Eager Bantams fans say 'bring on the Reading replay'

The Bantams will get another chance to earn an FA Cup semi-final clash at Wembley after their goalless draw with the Championship side on Saturday.

Despite the stalemate, the claret and amber side will take their place in tonight’s semi-final draw.

The crowd of 24,321 – beating the Sunderland attendance by 300 in the previous round - roared Phil Parkinson’s side on throughout the match.

Speaking just after the final whistle, fans came out of the ground feeling slightly disappointed not to grab the win at the first time of asking.

Janice Bruce, of Sandals Road, Baildon, a season ticket holder, celebrated her 69th birthday on Saturday by seeing her beloved Bantams earning a draw.

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She said: “The match was ruined by the referee.

“A replay against Reading is a winnable game for us.

“It was not the best of matches. We had so many chances. But we didn’t put them away.

“I won’t be going to the Reading replay but I did go to the Chelsea game.

“I don’t know if we will win the replay. We should concentrate on the league now.

“We’ve had a good run in the cup.”

Clare Green, 50, of Bingley, said: “We’re still in it.

“Bradford had the best of the chances in the second-half.

“The tie is still alive for us.

“We need to do a similar performance to the one we did at Stamford Bridge.”

Joan Simpson, 57, of Bingley, said: “I thought we were just going to nick it.

“I’m disappointed that we couldn’t quite get the one goal.

“After our cup run, we’ve got every chance of getting through.”

Alan Hirst, 67, of Wibsey, said: “It was a typical cup tie.

“There were chances at both ends.

“We are still in the semi-final draw, for the first time in living memory.”

His son Jonathan Hirst, 37, of Harrogate, said: “It was a good performance from both teams.

“That was our toughest tie so far of this cup run.

“We can go down there to Reading and do it.”

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John Kopelciw, 53, of Wilsden, said: “It was a good game.

“It felt a bit flat after the final whistle. We are all a bit disappointed.

“Reading came to spoil the game.”

Jamie Brook, said: “They came to play for a draw and there weren’t many openings - bring on the replay.”

Simon Mottram said: “They were really tight on marking, really defensive, but we did well.”

Bantams’ fan Ricky Holden said: “Reading didn’t want to win, but we’ll beat them on the replay no question.”

Eamonn Donnelly said: “We just didn’t get to play or get the ball down.

“It was all up in the air stuff - a bit like Wimbledon.”

“I thought we played well and took it to them?,” said fellow fan Des Murney.

“We really enjoyed it,” his wife Ruth said.

Paul Marshall travelled up from Leamington Spa in the Midlands to pay a trip to Valley Parade for the last-eight clash.

He said: “They only had one up front, very defensive.

“Our best results have been away and I live in Leamington Spa, so Reading’s not far away.”

Bradford-born and bred Ivan Fontaine was spotted blowing his instrument for a City victory outside Valley Parade.

“I’ve only had the trumpet three weeks, but I came up to blow for a win!” Mr Fontaine said.

FA Cup fever has not only hit the players and supporters of Bradford City but of footballers across the district.

At Salts FC & Salts Juniors FC at Hirst Lane playing fields, Saltaire, football fever is sweeping through the club due to the thrill of the big games said general manager Paul Whitehead.

“We are a football mad club anyway, but with this FA cup run happening in Bradford it seems to have raised even more interest in the game.”

He said the many of the 500 players support the Bantams and training session were brought forward on Saturday to allow players to get to the Reading game.

“For those that were unable to get tickets to the game the onsite clubhouse Salts Bar opened its doors early to allow players and families to watch the game on the big screen,” Mr Whitehead said.