Report of Trust meeting with BCAFC Nov 2024

November 27, 2024

In attendance from the Club were, Ryan Sparks (RS) – Club CEO and Paula Watson (PW) – Director of Operations.

Representing the Trust was, Manny Dominguez (MD) – Chair

 

Apologies were given from Justin Brett (JB) – Vice Chair, and Matthew Pickles (MP)

 

Bantams Supporters Trust met with the Club on Monday 18th November. 

The last meeting with the Club had been the 5th August, 3 months ago, but we hadn’t met with RS since February so this was a much-needed catch up.

 

This meeting covered a lot of ground and we hope it got across what matters for supporters, and in the process a Trust sense of involvement in Club developments. So, without further ado lets dive into it.

 

Season Tickets and Matchday tickets

The Trust feels that it is important that season tickets and matchday tickets should continue to be affordable for all. The Clubs position is it desires the same but the club will be facing extra costs of more than £300,000 due to the new governments recent budget measures on employers.

 

Home and away loyalty points

It was raised that supporters that come in any other way than through the turnstiles, for example going through to a sponsors’ box, don’t get their loyalty points added.

 

It was advised supporters using the boxes can email the club which matches they will be using the boxes so that they can be added by ticketing staff, or they can explain to a steward to exit to go through the turnstile to get their QR code scanned before the game.

 

It was also expressed that even getting QR codes scanned at home or purchasing an away ticket, doesn’t automatically enable supporters see their loyalty points added straight afterwards.

 

The Trust was advised to email the Club examples.

 

Away ticket availability

The concern was expressed that some away tickets come on sale quite late making it difficult to plan ahead.

 

It’s not always easy because supporters are at the mercy of the away club.

It was said our Club try to give at least 4 weeks notice or more about away tickets, and the Club have recently giving 48hr notice ahead of away ticket releases, with dates for purchase pending loyalty points collected, then season ticketholders and then general sale.

 

 

Atmosphere end consultation

It was said that there was still a lot of dissatisfaction among the regulars that sit in block B, and some say they will no longer buy their season ticket.

 

The Club said there have been 3 key consultations with supporters. One had been on season tickets and the outcome was most would be happy with an increase. Another had been on the branding, and over 4,000 took part largely rejecting any change to the Club crest. And approximately 80% of supporters were happy with the relocation of the atmosphere end to block B out of approx. 3,000 that took part.

 

It was also pointed out that supporters would’ve liked to be directly involved in the processes. The Club felt it was a case that fans in Block B wanted to be emailed about it.

 

Railed seating within the ground for both home and away supporters and cost

Staying with atmosphere, it was asked if there had been any thought of planning where in the stadium there would be a choice to stand for both home and away supporters – would block B be considered as the home choice for example.

 

The response was that it had been put on the back burner for the time being as there was a more urgent need for repairs over the shop, changing rooms roof at a cost of £75,000 which has largely been completed now.

 

Club Business Strategy (with regards to fan engagement)

We looked a this with particular attention to ‘supporters after the game’ and ‘fans feeling valued’ and there a plans to carry out surveys to understand how fans feel valued, and what would make supporters feel more valued.

 

Improving our structured dialogue and the Club promoting of work with the Trust and Supporters Board (SB)

It was briefly explained that more fans would understand the value of the Trust and SB if the engagement with them was occasionally publicised on the Club website.

 

It was felt from the Trust side, from the meeting, that the Club were more willing to commit to following up on decided action points being made.

 

Fan Engagement Plan (FEP)

We looked at this necessary requirement all EFL clubs have to commit to agreed to in the summer of this year.

 

Supporter engagement is a means of giving fans a sense of being closer to the club. A close association encourages and strengthens loyalty. It is a term that has come to encompass everything a club does to communicate with its supporters.

 

Clubs will be required to publish a FEP on an annual basis which will be overseen by a senior Club official. This requirement builds on the work clubs are already undertaking with supporters including hosting two meetings or fan forums each season to get their views on key issues faced by supporters and clubs.

 

Stoke City’s FEP is the best example of a template all clubs should aim towards.

 

The Trust picked up on the fact that the Clubs’ FEP has a quote from the SB’s Chair and dates of when they meet throughout the year and it was suggested that we have the same, a quote from the Chair and that we should aim for quarterly meetings in a year.

 

Governance Meetings

The Trust would get invites, and there we could raise ideas on diversity, community projects and sustainability.

