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CLUB FORMATION
The Bradford & Leeds Branch was formed in 1974 by Andrew Lawrence who was already going to every game, home and away. When the Official Supporters club at Old Trafford suggested he start a branch, an advert was placed in the United Review magazine. The responses flooded in and the Branch was born! Andrew was soon organising coaches to home and away games and even Wembley.
GROWTH
Graham Ward took over 3 years later, after Andrew had unfortunately been injured in a car accident, and became Club Secretary. The Branch continued to grow with 2 coaches going to home games and trips to every away game, which included a memorable excursion to Ajax in Amsterdam, Holland.
THE 1980’s
In the early eighties, as his career as a Pub Landlord blossomed, Graham (Wardy) gradually handed over the reins to Andrew Hampshire. Andrew went on to run the Branch for 10 years, during which time it went from strength to strength.
PASSING THE BATON
In 1995 Andrew resigned to pass the baton over to his brother and sister-in-law, Ian and Sally Hampshire. Ian had first started traveling with the Branch in 1976 and through assisting Andrew over the years he had become a well known figure at the club.
FORMATION OF THE CLUB COMMITTEE
By now running the Branch was almost a full time job. Ian and Sally formed a committee to help with the organisation and appointed an independent auditor for the accounts. The Branch expanded its activities to include Christmas parties, charity fund raising events, Junior Members Trips to The Cliff, Player of the Year Awards and its own newsletter "Red Alert". By this time 3 Coaches were going to every home game, as they do today. Trips to away games are organised but tickets are sometimes in short supply. We also traveled to Champions League games all over Europe, the high-point being the 250 supporters we took to Barcelona for the Final - and not to mention getting them all home safely too!
SILVER JUBILEE '99
The Branch celebrated its Silver Jubilee in 1999, holding a highly successful Dinner and Dance to commemorate this milestone.
From relegation to English, European and Inter Continental Champions, the Branch has seen it all and throughout the years its greatest strength has been the loyalty of the supporters.
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