Welcome back to ‘Stadium DJ Of The Week’, where in each issue we put 10 serious and not so serious quick-fire questions to a DJ from the world of sport! This week we sat down for a chat with Bradford City’s Christian Oldcorn.
- Name: Christian Oldcorn
- Occupation: Matchday DJ
- Club: Bradford City A.F.C.
- Club Website
- Stadium: Valley Parade
- Capacity: 25,136
The Interview
SM: When did you take over as Matchday DJ at Bradford City?
CO: In February 2018, so I’ve done five full seasons now.
SM: How did you initially get into the role?
CO: I’ve been a Bradford City fan for 40 years and had a Season ticket in the Midland Road End for years. I am not a professional DJ or presenter, but I love music and love Bradford City. The last DJ made a bit of an error of judgement following a heavy defeat and played a song that was quite controversial. The club needed someone to step in and the CEO was a friend of a friend and I said I would step in for a couple of games until things were sorted. I’m still here nearly 6 years later.
SM: Can you remember your first football match/stadium experience?
CO: I was brought to Valley Parade by my dad when I was 4, in 1981. The stadium was very different then and I remember the crowd noise and the smell of “wintergreen”, wafting through the air. Not long after that, the club started getting some success with a promotion from the old fourth division and I was hooked.
SM: Would you say your first experience of live football and the memories of that day were motivation for taking on your role?
CO: Absolutely! I am a volunteer and still feel privileged to be involved with the club I have supported for as long as I can remember. Being able to do something to help was a big factor in keeping doing this, as well as feeling a sense of excitement when I go into areas of the stadium that normal fans usually cannot get access to. I still love walking out of the tunnel in the corner and seeing the stadium open up before my eyes.
SM: In your time at Valley Parade, who’s the best player you’ve seen wear the famous claret & amber strip?
CO: In my time as DJ, we have been in the bottom two leagues of the EFL, so in my opinion the best player in this period is not such an easy pick, especially in the context of my 40+ years of supporting the club. I do have a soft spot for current player Alex Gilliead though! If I could choose one from my time as a fan, I make no apologies for stating an obvious one, Stuart McCall.
SM: Who is your favourite artist/band of all time?
CO: This is an easy one – Manic Street Preachers. Seen them more times than I care to remember and I try to play as much of their music as I can on matchday, which is easier to justify now we have a Welsh manager! Good, loud rock music.
SM: Which piece of music do you think is the ultimate track for motivating a footballing side?
CO: I wish I knew because I’d play it at ten to three every other Saturday. I think “Right here, Right now” by Fat Boy Slim or “Insomnia by Faithless are great, but I am a good 20 years older than most of our players so maybe I need to ask them what they think!
SM: Do you have an all-time favourite track that you play at Bradford?
CO: I love playing “One to another” by The Charlatans. Usually about 15 minutes before kick off as the players finish their warm up. It has such a strong beat and is just a bit “in your face”.
SM: What are the main songs used week in, week out at the ground?
CO: Obviously we have our club theme tune “Midland Road take me home”. It’s a sign to our fans to get to their seats as we need their noise! The Skids’ into the Valley gets used a lot, and In the City by The Jam. I always play Jeff Beck HiHo Silver lining as the teams come out for the second half too! I am looking forward to playing the latest Bad Boy Chiller Crew track in the coming weeks as at last there’s one that has a clean version I can use in a family stadium environment, as they are big City fans and proud Bradfordians. I am always looking to support local artists where I can, especially as we build towards Bradford being UK City of culture in 2025!
SM: On a final note, are there any funny mishaps/cock-ups that have taken place that come to mind when you think about your career so far?
CO: Not yet. Or at least none that anyone other than me and Darren the Stadium announcer realised. I suppose that the nearest to a cock up was a couple of weeks ago when the ref delayed the kick off and didn’t tell anyone and I ended up playing “Midland Road” three times in a row to fill time.
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