 

The Club said it was aiming for silver in the Equality Code of Practice. Last season the Club achieved Bronze.

 

On sustainability the Club are concentrated on working with the EFL’s ‘Green Code’ sustainability programme.

 

Restorative Justice and Crime Reduction

It was raised about incidents at away matches against Walsall and Tranmere. Examples were given that at Tranmere, supporters were allowed to stand on the steps of the stands, and when our first goal was scored supporters toppled over each other. The Club hadn’t heard about that and it was suggested to email the Club and Tranmere Rovers.

 

It was also raised that disabled supporters get a raw deal at many grounds where we travel to especially where there is no choice of two areas of a ground to get into. Where we only get one stand, other supporters tend to stand in front of wheelchair users, obscuring their sightlines.

 

Asked about the appeals panel – where supporters accused of doing things they shouldn’t have been doing can appeal a decision, and have their case looked at again, availability for a Trust volunteer would be made.

 

Transport – Getting supporters to and from matches on a week night

It was explained that fans can get a day rider for £3 on a match day by using the promo code 'BANTAMSMATCH', check here, but it’s much more difficult to get home from a night match. It was asked if the Trust could contact the local authority and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority to see if they have any ideas to improve this situation, and response from the Club was favourable.

 

Football Governance Bill

The FSA was at the heart of 2021’s Fan-Led Review of Football Governance which made a range of recommendations to strengthen the game’s governance – most notably the commitment to introduce an independent regulator. 

 

The Bill, which has cross-party support was stopped in its tracks under the Tories due to the snap general election, and kick started again under a Labour government. In the Trust’s view, we feel it has been strengthened to protect both football supporters and clubs.

 

The stand out changes since the first draft of the Bill are:



  • New powers in the Bill include consulting fans on ticket pricing, home stadium relocations, and fan representation at clubs
  • Parachute payments included in Regulator’s remit so it will have full oversight to tackle financial sustainability across the football pyramid
  • Requirement to consider government foreign policy dropped to cement regulator’s full independence

 

However, the Bill has not yet run its full course through parliament and therefore it is not law, and as such, the Clubs position is that it is committed to following the regulations as laid down by the EFL.

 

It remains unclear how long it will take to become law. It currently has 19 amendments and it is likely there will be more tweaks to it than that before it gets over the line.

 

What is likely to take longer is the limited period it will take for the Premier League (PL) and EFL to agree an amount of money (after years of failure to agree) that the PL redistributes before the Independent regulator would come in to choose a proposal from either or impose a figure of its own. There is a view of course that this will never happen. But one thing is true; this financial redistribution underpins the whole Bill. The disparity of wealth between the EFL clubs and PL clubs is far too great already and is still widening.

 

EFL Sky Deal

It was asked by the Trust how the Club benefits from the new Sky deal and it was said that the Club is £50,000 worse off in League Two compared with having iFollow under the previous arrangements. The Club votes with the collective generally when it comes to voting to accept new changes, it also voted in favour of the new TV deal with a view to being in League One or higher as the rewards are financially greater under the new deal.

 

Under the previous EFL iFollow streaming service agreement, the Club benefited generating £250,000 from supporters using the service to stream home and away, live streamed matches.

 

Club Maintenance Costs

The Club said that maintenance costs on the stadium were significantly up on last year. More than £70k has been spent on the pitch and drainage, so far, with more works taking place over the coming weeks and months.  

 

Ownership

It was asked if there was any developments in terms of Stefan Rupp’s intention to be involved and investment since his open letter to fans and his attendance at the fans forum last summer. It was said he had come over for the Doncaster Rovers game at home in October, and nothing has changed with regard to his commitment to the Club, and was in the UK’s for Saturday’s postponed visit of Accrington Stanley.

 

With regards to the stadium, it was said that the Club are in a stronger position with Gordon Gibb and there will be consultation with the Trust should Gordon Gibb wish to sell in regard of the Asset of Community Value (ACV).

The winner of the Young Player of the Year is...

