THEY ignored the rain to stand outside the ground and meet and greet the team.

The sight of that family huddling by the players' entrance at Valley Parade was a poignant reminder for Mark Marshall of City's responsibilities to their public.

If he needed any more incentive about doing his business right, the loyalty of those soggy fans provided it.

"I saw this family and it got me thinking that these people were turning up on a cold, wet and windy Tuesday night to see me play," he said.

"That means a lot. Whether it's in front of 20,000 or three people, you're doing something you love and you want to be the best at it.

"I love playing football. It's a joy to go out there. I always like to express myself and I'm not scared of making a mistake. You've always got to be confident."

Marshall has come in from the cold himself. Since Kyel Reid's return, he had been limited to a couple of run-outs in the cup.

Before the Barnsley game last week, he had not started a league game since September.

But he has certainly hit the ground running on his return. Two lively home performances, including a big part in the build-up to James Hanson's equaliser against Fleetwood on Saturday, have reminded fans that he is still very much around.

Like many wingers, Marshall thrives on the buzz of the crowd. Phil Parkinson calls him a player who wants to be loved.

The former Port Vale flyer can feel that right now and explained: "It's great. When I got the ball, I could hear the fans shouting 'go on Mark' and that gives you a lift.

"In the position I play in, you can have all the ability in the world but confidence is such a big thing. You're playing out wide, so you can hear the crowd more, but I was delighted to get that backing.

"The fans have been quite good to me since I've been here. There's obviously a lot more pressure here because of the magnitude of the club.

"It's obviously ambitious – when you look at the size of the place and the facilities, it should ultimately be in the Championship or even higher. As a player, you realise that and we're all working towards that aim."

Marshall is no stranger to having to bide his time. A few months on the sidelines is nothing after serving a two-year ban during his time at Barnet after a stimulant was found in his system following a routine drug test.

That enforced absence from the game allowed the 28-year-old to re-evaluate his priorities. Since returning to football in 2014, Marshall has been determined to make the most of every opportunity.

He said: "As a worker, you want to do your job and I didn't come to Bradford City to sit down on the bench. I want to play and it's always good to be given the chance to express yourself.

"I know the challenge that life brings. It's not always going to be plain sailing – you'll have your ups and downs.

"I've had that during my career and my personal life. So what do you do – do you quit or keep going? You have two options and a quitter never gets anywhere.

"I know my ability, I believe in my ability and I've told myself to always train hard, show a good attitude and, when the chance comes, do what you are capable of.

"A lot of things don't go your way because you crumble under pressure. You have to show you can cope with that.

"This is a big club and there are other players there with good ability. So you have to work hard to get anywhere – and when you've done that and succeed, it will always feel a little bit better.

"Nothing that's worth it is going to be handed to you. Nothing comes easy."

City's late, late show against Fleetwood kept them on course in the congested race for a League One play-off spot.

The gap to sixth-placed Millwall has been shaved to three points. The next three games against Burton, Peterborough and Southend will say a lot about the Bantams' prospects of hanging on with the leading pack.

Marshall has no fears on that score. He is optimistic the Bantams do possess the staying power.

He said: "There's no doubt in my mind that this team can get in the play-offs and win promotion. Belief is a big thing; you've got to have that confidence in yourself.

"The main thing is that we're creating chances. Even in games when we're not playing very well, there are still chances – the worry would be if that wasn't happening.

"We just need the luck of the strikers to change and those chances to start bouncing in the net. Then it will hopefully be upwards and onwards.

"We're three points off the play-offs with a game in hand, so there is so much to play for.

"Before Saturday, I felt that ten wins and five draws from the last 20 games would get us bang in there in the play-offs. We're capable of doing that.

"We're in a fight and this is going to say a lot about the individuals in the team. It's about character. We've got to think that we can still get in the play-offs.

"We've all got to come together as a club. We've got good staff, good fans – everything is in place to get there.

"I'm a believer. I'm a very optimistic person, as I'm sure you can tell, and it's more than possible."