These Bradford City fans have swapped the Kop for the Opera House - but their hearts will always be at Valley Parade.

Far-flung fans Brian Rafferty and his son James, Mark Fowler and James Dawson are the latest to back the Telegraph & Argus Only Way is Up! campaign.

That's despite being in Sydney, thousands of miles from their beloved Bradford City.

During the tense final weeks of the run-in, which sees City in striking distance of promotion to the top flight for the first time in 77 years, the Sydney Bantams are having to follow their team's fortunes over the Internet.

They are all members of the Internet Bantams, an electronic subscription service that allows 400 City supporters all over the world to swap news and gossip about Paul Jewell's squad.

Mr Rafferty, 41, who was born in West Bowling but now lives in Sydney with his wife Elizabeth and nine-year-old James, said:

"I have supported City since the late 60s and now keep in contact with BCFC through the Internet, as well as regular conversations with friends in Bradford and Sutton-in-Craven.

"It feels odd to be so far away when we are so close to promotion.

"It is harder to be away when the place is really buzzing, something I felt at the two games I attended when I was in Bradford over Christmas.

"If they end up in the play-offs I am planning to come back, but I would rather it didn't come down to that!" Son James, who plays football and cricket, was proud to run out as team mascot at the Wolves game in December during a family trip home.

Mark, 26, a former Nab Wood Grammar School pupil, now a sports writer in Sydney, plans visits home to Bradford to see his parents around City games.

"It is hard keeping in touch in Australia as most people still think Bradford City are in Division Two or Three," he said. "Keeping in touch through the Internet Bantams is the best way I can do it.

"I am hoping we will not need the play-offs. If we do, unfortunately I will not be able to be there, but I would be sitting either on the phone or computer, listening to the entire game.

"Good luck to everyone at the club and as the T&A says - The Only Way is Up!"

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