If the public of Bradford were asked to nominate one man to be a New York-style Mayor of the city Geoffrey Richmond would win by a mile.

In less than five years at Valley Parade the former Ronson Lighters boss has twice lit up Bradford's skyline by turning dreams into reality, taking City to the First Division and now the Premier League.

I shall never forget the Saturday morning at Valley Parade when the tickets for the Wembley play-off against Notts County went on sale. Geoffrey, six feet four and a lot heavier than he is now, stood in the sunshine in a short-sleeved shirt greeting the gathering fans.

"Wem-b-ley, Wem-b-ley!" he chuckled a little self-consciously in response to their more vocal enthusiasm.

Others came up and thanked him personally for what he had done for them. Many had tears in their eyes. They mentioned the fire, the shattered hopes of the 87/88 season, the transfer of players like McCall and Hendrie.

Middle-aged men, women, young mothers and fathers, all alike wanted Geoffrey Richmond to understand how much he had helped to soothe terrible emotional wounds by giving them the glory of a Wembley final. Few football chairmen are given the opportunity to experience such closeness to fans.

His achievement ranked him, in their eyes, with Stafford Heginbotham, City's former larger-than-life chairman who had twice saved the 1903 club from oblivion and under whose rule the exciting 1984/85 Third Division Championship side had swept all before them.

The doubt which assailed some over his decision to appoint Paul Jewell as manager has turned into even greater respect and admiration. The attainment of the Premiership, the radical rebuilding of Valley Parade, bringing back Stuart McCall to Bradford - all these marvels have surely made Geoffrey Richmond City's greatest chairman.

He's not easy to work for because he expects a lot and can be hard on incompetence. He's sometimes given to emotional outbursts. He can be ruthless and slow to forgive.

But his achievements speak louder than his shortcomings. They have restored pride, ambition and happiness where there was doubt, diffidence, and anxiety.

At Valley Parade on Sunday night and again on Monday in Centenary Square, thousands of people - Asians and non-Asians alike - discovered they had a common cause for celebration. All differences, grudges, bad memories, were forgotten. Bradford found itself united, not by a slogan but by joy.

Bradford owes Geoffrey Richmond, Sir Geoffrey, its heartfelt thanks and ever-lasting gratitude.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.