Nicky Law today revealed the enormity of his nightmare preparations for last night's pre-season friendly at Hull City.
A Bantams scratch side were roundly beaten 3-0 at Boothferry Park, after a desperate scramble even to field a side.
With the senior players boycotting the fixture just 28 hours before, Law was still looking for a goalkeeper at 11.15 yesterday morning.
Hull City slashed ticket prices to £2, as Law was forced to field a side of trialists, youngsters and his four senior contracted players.
Officials from the Division Three club were left frantic as it reached 40 minutes until kick-off and City's players were yet to arrive.
But Law was full of praise for the commitment of his scratch side who put up a strong fight against fitter, more experienced opponents.
"Come hell or high water we were going to get this match played," said Law, who admitted the pressure of City's countdown to tomorrow's D-day creditors' meeting was getting to him.
"We still didn't have a keeper at 11.15am, but Richard Siddal came in and put in a good performance.
"We were not going to let Hull down and we did our best in the circumstances to get a team out.
"The lads did really well out there. To say there were trialists and young players out there, they put up a lot of fight and did themselves proud."
And Law was full of praise for the Hull City fans who stayed behind to clap the youngsters and give their support to Bradford's fight for survival.
Although the director's box was noticeably empty, Bantams fans, including members of the Supporters' Trust, turned out to offer their support to the side.
But everyone faces an anxious 24 hours ahead of the showdown meeting at Valley Parade tomorrow that will decide the club's fate.
"We are trying to remain positive," said Law.
"The players will be training today and then we will just have to see what happens.
"We have to get through today, get through tomorrow and then we will see where we are.
"This clubs means everything to the supporters and I really hope that we can get this all sorted out and get back to the business of preparing for the start of the season."
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