Bradford City support pours in from across the world

7:00am Tuesday 8th January 2013 in Bantams Photograph of the Author By Dolores Cowburn, Bradford Chief Reporter

From left, assistant groundsman Charles Palmer, Paul Stevens from the club shop, laundryman John Metcalf and fan and season ticket holder Chris Bradey are preparing for the game tonight From left, assistant groundsman Charles Palmer, Paul Stevens from the club shop, laundryman John Metcalf and fan and season ticket holder Chris Bradey are preparing for the game tonight

Cup fever is gripping Bradford ahead of tonight’s Capital One semi-final clash.

So far 21,500 tickets have been sold for the first-leg match at Valley Parade. And those still to claim their place in the ground have until noon to snap up the 2,000 remaining tickets.

City’s operations director Dave Baldwin yesterday said: “It is amazing to see the support and we are very, very grateful and hope to give a good show.”

Supporters from US, South Africa and Kenya have already told the Telegraph & Argus how they will be following the match, and other supporters have joined the chorus of support.

Mike Harrison, the editor of the City Gent fanzine, said that tonight would be an “historic” as it was City’s first major cup semi-final since 1911 when the Bantams went on to win the FA Cup.

“Phil Parkinson and his team of players have deserved this chance to take on Aston Villa through their magnificent efforts in the previous five rounds,” said Mr Harrison.

“And though the results from the last three league games didn’t go as well as we all might have hoped, all Bradford City fans will know that come the kick-off everyone will be ready to play their part and do the club and the City of Bradford proud.”

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Bradford West MP George Galloway has written to the joint City chairmen Mark Lawn and Julian Rhodes and to Phil Parkinson and the team. He said: “I’m sending you and the team every good wish for the game and the second leg. This is only the fifth time in 50 years a fourth tier side has been in the semi-final of the League Cup and it’s no exaggeration to say that everyone in the country will be willing you on to win against Villa, outside a small part of Birmingham.”

Alan Carling, the chairman of Bradford City Supporters Trust, said that some fans had said that the Arsenal game was their best experience at Valley Parade for 50 years. “But today could top that,” he added.

“City are coming off their best season for years. Our squad is brimful of confidence, which is lacking in a young Villa side battered by recent results.

“We are not expected to win over two legs, and there is no anxiety to perform. It would be wonderful to get a result that takes 6,000 exuberant Bantams to the second leg at Villa Park, with Wembley in our sights.”

Keighley Conservative MP Kris Hopkins said that Bradford City were worthy semi-finalists after such an accomplished performance against Arsenal.

Bradford South Labour MP Gerry Sutcliffe said: “To reach the semi-finals is a fantastic achievement for a League Two side and, hopefully on the back of their cup exploits they can achieve promotion this season. I’ll be stuck in London but will be glued to the TV cheering them on.”

That sentiment was echoed by Shipley Conservative MP Phillip Davies, who said: “They have brought a much needed feel-good factor to the city. Reaching the final from League Two would be absolutely amazing and one of the greatest cup achievements of all time.”

David Ward MP (Lib Dem, Bradford East) was not available for comment.

  • The club has warned that fans without tickets will not be allowed into the ground and no tickets will be sold after today’s noon deadline.

Comments(22)

Billy big balls says...
8:30am Tue 8 Jan 13

Come on city.... 2.1 city or 1.3 villa

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DCarbz says...
8:55am Tue 8 Jan 13

Even as a life long Avenue fan I am doing my bit out here in Cyprus having organised for a group of EN.A.D (Polis) supporters plus ex pats to watch the game in a local bar as we did for the Arsenal game.
It is times like this when the Bradford 'bit' is more important than the, City, Avenue or Bulls 'bit'.
Ps I will be wearing my Avenue shirt though.

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bingleybantam-ms54 says...
9:49am Tue 8 Jan 13

Re ...................

Billy big balls says...
8:30am Tue 8 Jan 13

Come on city.... 2.1 city or 1.3 villa”


I can't believe you said that re the scores ................????



Those are "my own predictions" that just "came to me" out of nowhere yesterday ....... "Spooky" or what ??


Lets just hope we both got the "Former" score right and NOT the "Latter"??


