Tony Blair has praised Bradford City's community links in a special message which will appear in a new book to mark the club's centenary.

The Prime Minister penned the foreword to the book by former Telegraph & Argus football writer David Markham and Lind-say Sutton.

He writes: "Football clubs such as City know that their future well-being depends on their maintaining strong, vibrant and close ties with communities they represent on the field and from which they draw their strength. In that respect, the Bantams are well placed for the next hundred years."

City managing director Shaun Harvey contacted Mr Blair's office to see if he would make a contribution towards the publication. He said the Prime Mini-ster was particularly impressed by the way City fans collected 2,400 replica shirts for an appeal to send kits to Afghanistan.

"We were absolutely delighted that Tony Blair agreed to write the foreword," said Mr Harvey. "It will give the book added impetus and standing."

A Downing Street spokesman said the Prime Minister was delighted to show his support. "He was very impressed that a sense of community still pervades the atmosphere at Valley Parade," he said.

The book features a chapter on each of the ten decades of City's history along with photographs and interviews with key personalities.

Fans can place advanced orders and have their name inscribed in the publication which is due to go on sale in September. Details are available on the club website at www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk.