The news that Bradford City were on their way to Wembley had the “Bantam’s” many loyal fans – and indeed, what seemed to be all of Bradford from the Lord Mayor down – overjoyed; but none more so that the two directors of West Yorkshire-based MPL, the long-established specialist PVCu lock specialists, who also own a third shareholding in the soccer Club.
Managing Director of MPL is Graham Jones, whose business partner and fellow director Mark Lawn is also joint chairman of Bradford City FC.
Graham told TLj, “Mark and I are both local to the area and are lifelong fans of the Bantams. We go to every home and away match and yes, we will be at Wembley cheering them on. We always enjoy being there and are very well looked after. But whatever the outcome, we are absolutely delighted to have got that far. If they win at Wembley, it will be a huge bonus.”
Bradford City’s historic journey to Wembley has been a long one. When the West Yorkshire Club beat Aston Villa on aggregate last month, it was the first time the team had reached the final of a major competition since winning the FA Cup in 1911. The Bantams became the first fourth-tier side in over 50 years to reach the League Cup final.
It will also be only the second time the team have played at Wembley – the last time was in 1996 when Bradford won the Second Division play-off final.
The disastrous fire in 1985 hit the Club – and Bradford itself – very hard. But last month’s victory has given Bradford the lift it needed. Fans were ecstatic and the team will have massive support all the way.
Aside from the glory, the financial implications are mega: getting to Wembley could be worth up to £1m to the Club, according to Mark Lawn, who has been busy organising corporate sponsors understandably keen to get on the bandwagon.
It wasn’t always this way.
Bradford City has been in administration twice since 2002, and had been expected to overspend on wages by £600,000 this season as they push for promotion to League One. But they had already more than covered this shortfall by earning at least £1.3m from their quarter-final and semi-final ties.
MPL came on board five years ago, acquiring a third share in the Club. Dedicated fans, they were confident that they could use their experience to transform its fortunes.
“It has taken a lot of hard work to get to this stage,” said Graham. “This is no overnight success. But as well as some brilliant players, the Club has a great manager in Phil Parkinson, who has made some shrewd moves and understands exactly how to get everybody working together, pushing forward. This achievement is even more impressive when you know that he has done it on a low budget.
“The Club is run as a business – we don’t take a penny out of it,” he added. “If we do win at Wembley, every penny will be ploughed back into the Club.”
Graham and Mark know all about teamwork: they are a hugely successful team themselves, taking both MPL and Bradford City to new heights – and at a time when others are clearly struggling.
One of Graham’s business mottos is: ‘Adversity creates opportunities’.
For both MPL and for Bradford City, that certainly seems to be the case.
MPL continues to build up its National Locksmithing School (based in the same premises at the Bantams). From this month, it has got under way the franchising of its busy Wakefield Trade Centre; that followed the successful franchising of its Driverhire operation eight years ago.
They are also pleased with response to their website (multipointlocks.co.uk), with between 30 and 40 orders coming through every night.
“The demand is there,” said Graham, “The future is still with PVCu – look around any housing estate and that is what you will see in eight out of 10 properties.”
After 43 years in the business, he obviously knows a good thing when he sees it.
