BRADFORD City have endured an underwhelming season and look set for mid-table mediocrity this year.

League Two rivals Scunthorpe United, the division’s bottom club, look very likely be heading out of the football league after a 72-year stay.

However, when the teams meet at Valley Parade on 23 April, there is still a lot to play for.

Chris Walker is a die-hard supporter of his hometown club Scunthorpe, but has been living and working in Bradford on-and-off for 40 years.

Ex-teacher Chris – who counts Royd Mount Middle School in Thornton and Marshfield Primary as former employers – is the founder of charity Friends of Pakati.

Having taught at Pakati Secondary School in rural Zimbabwe during the late 1980s and early 1990s, Chris, 64, has been giving something back, and is calling on both Bantams and Iron fans to help him.

Fans are encouraged to “get tie’d up” by coming to the game wearing a shirt or a blouse with a tie and a club scarf and donating £1 to the charity.

Money raised will be used to get computers to the students in Zimbabwe, to help give them the best possible education.

“We’ve been promoting this for a while, and with the game coming soon, this is an exciting period”, said Chris, who lives in Great Horton.

“I’ve got good backing from Scunthorpe, who have promoted the campaign online and put posters around the ground, and Bradford City are also on board.

“I’ve had some good responses from Bradford City fans groups too.

“The idea first came from a friend of mine, Scunthorpe fan David Scott, who promised to match the first £400 we raised.

“With a few hundred people on board, we could get £1,000 at least – with more City fans involved, we could easily double or triple that.

“The money raised will help the students in Zimbabwe learn and improve their IT.

“Smaller, rural schools like Pakati often get left behind. If I can help more schools like that, I would be happy to do so.

“It has been a poor season for Scunthorpe, the reality is we’re going down – but you follow your team wherever you are.

“Bradford were in the Premiership once and are still getting 15,000 fans in League Two, which proves that fans never give up.

“I would encourage everyone to get on board and help raise money for the cause.”

For more information on the fundraiser, and on how to donate, Chris can be contacted at friendsofpakati@gmail.com.