Now bring on Wembley say City fans after stunning Villa victory

1:25am Wednesday 9th January 2013 in Bradford Photograph of the Author By Hannah Postles, T&A Reporter

Bradford City fans show their joy at victory over Aston Villa Bradford City fans show their joy at victory over Aston Villa

Bradford City fans hailed a stunning victory over Premier League big guns Aston Villa last night as the Bantams moved to within 90 minutes of a historic place in the Capital One Cup Final.

A 22,245-strong sea of claret and amber left Valley Parade chanting “We’re going to Wembley” after watching Phil Parkinson’s men slay yet another top-flight side after beating Arsenal and Wigan – leaving them just one game away from becoming the first side from the lowest tier to reach the final of the competition since Rochdale in 1962.

The 3-1 win over Villa is just half a job, with a vital trip to Villa Park on January 22, but supporters were confident.

Graham Harper, 33, of Frizinghall, said: “Bring on Wembley! I was confident we would win, but didn’t expect this result at all – to take a two goal advantage to Villa Park is unbelievable.

“This has to be one of the greatest games I have ever seen. The atmosphere has been phenomenal!”

Two hours before the game, the City faithful had begun making their pilgrimage to Valley Parade in the knowledge that the Bantams could not “keep calm and take it to penalties”.

But fans spoke of their optimism that Bradford could take the scalp of another Premier League giant without relying on their prowess from the spot.

Brothers Simon, 40, and James Clayton, 36, of Calverley, outside The Co-operative Stand, predicted a City win.

“It’s fantastic for fans,” said Simon, who was hoping for a 0-0 draw or 1-0 win.

“I’ve been coming here since I was 14, I even travelled from the Lakes when I moved away for a while.

“It really is a family club.”

Bradford City fire survivor Peter Sherman, 59, of Lidget Green, told how he was fourth in the queue when tickets for the semi-final went on sale – when the first in line had their card declined!

The life-long supporter and season ticket holder was at the game with his son John, 37, who was nine when flames ripped through Valley Parade in 1985, claiming the lives of 56 fans. “I’ve supported Bradford through thick and thin,” Peter said.

Bradford Bulls’ owner Omar Khan, also a Bradford City ambassador, was standing outside the executive entrance an hour before kick off. He was predicting a 2-1 Bantams’ win.

“I think the team feels proud and will give it 110 per cent,” he said. “The last game against Arsenal was the most exciting game I have ever watched.”

As the match kicked off, a handful of fans gathered at nearby City pub Haigy's on Lumb Lane, where the game was shown on a big screen.

Beer-drinking supporters jumped and cheered as Nahki Wells struck in the 18th minute. And at half time, supporter Mick Gledhill, 27, of Undercliffe, said: “City deserve their lead.”

Cheers of elation when Rory McArdle’s header made it 2-0 turned to despair as it appeared Villa had secured a potentially crucial away goal courtesy of Andreas Weimann.

One fan said: “Now is the time we need to pray.”

And minutes later his prayers were answered as Carl McHugh made it 3-1.

Comments(29)

jknight says...
2:28am Wed 9 Jan 13

well played city, it was well worth getting up early to wacth the match.
play like that in the next game & it will be wembley.

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essmbee says...
4:18am Wed 9 Jan 13

After this game I am now covered in bruises...... I cannot stop pinching myself. Traveled all the way from southern Ireland for this with my son and what a memory we have to travel back with. Well done Bradford, well proud

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philjenko says...
4:30am Wed 9 Jan 13

Live coverage on 5 live dropped out here in Canada (here on holiday from OZ) with 10 mins to go so I had to endure the last part of the game on the ESPN web site with updates every minute.It was agony!!!!. A massive well done to the team and supporters. Can we really dare to dream? I would love to be there at Villa park in a few weeks, but distance might be an issue!.I'm already in negotiation with the wife for the trip - Notts county was my last trip home - Can lightning really strike twice? Brilliant just brilliant

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nzbantam says...
5:43am Wed 9 Jan 13

Another downunder supporter just thrilled by the lads. Thanks to the magic of internet streaming we expats don't have to miss out these days. As against Arsenal, there were times in the match where City looked like we were the Premiership team and Aston Villa the lower division team. It has to be good for the whole city and a reward to the faithful for their loyalty. Go City.

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Up with the partridge says...
7:12am Wed 9 Jan 13

Why is this team in League 2?

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Joedavid says...
7:24am Wed 9 Jan 13

Keep calm and carry on.
Well done Bradford City.

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Thee Voice of Reason says...
9:22am Wed 9 Jan 13

Roll back, we aren't at wembley yet.

We still have to try and protect this lead over at Villa Park where a 2-0 defeat is not out of the question.

Lets not talk of Wembley now, maybe with seconds to go at the second leg with us still 2 goals up I might turn my attention to wembley but not yet.

I bet those 1500 remaining tickets go by 9.10 tomorrow morning when they are back on sale, I have mine already and can't wait.

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MontyLeMar says...
9:27am Wed 9 Jan 13

Up with the partridge wrote:
Why is this team in League 2?
Because they keep losing to the likes of Barnet maybe?

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Reality50 says...
10:38am Wed 9 Jan 13

For a city that has had a poor few years on the sporting field,that result last night will put a spring in the step of all city dwellers. For a League 2 team to be on the edge of a major final is beyond belief and especially in these days of money and greed in the game.It would be a surprise for a Championship team to reach a Wembley showpiece but a league 2 club? It's the equivalent of Keighley or Batley reaching a Rugby League Challenge Cup Final. It is surely one of the great footballing feats of recent times. I would still make Villa slight favourites especially as extra time would happen if Villa were 2-0 up in the second leg but even so amazing and great for football.

