The Telegraph & Argus is celebrating the success of its Save Our City Appeal with the news that Bradford City FC will definitely kick off the new football season.

The paper launched the appeal to keep the club in business with its own £10,000 donation on May 14 and has helped raise a total of more than £250,000.

Almost £100,000 of that money came from a Pro-Celebrity All Stars game which was organised by the T&A.

Bradford City have now been cleared by the FA to begin their Coca Cola League One campaign on August 7 and efforts are being made to bring the club out of administration.

Chief executive Julian Rhodes has also injected a further £250,000 into the club – keeping a promise he made to match the sum raised through the T&A's appeal and the Bradford City Supporters' Trust.

T&A editor Perry Austin-Clarke said: "This is a fantastic step forward for the club. It means that all the hard work that fans put in to raise funds for the Save Our City Appeal to keep the club alive during the summer has paid off.

"There is real light at the end of the tunnel and all that is needed now is for City fans to show their ongoing support by turning out in big numbers to back the team in League One."

Businessman Jim Brown, chairman of the steering committee set up to help revive Bradford City, said: "The Telegraph & Argus and the supporters have gone far beyond what anyone could have expected of them and have been absolutely wonderful.

"Without their help, we would not have got anywhere near this situation. I think that, for the first time, we can look forward with a little bit of optimism and real hope, not just with a slim chance of hope."

Back to the campaigns index

Do you have a story about the regional press? Ring 0116 227 3122/3121, or
e-mail pastill@nep.co.uk