As their side played out the final seconds of injury time - and Bradford's last moments of top- flight football - the travelling City contingent burst into song.

"Down in a minute! We're going down in minute!" chanted the smiling Claret and Amber section of Goodison Park.

Time may have been called on the Bantams' two-season Premiership party but the fans refused to cry into their pints.

"I think we had accepted the drop some time ago. We had only been postponing the inevitable," said Mike Harrison, who has witnessed every kick of City's Premier League adventure.

Many would say the club have been "postponing the inevitable" since the finishing whistle of their promotion-clinching tie with Wolves in 1999.

Throughout their 72 league clashes since, the Bantams have often surprised their critics - remember a certain sheepish shaven-headed television pundit? - as well as their army of followers.

"We had to finish it in style, didn't we?" said Lindsay Wilburn, who has not missed a home or away game for four years.

"We couldn't go to Everton and get thrashed 4-0. We had to miss two penalties to lose. They like to make it exciting for us," she smiled.

Like most of the City die-hards, the 34-year-old taxi driver has kept the drop in perspective. "I have watched them during the late seventies in front of 2,000 people. There has been some pretty dire football," she said. "But over the last two seasons we have played in the best league in the world - there is no doubt about that."

And far from simply 'coming along for the ride', City have played with skill and courage, she said. Wins against the likes of Arsenal and Liverpool speak for themselves. And signings such as Dan Petrescu, Stan Collymore and Benito Carbone had the fans talking.

"I was one of Carbone's fiercest critics before he came here," said Lindsay. But you cannot fault him for a moment. I think his commitment to the club and his work rate is second to none."

And like most of the Valley Parade faithful, she was equally complimentary about Jim Jefferies.

Mike Harrison agrees that the Scotsman must be given a chance to develop the team, pointing to the success he had had over the last half-dozen matches.

"He seems be the right man for the job but he needs time. I just wanted us to go down fighting and that is what we did. We also went down with a bit of dignity," he added, highlighting City's honest attitude to the game - a refreshing change from many of the top-flight 'whingers'.

Mike, 39, of Bierley, believes Saturday's descent into the Nationwide League might be harder for younger fans to swallow.

"For those who have started following City in the last few years, this will be the first time they have seen them relegated."

"For me, it is the fourth - I'm used to it!"

Steve Chell, a season-ticket holder for four decades, said: "I'm sure that many regular fans won't have enjoyed this season too much. It is all right watching the so-called cream of English football but when they are sticking the ball in City's net it does become difficult." The 50-year-old from Wibsey added: "You cannot lose sight of the way the club has developed over the last five or six seasons. When we play Liverpool tomorrow, it will be the biggest league crowd here for 40 years."

And so for now, most City fans are looking back with fond memories without a tear in their eyes.

"The last two seasons have been a great experience. I never thought I would see it in my lifetime," said Lindsay. "I wouldn't have missed it for the world."