ANTHONY O’Connor said it was “ridiculous” to suggest he had deliberately thrown away the City captain’s armband against Portsmouth.

The centre half took it after Paul Caddis went off injured at half-time – and was seen taking it off before a corner in front of the away fans.

O’Connor has issued a statement after a video was circulated on social media.

He said: “It has been brought to my attention by members of staff at the club that supporters were unhappy with me after I removed the armband during the second half.

“Paul (Caddis) came off injured and I put the armband on in the dressing room at half-time. The stitching was coming away and I had just headed the ball away for a corner.

“I was getting ready to defend the corner and took it off. I put it in the goal.

“It is ridiculous to suggest I did it for any other reason. I would never disrespect the club or the captaincy.

“I wouldn’t have put it on if I didn’t want to wear it.

“Most importantly, I wouldn’t disrespect the travelling fans who made the long journey to support us today.”

O'Connor had previously been City skipper before caretaker boss Martin Drury changed it to Caddis ahead of the game.

O'Connor added: "I’m bitterly disappointed about today’s result and, for that matter, last weekend’s defeat to Walsall.

“It obviously led to David Hopkin resigning from the role, which we all feel a large degree of responsibility for.

“Martin took charge of the team and made the decision to give Paul Caddis the captaincy, which I was completely supportive of.

“I have worn the armband with a great deal of pride this season and am right behind any manager’s decision.

“My job never changes. I am here to give 100 per cent for Bradford City."

O'Connor also responded to claims on Twitter that he was asking about a goal bonus while Hopkin was addressing the team in the dressing room after last week's loss at Walsall.

"The comments, which I am now told have been deleted, are entirely untrue and hugely hurtful.

"For the record, I do not carry a goal bonus in my contract and can assure every single Bradford City supporter the last thing in my mind, in the dressing room at Walsall, was the consolation effort I scored."