As part of our #TeamTwenty Campaign, we’ve been asking our supporters to send in their stories about why they purchased a 2017/18 Season Ticket. In this today's edition, we’ve been speaking to John Atkinson, a Bantams fan for almost 50 years.
Here is what John had to say:
“I started watching City during the 1968/69 season. At that time I was living in Scotland, studying at Dundee Art College and had been placed on a month’s industrial experience in the design studio of a printers in Bradford as part of my coursework.''
''I was only supposed to be at the firm for a month but thankfully they offered me a full time job and I’ve lived in the Bradford area ever since.''
''Within the company I had joined, there were a number of Bradford City supporters and very soon I became a regular visitor to Valley Parade. That season was particularly good as they were on a promotion run and I remember travelling up to the final match of the season at Darlington, who were rivals for the last promotion place out of the old Division Four.''
''Thankfully we gained a 3-1 away win and I was part of a very happy car load of City fans travelling back home down the A1.''
''From that season onwards I’ve been hooked and followed City through their numerous ups and downs, twists and turns, tragedies and triumphs.''
''In 1973 I married a local lass from Bradford and when our two youngsters were of an age to be taken to matches they accompanied me to home games. We were usually in the long thin Midland Road stand of the time which could only hold around 10 rows deep of spectators along its full length.''
''Once they became teenagers inevitably their interests broadened and they decided to spend their time doing other things. My daughter Jaki was the one who hung on the longest, still going to matches occasionally when we achieved promotion to the Premier League. Now she has an 8-year-old son Edward, he is a real sporty type, playing for his school football team and is a keen follower of the game.''
''For a Christmas present this last year I treated my daughter and grandson to a pre-match meal in the Legends Suite at Valley Parade.
They thoroughly enjoyed the experience, having the meal, seeing past and present players and having photographs taken with the Man of the Match, Josh Cullen afterwards. To top it off we also beat Chesterfield 2-0, a perfect afternoon!''
''Edward now seems very taken with it all so for his birthday this February I bought him a City Shirt and they’ve both been to a few more matches since. He’s quickly becoming a committed fan.''
''When the club introduced the massively discounted rates in an effort to bring in new fans and try to fill the stadium for each home match then it became a complete no-brainer. Why would anyone not renew when you would only be paying around £6.50 per match over the season?!''
''With it only being £149 for Jaki and £5 for Edward to become new season ticket holders, I congratulate the club’s commitment to increasing the local fan base, bringing new youngsters into the club before they become tempted by the bigger out of town teams. After all I myself have proved that once you’re hooked on a team then more often than not you’re with them for the rest of your life.''
We’d love to get 20,000 Season Ticket Holders. You can purchase yours online at teamtwenty.co.uk or in person at the Ticket Office.
. www.facebook.com/thebantamsWe want to hear your stories, if you’d like to share your #TeamTwenty story, please contact us on our Social Media Channels - (Twitter) @officialbantams and (Facebook)
You can also email us oncommercial@bradfordcityfc.co.uk.