- author, Aisha Iqbal
- role, BBC News
Bradford City fans could have a dream come true as they are given the chance to own the club’s hallowed ground.
The Bantams Supporters Trust applied for the property to be registered as an Asset of Community Value (ACV) and Bradford Council granted the request.
This means that if the club’s Valley Parade stadium is put up for sale within the next five years, the fans’ organisation has the legal right and six months to draw up a business plan and raise funds for a bid.
The group’s president, Manny Dominguez, said that in an “ideal scenario” the stadium would be owned by fans and local residents, but that ultimately they hope the stadium “ends up in the right hands.”
The land on which the stadium stands was purchased in 2003 by the pension fund of Flamingo Land theme park, owned by businessman Gordon Gibb.
Bradford City currently lease the stadium for more than £500,000 a year, with the lease due to expire in 2028.
“It’s 120 years of memories for generations of people and hundreds of thousands of fans,” Dominguez said.
“The scenery has changed a lot, the stadium has changed a lot.
“But of course, all stadiums are built by ordinary workers and in that sense the stadium and the club are linked.”
Dominguez said there was a “mood” within the Supporters Trust to apply for the community list now to get more “clarity and assurance.”
He added that the trust was currently considering ideas such as a lifetime membership scheme in preparation for a possible takeover bid.
He estimated that if 13,000 fans put in £500 each, the bid would have a “non-zero chance” of succeeding.
“It’s clear there is a real sentiment for spectators to remain at Valley Parade and that’s why we’re taking this very seriously,” he added.
“In an ideal scenario, it would be owned by the people, but again, as long as it’s protected, we want it to be in the right hands.”
“You have to stay with us.”
Leonard Berry, 70, is an avid Bantams fan who has been attending games since he was six years old.
“It’s definitely going to stick in our minds,” he said of the stadium.
He said the memory of the 56 people who died in the 1985 fire makes it even more important for a new generation of fans to “know and remember.”
“They may move from here, but I’m not going there anymore. This is where I want them to be,” he said.
And as for buying shares, he said: “If that happens and I have the money, I’ll be here in a heartbeat.”
Fellow fan Nick Kitchen, who has been a regular in the stands since 1995, agreed it was important to keep the stadium “for 56 people first”, but said owning part of the ground would also be a “dream”.
“We just need to hold our ground, keep the Bantams family together and make it even bigger than it is now,” he said.
A Bradford City FC spokesman said: “It’s fantastic to see this kind of consideration from our supporters in Valley Parade, our proud and heartfelt home.”
They added: “Our understanding is that if proposals are submitted there will be a public consultation and supporters and others will be given the opportunity to submit bids.”
They said positive discussions and meetings had taken place “with all relevant parties” which would “support our excellent relationship with Flamingo Land Pension Fund”.
Documents published by Bradford Council identify Bradford University Stadium, in Valley Parade, as “promoting the social wellbeing and social benefits of the local community and therefore should be added to the list of assets of community value”.
The club added that the stadium would “promote sporting enjoyment in the local community through close links between the club and the local community” and “deliver economic benefits” to the wider area.
