He was also a passionate supporter of Bradford City AFC, having been born within a mile of Valley Parade and even trialled for the club as a teenager. When growing up in the Toller Lane area both he and JB Priestley regularly played football together (Toller Lane Tykes and Saltburn United). A photograph of Percy was published in the Sunday Times on the 19 May 1985 showing him pay his final visit to Valley Parade the day after the tragedy of the Bradford City Fire on 11 May 1985 when 56 people lost their lives and 250 suffered injuries.