PRIMARY school pupils from Bradford and the surrounding area were given a ‘once in a lifetime’ chance to see the Premier League trophy up close at Valley Parade.

Excited youngsters had photos taken with the top flight’s ultimate prize as part of an event organised in conjunction with the Bradford City FC Community Foundation.

Bradford City players James Vaughan, Ben Richards-Everton, Dylan Connolly and Joe Riley were also there to chat with the children and sign autographs.

Vaughan, who remains the Premier League’s youngster ever goalscorer after netting for Everton against Crystal Palace at the age of 16 in 2005, thinks seeing the trophy could inspire Bradford’s next generation of footballing talent.

He said: “The Premier League is where everyone wants to play and I was fortunate to do that.

“You see the kids today and one day, one of them might have the chance to play in it.

“I never got the chance to see it when I was a kid, it would have inspired me and hopefully it does for them.”

The Bradford City Foundation Reading Bears programme is part of the Premier League Primary Stars scheme and is there to support reluctant readers.

The six-week course helps engage children to read and gain confidence in the classroom, using football-related materials to ignite the interest in reading.

The initiative claims that three out of four pupils taking part make at least six months progress in reading in just 10 weeks and that seven out of 10 pupils say they are now proud to be readers.

Graham Robinson, a Premier League Primary Stars ambassador, believes the campaign is working wonders all around the UK.

He said: “For the children to see the trophy is a great boost, not many people get that opportunity.

“The football club brings together people from different backgrounds. For the community it is fantastic.”

Former City striker Ian Ormondroyd, who is chief executive of the Bradford City FC Community Foundation, added that he hopes the scheme will encourage more people to support the club.

He said: “We got the opportunity to have the Premier League for the day and we have been to different schools with the trophy.

“It is about promoting the club and getting more kids coming to games. That is the reason why we are doing all the community stuff.

“We want people in Bradford to grow up supporting Bradford City.”

Fearnville Primary School teacher Samantha Suthers was thankful to the club for hosting such an event.

She said: “It is a once in a lifetime opportunity for the children to see such a prestigious trophy.

“It was nice for them to chat to the players and see that one day they could make it in the Premier League.”