Bradford derby
Encyclopedia
The Bradford derby is a football derby
match played between Bradford City
and Bradford Park Avenue
.
The derby has also been called the Wool City derby, referring to Bradford
's history with the wool
trade. The two clubs are the only two from Bradford to have played professional league football.
The rivalry was a regular league one across all four Football League tiers, first played in 1914, until 1969. However Bradford Park Avenue's failed re-election to the Football League
in 1970 and subsequent liquidation
in 1974 meant the game has only been played in friendly fixtures since.
The Tom Banks Memorial Trophy is awarded to the winner of this match.
had been elected to the Football League
ready for the 1903–04
season. Their cross-city rivals Bradford Park Avenue
joined the league five years later, for the same season as City's first in Division One
.
The first game between the two teams at any level had been in the North-Eastern League. Other meetings had taken place in the West Riding Cup before the first competitive game was in the FA Cup
on 24 February 1912 at Park Avenue, a year after Bradford City's FA Cup triumph. A goal from Frank O'Rourke for City gave them the first derby success.
The first all-Bradford league match took place at Valley Parade
on 23 October 1914 in Division One in front of a crowd of 29,802, when City won 3–2. Park Avenue won the reverse fixture 3–0. The clubs met in the top flight just four more times before Park Avenue were relegated in 1920–21
. City were themselves relegated to Division Two
but a second successive relegation for Park Avenue meant the clubs did not meet again until 1927 in Division Three (North)
. That season's derby saw Park Avenue record a record 5–0 for a Bradford derby on their way to the title and promotion. City kept the title in Bradford the following season.
Between the 1929–30
and 1936–37
seasons the clubs continued their rivalries until City were relegated, one place below Park Avenue. The derby was resumed from 1950–51
to 1957–58
in Division Three (North), a period which included an FA Cup tie in December 1951 and a record 5–0 win for City at home on 16 April 1956. A league restructure meant the clubs did not meet again in the league again until the 1963–64
season in Division Four
, although the teams did meet again in the FA Cup in December 1958 and the League Cup
in September 1963, when Park Avenue were 7–3 winners.
The teams met on six successive seasons until 1968–69
when City were promoted to Division Three in fourth spot and Park Avenue had to seek re-election when they came bottom of the league. The following
season Park Avenue failed a fourth successive re-election and were replaced by Cambridge United
, before they went into liquidation
in 1974 and the teams have never met in competitive football since.
In modern times, the teams traditionally participate in a pre season friendly, usually the week before the start of the new season.
Local derby
In many countries the term local derby, or simply just derby means a sporting fixture between two, generally local, rivals, particularly in association football...
match played between Bradford City
Bradford City A.F.C.
Bradford City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, playing in League Two....
and Bradford Park Avenue
Bradford Park Avenue A.F.C.
Bradford Association Football Club, previously also known as Bradford and since its reformation in the 1970s now referred to as Bradford Park Avenue, is a football club based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, England...
.
The derby has also been called the Wool City derby, referring to Bradford
Bradford
Bradford lies at the heart of the City of Bradford, a metropolitan borough of West Yorkshire, in Northern England. It is situated in the foothills of the Pennines, west of Leeds, and northwest of Wakefield. Bradford became a municipal borough in 1847, and received its charter as a city in 1897...
's history with the wool
Wool
Wool is the textile fiber obtained from sheep and certain other animals, including cashmere from goats, mohair from goats, qiviut from muskoxen, vicuña, alpaca, camel from animals in the camel family, and angora from rabbits....
trade. The two clubs are the only two from Bradford to have played professional league football.
The rivalry was a regular league one across all four Football League tiers, first played in 1914, until 1969. However Bradford Park Avenue's failed re-election to the Football League
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
in 1970 and subsequent liquidation
Liquidation
In law, liquidation is the process by which a company is brought to an end, and the assets and property of the company redistributed. Liquidation is also sometimes referred to as winding-up or dissolution, although dissolution technically refers to the last stage of liquidation...
in 1974 meant the game has only been played in friendly fixtures since.
