Gary Jones scooped the major haul of silverware at City’s annual awards night last week.

But while there was no dispute that the evergreen skipper deserved the accolades, the prize that probably meant the most went to someone who many would not know by name.

They will have seen Mick Lamb, of course. As ticket office manager, he has spent countless hours on duty during this historic – and exceptionally time-consuming – campaign.

Lamb was named the club’s ‘unsung hero’ – a title he effectively took for the team of countless individuals who slip under the Valley Parade radar compared with the more public personalities.

These are the men and women who grease the wheels to keep the City machine moving; whether it’s washing the kit, preparing the food, selling the tickets or mowing the pitch.

As a return to Wembley beckons, it was a timely reminder of those who have gone above and beyond to do jobs that could easily be taken for granted.

Director of operations David Baldwin appreciates that commitment to the cause, which has seen staff work through the night – some even doing non-stop shifts for up to 36 hours.

Baldwin said: “It’s been a massive pull in the same direction. When it’s been tough, everyone has stuck together and that has been epitomised on and off the pitch.

“It’s not like they are quids in as a result. They get paid the same amount of money, come what may.

“So they are actually giving up their own time to make it happen. That’s because they love the club first and foremost.

“For the vast majority, it’s fan first then job and that’s why they go over and above the call of duty.”

Baldwin believes that strong “family” ethic runs through all levels of the club, from owners Mark Lawn and Julian Rhodes to those in the ticket office windows.

He said: “The common denominator is a love for this club and we should all treat each other as equals. That definitely happens internally – there is no hierarchy feeling.

“This is the Bradford football family and we’re all in it together. Everybody has a voice.

“I know how much the staff care about the club as individuals and that’s why we are always very protective if anyone has a go at them.”

The prospect of two trips to Wembley in the same season, and hopefully promotion back to League One, comes as a welcome fillip. For Baldwin’s band of brothers – and sisters – it makes the job worthwhile.

He said: “I’m glad that they’ve seen the reward for their efforts. These efforts aren’t for the last week or month, they’ve been year in, year out.

“It doesn’t change whether the team are playing good or bad. You’ve still got to work hard to get that game on.

“It’s just the efforts you’ve put in are less inclined to be noticed when things aren’t going so well on the pitch.

“The club have gone back to that core community feel. That was my single mission when I came here in 2007.

“I genuinely believed we had to create that again. We had to have community activity with the likes of One in a Million and the Football Trust.

“They were key stepping stones towards ensuring that we weren’t just seen as a club that functions on a Saturday with the first team. There is so much more diversity to what we’re about.

“It’s the human element that makes that diversity and people are buying into that.”

Proof that they are making a difference can be seen from the e-mails, tweets and letters from supporters acknowledging what has been done. Baldwin admitted that public support goes down well.

He said: “We all have bad days and good days. When Mark Lawn’s wife took poorly, we got lots of messages from fans and they do lift people. We are human beings and it does help.

“It’s nice that efforts don’t go unnoticed and we’re seeing tangible benefits. The ultimate benefit is the performances we’ve seen from the team and that makes you enjoy the job.

“I might have gone home shattered from an 18-hour day and might be going back in at 6am tomorrow. But at least you can see a purpose and goal to look forward to.”