Family link recalled for Bantams' anniversary

THE granddaughter of Bradford City Football Club’s first chairman will be watching her first football match at Valley Parade on Saturday – more than century after her grandfather retired as boss.

Mary Needham, 79, the granddaughter of Alfred Ayrton, is an invited guest when Bradford City take on Oxford United.

Mrs Needham recently donated an illuminated silver presentation case to Bradford Council’s Museums and Galleries that was given to her grandfather when he retired as Bradford City chairman in 1907 together with his portrait in oils.

The case was made by Fattorini’s of Bradford and signed by board members at the time.

The silver case will be one of many objects on display in the exhibition – Bradford City 1911 When the FA Cup Came Home – which is due to open at Bradford Industrial Museum on March 19 next year.

The year marks the centenary of Bradford City's FA Cup winning season.

The exhibition will show how the team, officials, supporters and wider community played their part in one of the most famous triumphs in Bradford's history.

On Saturday, at 2pm, the Bantamspast Museum is presenting a talk about Alfred Ayrton’s significance to the club.

Councillor the Rev Paul Flowers, Bradford Council’s portfolio holder with responsibility for culture, tourism and sport, said: “The FA Cup victory was a great part in the club’s history and that of the city.

“This exhibition will be a great reminder of this event with some remarkable items on display.”

The 1911 FA Cup final was against Newcastle United but a first meeting resulted in a goalless draw at Crystal Palace.

A single goal by Jimmy Speirs won the honour for Bradford at the replay at Old Trafford in front of 58,000 fans while just over 69,000 watched the game at Crystal Palace.

Spiers went to lift a new trophy – appropriately it too had been made by Bradford jewellers Fattorini’s.