Our partnership with Bradford City AFC
About the partner
The partnership with Bradford City AFC (BCAFC) was created to work together on activities and projects that will positively impact the city and its communities.
The partnership has seen the University of Bradford (UoB) become the club’s back of shirt sponsor and the Bantams’ Valley Parade home ground being referred to exclusively as the University of Bradford Stadium until at least the end of the 2025/26 season.
Bradford City AFC Commercial Director, Davide Longo commented "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.”
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 society.
Vice-Chancellor Shirley Congdon
How we work together
The University has been working in collaboration with Bradford City AFC through the University’s Plastic Surgery and Burns Research Unit (PSBRU), since it was founded by Professor David Sharpe following the fire disaster at the club in 1985.
Today, the link between the PSBRU and the football club is still strong whilst the advances in medical knowledge and clinical technique have spread well beyond Bradford.
The partnership with Bradford City AFC focuses on how we work together to benefit the communities of Bradford. This has included:
- Secondary school students in the district have taken part in the University’s STEM Programme. Students between the ages of 13 – 15 have received English and Maths tutoring alongside football sessions delivered by BCAFC to help improve their GCSE grades.
- The unveiling of the University of Bradford Stadium and the University become the football club’s back of the shirt sponsor.
- A group of Film and TV Production students visited the Bradford City AFC’s training ground to create a feature called Lights, Camera, Bantams! on the training session and cover the manager’s press conference.
- Students from the International Business, Marketing and Strategy course had the opportunity to do an assignment on the football club. The brief involved writing a digital marketing strategy for BCAFC to attract a younger audience. The top-graded students presented their findings at the Jack Tordoff Boardroom to the club’s Head of Marketing, Luke Flacks and the University’s Vice-Chancellor Professor Shirley Congdon.
What next?
There are many exciting possibilities and plans for the digital visuals, so keep your eyes peeled for updates.
- Our first physiotherapy student will be completing a placement with the club in March 2024, gaining hands-on experience with athletes alongside industry professionals. Students will be able to experience the complete journey of an athlete throughout the year and gain experience of working with a professional football club.
- The University’s Archaeology department is going to create a digital copy of the University of Bradford stadium.
