Airedale Harriers started to run an annual athletics meeting on August 20th 1887, their first event was had high profile running events with two bicycle races. The meeting was described in the press "from an athletics and financial point of view was a great success. The Harriers meetings continue until 1892 and then after a break, they continued in 1895 with one and two miles bicycle handicap races.
The Manningham FC sports started in 1889 with one and two miles bicycle handicap races and in 1890 the track was described as grass, five laps to the mile. Attendance at these sports was very high, there were 4,000 spectators in 1891.
Manningham Cycling Club had been formed by 1884 and they had over a hundred members by 1888. The club started holding race meetings in 1893 with an evening event on May 30th 1893, three bicycle races were included, which were a half mile and two miles open handicap and a one mile members handicap race. In spite of the poor attendance, the event was repeated in 1894. By 1895 the event was called the Manningham and Bradford and County Cycling Clubs sports. The Manningham FC events at the 1896 meeting included one and two miles handicap and a two miles scratch race. Athletics festivals became a good source of income for clubs and the last Manningham Sports, which were held in 1896, had 7,000 spectators and 300 competitors.
Airedale Harriers continued their sports meetings until 1895 and the Manningham FC and Manningham CC annual sports were both held up to 1896. This was the last year that bicycle racing took place at Valley Parade.
Manningham RFC changed codes from rugby to football in 1903 and became Bradford City FC. Valley Parade was the scene of a tragic fire during a football match in 1995, which claimed the lives of 56 people and injured another 265. The ground was redeveloped and Bradford City still play football at Valley Parade.
** Dan Albone was a successful inventor, racing cyclist, tractor and bicycle manufacturer. His Cycle Works at the Ongley Arms produced the Ivel Light Roadster and Ivel Racer from 1882. Albone was a founder member of the North Road Cycling Club in 1885.
