City went on to lose this game 1-0.
With the debate about Odsal Stadium raging, we thought it would be timely to bring you a comprehensive history of public investment at Odsal. Some may wish to contrast it with policies towards Valley Parade.
Bradford Northern were formed when Bradford Rugby Club became Bradford Park Avenue AFC in 1907. The disenfranchised players and supporters of Bradford RFC formed the new rugby league club. The infant Park Avenue football club refused to let Northern share the Park Avenue ground, so Northern were forced to find a home at one of Bradford’s existing stadiums. They played one season at Greenfield Stadium at Dudley Hill. However, poor attendances forced them to move to Birch Lane at West Bowling. With good access to Manchester Road, attendances improved, but the tight ground was never really suitable for professional rugby.
Salvation came in 1932 when Ernest Call, Bradford Corporation’s director of public cleansing, floated the idea of turning Odsal tip into a stadium by the means of controlled tipping. Call, a keen Northern supporter, approached the club’s chairman Tom Smith and, despite much public scepticism, work commenced and on 23 June 1933 Northern signed a 10-year lease.
In return for providing the ground, the council received a mere 1% of gate receipts. In 1937 the switching of a scheduled England v France international to Halifax, forced the council to address the state of the pitch, which had been unsatisfactory since the opening day. They installed a drainage system and, as their contribution to the work, Northern increased their payment to the council to 4% of gate receipts. The council’s investment continued the following year, when they spent £3,000 on terracing the Rooley Avenue End and constructing a stand on the Hospital side.
The sheer scale of the new ground began to attract proposals for grandiose developments. No fewer than fifteen separate plans were put forward in the first ten years of the grounds life. These included a 1930s plan to cover the entire bowl and create a massive multi-use complex, including ice skating rinks, dance halls and other sports, as well as the rugby pitch.
The ground became a multi-sport venue when a 390-yard speedway track was laid. Bradford Northern’s Harry Hornby invited Johnnie Hoskins to bring speedway to Odsal. The Lord Mayor, Alderman Cecil Barnett, officially opened the track on 23 June 1945. Over 20,000 flocked to see the first meeting of the Odsal ‘Boomerangs’.
An earth slip in 1945 caused the rebuilding of the 8-year-old Hospital side stand. The £16,397 cost, included driving new piles, a virtual new stand and converting the wooden railway sleeper terracing to concrete on the northwest corner of the Rooley Avenue end. A further £5,650 was spent seating the lower part of the New Stand, as it inevitably became known. To prevent another earth slip, golden elder, flowering currant and gorse were planted to help absorb water from the banking.
Council engineer Wardley drew up a plan in September 1951 for a 92,000 capacity ‘European’ style stadium, at a cost of £250,000. In the event £50,000 was spent on terracing the Rooley Avenue end in 1964, before the Wardley plan was officially dropped the following year. Arguably, the Wardley plan was the biggest missed opportunity of Bradford’s sporting history. From almost that moment, any hope of a cohesive plan for developing a shared City of Bradford stadium was gone.
However, three years later only 324 souls witnessed Northern play Barrow in November 1963. Northern subsequently folded, but a quick reformation was wholeheartedly supported, as 14,500 saw the ‘new’ club’s first match. The council did their bit, spending £50,000 on new terracing.
The council paid out £40,000 for new floodlights in 1979 and they were officially turned on for the visit of St Helens on 29 November. Despite that investment the future of Odsal was far from assured, on 12 August 1980 the Telegraph & Argus revealed that the council were looking to sell Odsal to West Yorkshire County Council. Ironically, the proposal was for tipping household waste, the county had a chronic shortage of tipping sites and Bradford Council saw Odsal as the ideal site. They hoped to raise £5m and were prepared to offer Bradford Rugby Union Club’s Lidget Green (now Scholemoor) ground as a home for Northern.
The history of Odsal and the council will conclude in the Brentford programme.
Saturday 21 March 2009
Saturday 7 March 2009
Aldershot
City went on to win this game 5-0.
The decision by the Council to put £15m into the Odsal Sporting Village will undoubtedly reignite the debate as to whether City should leave Valley Parade and share the huge stadium in south Bradford.
In later programme notes I will chart the history of Odsal, and the huge public investment that has been made in the stadium over the last 75 years, but for now we’ll look at City’s involvement thus far.
