Hometown hero James Hanson dreams of toasting City’s promotion to League One at Wembley tomorrow.
But the big fella cannot afford to get too carried away in any post-match party.
Hanson has to stay bright-eyed to get back to Bradford for the blessing of his six-month-old daughter Lexie on Sunday.
“I could have picked the timing a bit better than having it the next day,” he laughed. “I’m going to have to be sensible after the game whatever the result.
“It will be difficult but you’ve got to get your priorities right now. I’ll have a few but not too many.”
The baby will stay at home when Hanson goes to work against Northampton in a bid to end City’s six-year exile in the basement division. But she will see the evidence in years to come.
Hanson said: “My old man’s got scrapbooks and all the DVDs and it will be nice to bore her about the promotion and her dad going to Wembley again. This time I want to bring her back a winners’ medal.
“The boys were hurt after losing the Capital One Cup final. The fans had paid a lot of money and we felt they’d been let down.
“We didn’t show them what we could do because Swansea were just too good for us. But we all said afterwards that we wanted to get back to Wembley for the play-offs to make up for it.”
Hanson’s partnership with Nahki Wells will be a key weapon as City look to nail the Cobblers and their Eccleshill-born boss Aidy Boothroyd.
Wells has regularly found the net against Northampton and Hanson’s strength in the air will be vital in both penalty areas against direct and physical opponents.
Hanson added: “Every game against Northampton this year has been tight so it’s going to be close.
“There are a few bruisers and they sling everything into the box at every opportunity. We’re all going to have to defend well and I’m sure we can get a goal at the other end.
“It’s not going to be a pretty game. Both sides like to pass it at times but you’ve also got to play to the division. That’s what got us a lot of points this year.
“But if we can win the battles all over the pitch then hopefully that will be enough. If we play like we did at Burton then I think we can definitely do it.
“Our form has been great since Wembley and everyone’s playing well. Nahki’s scoring goals and we’re all looking forward to it.”
Hanson’s 14 goals this season have equalled his best haul in four years at Valley Parade. The stunning volley in the semi-final second leg at Burton took his career tally to 50.
City managed only one shot at Swansea’s goal – a tame effort by skipper Gary Jones – and Hanson would love to make his mark on their Wembley return.
“I’ve scored a few important goals this year but that would top it off. For a local lad to score at Wembley, hopefully the winning goal to take us up, would be unbelievable.
“The gaffer has been brilliant coaching me and I think all parts of my game have come on. It’s just nice to chip in with a few more goals and I’d love another one tomorrow.
“I’ll keep doing what I have been for the team and, if a chance comes, then hopefully I can take it.
“It took to the 85th minute for us to get a shot last time so it will be nice to go back there a bit more relaxed in a more even game.
“It’s been a long season and we want to finish it off in style and get that promotion. It will spoil your holidays if you’ve gone all this way to the 64th game and not managed to do it.”
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