I never thought it would happen, that a day would come when I would not only want to watch a football match on the television but actually be reduced to listening to it on the radio. But dear reader, it happened and I did.

This time last year I had little idea or concern that Bradford City had won promotion to the Premier League. While colleagues and friends sang Yazz's one and only hit The Only Way is Up very badly, but with such commendable enthusiasm, I merely wondered what all the fuss was about.

A few bigwigs mentioned that promotion was great news for the city. This, quite frankly, left me baffled. How, I thought, would accommodating coachloads of marauding football fans from other parts of the country possibly be good for the city. Surely it would only exacerbate the litter problem?

Alas, dear reader, like Liz Hurley's latest fashion accessory, I too was a dummy.

I thought football was a pointless game and that the players should have proper jobs. I used to see hordes of people round town in their claret and amber shirts and pass them off as eccentrics.

I suppose it was a cultural thing. Many Asian people only support Pakistan or Manchester United. And Pakistan don't even play football.

But let me tell you, I am not heartless. When City teetered on the brink of relegation how I wished they would prove their critics wrong.

Don't get me wrong, I didn't suddenly become a football pundit. Oh no, though I did once meet Stuart McCall and thought he was a very nice man indeed. (With dreamy blue eyes and a scrummy smile...).

Recently someone tried to impress me by telling me he played for Leeds United. Instead of falling at his feet in a swoon I began an in-depth discussion with him about racism in the sport after which he begged for mercy and admitted to being an electrician from Hartlepool.

Anyway, it was with some trepidation that I looked forward to the final crunch match. Still not being a football pundit I at least understood that Liverpool are one of the biggest teams in the league with Michael Owen starring in crisp adverts and Jamie Redknapp married to glam popster Louise, whereas words to describe our boys have included "ageing" and "weary."

Nonetheless the sun shone and I sat in the garden trying to revise for imminent exams.

The birds sang sweetly, the flowers bobbed prettily - and then the peace was shattered by a yell from the next-door neighbour. A fraction of a second later there was an almighty roar in the distance at Valley Parade. City had scored. I threw away my books and raced to the radio where I tried to fathom out which players were ours and which were theirs.

By the time the final whistle went it all made sense. Bradford City were staying up in the top flight.

It will be great for the city and great for the people. I may even invest in a claret and amber shirt. Or I may even actually go and watch a football match next season. Who knows. As Bradford City have proved, anything is possible.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.