JAMES Mason was right to some degree – there was no need for a Chelsea replay.

But when he politely poo-pooed an email outlining details for a potential second game, the new chief operating officer never thought that it was because City would get the job done at Stamford Bridge.

Mason said: “Being the professional he is, our facilities manager David Dowse always plans for every eventuality. He’d already considered the replay.

“So he sent the longest and most fantastically detailed email and I said to him ‘David, are we wasting our time here?’

“In that respect, there was a contingency plan – but no contingency for beating Chelsea 4-2. That’s absolutely unheard of.

“We knew that Phil Parkinson was very focused about going there and giving a good account of ourselves. But we were also realistic.

“We were joking that if it got to 5-0 or 6-0, they might let us have a goal or at least a shot! We could never have imagined anything else.”

Directors’ boxes are meant to be places of decorum and respect - any sign of favouritism is frowned upon. But the Chelsea hierarchy, just like their team, were fighting a losing battle on Saturday as etiquette flew out the window.

Mason laughed: “Were we sat on our hands? Not at all. We’re all Bradford City fans in that board.

“The Chelsea directors were very gracious beforehand and said that if you do score or if it’s tight, please respect fellow fans around you.

“But when we got the equaliser, they couldn’t stop us. When we got the third, again they asked us to be a bit more reserved. But when it went 4-2, they just gave up.

“They were high-fiving us and shaking hands and just said ‘your name’s on today so go and enjoy it.’

“But the Chelsea board were absolutely fantastic with us. Mark (Lawn) was jumping up and down with his family, I was jumping up and down with fellow directors, Julian (Rhodes) was doing the same with his dad and his wife.

“It was absolutely phenomenal. But then it’s not every day that you’ve gone to the kings of the King’s Road and walloped them.”