May 1, 2025
We would like to thank all of you who voted for the Supporters Trusts’ Young Player of the Year 2024/25. They say that football is a game of two halves, and it is, but it needs to be said that our whole season has almost been like a season of two different ones. It was really our home record, a succession of 10 back-to-back home wins that began just before Christmas that propelled the Bantams into the position we are in today. And the future of where we are next season is still to be determined at the last match of what feels like a very long exhilarating rollercoaster ride for the long suffering fans. This season there has been a real team effort on the pitch, a team that has grown in confidence over the course of the season. Congratulations goes to the gaffer, Graham Alexander who picked up the EFL Manager of League Two, while the skipper, Ritchie Smallwood was named in the EFL League Two Team of the Season at the recent EFL awards. And well done to Ritchie Smallwood who picked up the Player of the Year Award from the Club’s main sponsor, JCT600, and most the supporters travel clubs, and from the team itself. Young Player of the Year The winner of the Trust’s Young Player of the Year is of course, Bobby Pointon! He was voted as Trust members’ Young Player of the Year for the second time running! We would also like to give a special thanks to Tony Deacon, who gave Bobby the award. Once again, a big thank you to all of you for taking part. You know who you are and we very much appreciate your involvement in this event and making it a success.

FSA Annual General Meeting Invite 2025

April 29, 2025
The role of supporters in our game is growing ever larger, and it is important that as many fans as possible get involved in fan-related activity both at a local and a national level. From ticket pricing to VAR, governance to broadcasting and fixture scheduling, there are issues in our game that need supporter input. It’s vital. If you have a keen interest in these areas, this is the perfect event to attend. The Trust are affiliate members of the Football Supporters’ Association, and therefore we would like to extend our invite to their Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Manchester on Saturday June 14th. The FSA will be welcoming Martyn Henderson, the interim chief operating officer for the incoming independent football regulator (IREF), to discuss his work in building the organisation before the Football Governance Bill achieves royal assent later this year. The FSA will have representatives of PGMOL (Referee officials body) in attendance, as well as an opportunity to have a go at the VAR systems currently in place in the Premier League. As well as that, there will be workshops for members throughout the day on the following topics: Ticketing Supporter engagement Broadcasting/3pm blackout Fans for Diversity Women’s Voice in the Men’s Game Young supporters Governance and Finance in the Women’s game Football and the climate crisis The AGM will take place at Manchester Metropolitan University on Saturday 14 th June, starting at 10:00 am, finishing up at 5:00pm. You can register for the AGM here . More information can be found here .

Burns Research Unit bucket collection volunteers appeal Reminder

April 22, 2025
It is rapidly coming to that time of year when we will all be coming together give our respects to those who tragically lost their lived in the Valley Parade fire, and this year will mark the 40 th anniversary. As such, as in any anniversary, the effort to mark the occasion will be much greater. Therefore, we would like to make that extra effort to encourage more volunteers. Last year up to 30 volunteers plus, including the help of you, our members, together with the efforts of the disabled supporters community, the collection raised £4,176.71 before the last match of the season against Newport County. It was almost double on what we raised the year before (£2,455.11) with just a handful of volunteers. This year, our last home match of the season, versus Fleetwood Town is on the 3 rd of May. At this point in time, the team is vying for an automatic spot, but there is a real possibility that automatic promotion will be determined by the end of the Fleetwood game so we are expecting a greater attendance, for this match. It is imperative therefore we will need a bigger visual presence, which will require more volunteers to help with the bucket collection before the match starts. If the game hasn’t been moved to an earlier K.O. we normally expect volunteers to arrive from 1pm outside the WD Gate entrance - the large gates opposite the club shop. Our names will be ticked off before we all receive buckets and then stand outside the various entrance points around the ground. We all need to meet back at that entrance around 2.45 to hand buckets in so you can all get back to your seats before Kick off. If you would like to be involved in the bucket collection please contact us at hello@bantamstrust.co.uk . If you don’t have a ticket for Fleetwood match you may get a free one if you are prepared to volunteer. We do need you to let us know in advance so that we can let the Club know.

