BRADFORD City's unwavering fans were still singing long after the end of tonight's bitterly disappointing quarter-final defeat as they showed their appreciation for the club's sensational FA Cup run.

Even as Reading supporters staged a pitch invasion to celebrate their 3-0 win, it was the wall of noise from the travelling Bantams that could be heard above all else.

Around 3,500 City fans applauded and belted out 'everywhere we go' and 'Yorkshire, Yorkshire' to show their appreciation for players who had fallen just one hurdle short of Wembley after beating Chelsea and Sunderland in earlier rounds.

There were also a number of chants dedicated to Bantams boss Phil Parkinson.

Fans on the coaches back to Bradford tonight spoke of their pride after their team's cup run.

Joe Santry, 19, of Bradford, said: "Reading might have been the better team, but we have the better fans.

"At the end of the day, we still beat Chelsea but we were poor tonight."

Nick White, 48, of Eccleshill, said: "I'm still proud of the lads.

"I thought we went out with a whimper rather than a bang.

"It's not the losing, it's the performance. We can play a lot better."

Cheryl Jackson, 40, of Wibsey, said: "We did not play well but I'm still proud of them.

"We've got to keep fighting in the league now."

Les Brearton, 60, of Wakefield, who was born in Bradford, said: "I'm disappointed. We were second best.

"Reading outclassed us. We looked jaded. We just didn't turn up."

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Steve Kirton, 57, of Cleckheaton, said: "I'm just disappointed but still proud of the players, the fans and the club in general.

"I'm always proud of the lads, even if they had lost 6-0 tonight."

Earlier, there had been a note of cautious optimism as buses carrying excited City fans left Bradford in the early afternoon. With bad weather, heavy traffic and calls for a delayed kick-off, the 220-mile journey seemed even longer.

Onboard one of the supporters' coaches as it left the Bradford Hotel meeting point, Ella-Mae Jackson, 15, of Wibsey, was in buoyant mood.

"Of course City can do it. I'm confident," she said.

Jack Mccusker, 16, of Woodside, Bradford, was a little more nervous, saying: "It will be a tight game. They will be tough to beat, they have got home advantage too. But we have a good chance."

Kirsty Lambert, 28, of Greengates, said: "We are going to win 2-1.

"I think James Hanson and Billy Knott will score for us."

Joanne Firth, 33, of Eccleshill, was hoping City would conjure up the spirit of Stamford Bridge.

She said: "I think we will win 4-2. It will be Chelsea mark two."

Little did she know that City fans would later be singing "we've been 2-0 down before" and "are you Chelsea in disguise?" as their team slipped to an early two-goal deficit, but without the heroic comeback seen in the Chelsea victory.

After a stop at Leicester Forest Services on the M1, where City colours were much in evidence, Mr Kirton recalled the romance of previous encounters with the Berkshire club.

The 54-year-old said: "I remember I got married the day we played Reading on September 8, 1990 at Valley Parade.

"I got married, went to the game and went back for my night reception."

Steve Rowley, 18, of Cardiff, had been persuaded to attend the game by a Bradford supporting fellow Manchester Metropolitan University student, said: "I support Cardiff City but Bradford are my second team. I think Bradford have enough to win but reckon they will do it on penalties. I have a lecture at uni in Manchester at 9am tomorrow morning."

Cheryl Jackson, 40, of Wibsey, said: "City are going to beat them.

"We do well away from home. It will be close but we will win 2-1."

Irene Mirza, 42, of Thornton, said: "I don't know if I'm excited or nervous. I'm really hoping for a win. It will be a really tough and a really hard game."

In the run-up to the game, good-luck messages had poured in via the T&A's live internet blog, including from as far afield as Toronto, Canada, where City fan Mike Fenton was watching the game.