Foundation and SSAFA welcome Graham Alexander and Josh Neufville to weekly coffee meeting for EFL Week of Action

Graham Alexander and Josh Neufville attended our SSAFA coffee meeting at the City Hub.

As part of this year’s English Football League Week of Action, Bradford City FC Community Foundation and SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, celebrated the success of their joint weekly coffee meet-ups for all serving, ex-serving and family members of the UK Armed Forces at the Foundation’s City Hub.

Graham Alexander spoke to attendees at the event, which welcomes serving, ex-serving and family members of the UK Armed Forces each week.

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.

Derek Cross, SSAFA Branch Chair (left) and Lizzie Saunderson-Trowell, Foundation COO (right). Last year, the Bradford City FC Community Foundation worked with over 36,000 people across 29 distinct projects.

On Tuesday 4th November, Bradford City AFC star Josh Neufville, and manager Graham Alexander joined attendees to chat about their journeys in football, and the importance of teamwork, resilience, and community spirit - themes that echo through both organisations’ work.

Graham Alexander, Bradford City AFC Manager, said: “It was fantastic to visit the coffee meeting, and have a chance to celebrate the fantastic work the Foundation and SSAFA do. A football club is more than just a team on the field. We have a commitment to supporting members of our community, from all walks of life, and it gives us all a sense of pride to see the club badge connecting with people and changing lives.”

Representatives from both SSAFA and the Bradford City FC Community Foundation - including Branch Chair for SSAFA West Yorkshire, Derek Cross, and Foundation CEO and former City star Ian Ormondroyd - also attended to mark the occasion and celebrate the partnership’s continued impact.

SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, provides lifelong support to serving personnel, veterans and their families across the UK, ensuring they never battle alone. The organisation hosts coffee mornings at the Foundation's City Hub on Valley Parade every Tuesday morning.

Lizzie Saunderson-Trowell, Foundation COO, said: “We are proud to facilitate and host events like SSAFA’s weekly coffee meetings. Since they started running in the summer, we have welcomed a core of regular attendees who access support from both their peers and SSAFA - and enjoy plenty of banter! Our work with SSAFA is the perfect example of the sort of partnership working we thrive on. I’d like to thank them for their work and support for our community here in Bradford, and I’d like to thank Graham and Josh for joining us this week, and showing their support for the work we do.”

The EFL Week of Action event came ahead of Bradford City AFC’s dedicated Remembrance fixture against Burton Albion on Saturday 8 November, highlighting the Club’s ongoing support for the Armed Forces community.

Josh Neufville attended the coffee meeting, hearing from attendees about their experiences, and sharing some of his own.

SSAFA Branch Chair Derek Cross said: "We’re delighted to be working with Bradford City FC Community 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."

Last year, the Bradford City FC Community Foundation worked with over 36,000 people across 29 distinct projects. The official charity of Bradford City AFC, the Foundation has worked across projects and programmes both sporting and non-sporting since 1988. 

The EFL Week of Action event came ahead of Bradford City AFC’s dedicated Remembrance fixture against Burton Albion on Saturday 8 November, highlighting the Club’s ongoing support for the Armed Forces community.

Colin Pearson, a veteran who attends the SSAFA Coffee Mornings, 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 FC Community 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.”

The SSAFA Coffee Mornings take place every Tuesday, between 10am and 12pm, at the Foundation’s City Hub on Valley Parade, right next to the famous University of Bradford Stadium. The sessions are free to attend for all serving, ex-serving and family members of the UK Armed Forces.

Notes on SSAFA:

SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, provides lifelong support to serving personnel, veterans and their families across the UK, ensuring they never battle alone.