SSAFA and Bradford City FC join forces to support veterans.

31 October 2025

As part of this year’s English Football League Week of Action, SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, and Bradford City Football Club Community Foundation are celebrating the success of their joint weekly coffee meet ups for veterans at the Foundation’s City Hub.

Each week, service users come together in a relaxed, safe space to share experiences, build friendships, and access dedicated support from SSAFA should they need it. The partnership between the foundation and SSAFA offers vital peer-to-peer connection for members of the Armed Forces community across Bradford.

Next week’s session promises to be a special one, as Bradford City AFC player Josh Neufville, and manager Graham Alexander, will be joining attendees to chat about their journeys in football, and the importance of teamwork, resilience, and community spirit - themes that echo through both organisations’ work.

Their visit comes ahead of Bradford City’s dedicated Remembrance fixture against Burton Albion on Saturday 8 November, highlighting the Club’s ongoing support for the Armed Forces community.

Details of the event:

Tuesday 4 November
2.30pm - 4.30pm
The City Hub, 36 Valley Parade, Bradford, BD8 7DZ (see on Google Maps)

 
Representatives from both SSAFA and the Bradford City FC Community Foundation - including Regional Chair for SSAFA West Yorkshire, Derek Cross, and Foundation CEO Ian Ormondroyd - will be in attendance to mark the occasion and celebrate the partnership’s continued impact.

Regional Chair Derek Cross said: "We’re delighted to be working with Bradford City FC Foundation during the EFL Week of Action to celebrate the success of our weekly veterans’ drop-in sessions. These sessions have become a real lifeline – a place where people can share experiences, build friendships and stay connected to the community. It’s fantastic to see Bradford City showing such strong support for those who serve and have served. We’re proud to be part of this partnership."

Colin Pearson, a veteran who attends the sessions, said: “These sessions have made a massive difference to me. It’s not just about the coffee — it’s about having somewhere you feel you belong. The support from SSAFA and the Bradford City Foundation means a lot. I’ve made new friends, found people who understand what I’ve been through, and it’s given me something to look forward to every week.”