Skip to content
University of Bradford logo

Bradford City AFC on parade for promotion party

Published:

Thousands of people celebrated Bradford City AFC’s promotion to Sky Bet League One with a special event in the city.

An open top bus filled with people wearing tracksuits on the top deck travels down a street with security guards walking next to it and fans on the pavement

Supporters lined the city’s streets during an open top bus parade, featuring the club’s players, coaching staff and officials, which left the University of Bradford Stadium, and made its way down Manningham Lane and into City Park in Bradford city centre for further celebrations on Tuesday 6 May. 

Bradford City AFC manager Graham Alexander was among those who spoke to the jam-packed crowd which filled the Mirror Pool and Centenary Square.

The club secured the third and final automatic promotion place from Sky Bet League Two in dramatic style on Saturday 3 May, through a 1-0 victory over Fleetwood Town following Antoni Sarcevic’s 96th-minute winner.

A close up photo of the upper deck of a double decker bus filled with people wearing tracksuits

What the players and officials said

Bradford City AFC squad members joined in with a series of chants for the players and were interviewed in front of the crowd at City Park. 

Bradford-born midfielder, Bobby Pointon, said: “It was the best weekend of my life. 
“I can’t believe this amount of people have come out to see us [at City Park].”

Goalkeeper Sam Walker said: “It was some feeling to do it [achieve promotion] in the week that we did. It was unbelievable.”

A large crowd of people gather at an outside venue for a celebration

Davide Longo, Bradford City AFC’s Chief Commercial Officer, said: “It’s great for the city, with the Bradford 2025 year and for the fans and players and all the club’s partners. 

“Bradford City AFC has a huge fanbase, home and away, and it’s a city that has united itself through this [promotion].

“We can only grow in League One and hopefully get up to the Championship.”

The University of Bradford signed a four-year sponsorship deal with Bradford City AFC in 2022. This includes the University’s logo appearing on the back of the team’s home, away and alternative kits and Valley Parade being re-named as the University of Bradford Stadium.

A huge crowd gather in a public space for a celebration with blue sky

‘Fantastic achievement’

Speaking after the club’s promotion place was secured, Professor Shirley Congdon, University of Bradford Vice-Chancellor, said: “Congratulations to everyone associated with Bradford City AFC on their promotion to Sky Bet League One. It is such a fantastic achievement. 

“We hope everyone enjoys the celebrations following the promotion and wish Graham Alexander’s side the best of luck for next season.”

A huge celebration event held in a public place with a large video screen behind with claret and amber stripes on it

The University will further show its support for the club with the launch of a project this summer. 

The University of Bradford Stadium will host the launch of ‘Stories from Valley Parade’ on Sunday 22 June between 10:00 and 14:00. Academics have created a digital copy of the University of Bradford Stadium, traditionally known as Valley Parade, which people can explore through VR.