Retro Bradford City Shirts – The Bantams in Claret and Amber

Bradford City was founded in 1903, taking the unusual step of joining the Football League before they had even played a competitive match. The club inherited the rugby league outfit Manningham FC's old ground at Valley Parade and quickly established themselves in English football. Their golden era came almost immediately: Bradford City won promotion to the First Division in 1908 and, in 1911, captured their greatest prize when they lifted the FA Cup at Old Trafford, defeating Newcastle United 1-0 in a replay. That trophy, won under captain Jimmy Speirs, remains the only major honour in the club's cabinet. The decades that followed brought a long, slow decline through the divisions. The club spent much of the post-war period languishing in the lower leagues, occasionally rising to the Second Division but never recapturing former glories. The darkest chapter came on 11 May 1985, when the Valley Parade fire claimed the lives of 56 supporters during a match against Lincoln City – a tragedy that forever changed English football's approach to stadium safety. From that heartbreak rose a determined club. Under manager Paul Jewell, Bradford achieved the unthinkable: promotion to the Premier League in 1999. The following season produced one of football's great escapes, with David Wetherall's header against Liverpool on the final day securing top-flight survival. Financial collapse followed the second relegation, and the club entered administration twice. Yet the Bantams kept fighting, producing astonishing cup runs including the 2013 League Cup final and famous wins over Arsenal and Chelsea. Local rivalries with Leeds United and Huddersfield Town continue to fire the passions of the West Yorkshire faithful.

Bradford City's history is studded with remarkable footballers who became legends in claret and amber. Stuart McCall stands as perhaps the greatest of them all – a fiercely committed midfielder whose two spells as a player and time as manager made him synonymous with the club. McCall captained the side that reached the Premier League and remains a beloved figure at Valley Parade. Bobby Campbell holds the record as the club's all-time top scorer with 143 goals across two spells in the late 1970s and 1980s, a striker whose name still echoes around the stadium. The Premier League era brought stars to Bradford including the mercurial Benito Carbone, the elegant Stan Collymore, and Dean Saunders, whose flair captured the imagination during the brief top-flight adventure. David Wetherall, scorer of that immortal goal against Liverpool, became a defensive cornerstone and later took caretaker charge. Goalkeeper Matt Clarke and the prolific Lee Mills also defined that incredible era. Earlier generations remember Bobby Ham, Ces Podd – the club's record appearance holder – and Jimmy Speirs, the FA Cup winning captain who tragically died in the First World War. Managers have shaped the club too: Paul Jewell engineered the Premier League promotion, while Phil Parkinson masterminded the magical 2013 League Cup run that took the Bantams to Wembley as a fourth-tier club. Each of these figures contributed chapters to a rich and emotional Bradford City story.

The Bradford City shirt is one of English football's most visually striking garments. The claret and amber vertical stripes have been worn since 1903, inspired by Manningham Rugby Club's colours, making the Bantams unique in the Football League. Early shirts were simple cotton designs with laced collars, evolving through the decades into iconic kits. The 1980s brought polyester revolutions with sponsors like Bradford & Bingley appearing across the chest. The 1988-89 home shirt, manufactured by Bukta, remains a fan favourite. The 1990s saw Asics produce some particularly cherished kits, including the shirt worn during the 1999 promotion campaign. The Premier League era shirts by Asics and later Diadora are arguably the most collectible, featuring JCT600 and other local sponsors – the iconic 1999-2000 home jersey is the holy grail for many. Memorable away kits have included sky blue, white, and even daring black-and-yellow combinations. Modern collectors particularly seek the early 2000s shirts that combine premier league pedigree with classic striping. We currently have 19 retro Bradford City shirts available, perfect for any serious collector.