Make mine a double! Elliott Whitehead hoping to toast Bradford Bulls and City success

The homegrown second-rower, 23, will line up for Francis Cummins’ men today as they seek to record a third straight home Super League win.

Bradford-born Whitehead will then raise a glass to Phil Parkinson’s men tomorrow as they face Swansea City in the Capital One Cup final.

Whitehead said: “City have done Bradford proud this season with their cup exploits and I’m sure they will rise to the occasion again this weekend.

“They have done so well to get there – beating three Premier League teams along the way – and I don’t see why they can’t do it again against Swansea.

“I always watch out for City’s results and want them to do well.

“I’ve enjoyed watching the likes of James Hanson and Nahki Wells this season, so hopefully they can find the net again this weekend.

“City are doing well as a club and can hopefully go on to win promotion, while we look like we’re improving too, so it’s good for sport in Bradford.

“It would certainly be fantastic for the city if we could both win our respective games this weekend.”

The Bulls squad had hoped to travel to Wembley to support the Bantams but the huge demand for tickets put paid to that, although Omar Khan and Gerry Sutcliffe will be present.

Bulls coach Cummins said: “City’s success has been absolutely fantastic for Bradford and everyone at the Bulls obviously wishes them all the very best.

“I was at Valley Parade when they beat Arsenal and there’s no doubt that this city has been through some tough times.

“But nights like that showed how important sport can be in terms of everyone pulling together, supporting your team and being proud to be from Bradford.

“They have got to Wembley on the back of some tremendous results and it has been a fairytale.

“I played at Wembley myself and it’s a dream come true for the City players to represent their club in a major final.

“They might as well go and win it now.”