Funded by Bradford Council with the support of Heritage Lottery Fund, we look into the history of one of Yorkshire’s most important outgrounds – Bradford Park Avenue.
We are delighted to present the following exhibition and oral interview series that explore the rich history of Park Avenue and its role in Bradford life.
First built in 1880, the Park Avenue ground has thrived as a place for community engagement. Sport in Bradford provided a distraction from the poor living and working conditions of the rapidly growing city during the Industrial Revolution. The unique architecture of the ground was a symbol of pride and local identity. Cricket gave new migrants to Bradford a way to build support networks and Park Avenue continues to engage with Bradford’s vast and diverse community today.
An autographed programme. Image courtesy of Richard Griffiths
Discover the rich history of Park Avenue through the memories and stories of the people of Bradford. Click the audio link to hear more and look for ‘What makes Park Avenue special’:
During the Industrial Revolution, Bradford grew into a major manufacturing centre. Workers and their families moved to Bradford to find employment and the rapid increase in people meant that many lived in poor conditions. The first elected Town Council in 1847 worked to improve living conditions and sanitation. Public parks were created and sports like cricket, rugby, and football thrived within the city.
Bradford Cricket Club was founded in the year 1836 and played at various sites before finally finding a home on land at Park Avenue. Bradford Football Club was formed in 1863, but the name was later changed to Bradford Rugby Football Club in 1866. During 1879, both teams merged to create a multi-sport ground at Park Avenue named Bradford Cricket, Athletic and Football Club.
In 1895 there was a ‘Great Split’ in rugby, meaning that two different forms of rugby were created; rugby league and rugby union. In 1907 the football club chairman Harry Briggs led on a plan to change to association football rather than rugby. The rugby club became Bradford Northern and Bradford Park Avenue Football Club was born.
Copyright: Bradford Museums Photo Archive (Bradford District Museums & Galleries)
Celebrating Bradford Park Avenue Sports Ground – The Yorkshire County Cricket Club
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