On a winger and a prayer for the Bantams (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

On a winger and a prayer for the Bantams

10:41pm Friday 22nd February 2013 in News By Hannah Postles, T&A Reporter

Anxious fans across the city will be praying for a Bantams’ victory tomorrow – and the Acting Dean at Bradford Cathedral has penned his own call to God for the historic occasion.

Canon Andrew Williams heard a prayer had been written in support of Bradford City’s Capital One Cup rivals Premier League Swansea, so he took the opportunity to create his own before the League Two club’s final at Wembley.

He said: “I saw one had been written for Swansea and thought ‘come on, we’ve got to have one, too!’ “I wrote it in around an hour and tried to follow the 12 lines of the Swansea one, even making reference to the club’s support from the Dalai Lama.

“Bradford City’s achievement is a fairy story. It reminds me of the David and Goliath story – and we all know who won that one!”

The Bradford City fan, who has placed the Telegraph & Argus’ ‘Come on City’ poster on the Cathedral’s gates, yesterday stepped on to the team bus to speak to Phil Parkinson’s men as they set off for Wembley from the Cedar Court Hotel in Bradford.

As well as wishing them a safe journey and to remain free of injuries, he also told them: “Come back with the cup!”

Canon Williams said: “It was a great privilege to do that and great to be able to voice that in person to them before they set off. They even gave me a round of applause!

“I will be there at Wembley, but those from the Cathedral who can’t be there will be cheering and praying and looking forward to a great result.

“Since the fire disaster at Valley Parade in 1985, there’s been a strong link forged between the Cathedral and the club.

“We have a permanent plaque in the Cathedral to commemorate that awful incident and every year someone from the Cathedral attends the memorial service at Centenary Square.

“We want the city to know the church is behind them.”