Come on you Bantams & Good Luck Lads - C T I D

C-:=

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bradfordranger says...
9:55am Tue 8 Jan 13

Good Luck Boys!!! I will be waking up here in Tokyo at 4 am to cheer you on!! Come on City !!

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adt1962 says...
10:49am Tue 8 Jan 13

Wishing you the best of luck in the semi's! i'll be cheering you on tonight.
LUFC supporter

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belle vue says...
11:21am Tue 8 Jan 13

well done T & A for putting this game and the magnificent achievement of the club (and therefore the city it's in - are you listening Bradford City Council?) centre stage.
Never mind the virtually full house paying the money in such a tough climate and worst time of year for everyone, there are going to be tens of thousands more all over the world with an eye on this one and hope in their hearts.
Step up to the plate lads and do us all proud. Enjoy it.

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Thee Voice of Reason says...
12:30pm Tue 8 Jan 13

I wonder how many of the city's councillors will bother to show tonight to support one of the few things in Bradford that is putting it on the map.

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bradfordian says...
1:19pm Tue 8 Jan 13

My full support to ' city'.Bradford is proud of you. Credit where credit is due.

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bradfordian says...
1:19pm Tue 8 Jan 13

My full support to ' city'.Bradford is proud of you. Credit where credit is due.

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mr-dog says...
1:26pm Tue 8 Jan 13

Come on you City!!

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edinhosdad says...
1:58pm Tue 8 Jan 13

Arguably our biggest cup game since 1911, its disappointing that we couldn't sell out the stadium. Yes Xmas was only a couple of weeks ago and the QF just before but come on this is the SEMI OF A MAJOR CUP, many premier league clubs would chew off our marbles to be in a semi-final. Did the club get the pricing wrong? I would of thought a City/conurbation as large as Bradford would surely of filled VP, like we did for Arsenal. I'll be there no matter what!! CTID

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essmbee says...
2:44pm Tue 8 Jan 13

My son and myself traveled over from Enniscorthy, County Wexford in Ireland for this memorable occasion. C'MON CITY. CTID !!

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claret or green ? says...
3:20pm Tue 8 Jan 13

We are indeed fortunate to have two football teams in Bradford on the up. I just wish the council understood the value for money they provide to the brand "Bradford". I cannot understand, if it is not a sellout out tonight, why that is the case (I'll be there). 101 years since a last major semi final ! Good luck City.... to keep it alive for Villa Park will be a great result !!!

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kiwibantam says...
4:14pm Tue 8 Jan 13

As the prophet says
keep the faith
stay calm
and take it to penalties

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Wallybantam says...
4:51pm Tue 8 Jan 13

Best of luck for tonight boys. 'll be folowing yo from work here on Vancouver Island. BC.thanks to Mr. Parker's blog..the more updates the merrier please. Biggest game in years!!!
CTID

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HHITYKE says...
5:30pm Tue 8 Jan 13

I just wanted to pass on my support to the team for tonight's game from HiltonHead Island SouthCarolina. My 82 year old mother and my brother will be here to watch the game live. Please put the game away before halftime so I don't have to do CPR on Mum at the end of the game. Good luck to you boys, you have exceeded everyone's expectations so enjoy the game and leave the worry to the over paid Villa players.

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Banjaxed says...
5:51pm Tue 8 Jan 13

Good luck from all the crew aboard the International Space Station...

COYB!!

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philjenko says...
6:52pm Tue 8 Jan 13

Aussie Bantam on holiday in Vancouver Canada, already listening to 5 live in anticipation of the big game. 4 cans of Boddingtons on hand to help me through!. Good luck to the lads tonight.Anything other than a defeat will be a bonus and set up game two in anticipation of penalties!, Just waiting to book my next holiday!!

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theviking62 says...
7:03pm Tue 8 Jan 13

All the best tonight, to all those at Valley Parade.

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adpf58 says...
7:17pm Tue 8 Jan 13

good luck bcfc we will be rooting for you !!!! come on bantams rah rah rah

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HHITYKE says...
10:14pm Tue 8 Jan 13

Yeeeeeeeeeeessssssss
s!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What a night to be a witness to the giant slayers! Great game boys.

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istanbull-bantam says...
6:45am Wed 9 Jan 13

And from Jinagsu, China. Wonder ful to see! Come on City!

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