BULLS FAN TO VISIT BIRCH LANE HEROES

As Bradford Bulls supporters prepare once again for their annual pilgrimage to the south of France, via all the various airport permutations now required; one lifelong fan is tackling the trip in an entirely different way.

Bulls volunteer Graham Swain can be regularly seen at Odsal; using his digger to move heavy objects, shift mountains of earth and even clear the pitch of snow, to get an important cup tie played. Affectionately christened “Graham the Gravedigger” by his lifelong pal Chairman Nigel Wood, because of his unusual occupation, Graham has drawn the short straw this year in accompanying the Bulls Chairman by car to south of France, although for the very best of reasons.

Graham has recently become something of an unlikely YouTube celebrity, Bradford’s very own Fred Dibnah for those of a certain age, with his re-constructions of derelict, abandoned and collapsed graves, completely voluntarily and free of charge, attracting thousands of viewers on the growing “Bradford Through the Lens” channel. Graham fell into grave digging by accident (ha) and has since accumulated over 15,000 burials, helping the Council of Mosques, and will be seen every day in the Muslim section at Scholemoor Cemetery. And while it’s a 24/7 commitment nothing stops him from supporting his beloved Bulls.  His latest project though is much closer to the club as he now intends to locate and visit the last resting places of those unfortunate Bradford Northern players who made the ultimate sacrifice, during the Great War of 1914-18. 

Graham explains “Last year, on the trip to Toulouse, we located the final resting places of two Bradford brothers, commemorated in Undercliffe Cemetery, but buried overseas; one killed in Ypres and the other at the Somme. This year, relying on the wonderful efforts of the Bulls Foundation and their Birch Lane Heroes project, we will find the final resting places of the Bradford Northern players who were lost in World War 1 and lay a respectful marker to underline that their sacrifice will never be forgotten. We have found the first former player, Harold Basil Wray, who was killed just two weeks before the final armistice in October 1918, and who is buried in northern Italy. Most of the clubs’ other casualties were lost on the western front in Belgium and France, although I think one is commemorated in Gallipoli in Turkey. Given that next year will be the City of Culture, I think commemorating our heritage is most important”

Graham finished by saying “It is an honour and a privilege to be undertaking such a significant task on behalf of the club. I am proud to do it. The only downside will be having to put up with chairman droning and moaning on for days on end!!” he added with a smile.