CHRIS Kamara says he will always be grateful that his time at Bradford City helped him to forge his successful TV career.
The manager-turned-pundit got his first chance on TV while he was Bantams boss in 1997. He was sacked from his role at Valley Parade the following year and after a brief spell at Stoke City he moved into analysis on Sky Sports.
Kamara, nicknamed Kammy, hasn't looked back since and has become a regular on not just football, but also light entertainment programmes.
But he says he owes a huge debt to the Bantams, as he looks back fondly at his time at the club, talks about how the Bantams are faring in 2020, the coronavirus crisis and the mighty Bradford curry in this interview with the Telegraph and Argus.
Back at the grounds today for my twenty first season of doing invisions (kamaracam) at the grounds for @SoccerSaturday and so looking forward to it 😊👌🏽 Unfortunately Goals On Sunday won’t start its18th season 😢 https://t.co/vKnkWhj6yw
— Chris Kamara (@chris_kammy) September 5, 2020
He says he enjoyed his time with the Bantams, especially when his side beat Notts County 2-0 in the 1996 Second Division play-off final at Wembley, after turning around a semi-final deficit against Blackpool, after he had been appointed manager in November 1995.
The 62-year-old, known for his 'Unbelievable' catchphrase, remembers signing for City after receiving an initial phone call from then-manager Lennie Lawrence while he was coaching in Dallas during the 1994 World Cup.
He said: "When I played for Bradford, I started scoring goals again which was great. I enjoyed it.
"I had great memories from my time at Bradford, taking them to Wembley. I was the first manager to take Bradford to Wembley. I always knew we would win the final.
"We had 30,000 plus fans at Wembley, they had 12,000 fans.
"The silver lining before the game was that Notts County were not kitted out in their club suits. We looked really smart in ours. Job done before the match.
"The parade in Bradford afterwards was just amazing, in the town hall looking down on everybody there.
Bradford has been great to me. Hopefully they appreciate what I have done for them
"It was a shame in a way I got the sack, but because of the career I have had since, in a way I was glad I got the sack.
"Without my managerial success at Bradford, I wouldn't have got the telly work.
"It was a good time to be at Bradford.
"History is history. You can't change the course of history.
The course of history says I would not be where I am today without Bradford
"I was born in Middlesbrough. I am proud to have been born in Middlesbrough. It was my ambition to play for Boro and my dream to play for Leeds. I did both of those things."
Kamara says he loves his television career and also being a cult figure among football fans.
He added: "I'm still me. That's the thing people like about me. I still like a laugh. I still enjoy it.
"All of the programmes I try not to take it too seriously, unless it's a serious subject.
TV is entertainment. Football is entertainment
"It's been great. Sky have been great for me. I've had an absolutely fantastic time over the last 22 years. I would still be a football manager if that was what I had to be doing, if I could still be getting work as a manager."
His love for Bradford goes beyond football and to one of the things the city is most famous for.
He said: "Bradford is still the best place to go for a curry."
He also says he thought it was a wind-up after one of his son pointed out the former Leeds United ace was included in last week's Bradford Hall of Fame. The weekly T&A feature highlights those who have made an impact on the district.
Kamara added Bantams manager Stuart McCall has the pedigree to do well at the club for his second spell in charge.
"It's a difficult time for everyone. It will hopefully be third time lucky for Stuart (McCall).
"Not many people get a third opportunity. It just shows what high esteem he is held in at Bradford. He has made a big impression on everyone. It's a great opportunity for him.
Hopefully Bradford will be one of the clubs that won't suffer without fans in this moment in time. Hopefully, financially, they can get over it
"Some club's owners might just say that they can't put any more money in."
Kammy says he felt lucky that he has had all of his family either living with him in Wakefield, or next door to him, including his grandchildren, during the coronavirus crisis.
He added he has been tested each time he has appeared on TV shows during the pandemic.
He said: "It's a strange world. Wakefield, where I live, is on high alert. Bradford has been in local lockdown.
"Hopefully it will come to an end soon."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel