 12

I think the shirt is great, but don't think white shorts look right. Amber or claret shorts would have looked better.

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Danstarr69 says...
6:10pm Thu 28 Jun 12

Love it! Wasn't sure about the shorts at first but now think they go well with the MAP logo and Nike tick. I agree with someone above though...could've got the iron out.

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parader no1 says...
6:57pm Thu 28 Jun 12

Robbie Blake has signed for Donny

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Dancinfeet says...
8:22pm Thu 28 Jun 12

Anyone got a link or pic of the 1903 kit it's based on?

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balbrigganfc says...
8:36pm Thu 28 Jun 12

Looks a bit like Huddersfield Giants jersey.

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Grimsbybantam says...
10:05pm Thu 28 Jun 12

Sorry but don't like it. White shorts look odd, if they were claret it would look a lot better

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jackez20591 says...
12:17am Fri 29 Jun 12

Shadrach Dingle wrote:
Worst ever kit in the clubs history bar none (and we've had some rubbish). For a start the amber is too yellow and the white shorts clearly don't go with the shirt. It looks like something cobbled together by a rag tag and bobtail Sunday morning pub team that can't afford proper gear. My guess is it was designed by a colour blind competitition winner with special needs.
Have you seen the kit in person yet?
No, so you have no idea how the amber looks. The Pink looked VERY different in person.

And the white shorts fit it well, nice and bright. Plus the whole point of the kit is spirit of 1903, when we had white shorts for a long time.


Great Kit.

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