The Origins of Bradford City

By David Pendleton

Chapter 12: Death of a Hero

1896-97

Optimism abounded at Valley Parade as Manningham prepared to defend their Northern Union title. In some quarters there was even talk of a League and Cup double!

The Paraders shot out of the blocks. Any doubts that Manningham could match the exploits of the previous season were forgotten when they defeated arch-rivals Bradford 10-3 at Park Avenue and went top of the League. Bradford drew first blood, but Manningham were soon level and just before half time George Lorimer ran in a try "amidst the frantic cheers of the visiting supporters" who made up a good proportion of the 16,000 crowd. In a rough second half Lorimer dropped a goal to seal the Paraders victory.

Off the field the club held a four-day bazaar to help the club finally pay off the debts incurred during the construction of Valley Parade. Yorkshire cricketer FS Jackson opened the bazaar at the Belle Vue barracks. Stalls decked out in the colours of all the leading rugby clubs drew in the crowds. A 30 strong ‘claret and amber minstrel trope’ added to the fun. The event was a huge success and raised a staggering £674.

The New Year saw the top two clubs do battle at Valley Parade. The majority of the 14,000 crowd left disappointed as Brighouse narrowly defeated Manningham 7-3. The following week Brighouse gained top spot, but Manningham snatched it back when they defeated Bramley at Valley Parade. The victory was achieved without the talismanic George Lorimer who was confined to his bed with illness. At first it wasn’t considered serious, but in early February typhoid was diagnosed, causing serious concern. Manningham supporters began calling at the Bavaria pub - where Manningham secretary Ike Newton was landlord - to get the latest on George’s condition.

On 6 February Bradford won the return derby at Valley Parade 8-0 in front of 15,000 fans. The defeat was overshadowed by the shock announcement of the death of George Lorimer. In the early hours of 8 February Manningham president James Freeman, Tony Fattorini and Ike Newton were at his bedside. George was living with his brother John - a former footballer - at 40 Springcliffe Street, Manningham. At 5am George died aged only 24. His death sent shock waves through not only his community, but throughout the Northern Union game.

His funeral two days later on 10 February 1897 became a public event, the like of which Manningham had never seen. Hundreds of mourners walked in front of the horse drawn hearse. The procession began in Springcliffe Street at 2.30pm. All along the route, blinds were drawn and businesses closed as a mark of respect. Around 8,000 lined the route along Heaton Road, Parkside Road, Wilmer Road and up Emm Lane to Heaton Baptist Chapel.

The procession was led by Manningham members, followed by representatives of public bodies, the Yorkshire Senior Competition, Bradford FC committee and players, Manningham players and committee, the hearse and finally carriages for the chief mourners.

The Manningham players wore a claret and amber badge, made up of crape and ribbons - they were later dropped one by one into the grave. Eight of George’s team-mates acted as bearers. The former Manningham player Eddie Holmes was the undertaker. George was interred in the family grave in Heaton Baptist Burial Ground. There was talk of the club erecting a memorial over his grave, instead a ‘Lorimer cot’ was provided in Bradford’s Children’s Hospital.

The club was said to be in a state of total depression. Despite this they returned to the top of the table when a weakened team defeated Hull 9-5. However, defeats at Halifax and Batley meant that Manningham had to win their last game of the season and hope that Brighouse tripped up in order to retain the Championship. The Paraders won a heart stopping game against Leeds Parish Church at Valley Parade 6-5. The victory was only secured with a flurry of points in the last five minutes. Alas it was all in vain, Brighouse snatched the title from the Paraders grasp with victory at Bramley. The league table makes frustrating reading.

The inaugural Northern Union Cup (now the Rugby League Challenge Cup) commenced the following week. Though they cruised past Dunkinfield in round one, it seems that their hearts weren’t in it. A 7-0 defeat at Wigan ended their season and, as the Bradford Daily Telegraph lamented, "it was a poor way to wind up six months brilliant work."

Football returned to Valley Parade on 3 April with the Bradford Schools Competition Semi-finals. Back to back games saw Lilycroft draw 1-1 with Chapel Street, immediately afterwards Whetley Lane defeated Lorne Street 1-0. A mens game followed with the hosting of the West Yorkshire Cup Final on 10 April. Hunslet defeated Halifax 4-2. The new game was steadily gaining a foothold in Bradford. Tony Fattorini was on the committee of the West Yorkshire Football Association representing a club named Manningham. Though they were affiliated throughout the 1896/97 season, their results were not reported in the local press.

Manningham’s annual meeting was a sombre affair. It was widely acknowledged that the death of George Lorimer, and serious workplace accident to Tom Wilkinson, had cost them the League title. There was genuine sadness at the untimely death of Lorimer. He was held in high and affectionate esteem by all at Valley Parade.

Off the field the condemnation of the grandstand - brought to Valley Parade from Carlisle Road - caused the club to spend £260 terracing the whole of the top side (South Parade) of the ground as a replacement. A further £100 was spent on new turnstiles. However, the successful bazaar, and gate receipts of £1250 19s, had allowed all the clubs liabilities to be paid off.

Chapter One: Genesis (1872-80)

Chapter Two: Carlisle Road (1880-86)

Chapter Three: Valley Parade's first season (1886-87)

Chapter Four: Death On The Midland Road (1887-9)

Chapter Five: For Club and Country (1889-90)

Chapter Six: Trouble At The Mill (1890-91)

Chapter Seven: Football Begins to Cast Its Shadow (1891-92)

Chapter Eight: Semi-Finalists and League Pioneers (1892-93)

Chapter Nine: Champions! (1893-94)

Chapter Ten: The Last Season of Rugby Union (1894-95)

Chapter Eleven: Champions of the Rugby League (1895-96)

Chapter Thirteen: Dark Clouds Gather (1897-98)

Chapter Fourteen: Financial Woes (1898-99)

Chapter Fifteen: The Price of Prudence (1899 -1900)

Chapter Sixteen: Football's Inexorable Rise (1900 -1901)

Chapter Seventeen: Breakaway Threatens the Future (1901 -1902)

Chapter Eighteen: The Metamorphosis of Manningham (1902-03)

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