The Bantams' crowdfunding campaign for new changing rooms and a new big screen closed on Friday night. After some large offline contributions last week and a final push from City fans, the #UpgradeTheParade campaign has raised enough funds for both projects to go ahead!
The online total stands at over £150,000 with some significant offline contributions as well.
It has been an incredible campaign with some amazing once-in-a-lifetime rewards from signed shirts to playing on the Valley Parade pitch and even a night to watch and meet Dynamo with some Bantams players!
Tifosy, the company helping the club run the campaign, wanted to say 'thank you' to the Bradford City fans.
“On behalf of everyone at Tifosy we want to say thank you to all the Bantams fans for such an incredible campaign! The total raised truly is an amazing achievement and it is all down to the commitment and enthusiasm of all the fans who took part in and supported the campaign.
"We know everyone has loved the opportunity to get some once in a lifetime Bradford memorabilia and memories which would not have been normally available. Seeing messages of thanks from fans makes it all worth while to know that we have made a difference.
"It has been a pleasure to work with and help the club and the fans. We hope that everyone enjoys the new big screen and that the players enjoy their new changing rooms."
The new big screen will replace the old scoreboard and it means fans can see re-runs of old games, watch highlights and get messages from the club, the manager and the players. Advertising revenue from the screen will also give the club another source of income for years to come.
The changing rooms have been in much need of renovation for some time and were now at the risk of not meeting Football League standards for next season. This campaign has meant the club could renovate them without eating into other budgets.
James Mason, Bradford City’s Chief Operating Officer, talks about the impact of the campaign and also thanks the fans for their support.
He said: "The campaign has gone really well and I'm delighted that we as a group of Bradford City fans have achieved our aims for the football club's future. Neither the changing rooms or the scoreboard will score goals or save penalties but they will improve the facilities for the players and the scoreboard will provide a better match day experience for the fans for many years to come.
"The 'Upgrade The Parade' campaign has given the fans a chance to get more involved with the club and feel like they have personally made a clear difference. When the big screen is up and running, fans that contributed can rightly say “I helped put that there. I did my bit.
"Through this campaign we simply used a commercial venture to achieve funds for two distinct projects. We exercised our brand power and realised there is a real appetite for memorabilia from former players, as evidenced with the brilliant 'Legends' evening to the many signed shirts and photos of iconic moments.
"The rewards and experiences on offer have also created a closer bond between fan and club with some having the opportunity to meet players and spend time with them at concerts, curry evenings and even be in the squad photo! Some of these opportunities may never happen again!
"The big screen and the new changing rooms will show that Bradford is a club that is ready to go to the next level and that is all down to the fans. The screen opens up a number of new opportunities.
"Obviously we can now offer a dynamic commercial opportunity to both local and national companies but as an educational and entertainment tool also. For example imagine the NHS having the opportunity to get a key message out to 20,000 pairs of eyes before kick off or the Football League educating young children on anti-bullying and anti-discrimination campaigns.
"The power of this is undoubted. Not to mention the special birthday messages from players to your loved ones.
"I want to personally thank all the fans who got involved and contributed as well as the staff here at Bradford and at Tifosy who have worked so hard to make it a success!”