Stadium is a winner

He had studied management with a view to becoming a soccer club manager.

He wanted to put to use his considerable experience in the game over 20 years as a professional player.

But he had also taken a long look at sports equipment retailing. And believing that the future lay in sports superstores, felt he could make a go of running one.

And so it has proved, as the former Bradford City star has been growing his Sportsshoes Unlimited business ever since.

His life could be described as a game of two halves with the first half devoted to professional soccer and the second using his skills to sell the kit to go with the game - and many other sports. He is still a sports enthusiast - which spills over into his sportswear business.

One of the main selling points of the store is the commitment to quality service as it includes sophisticated foot and stamina measuring equipment to make sure customers get the right footwear.

With 3,500 models of sports shoes to choose from, it is well worth using the hi-tech equipment on offer to ensure you make the right choice.

There are very few stores like it in the world - a fact which Bruce Bannister is justifiably proud.

His current pride and joy is the "sports stadium" he has installed in the Sportsshoes Unlimited store in Hall Ings, Bradford. Sports gear is set out on 4,000 sq ft of astro turf in a floodlit area which includes a kick speed test net. At one end there are a series of TV screens showing the golden days of soccer and round the side there are pictures of 30,000 fans watching your purchase.

The stadium is one of the innovations Bruce Bannister has come up with in his business. Another is the expansion of the call centre in Shipley which now employs 30 people.

Bruce Bannister said: "I am committed to Bradford as I was born in the city and I plan to stay here."

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.