Goalscoring hero James Hanson this Thursday (7 February) returned to The Co-operative Food to thank the community for their support and to help launch a special ‘Co-operative Good Luck in the Cup Campaign’.
The Bantams’ ace visited The Co-operative Food in Idle where he once worked, and was welcomed by Co-operative Food on Bradford Road, Thorpe Garth, to launch a special campaign to allow City fans to ‘fly the flag’ in support of the club atWembley.
The Co-operative have produced a giant 20 metres x 20 metres shirt, plus a smaller one and some good luck cards, which will tour Bradford in the lead up to the Final to give the whole city the opportunity to add a good luck message. Match Commentary partners, The Pulse of West Yorkshire, are partners in the programme. The signed shirts will be presented to the Friends of Bradford City ahead of the Cup Final.
The giant shirt will be paraded around the pitch at the Coral Windows Stadium during the half time interval of this Saturday's home fixture with Gillingham to give fans their first glimpse of it.
John Briddon, Regional Stores Director for The Co-operative Food, store staff and customers gave James a hero’s welcome at his former workplace. John said: “We are delighted to welcome James back to The Co-operative Food. At The Co-operative, we pride ourselves on supporting the local community, and our ‘Co-operative Good Luck in the Cup Campaign’ will give all Bantams fans and Co-operative customers the chance to wish everyone at the Club well on this momentous day!”
The Co-operative Group is a long-standing supporter of the football club, sponsoring the main stand at Valley Parade.
James added: “The fans have been tremendous all season, and this is a great way for everyone to pass on their support to us. Seeing it will remind us it’s carrying the luck and best wishes of the whole West Yorkshire community. Thanks to The Co-operative for doing this for the fans and the players – we all really appreciate their help in bringing this football community together.”
For the next two weeks, ‘The Co-operative Good Luck in the Cup’ flag will tour the city, visiting local schools, businesses and other public places to allow as many people as possible to sign the shirt.