Hundreds of Bradford City fans gathered in Keighley on Monday to salute their heroes.

Around 300 braved torrential rain to cheer the triumphant team members as they set off from Keighley's Cougar Park in an open-top bus heading for a packed and emotional Centenary Square in Bradford.

The squad had superbly clinched promotion to the Prem-iership by winning 3-2 at Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday.

Young children were hoisted onto shoulders to get a better look at the players and as the bus departed Cougar Park there was one last cheer.

The route took the convoy down Cavendish Street and and along the Aire Valley trunk road.

Some fans at Riddlesden were left disappointed when the bus failed to travel along Bradford Road. Banner-waving supporters lined the road awaiting the arrival of the team.

Bradford City managing director Shaun Harvey apologises to the fans, saying there had been some confusion over the route the bus would take and that it was impossible to take in every road and street in the district. "The club felt it appropriate that the bus should commence its journey away from Valley Parade to take in outlying areas where the club has a lot of support," he says. "And we thank Keighley Cougars for allowing us the use of their facilities. The route was organised very quickly and arranged after consultation with the police and other authorities. Once again, I apologise to all our fans."

Dave Smith, manager of the Marquis of Granby pub in Riddlesden, says: "About ten fans went out but came back and said they were disappointed because the bus didn't come past. They all thought it was due to go along Bradford Road."

He says he felt particularly sorry for a group of children and their parents who had decked out their house with a banner.

City fan Roger Nowell says: "I drove along through Riddlesden expecting to see the convoy and there were big crowds waiting to see the bus. It seems crazy to take the convoy along the Aire Valley Road where there are no houses.

"I don't think City did it deliberately - someone made a error in organising the route."

One fan who was not disappointed was 11-year-old Amy Joy. Amy, of Bradford Road, Riddles-den, went along to Cougar Park with her grandfather Ronnie Higgins to try to catch a glimpse of her hero, striker and leading goalscorer Lee Mills.

The Bradford City fan had a dream come true recently when she met Lee, who has netted 25 goals this season. She was invited to Valley Parade and introduced to him after she had written a rap song about the player - Sexy Mills Rap.

"I took lots of pictures of Lee at Cougar Park," says Amy, who attends Our Lady of Victories School in Keighley. "I smiled at Lee and he smiled back, but I don't think he recognised me."

She says she was very nervous about the crucial game at Wolves on Sunday which she watched at home with her mum Jackie and the rest of the family and a friend. "It was nervewracking when Wolves scored first," she says. "But once we went 3-1 up I knew we were going up. It is absolutely brilliant and I was really excited after the game."

Amy, who goes to all City's home games with stepfather Neil Farley and younger brother Christopher, has already got her City season ticket for the new season. She sits on the front row, close to the players' entrance.

She is already looking forward to the start of next season. "I can't wait for the Manchester United game," adds Amy.

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