Bradford City Promoted to League One After Six-Year Wait

Bradford City achieved a dramatic promotion to League One after a last-minute victory over Fleetwood Town, ending a six-year wait and sparking ecstatic celebrations among fans. The turning point in the club's fortunes came with the appointment of Graham Alexander in November 2023, whose pragmatic leadership and connection to the community inspired a work-hard mentality reflective of Bradford's roots. Despite a difficult period in March 2024 marked by a heavy defeat and dwindling playoff hopes, Alexander and the club's board stayed the course, appointing David Sharpe as head of football operations and solidifying a new blueprint for success. Home form improved significantly, making Valley Parade a fortress and drawing large crowds, with 24,000 fans attending the promotion-clinching match. The day was also marked by remembrance, as supporters and club figures honored the 56 victims of the 1985 Bradford City fire with a special performance at halftime. The collective joy of promotion was thus intertwined with a poignant sense of history and community remembrance.