A FOOTBALL club that has been at the heart of Bradford for more than 100 years won the Established Business of the Year accolade at the 2022 Telegraph & Argus Retail, Leisure and Hospitality awards on Sunday night.

Bradford City AFC, based on Midland Road, won the Established Business of the Year award, sponsored by Sekhon.

David Longo, chief commercial officer of Bradford City AFC, was celebrating winning the award with his staff on Sunday.

“It’s an honour to win this award,” said Mr Longo.

“We’re an established business in Bradford,” as the club was founded in 1903 and immediately admitted the Football League Second Division.

“Our success not only is about us but it helps the economy of the city.

“Our fans and our away fans contribute to the success of businesses in Bradford.”

To meet the criteria for Established Business of the Year, this award celebrates successful businesses that have stood the test of time.

Bradford City was up against resilient businesses that have been established, survived and thrived in the district.

These businesses are even part of the fabric of Bradford when it comes to retail, leisure or hospitality.

To qualify, judges were looking for nominees who have been in business for ten years or more.

Bradford City has a long history dating back more than 100 years.

The club was established in 1903 after a decision by Manningham to switch from rugby to football.

Just five years later, they made it into Division One and were attracting crowds of between 25,000 and 30,000.

Known as the Bantams, they are the only professional football club in England to wear claret and amber.

In 2007, Bradford City was at the forefront of an initiative to cut the cost of tickets for the forthcoming season, making their season tickets the cheapest in England at £138.

Bradford City currently competes in League Two, the fourth tier of the English Football League system and they are managed by Mark Hughes.