IT’S A year to the day since the biggest league crowd this century packed into Valley Parade.

A sell-out audience of 22,576 saw the Bantams clinch a 1-1 draw with League Two champions Leyton Orient to book their play-off spot.

Brad Halliday’s first goal in two-and-a-half years two minutes after the visitors went in front secured an ultimately unsuccessful shot at Carlisle in the semi-finals.

Four of Mark Hughes’ starting line-up that day would move on.

Harry Lewis, of course, joined the Cumbrians in a six-figure deal in January – and is now bound for a Valley Parade return next season after their immediate relegation.

It has been a difficult start for the keeper. He conceded 43 goals in 20 Carlisle appearances, keeping only two clean sheets in wins at Burton and Cheltenham.

Lewis is still to be on the winning side at Brunton Park after nine home defeats and a draw.

Romoney Crichlow, who was on loan at City from Huddersfield, is involved in the play-offs again with Peterborough.

But the centre half was not named in the Posh squad that lost 1-0 at Oxford in their semi-final first leg at the weekend.

Midfielder Adam Clayton played 27 games for Rochdale last season but has just been released by the National League side.

That leaves Scott Banks, the Crystal Palace winger who was such a fan favourite during his time in claret and amber.

The Scot had one of his quieter games in a 75-minute run-out against the O’s this time last year.

But he would play his part in the play-offs, setting up Matt Derbyshire’s extra-time goal at Brunton Park before making way for Matty Platt in THAT substitution that Mark Hughes would never live down.

It has been a very difficult 12 months for Banks since, after a loan move to Germany was wrecked by a serious injury. He played less than an hour’s football during the season.

Banks joined St Pauli in the Bundesliga second tier but tore the ACL in his right knee in only his third appearance against Eintracht Braunschweig.

The 22-year-old returned straight home for surgery in London a few days later before heading back to Hamburg in November to continue his rehabilitation with the German club.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Scott Banks high-fives Brad Halliday after his goalScott Banks high-fives Brad Halliday after his goal (Image: Thomas Gadd)

It has been a long road to recovery for Banks, who had signed a new contract with Palace last summer after a successful 36-game stint at the Bantams, where he scored six goals.

“"I knew it was serious right away," he told the St Pauli club website in a recent interview. "It was extremely painful.

“It was tough for me when I heard the diagnosis torn cruciate.

“I’ve had great support from day one, though. Everyone’s had time for me, even if it’s just been a quick chat.”

Banks would love the chance to return to St Pauli next season when fully fit but that will be up to his Premier League parent club.

“It's not my decision. The two clubs will have to decide what's best for me.

I'll accept the decision, though I will make my views known.

“It's no secret that I'd like to stay here after this difficult year.”

St Pauli should be a top-flight side again by then.

They currently sit in the second automatic promotion place with two games to go - but lost top spot to Holstein Kiel after a 1-0 derby loss at Hamburg.

St Pauli will secure a Bundesliga return after a 13-year absence if they beat Onsabruck on Friday night.