The Tom Banks Memorial Trophy is awarded to the winner of this match.
History
Bradford CityBradford City A.F.C.
Bradford City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, playing in League Two....
had been elected to the Football League
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
ready for the 1903–04
1903-04 in English football
The 1903–04 season was the 33rd season of competitive football in England.-Events:For the first time ever, a London team, Woolwich Arsenal, is promoted to the First Division and makes the League's reach nationwide...
season. Their cross-city rivals Bradford Park Avenue
Bradford Park Avenue A.F.C.
Bradford Association Football Club, previously also known as Bradford and since its reformation in the 1970s now referred to as Bradford Park Avenue, is a football club based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, England...
joined the league five years later, for the same season as City's first in Division One
Football League First Division
The First Division was a division of The Football League between 1888 and 2004 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Championship....
.
The first game between the two teams at any level had been in the North-Eastern League. Other meetings had taken place in the West Riding Cup before the first competitive game was in the FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
on 24 February 1912 at Park Avenue, a year after Bradford City's FA Cup triumph. A goal from Frank O'Rourke for City gave them the first derby success.
The first all-Bradford league match took place at Valley Parade
Valley Parade
Valley Parade, also known as the Coral Windows Stadium through sponsorship rights, is an all-seater football stadium in Bradford, West Yorkshire, England. It was built in 1886, and was the home of Manningham Rugby Football Club until 1903, when they changed code from rugby football to association...
on 23 October 1914 in Division One in front of a crowd of 29,802, when City won 3–2. Park Avenue won the reverse fixture 3–0. The clubs met in the top flight just four more times before Park Avenue were relegated in 1920–21
1920-21 in English football
The 1920–21 season was the 46th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:The Football League Third Division is introduced, expanding the League's operational radius south of Birmingham...
. City were themselves relegated to Division Two
Football League Second Division
From 1892 until 1992, the Football League Second Division was the second highest division overall in English football.This ended with the creation of the FA Premier League, prior to the start of the 1992–93 season, which caused an administrative split between The Football League and the teams...
but a second successive relegation for Park Avenue meant the clubs did not meet again until 1927 in Division Three (North)
Football League Third Division North
The Third Division North of The Football League was a tier in the English association football league system from 1921 to 1958. It ran parallel to Third Division South with clubs elected to the League or relegated from a higher division allocated to one or the other according to geographical position...
. That season's derby saw Park Avenue record a record 5–0 for a Bradford derby on their way to the title and promotion. City kept the title in Bradford the following season.
Between the 1929–30
1929-30 in English football
The 1929–30 season was the 55th season of competitive football in England.-Events:The Wednesday officially changed their name to Sheffield Wednesday prior to the start of this season....
and 1936–37
1936-37 in English football
The 1936–37 season was the 62nd season of competitive football in England.-Honours:Notes = Number in parentheses is the times that club has won that honour...
seasons the clubs continued their rivalries until City were relegated, one place below Park Avenue. The derby was resumed from 1950–51
1950-51 in English football
The 1950–51 season was the 71st season of competitive football in England.-Overview:Tottenham Hotspur won their first League Championship, while Newcastle United defeated Blackpool 2–0 to win their fourth F.A. Cup. They would win it twice more over the next four seasons. The league was expanded...
to 1957–58
1957-58 in English football
The 1957–58 season was the 78th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:In this season, Sunderland was relegated for the first time in their history.This was the last season in which Division 3 was split, North and South...
in Division Three (North), a period which included an FA Cup tie in December 1951 and a record 5–0 win for City at home on 16 April 1956. A league restructure meant the clubs did not meet again in the league again until the 1963–64
1963-64 in English football
The 1963–1964 season was the 84th season of competitive football in England, from August 1963 to May 1964:-Overview:* Liverpool won the League Championship.* West Ham United won the FA Cup.* Leicester City won the League Cup.-Diary of the season:...
season in Division Four
Football League Fourth Division
The Fourth Division of The Football League was the fourth-highest division in the English football league system from the 1958–59 season until the creation of the Premier League prior to the 1992–93 season...
