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1940s Christmas Greetings from the Lord Mayor, Cecil Barrett, 1944 Though the club was fortunate not to suffer the terrible human losses of the Great War, its very existence was in grave doubt throughout the dark days of the Second World War. Had it not been for the efforts of chairman, manager, chief scout and bottle washer Bob Sharp, the club would have undoubtedly folded. For much of the conflict Valley Parade was requisitioned by the Army. However, City had access on matchdays, but the games were little more than morale boosters for the civilian population. Avenue star - and City fan - Len Shackleton provided a rare highlight to wartime football. On Christmas Day 1940 he played for Avenue at Leeds in the morning, then turned out for City at Huddersfield in the afternoon - he even managed to score for his beloved Paraders ! Above: 1949
The Bradford derbies continued to draw the crowds; Avenue had managed to keep the bulk of their side together, whilst City's were scattered across the globe serving in the forces. As a result, the wartime derbies were often mis-matches - such as in December 1942 when City lost 10-0 at home to Avenue! Former City player Ernest Tuckett was killed in 1943. The other losses were Alfred Keeling and Sidney Pugh who had 'guested' for City in wartime games. When League football resumed in 1946 a swift return to Division Two was expected. Sadly, such hopes were misplaced. In 1949 City hit a new low when they finished bottom of Division Three (North). It was humbling indeed for a club that had pioneered football in the West Riding and had been the first winners of the present FA Cup. Unfortunately, it was a portent of what was to follow in the post war decades. | ||||
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A History of Bradford City Football Club