A Bantams’ fan who was sacked after missing work the day after he had queued through the night for his Capital One Cup final tickets admitted last night: “I’d have been more upset if I’d missed out on Wembley!”

Stephen Hindmarch, 32, of Lidget Green, lost his job when he failed to turn up at work last Thursday after spending 16 hours in line at Valley Parade to buy his tickets for the showpiece clash against Swansea.

The former machine operator told how he was sacked when he missed work because he fell asleep on two buses on his way to Stainless Band in Cullingworth after queuing for his tickets since 7pm the night before.

But he said: “I think I was a bit more upset at the thought of not going to Wembley than losing my job!”

Mr Hindmarch, who had been working for the firm for around four months, was so eager to snap up tickets for the historic final he was 111th in line and stayed awake all night so he could be one of the first to buy tickets when they went on general sale at 9am last Thursday.

“I arrived at 7pm the night before – 14 hours before the ticket office opened – and got my tickets at around 10.30am,” he said.

“It was cold, but everyone was in a good mood and there was a fantastic atmosphere.

“I told work I’d get in once I’d got my tickets, so after I had them I went to get the 697 to Cullingworth – but I fell asleep!

“I woke in Keighley, so got back on the bus to go the other way, but I fell asleep again and ended back at Bradford Interchange. But by that time it was the afternoon and by the time I’d have got to work it would have been time to go home.”

The dad, who already has another job lined up, said he arrived at work the following day expecting to be disciplined, but was ‘surprised’ when he was given his notice.

But he said losing his job was not a ‘tragedy’ and he was looking forward to watching Phil Parkinson’s men in Sunday’s final.

“I’m apprehensive and nervous but so excited. To be honest, what City have done is incredible and we will celebrate the day whatever happens – whether we win or lose,” he said.

“It’s something I never thought I’d see!”

No-one at Stainless Band was available for comment.