Ever since Odsal Stadium was developed in the 1930s, City have been linked with moves there on numerous occasions. Odsal was the central plank of a 1937 proposed merger between City and Avenue, the brainchild of Avenue chairman Stanley Waddilove, the new club was to be housed at a ‘continental style’ stadium at Odsal. The City board rejected the proposal on the grounds that one transfer could solve their financial problems. Additionally, City had recently purchased the freehold to Valley Parade and had undertaken ground improvements. Less understandable was the attitude of the Northern board, who opposed the plan on the grounds that they didn’t want a shared tenancy. One can only assume that the reality of maintaining, let alone developing, the huge stadium hadn’t at that time become apparent to the Northern board.
Twenty-four years later, Council Engineer Ernest Wardley drew up a plan in September 1951 for a 92,000 capacity ‘European’ style stadium, at a cost of £250,000. In the event £50,000 was spent on terracing the Rooley Avenue end in 1964, before the Wardley plan was officially dropped the following year. Arguably, the Wardley plan was the biggest missed opportunity of Bradford’s sporting history. From almost that moment, any hope of a cohesive plan for developing a shared City of Bradford stadium was gone.
But still the dreams of a ‘Wembley of the North’ persisted. Two decades on the Council convened talks with Northern, City and Avenue. On 21 October 1971 the Telegraph & Argus pondered ‘could Odsal be developed as a new multi-sport complex, catering for both soccer and rugby league?’ Alderman Newby, the instigator of the talks, said the likely £1m cost “would have to come from somewhere else, such as bringing in a development company”.
On 12 December 1972, a developer stepped forward, but rather than a shared arena, their plans envisaged Northern vacating their traditional home. The Telegraph & Argus reported ‘A £4m scheme for Odsal is being discussed between Bradford Corporation and a London company. Under the scheme there would be no place for Bradford Northern and rugby league at the stadium’.
Hackney and Hendon Greyhounds Plc proposed a 22,000 all-seater stadium, swimming pool, cinema and ancillary sports facilities. A condition of the scheme would be a new home for Northern at Park Avenue. The company was prepared to invest £3m, provided the Council contributed £1m.
Not surprisingly the scheme attracted huge controversy, which was fuelled further when City chairman, Stafford Heginbotham, discussed on YTVs ‘Calendar’ programme the possibility of City moving to Odsal.
On 2 January 1973, Alderman John Senior said the Council were not prepared to accept the scheme, unless the terms were improved. However, he was confident that Odsal “isn’t going to stop a hole in the ground forever”. By April the deal had collapsed, negotiations broke down when Hackney & Hendon Greyhounds wanted the Council to pay £3m towards the development.
In the early 1980s Odsal was refurbished in order to stage the World Speedway Final of 1985. On 31 August of that year 37,000 fans enjoyed the new, albeit basic, facilities, to witness a thrilling Final.
Of course, a few months earlier Valley Parade had been devastated by the terrible fire that caused the deaths of 56 fans. Although City played a handful of games at Leeds Road, Huddersfield and Elland Road, Leeds, Odsal was the obvious venue for the Bantams whilst the future of Valley Parade was decided. On 23 September 1985, a Football League delegation visited Odsal to view the stadium in order to pass it fit to host City’s home games. Segregation fences were erected on the old Main Stand side and 1,000 uncovered seats were bolted onto the terracing – it was planned to install 7,000 in the future.
Odsal’s first professional football match came on Tuesday 8 October, when Brighton were the visitors in a League Cup second round tie. It was hardly an auspicious start, the game was played in a torrential downpour and City lost 0-2 in front of 5,368 spectators.
Fans of both City and Northern viewed City’s Odsal sojourn gloomily. The latter felt put out by the erection of segregation fences at ‘their’ ground, whilst the former were busy lobbying hard for a return to Valley Parade and the construction of a stadium as a fitting reminder to the 56 fans who had died in the fire.
The Council initially didn’t hide its desire to see City move permanently to Odsal. The momentum seemed to be with Odsal, perhaps sensing that this was the big chance to finally realise the ‘Wembley of the North’ dream, plans of a £15m development were unveiled on 5 November 1985. The master plan was for two new 14,000 capacity cantilever stands, terracing behind each end and a 61,000 capacity by 1990. It was envisaged that Rugby League Challenge Cup Finals and FA Cup semi-finals would be staged at the new stadium.
