City’s ‘Take Me Home’ campaign won gold in the Best Club Marketing Initiative category - at this year’s Football Business Awards on Friday.
Held at London's The Brewery last week, the awards celebrate outstanding performances in football media, marketing, business and technology departments, and are in their 10th year.
The Bantams were nominated for their 2021/22 season-ticket campaign, ahead of the first season with supporters back inside the Utilita Energy Stadium following the COVID-19 pandemic, pipping a host of top-flight sides to the prize.
‘Take Me Home’ was led by a moving video, focussing on an older supporter who - having not been able to attend matches since March 2020 - is making his way back to BD8.
Along the way, he encounters fellow Bantams who are also returning to Valley Parade, all accompanied by an emotionally-produced instrumental version of a City favourite, ‘Take Me Home’ - having received permission from BMG Rights Management Limited.
City finished ahead of second-placed Aston Villa and third-placed Rangers, also beating other entries from Leeds United, Chelsea, Fulham and Norwich City.
Other winners across the 18 categories on the evening, which was hosted by esteemed broadcaster Colin Murray, included Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur, Southampton, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Brighton and Hove Albion, Swansea City and Wigan Athletic.
City's director of brand, marketing and media, Luke Flacks (picture above, holding the trophy second from left), said: "Winning this award is huge testament to all of the staff who work tirelessly behind the scenes at the club every day.
"To be competing against the likes of Aston Villa, Rangers and Chelsea for this award shows the positive strides we are making as a club off the field.
"While we are all delighted to see our campaign recognised externally, the real reward for us was seeing nearly 13,000 season-ticket holders - and over 17,500 supporters in total - pack into Valley Parade for 'The Homecoming' against Oldham Athletic back in August.
"We look forward to experiencing that atmosphere again, when Mark Hughes leads his team out in July."
On behalf of the Football Business Awards 2022: "The judges said this was a brilliantly-creative and well-executed campaign that achieved outstanding results given its limited budget.
"It focused on the human side of Covid, not simply in a sporting context. An excellent piece of work."
For more information on the Football Business Awards 2022, including a full list of winners, please CLICK HERE.