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beardedclam says...
10:40am Wed 9 Jan 13

Just heard that we've signed Jamie Vardy from Leicester. Unsure yet if it's a loan or a permanent deal. Either way. It's a top signing.

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Citygentleman1968 says...
11:56am Wed 9 Jan 13

Would Jamie Vardy be eligible for the 2nd leg at Villa Park?

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Thee Voice of Reason says...
12:33pm Wed 9 Jan 13

Citygentleman1968 wrote:
Would Jamie Vardy be eligible for the 2nd leg at Villa Park?
I haven't seen of this rumour but no he wouldn't as he played against Torquay earlier this season.

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Lizzydripping says...
12:44pm Wed 9 Jan 13

I'm not a football fan but it's wonderful to have something to be proud of, and energised by, in this city. Well done City and their great supporters. Real Roy of the Rovers stuff!

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The obvious says...
2:00pm Wed 9 Jan 13

Well done to city.

Credit where credit is due.

Keep up the good work and see you at Wembley.

Ps great news that more scumbags are getting locked up everyday...next the council?

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smitd says...
2:32pm Wed 9 Jan 13

LUFC official web Andy Gray has left to join Bradford City

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Oakenshaw white says...
3:18pm Wed 9 Jan 13

smitd wrote:
LUFC official web Andy Gray has left to join Bradford City
Straight swap for Wells.

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we'recitynotbradford says...
3:59pm Wed 9 Jan 13

Brilliant result and a great team performance. Can the giant screen in Centenary Square be use to show the Villa game for those of us unable to get down to Birmingham??

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we'recitynotbradford says...
3:59pm Wed 9 Jan 13

Brilliant result and a great team performance. Can the giant screen in Centenary Square be use to show the Villa game for those of us unable to get down to Birmingham??

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juliejugs says...
4:53pm Wed 9 Jan 13

Shame on the Villa players. Wouldn't even give signatures to the kids waiting after the match. Disgusting attitude, leaving with heads bowed & being ignorant. Don't forget your fans are your bread & butter boys!

On a better note, City players, you are the salt of the earth, genuine & lovely guys, you never say no to a fan wanting signatures & that just shows the mutal respect between players & fans. "Come on City"

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juliejugs says...
5:04pm Wed 9 Jan 13

we'recitynotbradford wrote:
Brilliant result and a great team performance. Can the giant screen in Centenary Square be use to show the Villa game for those of us unable to get down to Birmingham??
I think that is the best idea ever. We should definately have it on sky sports streaming the live game.

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Up with the partridge says...
7:24pm Wed 9 Jan 13

No disrespect to Bradford but why does the UK's largest city namely Birmingham have such drab,mediocre football teams, compared to smaller cities like Manchester and Liverpool even?

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Haji says...
8:46pm Wed 9 Jan 13

Wow BCFC well done for giving us something to look forward to. I think it will be fab when we visit them as Villa will have to attack and that will mean exposure at the back for them. I cant cope with the idea of spending 90 minutes just trying to defend and so hope we only do that for the first quarter of the game and when they lose patience and start throwing more bodies forward - BANG!

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nzchch says...
9:14pm Wed 9 Jan 13

If we win through to Wembley how am I going to explain to my wife that I have urgent business in the UK. Christchurch New Zealand is a long way away.

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Rambo says...
10:30pm Wed 9 Jan 13

juliejugs wrote:
we'recitynotbradford wrote:
Brilliant result and a great team performance. Can the giant screen in Centenary Square be use to show the Villa game for those of us unable to get down to Birmingham??
I think that is the best idea ever. We should definately have it on sky sports streaming the live game.
Unless games are on the BBC no chance. Sky will NEVER allow their channel to be shown for free in public (apart from pubs etc).

The club itself though could put a big screen up in the suites? Probably where most people would want to watch it with there being so few BCFC pubs in the city.

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richbar62 says...
10:58pm Wed 9 Jan 13

nzchch wrote:
If we win through to Wembley how am I going to explain to my wife that I have urgent business in the UK. Christchurch New Zealand is a long way away.
Mate see you on the plane, my son and i will be getting on a plane rom Melbourne and heading over !!

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richbar62 says...
10:58pm Wed 9 Jan 13

nzchch wrote:
If we win through to Wembley how am I going to explain to my wife that I have urgent business in the UK. Christchurch New Zealand is a long way away.
Mate see you on the plane, my son and i will be getting on a plane rom Melbourne and heading over !!

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Rams1884 says...
11:35pm Wed 9 Jan 13

Well Done City ...Finish them off

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nzbantam says...
12:34am Thu 10 Jan 13

nzchch wrote:
If we win through to Wembley how am I going to explain to my wife that I have urgent business in the UK. Christchurch New Zealand is a long way away.
I am already going through that scenario in Auckland! Haha! Nice problem to have eh?

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sonlyme says...
11:19am Fri 11 Jan 13

Well done Bradford - you deserved your night - your team and manager were a credit.

As for Villa players being 'disgusting' for not signing autographs - I don't think they would have really been in the mood to stop and chat.

You will be warmly welcomed at Villa Park - and I hope those of you who are not 'disgusted' have a good day - whatever the result.

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