“To be doing the first round draw in Bradford, a city with such a tie to the competition is really special, especially 10 years on from City’s run to the quarter-finals and incredible win at Chelsea. Let’s hope we get some upsets of similar size this season.” — Alex Kay-Jelski, Director of BBC Sport
Date Published: September 23, 2024 — The BBC will host the FA Cup first round draw in Bradford next month. The city was selected for its historical links with the FA Cup and to recognise the fact it will be Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture in 100 days.
The famous trophy was designed and manufactured by Fattorini’s of Bradford in 1911 – coincidentally the only year the Bantams have won the competition.
Bradford City beat Newcastle United 1-0 in the FA Cup final replay and the cup itself was used for 81 years until1992.
An exact replica of Fattorini’s design was made in 1992, in order to protect the original 1911 Cup and to allow fans more access to the new trophy. In 2014, a heavier version of the Cup, with the same dimensions and design, was introduced to make it sturdier against wear and tear.
The first round is the stage when 48 EFL clubs from Leagues One and Two (including Bradford City) enter the competition, to join the remaining 32 non-league sides.
The main FA Cup draw programme will take place at Bradford’s Valley Parade stadium on Monday 14 October and is due to be on BBC Two from 7pm-7.30pm that evening.
Alex Kay-Jelski says: “To be doing the first round draw in Bradford, a city with such a tie to the competition is really special, especially 10 years on from City’s run to the quarter-finals and incredible win at Chelsea. Let’s hope we get some upsets of similar size this season.”
Katrina Bunker, BBC Head of Yorkshire, says: “It’s really exciting to see such a big moment in the sporting calendar coming to Bradford.
“In the UK City of Culture year, It’s really important that Bradford gets celebrated not just locally but on the national and international stage and what better way to start than with the big FA Cup draw.”
Shanaz Gulzar, Creative Director Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture, says: “In the lead up to next year’s UK City of Culture, we’re proud to be playing a part in one of the key moments of the sporting calendar coming to Bradford.
“The FA Cup is of real significance to our city, given the trophy was designed and manufactured in 1911 by Fattorini and Sons of Bradford, and we’re pleased to put the spotlight on Valley Parade, a place that means so much to the people of our district.”
Chris Kamara, broadcaster, ex-Bradford City player and manager, said: “I am pleased for Bradford… During City of Culture 2021, I did a little piece to help Bradford’s campaign – a small video. Whether that helped at all, I don’t know!
“We’ve got some exciting things between myself and BBC Radio Leeds during the run up to City of Culture 2025. Watch this space.”
The BBC is committed to supporting Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture throughout the year and in June it was announced the BBC would be an official broadcast partner.
This means there will be unforgettable coverage across BBC local and national TV, BBC iPlayer, Radio, BBC Sounds and Online bringing audiences together to celebrate Bradford.
The BBC also announced in June a series of new content across arts, education, and factual for the city’s momentous year. This included the 2025 final of the New Comedy Awards, Contains Strong Language poetry festival, a Countryfile special, and the BBC Bitesize Schools Tour.
Further announcements about new BBC content, events and coverage of the celebrations will follow soon.
Source
BBC TWO
