ALMOST two years have passed since Arsenal were famously dumped out of the League Cup at a raucous Valley Parade.

Aston Villa were sent packing a month later in one of the most memorable nights in Bradford City’s history.

Tomorrow’s visit of non-league Dartford will be a rather more sedate affair but acting chief operating officer James Mason is urging fans to turn out in force.

He believes it could be the start of another amazing cup journey and has stressed the potential financial gains of reaching the FA Cup third round.

Mason, a lifelong Bantams supporter, said: “When we won at Wigan in 2012, that was the cue for most Bradford City fans to think ‘here we go’.

“None of us could have foreseen where the journey would take us, of course, but that was when things started getting very exciting.

“We took so many fans over to Wigan that night and it just grew from there.

“It was an incredible run to Wembley and I remember going to Villa Park for the second leg of the semi-final with three friends.

“We actually sat in the home end because the tickets in the away end had sold out so quickly.

“We kept quiet for most of the game, although I couldn’t resist standing up and celebrating when James Hanson scored with that brilliant header.

“A Villa fan actually turned to us and said ‘your name is on the cup final this year’.

“He was right and getting to Wembley really got Bradford City back on the map in terms of momentum.

“Promotion definitely came on the back of the League Cup success.

“I see this weekend as being similar in terms of us getting started with yet another incredible cup run.”

City last reached the FA Cup third round in January 2012 when they lost 4-2 at Watford and Mason is hopeful of attracting a crowd of up to 6,000 tomorrow.

Tickets are £15 while concessions are £10 and children £5.

Mason added: “Dartford estimate they’re going to bring over 800 fans, so we need to counter-act that with a big support of our own.

“We don’t want them to be the noisy end – we know it’s a big day for them but it’s equally as big for us so let’s be under no illusions about that.

“We want to be in with a shout of facing Manchester United, Arsenal or Liverpool in the third round. Why can’t we have another giantkilling season?

“The prize money for winning tomorrow is £27,000 but if we were to go to Old Trafford in round three then it could be worth £250,000 plus potential television revenues.

“That would mean that, come January, Phil Parkinson has the potential to reinvigorate his squad or keep loan signings such as Jon Stead, which will enable us to really push for promotion.

“This weekend’s match is therefore crucial. What we don’t want to happen is for their fans to drown ours out in the stands.

“On the field we want to ensure we continue the momentum we’ve found in recent games.”

Mason was unveiled as Dave Baldwin’s replacement last month but it remains to be seen whether the move will be made permanent.

Mason added: “Myself and the chairmen said we would give it until the new year to get to know each other.

“The first three weeks have certainly gone very well and I think I’ve got the skill set to do the job properly and indeed positively.

“We are putting in plans to bring about positive change and I’m really enjoying the role.”