BRADFORD Council is coming in for renewed criticism for not showing England’s World Cup games on the big screen in Centenary Square.

And, with the Three Lions set to take part in their biggest game for 28 years tomorrow night, one councillor will bring forward the issue at a meeting of the full council next week.

Cllr Robert Hargreaves (Con, Queensbury) will ask the Leader of the Council, Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe, if she recognises that it is was a “missed opportunity” and will also ask her to confirm that “similar mistakes” will not happen again.

The council announced before the start of the tournament that it would not show England’s group games on the big screen, stating that costly provisions, such as cordoning and other event management, had not been budgeted for.

But with England making progress through the knock-out stages and now set to play Croatia tonight in their first World Cup semi-final since 1990, there have been calls for the Council to rethink its stance.

After England beat Sweden in the quarter finals, The Telegraph & Argus asked the Council if the England v Croatia game would be on the big screen and, if England make it through to the final, if it would show that game.

In response, Steve Hartley, Strategic Director for Place at Bradford Council, said: “We’re delighted that England have made it all the way to the semi-finals and we stand a great chance of making our first final since 1966.

“We have been supporting the team from venues all over the district. Pubs, clubs and community centres all had it on the TV to enjoy. It’s really lifted the nation’s spirits and brought people together.

“Now the Bradford Literature Festival has finished we have Bradford Festival setting up in City Park and Centenary Square so there’s lots going on in that space already. We will look at how we can up our support for our team as we make our way to the final.”

One Bradfordian, who did not wish to be named, rang the council himself to plead the case for watching his beloved England on the big screen as over 3000 people did back in 2006.

The man, who lives in Manningham, said: “Of course it will get rowdy – Millennium Square [in Leeds] erupted at the weekend, but there was no violence, no trouble. The match itself is the important thing, drinking during it is second.”