Stadium Legends: Odsal on Film

As part of the Stadium Legends project, YFA and filmmaker Ed Torsney teamed up with the Bradford Bulls Foundation to bring to life – via Odsal’s Sky Sports big screen – some of the previously unseen footage witnessed by the rugby amphitheatre during its 77 year history. This fast paced film, packed with Odsal thrills and spills, includes footage of the record breaking 1954 Challenge Cup replay, a 1947 Great Britain V New Zealand test match and Bradford Northern proudly returning from Wembley in the 1940s.

Rare wartime material shows the Stadium as a venue for ‘Holidays at Home’ with military marches, Highland dancing, gymkhanas and the famous Rugby Union V Rugby League encounter. Crowds cover their faces from the spray of the shale from the Bradford Boomerangs speedway team and the 1985 World Speedway final adds glamour. The film features unique material from renowned Bradford photographer and filmmaker C.H. Wood, including old jalopies crashing around the track as Odsal played host to 1950s stock car racing and even film of the tennis stars of the thirties, such as Donald Budge and Big Bill Tilden. 

A limited edition Odsal souvenir DVD, containing the Odsal film plus bonus footage charting the twists and turns that have taken place in the stadium, can be purchased for £6.50 in the Bradford Bulls Bullring store whilst stocks last.

Stadium Legends was one of a number of projects supported by Screen Yorkshire, the UK Film Council Digital Film Archive Fund, and the Regional Investment Fund for England (RIFE).