Matchday 93 brought us one step closer to completing our incredible journey of visiting all 92 Football League grounds. With just one more to go, the excitement was building, but this trip to Bradford City had its fair share of unexpected moments. Given the early kick-off, we set out before sunrise, aiming to fit in a traditional Wetherspoons breakfast along the way.
The day started at 0545 when we left home to pick up Grandad Steve before heading to Sandwell & Dudley station. Our plan was to catch the 0616 Avanti West Coast service to London Euston, but arriving slightly ahead of schedule meant we could take the 0611 Transport for Wales service instead. This quick 10-minute journey gave us plenty of time at Birmingham New Street to board our 0703 CrossCountry train to Leeds.
We were warmly welcomed onboard by Angela, the Train Manager, who kindly invited us to sit in First Class. It was a comfortable journey, but as expected on a Saturday, the train got much busier from Sheffield onwards. Angela was fantastic, keeping passengers updated throughout, especially when we arrived in Leeds about five minutes late.
Upon stepping off the train, it was immediately clear that something big was happening. There was a huge police presence, and it quickly became apparent that Leeds United were at home to Millwall, a fixture well-known for its potential tensions. With officers stationed everywhere, we decided against visiting the Wetherspoons inside the station, as it was far too busy, and instead opted to catch the next available train to Bradford Interchange.
Arriving in Bradford, we searched for a nearby Wetherspoons and found The Turls Green, about a 15-minute walk away. It was a chilly morning, but the walk was enjoyable, passing through some of Bradford’s historic streets. Once inside, we settled at a table and ordered breakfast. Both Grandad Steve and I opted for the Big English Breakfast, while Liam, showing more restraint, went for Scrambled Egg on Toast.
What should have been a straightforward meal turned into one of the slowest service experiences we’ve had on this challenge. The food took an age to arrive, but when it did, it was well worth the wait. However, just as we were about to tuck in, a rather bizarre moment unfolded. A woman randomly walked in, approached Grandad Steve, and asked for his knife before heading straight into the nearby disabled toilet. A strange encounter, but it made for another quirky story to add to our journey!
With breakfast finally eaten, we made the short 15-minute walk to Valley Parade, home of Bradford City. Along the way, we admired the city’s impressive architecture, passing several historic buildings that added character to the route.
Our first stop was the club shop, where we picked up our customary matchday scarf. Before heading into the stadium, we visited the memorial dedicated to the Bradford Fire. The tragic events of 11 May 1985, when a fire broke out in the main stand, took the lives of 56 supporters and injured over 250 others. Standing at the memorial, reading the names of those who lost their lives, was a deeply moving moment. It was a stark reminder of how precious footballing memories are and the importance of ensuring such a tragedy never happens again.
After paying our respects, we continued exploring the stadium surroundings, snapping some photos before making our way to the turnstiles. Once inside, we discovered the Family Stand had a great setup for younger fans, with various activities available. Liam even managed to grab a photo with Billy the Mascot before collecting a “First Game” certificate from a friendly staff member.
As we followed the signs to our seats, everything seemed to be going smoothly. However, after about 15 minutes of sitting down, we were approached by a season ticket holder who informed us we were in her seats. Confused, we checked our tickets and sought assistance from stadium staff. After speaking to four different stewards, we finally discovered the issue—our tickets were for the upper tier, but the signage had mistakenly led us to the lower tier.
This was undoubtedly one of the most confusing stadium experiences we’ve had. The poor signage and lack of clear information must have caused similar issues for other visiting fans. Hopefully, the club will take our feedback on board and improve this aspect of the matchday experience.
We eventually found our correct seats just as the match kicked off. We were incredibly lucky to be seated in time, as Bradford City scored within the first two minutes. The game itself was lively and end-to-end, but with only four shots on target between both teams, the early goal proved to be the only one of the match.
After full-time, we planned to take an Uber to the station to catch an earlier train, but after several frustrating minutes of drivers declining our request, we decided to make the 25-minute walk back to Bradford Interchange instead.
Once at the station, we just missed the 1511 CrossCountry service to Birmingham by a mere 30 seconds. With time to spare, we made our way back to Leeds Station and took the opportunity to visit the Wetherspoons there. Due to the heavy police presence managing Millwall fans, we had to wait outside before being allowed in.
Once inside, Grandad Steve and I enjoyed a well-earned pint of Ruddles Ale, while Liam opted for a glass of orange juice. After about 45 minutes, we made our way back to the platform and caught the 1611 CrossCountry service to Birmingham New Street. From there, we completed our final leg of the journey back to Sandwell & Dudley.
With Matchday 93 complete, we now face an unexpected break due to my upcoming operation. This means our final game of the challenge—AFC Wimbledon vs Port Vale—will take place on 26 April. It will be a fitting way to conclude an unforgettable journey through all 92 Football League grounds.
Five Facts About Bradford City
- FA Cup Winners in 1911
Bradford City won their only FA Cup title in 1911, defeating Newcastle United 1-0 in a replay at Old Trafford. They remain one of the few clubs to have won the FA Cup while not being considered a traditional footballing powerhouse. - Tragic Valley Parade Fire in 1985
One of the darkest days in English football history occurred on 11 May 1985, when a devastating fire broke out in the main stand at Valley Parade. Sadly, 56 people lost their lives, and over 250 others were injured. The disaster led to significant safety reforms in football stadiums across the UK. - Premier League Club (1999-2001)
Bradford City achieved promotion to the Premier League in 1999 and famously secured survival on the final day of their debut season. However, their second season saw them relegated, and they have since struggled to return to the top flight. - Record Attendance
The highest-ever attendance at Valley Parade was 39,146 for an FA Cup tie against Burnley in 1911. While modern safety regulations have reduced capacity, the stadium remains one of the most historic in English football. - Famous Giant-Killings
Bradford City have a strong history of pulling off cup upsets. Their most famous recent run came in the 2014-15 FA Cup when they stunned Chelsea 4-2 at Stamford Bridge in the fourth round before reaching the quarter-finals.This visit to Bradford City had plenty of twists and turns, but as always, it was another fantastic experience in our 92-club journey. Just one more to go!