The Clubs’ Season Ticket offer consultation meeting with the Trust

April 10, 2025
In attendance from the Club were, Ryan Sparks (RS) – Club CEO and Brett Cullen (BC) Head of Marketing Representing the Trust was, Manny Dominguez (MD) – Chair Bantams Supporters Trust met with the Club on Monday 10 th March. This meeting discussed the season proposed ticket offer and matchday prices only. Rising Season Tickets and Matchday tickets The Club’s explanation was that they want to keep the football accessible and affordable to ordinary fans, but they need to ensure the viability of the business. They said that they had to raise the prices, because of rising costs of between £350,000 to £400,000 while working to protect the players’ budget. Examples of rising costs were given as; increases in utility prices, rates, policing, stewarding, the National Living Wage and National Insurance contributions from the employer. Examples of the offer for the Early Bird prices were shown: Adult £299 – A rise of £50 on last years’, and to the value of £13 per game and £24.92 per month on Direct Debit for 12months. Over 64’s and Under 24’s £263 – A rise of £44 on last years’, and to the value of £11.63 per game and £21.92 per month on Direct Debit for 12months. Prices are frozen for Youth and Juniors to encourage families. Match day tickets were are also intending to go up from £20 to £24 in advance and from £25 to £28 on the day. The Trust’s position We understand that money is tight amongst many of our supporters due to the continued cost of living crisis, and therefore it has always been our position that the Club should keep season ticket prices as low and affordable as possible. Freezing prices for all after an increase last year was our ideal scenario. The Club’s position The Club understood how hard it is for many people and they reiterated that being affordable for the supporters was always going to be part of Bradford City’s identity. They also showed a table of where we are in terms of offering the best value in both League Two and indeed League One. In those league tables, those at the top represented the clubs with the most expensive ticket prices, so it showed our Club as one of the lowest in both leagues, which show us as being amongst the most affordable. They said they were fighting a trend of rising costs of season tickets at other clubs. At the time of this discussion, not all Clubs had revealed their prices for next season. The Trust asked about perhaps re-introducing an updated, modern day version of the flexi-card. This will not be re-introduced, as the direct debit scheme in effect, replaces it. The Trust asked about an ‘Unwaged’ category price, but it was felt that the Community Foundation does a lot of work drawing in supporters from deprived areas with community tickets. The Trust commended the Club on introducing the £5 offer for the Colchester game they had recently, and suggested that they do more of them. At that point they were undecided about a future offer like that given the desire to protect the overall value of season tickets. It was asked about trends regarding age groups that bought season tickets for this current season, and they gave us a rough breakdown: Adults 24 – 64: 6,500 Seniors: 2,000 Young adults: 1,000 Youth: 1,600 Junior: 2,000 Consultation The Trust asked about a consultation period, and the Club’s response was that the intention was to put out publicity about the offer in April so it was suggested we could ask our members what they would be prepared to pay. More generally, from a Trust point of view, it was explained that consultation should really be at a formative stage, where a proposal or offer can be at a stage of intention by the proposer but there should be adequate time to digest, and respond – a consultation period, where a membership based organisation like ours, can gauge how their members feel about something and respond based on what that view is. The view of the Club is that they are always pressed by time constrains during the course of a football season and that they do the best that they can to engage with supporters groups. The Trust was grateful it was invited to discuss the season ticket offer. We always value and appreciate the Club’s time and effort to engage with us.

Foodbank at Accrington was a Big Success

April 3, 2025
Accrington Stanley's food bank collection for Maundy Relief welcomed hundreds of donations before the lunchtime Kick Off last Saturday. The collection took place outside the ground, with both Accrington Stanley Bradford fans donating food items, while over £300 was also raised on the day. Supported by The Official Accrington Stanley Supporters Trust (OASST) the food bank collection has become an extremely popular initiative. Maundy Relief are well known in the Hyndburn community for being a frontline response team who immediately help anyone in need. Their services are open to all and include help with physical, mental and emotional health. Here is a link to Accrington Stanley’s Facebook post about it…

