CITY have today announced a “significant” commercial deal with former chairman Gordon Gibb.

His Flamingo Land theme park will become the official shirt sleeve sponsor after signing a two-year agreement.

Gibb’s appearance at the Grimsby game in April was his first at Valley Parade for 19 years.

The new link is a further example of the bridges being built with City chief executive Ryan Sparks after an occasionally-fractious relationship between the club’s landlord and previous regimes.

A wider partnership means the two parties will embark on joint projects and marketing initiatives, with offers at the North Yorkshire park - which the Gibb family have owned since 1978 - available to City supporters.

“I am delighted to be working with the current leadership at Bradford City, supporting the club’s desire to achieve its ambitions on and off the pitch,” said Flamingo Land chief executive Gibb.

“I was so impressed with the new regime after spending time with Ryan and (chief commercial officer) Davide (Longo), and meeting the manager, that the time was right to get involved again.

“I have forged really strong links with Ryan and his team in recent years, and hopefully this partnership can be the start of a renewed positive relationship between us here at Flamingo Land and Bradford City for years to come.

“I want to see the club continue to progress on and off the field, and we are willing to do whatever we can to support that.

“In my view, the football club is growing and we want to be a part of the journey.

“Hopefully, in some small way, this will help City in their pursuit of promotion which they so narrowly missed out upon last season.”

Sparks sees the partnership with Gibb and Flamingo Land as “significant”.

City’s chief executive said: “Gordon and I have a great relationship, and he clearly cares for our club and the direction it is heading in.

“To now be working with Flamingo Land commercially is a credit to Davide Longo and his commercial team.

“This is a very exciting partnership which I am sure can grow from strength to strength, as we welcome another huge Yorkshire organisation to our portfolio.”

Fans who wish to add a Flamingo Land sleeve patch to their shirt can do so for £5 from September 1.

Those who buy the patch and wear their shirt with the completed sleeve patch to Flamingo Land resort will gain 2-for-1 entry to the park, provided they also have proof of purchase.