The John Dewhirst Column

Friday 05 July, 2002

Bradford City FC and the future of Bradford

The future of Bradford City is more than about personalities. It is also more than just safeguarding a future for our football club.

Bradford City is one of few institutions in the city of Bradford to boast a continued existence for nearly 100 years. It is arguably the biggest institution in Bradford and commands an affiliation and association that extends beyond those spectators who regularly attend games at Valley Parade. Many residents of Bradford, past and present, associate with the club and follow its results. Bradford City FC is for many people a focus for their identification with Bradford. As the city's representative in the national sport (and the most popular global sport) Bradford City FC plays an important role in raising the profile of the city of Bradford and the self esteem of a large number of Bradfordians.

Bradford City FC is a very important Bradford institution and given the current climate in the city the football club can play a very important role in helping the city and its communities forge a common identity and self respect.

Bradford City FC is more than about personalities and it is critical that everyone associated with the club adopts a constructive attitude in helping to overcome the current problems. Many people have turned their back on Bradford - businesses, shoppers and people who used to live there. The fact remains that Geoffrey Richmond and his co-directors remain committed to Bradford and by virtue of their personal guarantees to lenders are unable to turn their back on Bradford without incurring considerable losses. As supporters we have made significant emotional commitments to the club: in my own case 30 years and a further 24 years representing the unexpired future portion on my long term season ticket. We cannot turn our backs on our club, or indeed Bradford, without writing off our own investments. We all have a vested interest in rebuilding Bradford City FC together.

Bradford is a city that has existed in a political and leadership vacuum for too long. Whether you like or loathe Geoffrey Richmond it is a fact that he has probably been the only public figure in Bradford to have provided positive leadership and inspiration. He is probably the only public figure to have openly apologised for his mistakes and taken responsibility for them. The same cannot be said of Bradford's civic leaders who have presided over social and economic meltdown in the city and a series of embarrassing fiascos. Unlike Bradford's council at least he managed to get a sports stadium built. Geoffrey Richmond is going to be a part of the 'new' Bradford City whether people like it or not. There is no one else looking to fill his shoes. I am neither singing his praises nor damning him. I am being pragmatic and recognising that the man has strengths which the club needs if it is to progress.

Bradford City FC is a civic asset and that fact should not be overlooked by anyone in the city. The new Bradford City FC has to be more than about footballing ambition. In rebuilding the club we all need to recognise the role that Bradford City FC can play in helping to rebuild Bradford. The new Bradford City FC needs to be at the forefront of community initiatives that help to keep the club at the heart of the city.