Neville Southall became the oldest player ever to appear for Bradford City in the derby clash with Leeds and then said it was a nice way to finish his career.

The 41-year-old veteran was forced into emergency action against Leeds yesterday after Matt Clarke's planned comeback was halted when the goalkeeper slipped on stairs at home on Saturday evening and aggravated his knee injury.

Southall joined City on a non-contract basis last month after being released by Torquay and had been on the bench for the previous four games.

The former Everton and Wales star believes City will sign another keeper this week as cover for Clarke with speculation suggesting a move for Bayern Munich's Sven Scheuer.

Southall said: "The way things were going with the goalkeeping situation around here, I thought I would play again because this club seems to be jinxed at the moment. They have had some rotten luck.

"I came here to help out Terry Yorath and Paul Jewell. I did not find out I was playing until 2.30pm.

"I had a good laugh and enjoyed it. I knew I had nothing to lose. The lads did exceptionally well in front of me and even though I enjoyed myself I sincerely hope I won't be playing next week - but if I do then I do.

"But as far as I am concerned this was a nice way to finish my career, playing in the Premiership and in front of the cameras.

"It is certainly much better than being taken off when 2-0 down at Chester while playing for Torquay."

Southall beat the long-standing club record of Tommy Cairns who was 41 years and eight days old when he faced Bradford Park Avenue in November 1931. Southall was 170 days older when facing Leeds.

City boss Paul Jewell was left shaking his head at the goalkeeping crisis: "It seems the things are sent to try us. Matt's accident has set him back a bit so we will have to see how it goes before the Coventry game.

When asked about Southall's first Premiership performance since November 1997, Jewell added: "To be fair to him he has not had much to do. You cannot blame him for either of the goals, although they were bad ones to give away defensively.

"It was a bad free-kick to give away and the second goal was bad defending."

When Leeds boss David O'Leary was asked: "What did you think of Big Nev's performance?', the Irishman joked: "Well he is certainly big!

"For many years I played against him myself and he was always a class goalkeeper - although he's put on a little bit of weight since I last saw him.

"But he did OK. I don't think he lost Bradford the game, although we didn't test him enough."

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