A BRADFORD City-loving family’s first lambs of the New Year have been named after two players in the ‘mighty Bantams’ squad.

A Dutch Spotted sheep owned by Sally Holdsworth, of Low Moor, who raises sheep on her dad’s farm at Lane End Farm in Tong, gave birth to twins in the early hours of Monday, January 1.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Sam and Lydia Holdsworth have two New Year lambs after Bradford City players.Sam and Lydia Holdsworth have two New Year lambs after Bradford City players. (Image: Newsquest)

“They were born just after midnight on January 1,” said Sally. “She started labour late at night and gave birth in the early hours of the New Year.

“It was two boys and they and their mum are all doing fantastic.

“This year you have to give pedigree Dutch Spotted sheep a name beginning with ‘H’.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Two New Year lambs have named, Halliday and Henry, after Bradford City players.Two New Year lambs have named, Halliday and Henry, after Bradford City players. (Image: Newsquest)

“My children, Lydia and Sam, have called them (Brad) Halliday and Harry (Lewis) after the mighty Bantams. “They like to call the boys after Bradford City players. We had one last year called (Alex) Gillead.

“Both kids are mad for Bradford City. Lydia plays for Bradford City Under-12s and they’re both season ticket holders. Sam also plays football for Wyke Wanderers.”

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Two New Year lambs have named, Halliday and Henry, after Bradford City players.Two New Year lambs have named, Halliday and Henry, after Bradford City players. (Image: Newsquest)

Sally said of the birth: “It was a lovely surprise. I was watching it on camera (CCTV), but the sheep was having trouble getting the lamb out, so I had to intervene.

“The lamb had a leg and head out, so it looked like Superman.

“But I pulled the other leg out and everything went well after that.”

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: The mum of two lambs named after Bradford City players.The mum of two lambs named after Bradford City players. (Image: Newsquest)

Sally said it is unusual for lambs to arrive so early in the year, unless there are given a hormone to bring them into season earlier.

“I bought this sheep already in lamb, and she had been ‘sponged’ so was due earlier.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Two lambs named after Bradford City players with their mum.Two lambs named after Bradford City players with their mum. (Image: Newsquest)

“I just let things happen naturally, so they usually give birth at the end of January or early February.

These two new twins will soon have ‘friends’, as Sally said another sheep they keep is about to ‘pop’ with triplets.

Sally also said Honey the sheep, a miracle sheep that is now a family pet at Lane End Farm, will be giving birth this year to her fourth set of twins.

Honey, who recovered from a serious bout of meningitis as a lamb, gave birth to twins on Valentine’s Day in 2021 after being nursed back to health by Sally, Lydia and Sam.

After caring for the young lamb, Honey started following the family around “like a dog”.

“She’s still our pet and she’s as cheeky as ever.”