Arguably the most successful manager in the history of Bradford City is Peter O'Rourke. He was signed by previous manager Robert Campbell from Chesterfield in August 1903 and made his debut in City's first ever home game which ended in defeat with Gainsborough Trinity winning 3-1. Born in Newmilns, Scotland in 1876, O'Rourke became the regular centre half and played 49 league and cup games for City scoring once. In October 1905 Robert Campbell left the club by mutual consent and returned to Scotland.

The club committee appointed O'Rourke as temporary player manager in November 1905. He was still the regular centre half and club captain at the time. The following month after the 4-0 F A Cup victory over Darlington, which saw him score his solitary goal for City, O'Rourke decided to retire and handed the captaincy to George Robinson.

He shrewdly built a team capable of chasing promotion to Division One. He was responsible for signing Willie Foulke who was the largest footballer ever to play for City. Probably his best ever signing was his namesake Frank O'Rourke, whom he signed from Airdrieonions in April 1907. Frank O'Rourke would hold the club goalscoring record until it was broken by Bobby Campbell.

The following season (1907-08) City won the second division Championship, the first bit of silverware. The pinnacle of Peter O'Rourke's spell as manager came in 1910-11. City ended the season in fifth place of the First Division, their highest ever finish, and he led them to victory over Newcastle United in the F A Cup Final.

Jimmy Speirs scored the only goal of the replay following a 0-0 draw in the original game. O'Rourke guided the club through the turbulent War years. He lost a son in Newfoundland in 1919 which would affect him terribly. In June 1921 he resigned his position and moved to Wales for a short spell. When City were in dire straits following two relegations, they again turned to Peter O'Rourke to help them out of the Third Division North.

He was re appointed manager in May 1928 when City had just averted the threat of liquidation. He duly obliged and led City to promotion in his first season. City scored 128 league goals which is the highest ever total of goals scored in the Third Division, a record which still stands. Having consolidated in the Second Division O'Rourke once more resigned in May 1930.

He had brief spells as manager of Walsall and Llanelli before retiring in 1933. Peter O'Rourke died in January 1956 aged 82.