, although the teams did meet again in the FA Cup in December 1958 and the League Cup
League Cup
In association football, a League Cup or Secondary Cup generally signifies a cup competition for which entry is restricted only to teams in a particular league. The first national association football tournament to be called "League Cup" was held in Scotland in 1946/47 and was entitled the Scottish...
in September 1963, when Park Avenue were 7–3 winners.
The teams met on six successive seasons until 1968–69
1968-69 in English football
The 1968–69 season was the 89th season of competitive football in England.-First Division:Leeds United won the League for the first time in their history, finishing six points ahead of Liverpool...
when City were promoted to Division Three in fourth spot and Park Avenue had to seek re-election when they came bottom of the league. The following
1969-70 in English football
The 1969–70 season was the 90th season of competitive football in England.-First Division:Everton won their seventh title, finishing nine points clear of Leeds United with Chelsea in third and newly promoted Derby County in fourth...
season Park Avenue failed a fourth successive re-election and were replaced by Cambridge United
Cambridge United F.C.
Cambridge United Football Club is a professional football club from Cambridge, England. They are currently playing the 2011-2012 season in the Conference National, the fifth tier of the English league system, where they have competed since 2005 following their relegation from the Football League...
, before they went into liquidation
Liquidation
In law, liquidation is the process by which a company is brought to an end, and the assets and property of the company redistributed. Liquidation is also sometimes referred to as winding-up or dissolution, although dissolution technically refers to the last stage of liquidation...
in 1974 and the teams have never met in competitive football since.
In modern times, the teams traditionally participate in a pre season friendly, usually the week before the start of the new season.
Results
| Competition | Played | City | Draw | Avenue | City goals | Avenue goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| League | 52 | 20 | 11 | 21 | 72 | 78 |
| FA Cup | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 3 |
| League Cup | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 7 |
| Totals | 56 | 22 | 11 | 23 | 80 | 88 |
Played for both sides
The following is a list of players who have represented both clubs in at least one senior fixture.| Name | Pos | City | Avenue | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career | Apps | Goals | Career | Apps | Goals | ||
| Simon Ainge Simon Ainge Simon Fitzpatrick Ainge is an English footballer who plays for Northern Premier League Premier Division side Guiseley. He is a central defender who began his career at League Two club Bradford City... |
DF | 2006–2009 | 14 | 0 | 2009–2010 | ||
| Wayne Benn Wayne Benn Wayne Benn is an English football manager/coach and former professional footballer.-Playing career:... |
MF | 1994–1996 | 10 | 0 | 1996–2004 | ||
| Joe Brown Joe Brown (footballer born 1988) Joseph William "Joe" Brown is an English footballer, currently playing for Bradford Park Avenue.-Career:... |
FW | 2005–2007 | 19 | 1 | |||
| Chris Brandon | MF | 2008–2010 | 27 | 2 | 1995–1997 1999 |
||
| David Brown David Brown (footballer born 1989) David Brown is an English professional footballer. He most recently played for Bradford Park Avenue. He is a striker and scored on his Football League debut for Bradford City, before he was released after just five games.-Career:... |
FW | 2008 | 5 | 1 | 2010– | ||
| Wayne Bullimore Wayne Bullimore Wayne Bullimore is an English former footballer who played midfield for seven clubs.-Playing career:... |
