In May 1999 the Bantams finished as runners-up in the then Nationwide League Division One behind Sunderland and during there first ever Premier League campaign saw them play on nineteen different league grounds; however five have since re-located.
And, by shear amazement the Bantams succeeded in there quest to keep their Premiership status with a 1-0 home victory over Liverpool on the final day of the season. Since then relegation from top flight has crippled the club with spiralling debts which has unfortunately seen them fall to the basement of the Football League in just seven years.
Their second season in top flight wasn't a memorable one and suffered the 'second season syndrome' which occurs in most teams and were relegated in 2001 under the leadership of Bryan Robson. They played at Bramall Lane the following season in the Blades 2,000th home league game (drew 2-2) but failed to make any headway in the league.
The Bantams remained in Division One until 2004 when they were once again relegated, being sent into administration and huge debts meant that promotion wasn't possible and again (in 2007) were relegated to the footnote of the Football League.
However, as I said for those who wish to complete the full 92 grounds; spare a thought for Bradford City fans who by my reckoning, any fan who has seen all of City's home and in particular away matches since the start of that elusive Premiership campaign has seen the West Yorkshire faithful play on 92 (including Valley Parade) football grounds.
These figures of course include Johnstone's Paint Trophy games against Kidderminster Harriers and Morecambe, although the latter has since been elected to the Football League and will face the Bantams this season. On there travels they also came across Torquay United who are the only team since 1999 to drop into non-league for whom they have already played in the league.
Although some teams like Arsenal, Southampton and Coventry City have since re-located, the Bantams were handed the opportunity to visit both Filbert Street and the Walkers Stadium which was and currently is occupied by Leicester City; whilst a visit to the new Stadium:MK (MK Dons) ground is imminent this season.
With this in mind, by the end of the 2007-08 campaign Bradford City will have yet to visit ten grounds, with some new having already visited there previous stadiums.
The missing ten are; Arsenal (Emirates Stadium), Manchester City (City of Manchester Stadium), Blackburn Rovers, Fulham, Bolton Wanderers, Coventry City (Ricoh Arena), Southampton (St. Mary's Stadium), Plymouth Argyle, Queens Park Rangers, Bristol Rovers.
:: Total Grounds Visited ::
1999/00 (22) - Middlesbrough, Watford, Arsenal (Highbury), Aston Villa, Derby County, Wimbledon (Selhurst Park), Liverpool, Leeds United, Chelsea, Manchester United, Southampton (Dell), Sheffield Wednesday, West Ham United, Tottenham Hotspur, Coventry City (Highfield Road), Newcastle United, Everton, Sunderland, Leicester City (Filbert Street). Cups; Reading, Crewe Alexandra, Gillingham.
2000/01 (4) - Manchester City (Maine Road), Charlton Athletic, Ipswich Town. Cups; Darlington (Feethams Ground)
2001/02 (17) - Portsmouth, Sheffield United, Nottingham Forest, Crystal Palace, Birmingham City, Millwall, Norwich City, Preston North End, West Bromwich Albion, Barnsley, Grimsby Town, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Stockport County, Burnley, Walsall. Cups; Macclesfield Town, Rotherham United.
2002/03 (3) - Stoke City, Leicester City (Walkers Stadium), Brighton & Hove Albion. Cups; Wrexham
2003/04 (3) - Cardiff City, Wimbledon/Mk Dons (National Hockey Stadium), Wigan Athletic.
2004/05 (17) - Hartlepool United, Hull City (KC Stadium), Swindon Town, Tranmere Rovers, Luton Town, Brentford, AFC Bournemouth, Huddersfield Town, Torquay United, Port Vale, Bristol City, Blackpool, Peterborough United, Doncaster Rovers (Belle Vue), Chesterfield, Colchester United, Oldham Athletic.
2005/06 (7) - Southend United, Scunthorpe United, Yeovil Town, Swansea City (Liberty Stadium). Cups; Rochdale, Morecambe (non-league), Kidderminster Harriers (non-league).
2006/07 (4) - Cheltenham Town, Northampton Town, Leyton Orient, Carlisle United.
2007/08 (14) - Shrewsbury Town (New Meadow), Barnet, Chester City, Darlington (Reynolds Arena), Hereford United, Lincoln City, MK Dons (Stadium:MK), Nott's County, Bury, Mansfield Town, Wycombe Wanderers, Dagenham & Redbridge, Accrington Stanley. Cups; Doncaster Rovers (Keepmoat Stadium).