Vote for your Young Player of the Year

March 26, 2025
It is that time of year again, as Bantams Supporters’ Trust Members you have the opportunity to vote for the 2024-25 Bradford City Young Player of the Year. This season, especially in this year, has been probably the most exciting we have had in years. And we have seen City win 10 home games in a row, a Club record. We have also broke our biggest home attendance record in modern times with over 23,000 watching us beat Colchester Utd 4-1 on March 22nd. This season, from the first team we have 5 young players making an appearance as defender, midfielder and forwards. Tayo Adaramola , signed on loan in February from Premier League side from Crystal Palace and has made 8 appearances in a City shirt, and played a crucial part in the most recent 4-1 win over Colchester. The Dublin born defender has also played in 6 matches for the Republic of Ireland under 21’s. Brandon Khela signed on loan In January from Birmingham City until the end of the season. The promising 19 year-old from Coventry was the first South Asian player to sign for Birmingham City in 2022. He has made 9 appearances for City and got an assist against Colchester. Calum Kavanagh , signed for us on a two-and-a-half year deal from Middlesbrough on deadline day of the 2024 January window, and has made 30 appearances in a City shirt this season, scoring 5 goals (including the 3 rd goal against Colchester) and has assisted on a further 4. The Welsh born forward has had a number of appearances in a Republic of Ireland shirt. He is certainly firm fixture in the City squad. Bobby Pointon , He was voted your Young Player of the Year by a country mile last season. The super sub who is ‘one of our own’ has established himself in the starting line up much more this season He has made 42 appearances, scored 6 and has assisted on 6. He came on as substituted for the Colchester game Michael Melon , is on loan from Burnley from January this year until the end of the season. The 21 year-old Scottish youth international, born in England has had 9 appearances for City, and scored 2 goals with 1 assist. His last goal was the third one in our 3-1 win over Cheltenham. All five candidates eligible for the Bradford City Young Player of the Year 2024-25 have all made valuable contributions, but who has been your stand out performer? As with previous years this award includes current players under the age of 23 with at least 5 first team appearances in all competitions: Tayo Adaramola (Defender) Brandon Khela (Central Midfielder) Calum Kavanagh (Forward) Bobby Pointon (Forward) Michael Mellon (Forward) Voting starts today, Friday, March 28 th and end Friday 16th April. The Player Of The Year Dinner and results announcements will be on Wednesday, 30 th April 2025. To vote, simply email us your number 1 Young player at hello@bantamstrust.co.uk . You can also let us know via our Facebook Group and Likes page as well as our Twitter page.

Bradford City season ticket consultation

March 25, 2025
We are writing to you to gauge your view about the cost of season tickets. The Club have released its’ ‘Early Bird’ Season ticket prices and have increased them for adults by £50 and for Over 64 year olds by £44, and by £100 after the earlybird discount ends. Under 24’s have also had an increase. We understand that money is tight amongst many of our supporters due to the continued cost of living crisis, and therefore it has always been our position that the club should keep season ticket prices as low and affordable as possible. Freezing prices for all after an increase last year was our ideal scenario. The team on the pitch has been doing extremely well with promotion a real possibility. In the scenario we do get promoted, it is likely we will see a greater demand for season tickets. We have been consulted on the offer, and when we have engaged with the Club on recent occasions, they have always cited rising costs they must contend with, such as increases in rates, utilities and the cost of implementing the minimum wage, and greater National Insurance contributions etc. – overall between £350,000 and £400,000. The increase may not be appreciated by everyone, but at least supporters can spread the cost over 12 months. It’s much easier than paying all at once. Based on the Clubs’ offer, how do you feel about the increase? Please complete the following short survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/bcfc-season-tickets

Foodbank Collection

March 23, 2025
There will be a Food Bank Collection at the Crown Ground on the 29 th March, ahead of our away 12.30 lunchtime fixture with Accrington Stanley from 11am in aid of Maundy Relief , a relief aid charity serving the needs of the local community in Accrington. The most sought after goods include UHT mil, coffee, biscuits, tinned meat/fish, soups, tinned beans and veg, pasta, rice and pasta sauces. They do also take cash financial donations. If you want to say hello and make a donation please head for the bottom of the Crown steps at the corner of the main stand and Clayton End.

Burns Research Unit bucket collection volunteers appeal

March 20, 2025
It is coming round to that time of year when we will all be coming together give our respects to those who tragically lost their lived in the Valley Parade fire, 40 years ago now. This year, our last home match of the season, versus Fleetwood Town is on the 3 rd of May, and as always there will be a bucket collection on that last home fixture. The bucket collection is a way of allowing all supporters to help participate in raising vital funds for Bradford’s Plastic Surgery and Burns Research Unit (PSBRU). This collective practice helps adds to the impact of the remembrance as well as the one-minute silence we have just before Kick off. If you would like to be involved in the bucket collection please contact us at hello@bantamstrust.co.uk . Last year with earlier planning, up to 30 volunteers plus, including the help of you, our members, together with the efforts of the disabled supporters community, the collection raised £4,176.71 before the last match of the season against Newport County. It was almost double on what we raised the year before (£2,455.11) with just a handful of volunteers. Hopefully with the earlier notice, and the occasion being the 40 th anniversary, we can hopefully get a higher turn out of supporters that are willing to volunteer, which should transpire into raising more vital funds for something we all care deeply about. We’ll be putting out more reminders in the run up to this last match of the season with details of the time and where to meet to sign out the buckets from the Club for the collection.

