Odsal Stadium (above) houses a raft of historic artefacts. Image © Betty Longbottom
In the 76 years since Bradford's Odsal Stadium was converted from a tip into a sports arena, the rugby amphitheatre has seen enough twists and turns to match any of the pulsating games it has witnessed.
It hosted religious festivals and coronation pageants during the Second World War, turning one of the dressing rooms into a map room as it became the Air Raid Communications Centre for the North of England, and acting as a home for the Dig for Britain and.
Having resumed normal service, it smashed the world record for the largest rugby crowd of all time – 102,569 for a Challenge Cup final between Warrington and Halifax in 1954 – and became Bradford City Football Club's homeground in 1985 and 1986 in the aftermath of the tragic Valley Parade fire.
Fiona Spears form the Heritage Lottery Fund and Ryan Duckett, Chairman of the Bradford Bulls Foundation, at the Past Time Project launch at Odsal Stadium
More recently a series of developments have seen sections of it spruced up with a range of corporate new facilities, but the Bradford Bulls Foundation is aiming to look back on the past of the famous old ground after winning a £200,000 Lottery grant to support a three-year project, Past Times, which will unite the West Yorkshire Archives Service and Huddersfield University.
"Odsal Stadium has very strong links with the local community," says Fiona Spiers, Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund for the Yorkshire and the Humber region.
"This project will strengthen them further by engaging people in its fascinating history. People from across the community will be able to volunteer, learn new skills, and play a part in protecting this special slice of their local history for future generations to come."
Children from St Matthew C of E Primary School, Bradford are shown the picture of the World Record Crowd of 102,549 at Odsal Stadium in 1954 at the launch
Key to the scheme is the sporting, cultural and social history of Bradford between the stadium’s construction in 1934 and 1966 – dozens of local schools will attend heritage events and stadium tours documenting the period, with books, websites, displays and hands-on training in conservation techniques helping to preserve the stories told by the stadium’s swathe of artefacts.
"It will be enjoyed by current and future citizens of Bradford and the wider West Yorkshire community," says Ryan Duckett, Chairman of the Foundation.
"We are grateful for the support of all our partners in this initiative. The award will allow us to provide a valuable and unique resource."
Visit the Rugby League Heritage Project for more.