Meanwhile a further £1m was spent to conform with new safety standards – bringing the total spent on Odsal to £3.5m. New boundary walls, turnstiles, exit gates, a bus lay-by in Rooley Avenue and access road were added.
But it wasn’t to be, the emotional draw of Valley Parade was too strong and in December 1986 City returned to a rebuilt ground. Given the subsequent developments at Valley Parade, the spectre of City at Odsal has receded for at least another generation.
The decision by the Council to put £15m into the Odsal Sporting Village will undoubtedly reignite the debate as to whether City should leave Valley Parade and share the huge stadium in south Bradford.
In later programme notes I will chart the history of Odsal, and the huge public investment that has been made in the stadium over the last 75 years, but for now we’ll look at City’s involvement thus far.
Ever since Odsal Stadium was developed in the 1930s, City have been linked with moves there on numerous occasions. Odsal was the central plank of a 1937 proposed merger between City and Avenue, the brainchild of Avenue chairman Stanley Waddilove, the new club was to be housed at a ‘continental style’ stadium at Odsal. The City board rejected the proposal on the grounds that one transfer could solve their financial problems. Additionally, City had recently purchased the freehold to Valley Parade and had undertaken ground improvements. Less understandable was the attitude of the Northern board, who opposed the plan on the grounds that they didn’t want a shared tenancy. One can only assume that the reality of maintaining, let alone developing, the huge stadium hadn’t at that time become apparent to the Northern board.
Twenty-four years later, Council Engineer Ernest Wardley drew up a plan in September 1951 for a 92,000 capacity ‘European’ style stadium, at a cost of £250,000. In the event £50,000 was spent on terracing the Rooley Avenue end in 1964, before the Wardley plan was officially dropped the following year. Arguably, the Wardley plan was the biggest missed opportunity of Bradford’s sporting history. From almost that moment, any hope of a cohesive plan for developing a shared City of Bradford stadium was gone.
But still the dreams of a ‘Wembley of the North’ persisted. Two decades on the Council convened talks with Northern, City and Avenue. On 21 October 1971 the Telegraph & Argus pondered ‘could Odsal be developed as a new multi-sport complex, catering for both soccer and rugby league?’ Alderman Newby, the instigator of the talks, said the likely £1m cost “would have to come from somewhere else, such as bringing in a development company”.
On 12 December 1972, a developer stepped forward, but rather than a shared arena, their plans envisaged Northern vacating their traditional home. The Telegraph & Argus reported ‘A £4m scheme for Odsal is being discussed between Bradford Corporation and a London company. Under the scheme there would be no place for Bradford Northern and rugby league at the stadium’.
Hackney and Hendon Greyhounds Plc proposed a 22,000 all-seater stadium, swimming pool, cinema and ancillary sports facilities. A condition of the scheme would be a new home for Northern at Park Avenue. The company was prepared to invest £3m, provided the Council contributed £1m.
Not surprisingly the scheme attracted huge controversy, which was fuelled further when City chairman, Stafford Heginbotham, discussed on YTVs ‘Calendar’ programme the possibility of City moving to Odsal.
On 2 January 1973, Alderman John Senior said the Council were not prepared to accept the scheme, unless the terms were improved. However, he was confident that Odsal “isn’t going to stop a hole in the ground forever”. By April the deal had collapsed, negotiations broke down when Hackney & Hendon Greyhounds wanted the Council to pay £3m towards the development.
In the early 1980s Odsal was refurbished in order to stage the World Speedway Final of 1985. On 31 August of that year 37,000 fans enjoyed the new, albeit basic, facilities, to witness a thrilling Final.
Of course, a few months earlier Valley Parade had been devastated by the terrible fire that caused the deaths of 56 fans. Although City played a handful of games at Leeds Road, Huddersfield and Elland Road, Leeds, Odsal was the obvious venue for the Bantams whilst the future of Valley Parade was decided. On 23 September 1985, a Football League delegation visited Odsal to view the stadium in order to pass it fit to host City’s home games. Segregation fences were erected on the old Main Stand side and 1,000 uncovered seats were bolted onto the terracing – it was planned to install 7,000 in the future.
Odsal’s first professional football match came on Tuesday 8 October, when Brighton were the visitors in a League Cup second round tie. It was hardly an auspicious start, the game was played in a torrential downpour and City lost 0-2 in front of 5,368 spectators.
