Two loyal Bantams’ fans will miss the club’s League Two play-off final – because they’ll be representing Mencap at this summer’s European Championships in Switzerland.

Antonio Gesso and Adam Duckworth, both 18, were called up to the charity’s national team shortly before Bradford City’s Capital One Cup final at Wembley, where they cheered on Phil Parkinson’s men as they lost 5-0 to Premier League Swansea.

But the Bradford Disability Football Club players were “gutted” to discover they will be forced to miss City’s return trip to the landmark stadium as the side go all-out for a promotion-earning win against Northampton Town because they’ll be fulfilling their own footballing dream.

Antonio’s mum Lucy Gesso, of Allerton, said: “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime thing for them, but they’re so gutted to be missing the play-off final.

“When they found out they would be playing for England they were absolutely over the moon.

“Then they went to Wembley, where they featured in the match-day programme and were evening pictured in the Telegraph & Argus.

“But it was about a month ago they realised the date of the play-off final – it was touch and go about whether Bradford would get there and they were torn about whether they wanted them to because they knew they’d have to miss it!

“To get into the England squad is such an achievement for them in their own right, they both have special needs and it’s amazing for them to be able to say they’re going to represent their country.

“It’s just such a shame the games clash!”

The life-long fans, who are both students at Shipley College, hope to be able to follow the game from Switzerland, where they will compete with other teams from across Europe during the three-day tournament.”

Bantams’ season ticket holder Antonio, who has played for Bradford Disability FC for five years, said: “We’ll be playing when the match is on, so I think she’ll call me with the result and I’ll watch it when I get back.

“It makes me happy and sad at the same time – it’s a bit disappointing we can’t go and I feel mixed emotions.

“But then we’re already been to Wembley and did the impossible and I was happy to be there.”

Adam, who has played for the side for two years, said: “We have already been there.

“I’m looking forward to playing in Switzerland.”