Ian Ormondroyd to step down as CEO of Bradford City FC Community Foundation after more than 25 years

Bradford City FC Community Foundation CEO, and former Bantams striker, Ian Ormondroyd will step down from his position at the end of the 2025/26 football season.

Mr Ormondroyd has been in place as CEO of the Foundation, the official charity of Bradford City AFC, since 1999. In that time, the Foundation has become established as a key provider of sporting, non-sporting, social outreach and youth empowerment work in the city.

After guiding the Foundation for over a quarter of a century, Mr Ormondroyd shall now step down from his position as CEO.

Mr Ormondroyd said: “After over 25 years at the Bradford City FC Community Foundation, the time has come for me to relinquish the position of CEO. From the early days when I first joined, working with a handful of staff to deliver football sessions in schools, the organisation has since expanded to over 25 full-time members of staff, with plenty of volunteers who generously support our work. We now provide many different programmes and projects, from food support to free football to pastoral support for everyone from childhood through to old age. I am proud to be going into semi-retirement with the Foundation in a healthy position. It has been a privilege to play a part in seeing it expand, improve, and to bring an incredible team together, all of whom are passionate about using the power of the City badge to continue to make a difference in thousands of lives throughout our city.”

Mr Ormondroyd shall address the City faithful this Saturday 7th March, when the Foundation hosts their second annual Community Takeover Day. Mr Ormondroyd will give a speech to the crowd at half-time during City’s game with Leyton Orient.

Mr Ormondroyd will be succeeded as CEO of the Foundation by Lizzie Saunderson-Trowell, the current Chief Operating Officer, who has been working with the Foundation for over a decade. 

Mrs Saunderson-Trowell said: “I’d like to thank Ian for his long and productive tenure as CEO of the Foundation. Ian started the organisation, and has overseen its growth from a small football-focused organisation, and over the years he has grown it into an incredibly successful football club charity which delivers pivotal community projects for the whole of Bradford and the wider district. I look forward to the challenge of building upon his success, and I’m grateful for his support in mentoring me, and his mentorship and belief in my future vision for the organisation. On behalf of myself and the whole Foundation team, I would like to commend Ian for all he has done for both us and the people of our City.”

Mr Ormondroyd, who was nicknamed ‘Sticks’ during his playing career, enjoyed two successful spells with Bradford City AFC, either side of stints playing for Aston Villa, Derby County and Leicester City.

Bradford City AFC CEO, Ryan Sparks, said: “Ian is a true ‘City Gent’, who has served Bradford City and the district in an exemplary manner as a player, member of staff and all-round ambassador for numerous decades.  It has been a huge privilege to work with Ian, and I personally am hugely grateful for the guidance and support he has offered. He leaves a remarkable legacy and a community foundation well placed to continue to grow and develop across the city and beyond. 

On behalf of everyone at Bradford City AFC, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Ian for everything he has done and continues to do for our football club and wish him and his family the very best for the future.”

As reported in the EFL and EFL in the Community’s ‘Measuring the Impact of EFL Clubs in the Community’ report, the Bradford City FC Community Foundation generated  £13.2 million in social value between 2022-2024, reinforcing its significant economic, social, and environmental impact on the local community under Mr Ormondroyd’s leadership.

Alan Biggin, Chair of Trustees for the Foundation, said: “I first met Ian 45 years or so ago, when we both played football together for the West Riding County Amateur League. Needless to say, our careers diversified at that point, when I remained in splendid anonymity and Ian set out on the path to a glittering football career. I can honestly say that over all these years you could not meet a nicer, more unassuming guy and it’s been a real pleasure to have known him.”

Mr Ormondroyd shall continue working with the Foundation in a newly made position, continuing his work as a figurehead in community outreach, social action, and accessible sporting and non-sporting provisions in Bradford and the wider area.