In January, Club Treasurer Andrew ‘Shep’ Shepherd and Director of Football, James Bicknell, made a surprise visit to my office at TIB Accountancy to run a fundraising idea past me.

During February, we planned how a Business Networking Group might work, for both the benefit of its Members and also Campion Football Club.

In March, and with the support of former Leeds, Liverpool and Scotland footballing legend, our very own Campion Ambassador, Dominic Matteo kicked off a pre-launch Networking Meeting, the success of which was to see the official launch of the 1963 Club in June.

Dominic Matteo and his wife Jess, have been big supporters of Campion. All at the club are very grateful for their time and all the hard work they do for Campion.

Ironically, the first funds raised by the 1963 Club, weren’t for Campion at all, because as a thank you to Dom and Jess, we had a whip-round and, quite literally, handed a bucket full of cash over to their preferred Charities, The Brain Tumour Charity, www.thebraintumourcharity.org and the Ahead Of The Game Foundation a charity supporting cancer patients.

April also brought to an end the 2024/25 season, with Campion finishing a strong 9th in the table.

In another surprise move at the end of April, Shep and James again called to see me at TIB HQ. I was expecting a discussion about the 1963 Club, but it was mixed news.

Long serving Committee Member, Bob Stead, had decided to step down from his role as Chairman. With 40 years experience on the Board at the Club, the most recent 15 as Chairman, Bob was going to be sorely missed.

They told me I didn’t need to worry though, as Bob was going to stay on the Committee, he just didn’t want to be Chairman anymore!

As a long-term sponsor and co-ordinator of the 1963 Club, I didn’t need to worry anyway, until Shep and James turned and asked me if I would become Chairman…

My first official function was on 8 May, at Valley Parade to enjoy the evening’s entertainment at the Bradford Sports Awards.

Campion Director of Football, James Bicknell was one of the finalists as Volunteer of the Year, but to all our surprise, Campion was not only nominated for Semi-pro team of the year, but won the Award, beating teams from both Bradford City and Bradford Bulls.

It was a fitting end to Bob Stead’s tenure as Chairman, that he should receive this prestigious Award on behalf of the Club.

June was the official launch of the 1963 Club, starting with 26 members, but having now risen to 37, with new member applications also pending.

In July the team got back into training and after some useful pre-season friendlies, the lads took on a Bradford City XI, in front of over 400 fans at the Anytime Couriers Stadium, to compete for the Dave Keegan Memorial Trophy, in memory of former Campion Secretary and life-long Bradford City fan, Dave Keegan, who sadly passed away in 2024.

Campion won a very competitive and enjoyable game 2 - 1.

The lads then ran out winners in the first league game of the season, away at Golcar United - a place Campion had never won before.

Also in July, I was appointed to the Board of Trustees at Manningham Mills Sports and Community Association (MMSCA), which is the Charity that manages the Clubhouse and sports grounds at Scotchman Road. This gives me a foot in both camps that can directly impact the future of Campion Football Club, and the other recreational activities that are available at the Community Centre.

In August we announced the formation of a unique collaboration with Bradford Bulls www.bradfordbulls.co.uk - The Bulls - Campion Partnership.

Both clubs have shared values, community focus, and each club’s Board, has the desire to be the best each club can be for its fans, partners and for the City of Bradford.

The Partnership is all about uniting two sporting communities, with a shared passion for progress, inclusivity and fan engagement.

The Bulls - Campion Partnership has already brought a number of opportunities for both clubs, which in turn will benefit sponsors, advertisers and most importantly, sports fans.

In September we gained our first success of The Bulls - Campion Partnership, when we met Bulls major sponsor Graham Eastwood, owner of Top Notch Refurbishment Specialists and Floor Tonic (Shipley). Graham was so impressed by our ambitious plans that he agreed to become a Campion Platinum Sponsor.

On the pitch, September saw us beat high flying Padiham in the FA Vase 2nd qualifier, to set us up with a 1st Round trip to take on Northwich Victoria, which ended in a draw, but sadly NV came out on top in the penalty shoot-out.

October was a pivotal moment for the City, as Bradford Bulls gained promotion to the Super League.

During the formation of The Bulls - Campion Partnership, we have been in close contact with Bulls CEO Jason Hirst, Board Director Paul Wild and Commercial Manager Ian Stafford, and are very aware of just how hard they have all had to work to achieve Super League status.

We are sure that this regained status, will have a positive impact on many local businesses and bring great pleasure to the wider local Rugby League fanbase, and would like to publicly congratulate all at The Bulls for this great achievement.

Former Bradford City CEO, and now CEO at Yorkshire Chamber, wnychamber.co.uk James Mason came to talk to us and gave his inspirational insight into how to keep focussed and move forward, when chasing your ambitions.

We have been delighted to thank James, by supporting both Yorkshire Chamber and nominated charities, including Dementia Café, www.alzheimers.org.uk and Darby Rimmer MND Foundation, www.darbyrimmermnd.co.uk

In November, long-standing Committee Members, Michael Kaye, Delroy Dacres and Bob Stead were appointed Life Patrons of Campion AFC. Between them they have done well over 125 years service for the Club and MMSCA Charity, so this acknowledgment was very well deserved. Andrew ‘Shep’ Shepherd was also appointed the first ever Club Stalwart for his 40+ years of dedication to the Club and Charity.

December had to be the time for a Xmas Party.

Over 200 guests partied in the Trevor Foster Suite at Odsal Stadium, as a very welcome five figure sum was raised for Campion.

2026

So what are the plans for the coming year?

In the closed season the playing area was altered and new dug-outs were built, which were very kindly glazed by long term sponsor Muj at 1st Glass UK - www.1stglassuk.co.uk

The Club has an ambitious plan to refurbish the extensive facilities at the Clubhouse, which will create an opportunity to provide additional services and recreational choices to the public.

The Board will continue to support the team management and will work to have funding available to compete at a higher level, when Campion are promoted.

During 2025, Campion Social Media Manager, Sheridann Dickerson upgraded the Club’s website, email facilities and has constantly added content to LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram, promoting Campion. The Club will continue to support the use of Social Media to reach out to the widest possible audience.

Finally, I would like to thank:

ALL THE VOLUNTEERS

All the Committee Members are volunteers. In addition to the 12 on the Committee, there is John that hosts the Raffle, Julie that helps behind the bar and Dani the ball-boy. Quite how the Club ticks with so few devoted volunteers is quite incredible. Thank you all for your valued contributions.

CAMPION SPONSORS

There are dozens of sponsors, to whom we are always very grateful.

The Platinum sponsors are:

Gary Routledge of Sondad Ltd (Main Club Sponsor) www.sondad.co.uk

James Bicknell of Anytime Couriers (Stadium Sponsor) www.anytimecouriers.co.uk

Andew Shepherd of Kalcrest Care (Northern) Limited www.kalcrestcare.co.uk

Graham Eastwood of Top Notch Refurbishment Specialists www.topnotchnwltd.co.uk and Floor Tonic (Shipley) www.floortonicshipley.co.uk

Richard Helliwell of TIB Accountancy Services www.tibgroup.co.uk

We have different levels of sponsorship that can be discussed at any time, with either myself or James Bicknell.

And last, but not least, thank you to all the FOOTBALL FANS, who support the team in all weathers and cheer them along to victory.

Come on Campion!

Richard Helliwell

Chairman