The Glory Fades

1920s

Football resumed in 1919, though the club had suffered grievously, the first eleven was virtually unchanged. Finances had been stretched in the war years as, unlike many clubs, City honoured the players' contracts.

In 1922 City were relegated to Division Two and by 1927 the famous Cup winners had sunk into Division Three. Attendances slumped, leaving little in the coffers to reverse the slide. In response to a financial crisis in October 1927 the supporters organised a carnival and bazaar - as well as precious funds, it raised morale and over 10,000 copies of the handbook were sold.

It seemed to be a watershed, as the following year City stormed to the Third Division Championship, scoring a record . The following season back in Division Two was a struggle, though City survived by a single point, the renowned attack had only scored half the goals of the previous campaign and the defence was the worst in the division. The squad desperately required strengthening. Sadly, as the decade came to a close, iconic manager Peter O'Rourke resigned in frustration when the directors refused to sanction signings

A City team of 1928

A season ticket for would have cost a 'Gent' £1 1s (£1.05)

O'Rourke is still the most successful manager in the club's history. After leaving Valley Parade he briefly managed Walsall and Llanelly, but returned to Bradford in 1933 when he retired from football. He retired to 45 Burlington Terrace, yards from Valley Parade. He died there in 1956 aged 82.

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