Fans of both City and Northern viewed City’s Odsal sojourn gloomily. The latter felt put out by the erection of segregation fences at ‘their’ ground, whilst the former were busy lobbying hard for a return to Valley Parade and the construction of a stadium as a fitting reminder to the 56 fans who had died in the fire.
The Council initially didn’t hide its desire to see City move permanently to Odsal. The momentum seemed to be with Odsal, perhaps sensing that this was the big chance to finally realise the ‘Wembley of the North’ dream, plans of a £15m development were unveiled on 5 November 1985. The master plan was for two new 14,000 capacity cantilever stands, terracing behind each end and a 61,000 capacity by 1990. It was envisaged that Rugby League Challenge Cup Finals and FA Cup semi-finals would be staged at the new stadium.
Meanwhile a further £1m was spent to conform with new safety standards – bringing the total spent on Odsal to £3.5m. New boundary walls, turnstiles, exit gates, a bus lay-by in Rooley Avenue and access road were added.
But it wasn’t to be, the emotional draw of Valley Parade was too strong and in December 1986 City returned to a rebuilt ground. Given the subsequent developments at Valley Parade, the spectre of City at Odsal has receded for at least another generation.
Tuesday 3 March 2009
Macclesfield
A win for City: 1-0
On 18 March 2009 the museum will be hosting another ‘extra time’ event for seniors. After the overwhelming success of the first ‘extra time’, we are expecting a good turn out for the second event. The day is aimed at the over 50’s who might like to enjoy a social session at Bradford City Football Club.
The day begins in the bantamspast museum at 10am with tea and coffee. There will be a museum tour, a chance to meet players old and new, a showing of the DVD made about our community award and a tour of the ground. Lunch will be provided and the day will end around 1pm.
Anyone interested in attending is asked to book with Paula Helliwell. We need to know the numbers attending in order to provide refreshments. People can book individually or as a group. Please contact Paula before Friday 13th March on 07814 760198 or by email paula.helliwell@googlemail.com
Prior to the Aldershot game we will be showing more of our recently acquired photographs, this time concentrating on the late 1980’s and early 1990’s. The presentation will also feature some film footage of that era and we are hoping that a few former players will be in attendance. The presentation begins at 1.30pm and as usual admission is free.
Finally, we’d like to send our best wishes to Gladys Hannah who recently had a fall and is currently in a nursing home in Manningham. Gladys’ fund raising over the years is the stuff of legend. There can’t be many people at Valley Parade who haven’t bought a raffle ticket from Gladys. Let’s hope that she will be back at Valley Parade to see our final push for promotion. Our thanks to Bill Roper for proving a photograph of a fund raising event from the 1970’s. Gladys can be seen in white alongside Trevor Hockey. Bobby Ham, sporting a moustache that wouldn’t have been out of place in a spaghetti western, is behind Gladys and on the right with the flowing golden locks is Garry Watson.
On 18 March 2009 the museum will be hosting another ‘extra time’ event for seniors. After the overwhelming success of the first ‘extra time’, we are expecting a good turn out for the second event. The day is aimed at the over 50’s who might like to enjoy a social session at Bradford City Football Club.
The day begins in the bantamspast museum at 10am with tea and coffee. There will be a museum tour, a chance to meet players old and new, a showing of the DVD made about our community award and a tour of the ground. Lunch will be provided and the day will end around 1pm.
Anyone interested in attending is asked to book with Paula Helliwell. We need to know the numbers attending in order to provide refreshments. People can book individually or as a group. Please contact Paula before Friday 13th March on 07814 760198 or by email paula.helliwell@googlemail.com
Prior to the Aldershot game we will be showing more of our recently acquired photographs, this time concentrating on the late 1980’s and early 1990’s. The presentation will also feature some film footage of that era and we are hoping that a few former players will be in attendance. The presentation begins at 1.30pm and as usual admission is free.
Finally, we’d like to send our best wishes to Gladys Hannah who recently had a fall and is currently in a nursing home in Manningham. Gladys’ fund raising over the years is the stuff of legend. There can’t be many people at Valley Parade who haven’t bought a raffle ticket from Gladys. Let’s hope that she will be back at Valley Parade to see our final push for promotion. Our thanks to Bill Roper for proving a photograph of a fund raising event from the 1970’s. Gladys can be seen in white alongside Trevor Hockey. Bobby Ham, sporting a moustache that wouldn’t have been out of place in a spaghetti western, is behind Gladys and on the right with the flowing golden locks is Garry Watson.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)