Bradford City AFC-Bradford varsity deal

Article posted by Coliseum, August 5^th, 2022

Image: Bradford City AFC

The League Two team Bradford City AFC (UK) and the University of Bradford are delighted to announce a new, long-term partnership set to unlock community opportunities – and see the official launch of the University of Bradford Stadium.

‘Bradford City AFC’ stated that it means the Bantams’ Valley Parade home will, from today (July 27^th), be referred to exclusively as the University of Bradford Stadium until at least the end of the 2025-2026 campaign, with a four-year investment signifying a commitment to improving social and economic mobility across the Bradford district.

The Bradford City Association Football Club is an English professional football club in Bradford, West Yorkshire (UK). The team compete in League Two, the fourth tier of the English football league system, and are managed by Mark Hughes.

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The 25,136-capacity Valley Parade, known as the University of Bradford Stadium for sponsorship reasons, is an all-seater football stadium in Bradford, West Yorkshire, England (UK), and serves as the residence of Bradford City AFC.

The University of Bradford is a public research university located in the City of Bradford, West Yorkshire, England.

Put in Professor Shirley Congdon, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Bradford, “Bradford City’s values and vision closely align with those of the University of Bradford. Our focus is on making a difference and changing lives through equality of opportunity. We are committed to social inclusion and making a positive impact on the society. This partnership with Bradford City is a way to build pride in Bradford and benefit the local community, and the club will also be able to harness our strengths in research and innovation.”

Added Congdon, “We are excited to see what opportunities for social and economic inclusion in the local community this partnership brings.”

Noted Davide Longo, City’s Chief Commercial Officer, “We are delighted to be announcing the launch of the University of Bradford Stadium, and the beginning of a partnership with the University of Bradford, which is hugely significant on many levels. This agreement is one we feel has been a long time in the making, with another of the proud City’s key pillars, and a relationship which we hope will help unlock many doors for people across the district, while strengthening ties and creating further opportunities for both parties in the City.”

Added Longo, “With a firm vision to improving social and economic inclusion in Bradford, and changing lives through equal opportunities, the deal represents another huge step in the right direction for us as a club. It will hopefully add to the fantastic work being done by so many people across the City which, after being named 2025 City of Culture, is in a very exciting place. There are many layers to this partnership which align with our core values, including the potential to work alongside the University to harness some of its finest young talent, and nurture individuals who will go on to do great things in the City, through a wide variety of different opportunities.”

Continued Longo, “From its inception, it will form part of a wider strategic approach towards sustainability, with the University assisting us on our journey towards achieving carbon neutrality. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Vice-Chancellor Professor Shirley Congdon for her help and ambition in bringing to life a partnership which we still have so much more to see from.”

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