MF | 1995–1997 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 | |
| Terry Dolan | MF | 1976–1981 | 195 | 43 | 1969–1970 | 48 | 0 |
| Mitchell Downie Mitchell Downie Mitchell Downie was a Scottish professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper. Active in both Scotland and England, Downie made over 500 appearances in Scottish and English league football.-Career:... |
GK | 1959–1963 | 134 | 0 | 1950–1954 | 154 | 0 |
| Donald Duckett Donald Duckett Donald Duckett was an English football player who played for Bradford City, Halifax Town and Bradford Park Avenue. He was the nephew of Horace Duckett, who played international rugby for England.-References:... |
1914–1924 | 155 | 6 | 1927–1929 | |||
| Karl Goddard Karl Goddard Karl Goddard is a retired English footballer who played for Manchester United, Bradford City, Exeter City , Colchester United , Hereford United and Bradford Park Avenue.-External links:*... |
DF | 1986–1990 | 73 | 0 | |||
| Neil Grayston Neil Grayston (footballer) Neil Grayston is an English professional footballer who plays as a full back.-Career:Born in Keighley, Grayston made seven appearances in the Football League for Bradford City during the 1995–96 season... |
DF | 1995–1996 | 7 | 0 | 1996–1999 2004 |
||
| Rodney Green | FW | 1962–1964 | 66 | 39 | 1962 | 19 | 6 |
| Bobby Ham Bobby Ham Robert Stanley "Bobby" Ham is a retired English footballer who played for Bradford Park Avenue, Gainsborough Trinity, Bradford City, Preston and Rotherham. He also managed Gainsborough, Matlock and Guiseley.-Speedway:... |
FW | 1968–1970 1973–1975 |
115 73 |
40 24 |
1961–1963 |
||
| Geoff Hudson Geoff Hudson Geoffrey Alan "Geoff" Hudson is an English former professional footballer. Born in Leeds, he played for Bradford Park Avenue, Bradford City, Halifax Town, Exeter City, Crewe Alexandra, Gillingham, Lincoln City and Rotherham United between 1950 and 1967.-References:... |
|||||||
| Andy Lee Andy Lee (footballer) Andrew "Andy" Lee is an English retired footballer who made two league appearances for Bradford City between 2002 and 2003. He signed for Aberystwyth Town in 2003 and also played for Wakefield & Emley. He was born in Bradford. He also played for Bradford Park Avenue and in 2010 won the Yorkshire... |
MF | 2002–2003 | 2 | 0 | |||
| Gerry Lightowler Gerry Lightowler Gerard A "Gerry" Lightowler was an English professional footballer, who played more than 200 games for his hometown club Bradford Park Avenue. He also played for Bradford City, Guiseley and in the United States with Los Angeles Wolves.-Career:Lightowler was born in Bradford, England on 5... |
DF | 1968–1969 | 11 | 0 | 1958–1968 | 208 | 1 |
| Harry Peel Harry Peel Harold Burston "Harry" Peel was an English professional footballer who played for Arsenal and Bradford City.-References:... |
FW | 1929–1936 | 186 | 26 | 1920–1926 | 207 | 37 |
| Charlie Rackstraw Charlie Rackstraw Charles "Charlie" Rackstraw is an English former professional association football player. Born in Sheffield, his clubs included Chesterfield, Bradford City and Gillingham.-References:... |
FW | 1967–1969 | 104 | 27 | 1970–1971 | ||
| Neil Redfearn Neil Redfearn Neil David Redfearn is an English former footballer and manager who is currently under-18s coach and reserve team manager at Leeds United.... |
MF | 1999–2000 | 17 | 1 | 2006–2007 | 27 | 5 |
| Kevin Sanasy Kevin Sanasy Kevin Sanasy is an English football player of Mauritian descent who plays for Bradford Park Avenue as a Striker.-Career:... |
FW | 2002–2005 | 9 | 1 | |||
| Carl Shutt | FW | 1994–1995 | 89 | 16 | 2004–2005 | 13 | 1 |
| Whelan Ward Whelan Ward Lawrence Whelan "Polly" Ward, , was an English professional footballer who played as a striker for both Bradford clubs.-Career:... |
FW | 1948–1954 | 149 | 37 | 1955–1959 | 108 | 31 |