Bradford City Association Football Club were formed in 1903 and were elected into the Second Division before they had even played a game. Bradford City and Chelsea, in 1905, remain the only teams to be elected into the league before playing a competitive fixture. The club were promoted to the First Division when they won the Second Division title in 1907âÂÂ08. In 1910âÂÂ11 the club recorded their highest league position of fifth and also won their only major honour when captain Jimmy Speirs lifted the FA Cup after he scored the only goal to defeat Newcastle United 1âÂÂ0 in the final replay. Bradford City's honours also include the Third Division North title in 1928âÂÂ29 and the Third Division crown in 1984âÂÂ85, as well as the Third Division North Challenge Cup in 1938âÂÂ39.
Bradford City have spent two seasons in the Premier League. In 1999âÂÂ2000, they avoided relegation with just 36 points, then a record low to stay up, after defeating Liverpool 1âÂÂ0 in the final game with a headed goal from David Wetherall. The club have won promotion in a total of eight seasons and been relegated on ten occasions; three relegations in the previous seven seasons meant the 2007âÂÂ08 season was their first in the fourth tier in 26 years. Bradford City have also played in European competition when they took one of England's two places in the Intertoto Cup in 2000. They defeated FK Atlantas and RKC Waalwijk before being knocked out by FC Zenit Saint Petersburg in the semi-finals.
Seasons
Key
- P = Played
- W = Games won
- D = Games drawn
- L = Games lost
- F = Goals for
- A = Goals against
- Pts = Points
- Pos = Final position
- PR = Preliminary Round
- 4Q = Fourth Qualifying Round
- IR = Intermediate Round
- R1 = Round 1
- R2 = Round 2
- R3 = Round 3
- R4 = Round 4
- R5 = Round 5
- R32 = Round of 32
- QF = Quarter-finals
- QF/N = Quarter-finals â Northern Section
- SF = Semi-finals
- SF/N = Semi-finals â Northern Section
- RU = Runners-up
- W = Winners
Division shown in bold when it changes due to promotion or relegation. Top scorer shown in bold with when he set or equalled a club record.
Footnotes
A. : The League Cup was founded in the 1960âÂÂ61 season.
B. : Figures include goals in the Football and Premier Leagues, FA Cup, League Cup, European competitions, playoffs, Full Members Cup, Football League Trophy, Football League Group Cup and the Football League Third Division North Challenge Cup.
C. : Bradford City were elected to the Second Division for the 1903âÂÂ04 season.
D. : The Football League Third Division North Cup ran from the 1933âÂÂ34 season until 1945âÂÂ46 season.
E. : The 1939âÂÂ40 season was abandoned in early September and all results annulled, after only three matches had been played.
F. : All FA Cup ties in 1945âÂÂ46 were played on a two legged basis.
G. : The club successfully applied for re-election to the Football League.
H. : Bradford City were placed in the Third Division on league reorganization.
I. : Accrington Stanley resigned from the league after playing 33 matches. Their results were declared void, omitted from the calculation of the final league table and their league record expunged.
J. : David Layne's 36 goals, 34 in the league and two in the FA Cup, remain a club record.
K. : The 1981âÂÂ82 season saw the introduction of three points for a win.
L. : The Football League Group Cup was founded in the 1981âÂÂ82 season and lasted just two seasons.
M. : The Football League Trophy was founded in the 1983âÂÂ84 season.
N. : Record includes a 0âÂÂ0 draw against Lincoln City which was abandoned after 40 minutes due to a fire in the main stand. The result at the time was ordered to stand by the Football League.
O. : The Full Members Cup was founded in the 1985âÂÂ86 season and lasted until the 1991âÂÂ92 season.
P. : Lost in play-off semi-finals to Middlesbrough.
Q. : The Third Division was renamed the Second Division following the advent of the Premier League.
R. : Promoted via play-offs after defeating Notts County 2âÂÂ0 in the final.
S. : The Second Division was renamed League One following the advent of the Championship.
T. : Promoted via play-offs after defeating Northampton 3âÂÂ0 in the final.
U. : Lost to Swansea City in the Final.
V. : Lost in play-off semi-finals to Millwall.
W. : Lost in play-off final to Millwall.
X. : Lost in play-off semi-finals to Carlisle United.
References
Sources