The great-grandson of Bradford City legend and war hero Jimmy Speirs has become a Bantams' supporter during a visit to Valley Parade.

Stefan Godden, 39, spent most of his life unaware that he was related to the captain and winning goalscorer in the FA Cup final of 1911.

Mr Godden only discovered his family's history from an elderly relative and was invited to the ground by David Baldwin, the Bantams' marketing director.

Speaking at the Bantamspast Museum, he said: "This is the first time I have ever even been to Bradford.

"I didn't know much about my background - I have only got one relative in this country and the rest of my family live in Canada.

"It was a nice surprise to find out though, not only the football but the war hero part as well.

"It's really nice to have something like that in your background."

Jimmy Speirs, a Glasgow-born midfielder died on August 22, 1917, during the Battle of Passchendaele, one of the bloodiest campaigns of the First World War which cost an estimated 310,000 British lives.

Mr Godden, originally from Tunbridge-Wells but who now lives in Gillingham, Kent, said: "Jimmy's family lived in Scotland but they moved down this way and then Jimmy's daughter, my grandmother, moved down to Kent.

"She then had two children, my father and my aunt, Liz Warner.

"Unfortunately they have all died now, apart from my aunt, who I got in touch with for the first time a couple of years ago."

Mr Godden, a builder by trade, also presented a cheque for £800 from the Bradford City Supporter's Trust to the Bantamspast Museum in the upper floor of the Upfront Club shop at Valley Parade, which was preceded with a ten minute presentation on how Bradford City beat Newcastle during the 1911 FA Cup Final.

He attended the event with wife Heidi, step-son Jamie and son Tobias.

Mr Godden said: "I used to be not bad at football as a child, but I never played for any decent teams.

"Other than England, I don't support any other team, but I think we may have to start supporting Bradford City now, because my wife loves watching football."

Mark Neale, former chairman of the Bradford City Supporters' Club and editor of Bradford City FC fanzine City Gent, said: "I think it's incredible that a relative of Jimmy Speirs is back at Valley Parade almost 100 years after City's most famous victory. Jimmy became both a folk hero for football and also a war hero. We welcome any relatives of former players and indeed former players back here."

Supporters' trust chairman, Alan Carling, said: "I am very grateful to Mark Neale for his efforts in releasing the residual funds from the Official Supporters Club.

"The Trust felt that the Bantamspast Museum was an appropriate recipient of the funds, which underlines the historical continuity of the club. I am delighted that one of Jimmy Speirs's direct descendants is able to make the presentation on behalf of the Trust."

e-mail: james.rush @bradford.newsquest.co.uk