Life and death of a City legend

Robert Torrance was among nine Bantams players who lost their lives in WWI

Ask any Bradfordian who Robert Torrance was and they may struggle for an answer.

But ask any Bantams enthusiast and they will rush to tell you about his role as one of the finest central defenders in Bradford City's history.

A legend in his own right, his untimely death in the First World War catapulted him to having the title as one of Bradford's greatest sons.

Now a play to mark his life as city's hero is set to take place in November.

Dave Pendleton, curator of the Bantams part museum in Bradford, is behind the project. He says the play called City Heroes - Finding Robert Torrance, which will be performed at Bradford Cathedral on November 11, will be a moving tribute to him and other City players who lost their lives in World War One.

He explains: "He was one of nine Bradford players who was killed in the Great war.

"There were thousands of Bradfordians, but these guys, the nine were very famous at the time. Robert Torrance was a well-known figure he appeared on the front page of the Daily Mirror and he was very famous."

The winning team of 1911 with the FA cup

Robert signed up for the army and died a tragic death among many other soldiers from Bradford.

Dave says it was a tragic end to a promising international career. Robert was awarded man of the match in the 1911 FA Cup Final for his role.

But who was Robert Torrance? Dave explains he was actually Scottish.

He was born in 1888, Kirkintilloch, north-east of Glasgow, and joined the club for a mere £5 in August 1907. He made his debut on 28 November 1908 against Everton at Valley Parade.

But he made Bradford his home. He married Mary at Bradford Cathedral on the last day of 1916. Despite being an established first division footballer the couple set up home above Mary's parents' butchers shop at 103 Bridge Street.

Dave says in those days the players led very normal lives: "There was a maximum wage back then. They lived in ordinary houses and modest surroundings.

Robert's body was never found but it's believed he lies in an unmarked grave

"It is really interesting the difference between today's international footballers and the footballers back then, and when the war came around, they all joined up like everyone else and suffered in many cases the same fate as normal people."

"His final appearance for City was in a War League game against Barnsley on 10 March 1917. Since the outbreak of War, Robert had been a munitions worker, however during March 1917 he enlisted at the recruiting office on Bridge Street.

Dave says Robert became a gunner with 'A' battery, 162nd Brigade, Royal Field Artillery. During the Germans' final all-or-nothing offensive of 1918 he was based near the Belgian town of Ypres and the Channel ports beyond. Coming under heavy artillery fire one day, Robert was seriously injured and lost an arm.

Robert died later that day, although not confirmed it's believed he was killed by shelling while being treated at a field hospital

His body was never found, and many believe he is buried in an unmarked grave.

Dave says although the main subject of the play is Robert Torrance, there will be a presentation on all nine players: "They were really famous people at the time. The man who scored the winning goal in the FA Cup final who was the captain, Jimmy Spiers, was killed. Robert Torrance, who was very well known, was also killed. It's important people know about them."

The original FA cup which the team won in 1911 will be on display at Bradford Cathedral on the day.

Dave says he hopes many people will take part in the event: "The Cathedral will be offering tours on the day after the show and is completely free. I hope people enjoy it and I hope it will bring some history of the club back to life.

City's Football Heroes, Bradford Cathedral, Wednesday November 11. Show starts at 7.30pm. For more information contact 01274 777723.

All pictures on this page © Bantamspast and used with permission.