BILLY Clarke today admitted he had almost written off City's chances this year before a ball was kicked.

The Irishman is excited at the prospect of tangling with Millwall at Wembley next week for the third promotion spot to the Championship.

Yet as City build towards the play-off final, Clarke revealed the doubts he harboured in pre-season after so many comings and goings.

Clarke was one of the small band of senior professionals Stuart McCall inherited when he took over from Phil Parkinson at Valley Parade as the complete overhaul began.

When asked if he thought the season would pan out as it has, the striker said: "No, not a chance. I think there were only eight of us. Obviously all the staff had left, so it was just us, the manager and Kenny (Black). That was it.

"Nobody could have said where we'd end up, so to do as well as we have is absolutely outstanding from everyone involved. Looking at the recruitment of the players coming in, everyone has bought in to what Bradford are about.

"You don't know if you're going to gel – but Phil used to say that if you put in 100 per cent every game, then the fans will love you. Everyone that has come into the club this season has done exactly that."

Clarke's initial worries proved unfounded in a campaign where City were beaten only seven times – and never at Valley Parade. Now he is eyeing the prospect of sealing promotion a week on Saturday in front of a packed Wembley.

He was on the bench for Blackpool there when Ian Holloway's side beat Cardiff 3-2 in 2010 to go up to the Premier League. The striker feels there is no grander stage for the Bantams to achieve their goal of a return to the Championship after a 13-year wait.

Clarke said: "Winning the play-off final with Blackpool was surreal. To be able to do that with Bradford now would be incredible.

"Obviously you want to finish top two. Sheffield United probably aren't saying it's better to get promotion at Wembley – they are out in (Las) Vegas having a good time!

"But in terms of absolute pure emotion and joy, I don't think it comes close, although that's only if you win because it can turn into one of the worst days in your career if you don't.

"We won't be fully happy until we get the job done and that's all we're aiming to do."

Millwall are making their second successive trip to Wembley after losing last year's final to Barnsley. Lions boss Neil Harris felt his side were "overawed" on that occasion and believes they will be stronger for it.

But Clarke does not view the fact that many of the opposition will be going back again as any significant advantage.

He said: "They'll be going there thinking 'we've got experience of this, so let's go one better'. But I don't think it really makes a difference that they were at Wembley last year.

"It's about who plays better on the day. If you turn up and play better with a bit of luck – because you always need that."

Swindon official Simon Hooper has been named as referee for the play-off final.