RORY McArdle is a veteran of City’s great cup-fighting exploits.

A scorer against Aston Villa two years ago, he was a defensive stalwart in that history-making run to the Capital One Cup final at Wembley.

But the Northern Ireland international, currently enjoying a superb season, insisted that beating Chelsea topped the lot.

McArdle said: “I have been so fortunate since coming to Bradford to have been involved in so many memorable occasions. We seem to have a habit of knocking Premier League teams out of both cups.

“But that was the best of the lot. With it being away from home, the season Chelsea have had and the players in their squad, I would say Saturday has to be the biggest.”

The shockwaves from City’s Stamford Bridge success continue to resonate. But while nobody outside of Valley Parade gave them a prayer, McArdle maintained there was a quiet confidence within the ranks.

He added: “We travelled down believing we could win. I know a lot of people won’t believe that but the manager always has a gameplan.

“It is pointless going out there believing you will get turned over.

“That said, to go 2-0 down at a place like Chelsea does make you wonder. You start to think ‘that’s it, the tie is probably done and dusted.'

“Steady (Jon Stead) scoring just before half-time gave us a massive lift and, just as importantly, something for them to think about. We then came out in the second half and played some good stuff.

“We weren’t over-powered or out-played at all. We played well and deserved the goals we scored.”

McArdle also recognised the huge role of the 6,000 travelling fans who provided a wall of noise behind Petr Cech’s goal as City came roaring back.

“The fans were incredible,” he said. “Attacking that end was a big lift and the noise was deafening.

“We got a few corners early in the second half and Dava (Andrew Davies) and I would go forward and look over at each other when we got in the area, as if to say, ‘what better time would there be to score than now?’

“We both wanted to get in that crowd and celebrate - which is what we were all able to do after the match.”