It was the anniversary Bradford City fans feared they might never see. But plans are now well advanced for the celebrations to mark 100 years since football kicked off at Valley Parade in 1903.

Club managing director Shaun Harvey explained how City are planning to celebrate their centenary. And he urged Bantams fans to put aside their fears about the club's survival - and help give City a year to remember.

Most of the events are pencilled in for the summer, with a high-profile friendly against a top club as well as a host of exhibitions, displays and special publications lined up.

City's official birthday takes place on May 25, the date of the Football League meeting at the Travistock Hotel in Covent Garden when City were voted into the League.

More than 160 excited Bradfordians packed into the upper room of the Belle Vue Hotel in Manningham Lane to hear how the club had become the first elected to the League without ever having played a competitive game.

Now, a century on, a committee has been formed to co-ordinate the events for next season, and Mr Harvey said he is keen for as many fans as possible to have their say.

One of the highlights will be a special screening of Bradford City's first home fixture - an inglorious 3-1 defeat against Gainsborough Trinity at Valley Parade.

Former City Gent fanzine editor Dave Pendleton said it was hoped the film would be shown at the Pictureville Cinema at the National Museum of Photography, Film and Television on Thursday, September 4.

The eight-minute footage of the game has been restored by the British Film Institute and includes City's first-ever goal.

Mr Pendleton has been co-ordinating efforts to arrange an exhibition of memorabilia including rattles, scarves, programmes, shirts and "anything else that can fit in a cabinet" to go on display in a city museum.

Likely to be included in the display is the football used in City's 1911 FA Cup final victory and the West Riding Cup, a trophy that has graced the Valley Parade trophy cabinet more often than any other.

There are also plans for a specially-commissioned photographic exhibition documenting life at the club.

Mr Harvey said: "Obviously given the recent history of the club, it is a major success to make it to our centenary year. It is really important that we make it special.

"One hundred years is a long, long time and a very significant milestone for this club. I certainly don't know of any supporter who has followed City for the full 100 years, but it would be interesting to find out who has seen the club over the longest part of that period."

He said plans for a special centenary kit were still under discussion.

Anyone who has ideas for the centenary celebrations should contact Mr Harvey at the club on (01274) 773355.