TONY McMahon admits his first promotion would feel extra special after all that went on at City a year ago.

McMahon has never gone up with a club before but is confident of setting that record straight against Millwall at Wembley this weekend.

It will also be a first outing at the national stadium for a defender who has played a large chunk of his career in the top two divisions.

He believes that reaching the Championship again would mean even more because of the upheaval which followed last season's play-off exit to the same opponents.

McMahon said: "The prize is massive. To get this club promoted after all that happened at the start of the season would be incredible.

"Players were coming and going, managers coming and going, owners coming and going – the change was huge.

"But as I've said before, we didn't shout from the rooftops about getting promoted. We told people it was all about stabilising and sticking together.

"But inside the dressing room we knew we had a team that was capable of challenging at the right end. We've done that all season and got to where we wanted to be.

"We wanted to finish in the play-offs minimum. Obviously we would have loved (to be in the) top two – but we wanted to do better than last season and we've done that. Now let's go one better again and win on Saturday."

McMahon is the only member of the City back four not to have played at Wembley.

Yet having made his debut as an 18-year-old for Middlesbrough in front of 68,000 fans at Old Trafford, he is well accustomed to the big stage.

"I've been lucky throughout my career to play in some big games," said McMahon.

"Obviously there were a lot in the Premier League and I've also played big games in Europe – Lazio was a massive one, as was Villarreal. I'll use that experience."

Last year's semi-final exit to Millwall was the second time McMahon has suffered play-off heartache. He was knocked out at the same stage with Sheffield United in 2013, although he was injured at the time.

He said: "That's my motivation. I want to go to Wembley and I want to win.

"I don't think it's personal because it's Millwall again. I just don't want that same feeling from when I've lost in the semi-finals. I've done that twice now and it's horrible.

"I want a good summer and to enjoy it with my family. Hopefully I'll enjoy it even more when we win."

Stuart McCall has tried to maintain as normal a build-up as possible to keep any nerves at bay, although McMahon admits the players are ticking down the minutes to kick-off.

He said: "There's a proper zip about training. Everyone is on cloud nine and we can't wait to get started.

"There are some unbelievable fixtures in the Championship waiting for us if we win. Just look at all the Yorkshire derbies to look forward to.

"But we've got to concentrate on what we do, go down there and play well. If we play to our full potential, then we can definitely be the better team on the day."

Millwall boss Neil Harris is not worried if City keep them guessing with their Wembley formation, McCall having kept opposition sides on their toes throughout the season by switching systems around.

Harris said: "I'm not sure what they will do. They have that flexibility, which they obviously see as a strength.

"But it's what we do with the ball that's the important thing. Whichever system they play, what won't change is Bradford's ability on the ball. They have plenty of individual ability and have shown they are a hard side to beat.

"We've got to make sure that first and foremost we put in a very strong Millwall performance. We have to be aggressive on our defensive shape and then be ruthless when we've got the ball."