University of Bradford staff and students are being encouraged to get behind local side, Bradford (Park Avenue), for this year’s Non-League Football Day on the13th October.
Bradford, who currently occupy fourth spot in the table, will take on fellow high flyers Kidderminster Harriers who are two points ahead in second place.
The club are confident that, with the absence of any Premier League or Championship fixtures, they will be able to double their average attendance on the day.
Chief Executive, Rob Stanley, said: “Non-League day is a chance for people to come along and see what real football is like. Hopefully we will have around 800 people here cheering the team on, as Kidderminster look like one of the teams to beat this year.”
In a further boost, Bradfordian Gareth Roberts, the club’s owner who now lives in Texas, will be flying over for the game at Horsfall Stadium.
Mark Garratt, Director of External Affairs at the University of Bradford, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for everyone to experience the excitement of a live football match. We have thousands of new and returning students on campus and it would be amazing to see them all there embracing the Team Bradford ethos.”
There is also a serious side to Non-League Day, with clubs fundraising to support Prostate Cancer UK. The aim is to raise awareness of a disease which, on average, kills one man every 45 minutes. Last year £15,000 was raised for the charity.
Tickets for the game are £12 for adults and £7 for students, but to encourage attendance both on the day and across the season, there will be some special offers available. Supporters who present a season ticket at the turnstile – regardless of club or sport – will get in for just £5, plus any student who attends on the day can purchase a Bradford Park Avenue season ticket for the discounted price of £10.