The miracle workers

Paul Jewell's heroes outplayed and out-fought the mighty Liverpool to clinch a fabulous 1-0 victory in front of a nail-biting but ultimately ecstatic Bantams' army.

David Wetherall's superb 12th-minute header gave City the lead fans could only have dreamed about.

And for the remaining, pulsating 78 minutes the City heroes gave every ounce of energy and spirit to hold on for those precious three points.

And when the news came through that relegation 'rivals' Wimbledon had lost at Southampton, it was the signal for huge celebrations to begin.

As the final whistle blew fans poured on to the Valley Parade pitch, mobbing the players and manager Paul Jewell amid scenes of unbridled joy in the glorious May sunshine.

Across the city car horns sounded and thousands of fans unfurled their banners to celebrate one of the greatest days in City's history.

Match Report

The party to end all parties

Bradford was today in party mood after hanging on to its Premiership status in a nail-biting game against Liverpool at Valley Parade.

The Champagne was flowing after Bradford City won the final game of the season with a thunderous header by David Wetherall in the 12th minute.

And ecstatic Bantams fans celebrated the vital win at pubs across the city last night. David Haigh, landlord of the Bradford City pub Haigy's in Lumb Lane, Manningham, said: "Everyone is ecstatic. They've been dancing, singing, and generally enjoying themselves.

"It's the party of all parties and will no doubt continue all week. I'm not a City fan myself, but I'm delighted they've stayed up. I support Bradford Bulls and with us winning the Challenge Cup the other week and now this it certainly is a great time for Bradford."

And the celebrations were to continue today when the victorious players arrive in Centenary Square, via Market Street, in an open top bus at 6pm.

A civic reception hosted by the Lord Mayor, Councillor Harry Mason and Lady Mayoress, Christine Mason, will follow to mark the team's 'Great Escape' from relegation. The Lord Mayor said: "I congratulate the Bradford City players on an excellent result and we'll be holding a civic reception tonight to celebrate.

"They played an excellent game and deserve the result.

"Last year we couldn't believe it when they went up, and to have stayed up is even better."

Ian Stewart, Bradford Council's Chief Executive, said: "I'm absolutely over the moon.

"I've been involved in football myself but I was more excited today than I've ever been during my own football career.

"It means so much to Bradford. It's absolutely wonderful.

"I've been on edge all day waiting for the result and couldn't bear going to the ground to watch them play for fear of them losing, although I was positive they'd stay up.

"Both Bradford City and Bradford Bulls have done marvellously and now we have to try to sort the city and the district out.

"Now they've shown us we can do it and we should use this to build on to make the city a better place to work, live and play."

The Bishop of Bradford, the Right Rev David Smith said he was following the game on radio in between services yesterday.

"It was absolutely brilliant and it's a great encouragement for the whole of Bradford," he said.

"When a football team is doing well it has an effect on the city and everyone feels the benefits.

"I love football and have been a football fan since I was about seven or eight. At ten to five on a Saturday I'm tuning in for the results.

"I only hope next season I get to see more City games - as long as they're not on a Sunday. It's a busy day for me."

Bary Malik, president of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association, called the Telegraph & Argus as soon as the final whistle was blown to pass on his congratulations. It's good news for Bradford and it's excellent for Bradford City," he said. "It was just the result we needed and means so much for the city.

"The team played excellently. I listened to it on the radio and they deserve it. They are true heroes."

Julie Stainthorp, chairman of Bradford City Supporters' Club, said the Premiership was where the team belonged.

"We've shown them it's where we should be and we're staying up for good," she said. "The match was superb and the atmosphere brilliant.

"I had a strong feeling we would do it. I'd said for a few weeks it would be the Ws - Watford, Wimbledon and Wednesday who would be going down and I was right."

A rollercoaster ride of emotions during City's biggest day

City supporter Joanne Earp reports on the atmosphere on the Kop as her beloved Bantams complete the great escape in style.

Unbelievable was the word on the lips of thousands of Bantams fans as we streamed out of Valley Parade.

Forget the promotion clincher at Wolves - this one will go down as the greatest achievement in Bradford City's history.

As I passed through the Kop turnstiles I saw a sign on the betting shop window which read "Bradford 5/2 to stay up, 4-1 against to go down".

No change there, then. Pundits and so-called experts like the soon-to-be-scalped Rodney Marsh had been writing us off all season.

But defying the odds is what Bradford City do best. As for the fans - they were determined to turn the stadium into a cauldron of noise and passion.

As if to heighten the tension to an almost unbearable level the PA system was blaring out The Final Countdown.

And there was confetti - tonnes of it. It was like an American ticker-tape parade.

A few moments later you could have heard a pin drop. It was fitting that on the 15th anniversary of the Bradford Fire City played host to Liverpool - a club which also experienced tragedy.

The minute's silence in memory of those fans who lost their lives at Valley Parade and Hillsborough was perfectly observed and certainly put things into perspective.

Then the rollercoaster ride began. With 13 minutes on the clock Bradford won a free kick on the edge of the Liverpool area.

I turned to my sister and said "This is it - a David Wetherall special". And there he was to power a header into the top corner and send the crowd wild.

With City in the driving seat some of the fans were turning their attentions to events at Southampton. Then the crowd cheered a Southampton goal and chahted "Oh When the Saints Go Marching In". Half of me wanted to be there and the other half wanted to be locked away until the final whistle.

Then came the lift the City players needed - a second Southampton goal with ten minutes to go. "Are You Watching Rodney Marsh" was sung with a passion. Three minutes of injury time were played out to screams and whistles.

At the final whistle grown men started crying (the children were looking at them like they were mad). Supporters were sinking to their knees and kissing the turf.

And as the PA system belted out Simply The Best, the team returned for a lap of honour. Even the Liverpool fans stayed behind to applaud.

Yes, it's still not quite sunk in, but 5.49pm on Sunday, May 14, 2000 marked the end of one of one of the greatest escapes football has ever seen.

And how we celebrated...

T&A Opinion

Match Report

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