Football fever is set to sweep the city as the T&A today launches a campaign urging every citizen to back Bradford City in their push for the Premiership.

Community leaders have rallied to support our message that The Only Way Is Up! for the Bantams.

The team is in with a great chance of making it to the Premiership. They are third in the First Division, with 11 games to play to the end of the season.

If they finish second, they will be promoted automatically. If they finish between third and sixth, they will go into a series of play-offs for the other coveted promotion place.

A special T&A publication out tomorrow will look at the final weeks of the football season and what they mean for the club, its supporters and the city.

T&A Editor Perry Austin-Clarke said: "Getting the club into the top flight of British football would be fantastic, not only for sports fans but for the whole city.

"Nothing lifts a community like a successful sports team and we want to do everything we can to help get City to the very top.

"I hope all our readers - whether or not they are football fans - will join us in giving the Bantams a boost in their battle for promotion." Some of Bradford's top names have thrown their weight behind the campaign. Club chairman Geoffrey Richmond said: "I welcome the initiative shown by the T&A. Bradford City in the Premiership will give a huge boost not only to the club and its supporters, but to every citizen and raise the city's profile nationally and internationally."

Lifelong fan Tony Miller, Bradford's Lord Mayor, says he is "drooling" over the prospect of City being in the Premiership.

"I include in my nightly prayers that the team goes up!" he said. "It's imperative City do get into the Premiership and that the city of Bradford is firmly behind them. It's important to Bradford and everybody who treasures the national game."

And Linda Pollard, chairman of Bradford Hospitals NHS Trust, who donned a City shirt to help launch the campaign, said success for the club gave Bradford a positive image outside the city. "Success is important for people to feel good," she said.

Bradford Council leader Ian Greenwood said: "It's tremendously important for the city that Bradford City do well. It adds a sense of optimism. It's the best chance we have ever had and I pay tribute to all those involved. It's important we all get behind the club."

Gerry Sutcliffe, Bradford South MP, who is in the Commons football squad, said: "It would be a superb bonus to be in the Premiership. I am happy to back this campaign."

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