Margaret Hainsworth - Rest in Peace

March 11, 2025
You know, sometimes in life you must take a moment to pause and reflect when someone you consider to be a good friend passes away. I felt compelled to do just that recently when Richard Hainsworth (son of Margaret) contacted me via Messenger to let me know of the sad news that Margaret had died. If you are a devoted Bradford City fan like me, then I would simply ask that you take a couple of minutes to read this short, but heartfelt, tribute to Margaret and in doing so recognize the immense and invaluable contribution, Margaret made to saving our football club for future generations to come. The financial crisis facing Bradford City and the very real threat of liquidation in 2002 is well documented and it is at that time that the Bradford City Supporters’ Trust (BCST) was formed. Margaret was one of the founder members. I think this was the first time I met, Margaret as we both volunteered to help set up and become members of the Supporters’ Trust – something that neither of us really knew anything about. That said, we were both willing volunteers and our Trust was swiftly in the headlights. There was a real and distinct possibility that Bradford City FC could be one of the first football league clubs to go out of business. No sooner was the Supporters’ Trust established that the Trust Board members (all unpaid and volunteers) met with Kroll the administrators appointed by Bradford City FC. Kroll gave us a simple (!) task, raise £250,000 in six weeks or lose your football club. It was as stark as that. With the significant help of the Telegraph and Argus, the football club’s supporters, and the public of Bradford that amount was raised before the end of the six weeks and the rest as they say is history. It would be simple to consign all this to one paragraph in the club’s history but the efforts of a small group of people to arrange, lead and deliver on this fundraising effort was an incredible story and chapter in the history of our beloved Football Club. At the very heart of this was Margaret. Margaret was appointed our volunteer treasurer. At the height of the fund-raising activity, Margaret was literally counting and banking thousands of pounds from donations daily. We always joked about the reception Margaret received when she went to the bank in Cleckheaton. Margaret literally took a couple of hours a day of a cashier’s time over a five-week period to bank the cash and cheque donations - £250,000 was raised by the Trust and this was supported by the Telegraph and Argus. You can see the size of the banking task Margaret was faced with. When you talk about an unsung hero, someone who worked incredibly hard behind the scenes, was kind, humble and generous with their time, then Margaret was all these things and more. Margaret was an intelligent lady with a great business acumen. Margaret never wanted to occupy any of the roles that were public and media facing preferring others on the Board to take on these roles. I owe so much to Margaret during my time as vice-chair and then chair of BCST. Margaret was always there for all of us, with her wise words of counsel, her obvious intellect, her sense of humor which we all relied on but equally her unwavering support to ensure Bradford City was saved from liquidation and to remain at Valley Parade. We had some difficult decisions to make and actions to take in our fund-raising efforts, including presenting to Bradford Council, speaking with MPs, arranging gatherings in Centenary Square and at St George’s Hall but Margaret helped us make these decisions in everyone’s best interests. She was a tour de force and a great ally as well as having those wonderful qualities of being kind, caring and compassionate. After the club was saved Margaret and the rest of the Trust Board members grew apart but I was fortunate to remain in touch with a few of them on social media. It was fitting that Margaret’s work was referenced in a book written by David Markham and Lindsay Sutton. “The Trust’s hardcore of volunteers, fronted by chairman Mark Boocock and vice chairman Phillip Marshall, suddenly found themselves in charge of a major fundraising drive. Margaret Hainsworth, the Trust’s secretary, devoted herself to the cause, collecting and banking scores if not hundreds of cheques every day.” David Markham and Lindsay Sutton, The Bradford City Story: The Pain and the Glory I will miss Margaret – I’m still fortunate to be able to travel to many away games and I always post about them on Facebook. We all enjoy receiving a ‘Like’ on our Facebook postings and despite not been in contact for several years I always enjoyed a ‘Like’ from Margaret with the most recent having been the Birmingham City away game. I also enjoyed putting a ‘Like’ on Margaret’s postings. We always wished each other happy birthday and it is clear Margaret was a much-loved Mum and Grandma. It was fitting that I shared with her son that it would be wonderful if City could beat Cheltenham on 4 March very soon after her death as a tribute to her, and the team duly delivered with a resounding win. I went home with a big smile on my face – that one was for Margaret. So, please do raise a glass to Margaret when you have read this and just say a quick thank you to her - Margaret did more for Bradford City FC than many of you will ever know. Rest in Peace Margaret and I really do hope we get promotion for you this 2024/25 season. Phill Marshall
More Posts