Paul Jewell believes a City victory over Northampton in the League Two play-off final would provide a shot-in-the-arm for the whole Bradford area.

The manager who steered the club to their last promotion urged them to “grab their second bite at the cherry” ahead of today’s Wembley showdown.

Jewell cemented his place in Bantams folklore when he took them into the Premier League in 1999 and masterminded survival the following season.

And he believes that beating the Cobblers could finally provide the boost to get Phil Parkinson’s men climbing back up the league.

“It doesn’t seem like 14 years ago (since the last promotion) but it’s been too long and Bradford as a city needs it,” said Jewell.

“There was a good buzz from the League Cup run to Wembley and it put Bradford City back on the map for the right reasons. The club had only been in the news through administrations and relegation.

“They need to get out of the lower echelons of the Football League. I’m not one who says people deserve to be in certain divisions – you are where you are – but this club have got the potential to rise.”

After such a long decline, Jewell would love to see Parkinson begin the revival this afternoon by pulling them out of the basement with victory over Northampton.

City have been installed narrow favourites with the bookies and Jewell believes the decisive factor can be their previous experience of Wembley in the Capital One Cup against Swansea in February.

“Phil has done a brilliant job with the way he has picked the players up after the cup final,” he said.

“They had a few draws straight after but then finished with real momentum and beat Northampton just before the end of the season. The experience of going to Wembley last time will put them in good stead.

“The cup final was brilliant. People went to London for the weekend just to see their team walk out at Wembley. Now it’s different because they’re hopefully going to see them get promoted.

“Supporters shouldn’t think they’ve only got to turn up to beat Northampton. It’s going to be tough. But I do feel those lads have got this second bite of the cherry and they will make it count. I’m sure they will be doubly determined.

“It’s not fair to say they never turned up in the cup game because they were playing against an outstanding team in peak form. Don’t blame Bradford for that because Swansea were very good.

“Those lads playing in that game loved walking out at Wembley but they won’t have enjoyed the experience of getting a tanking. This will be different.”

Jewell believes Parkinson has got the preparation spot on by deliberately down-playing the play-off showdown. The build-up has been far more low key than before they faced Swansea.

He said: “It’s 100 per cent the right call. Of course it’s an occasion but this is serious business.

“Phil’s right to treat it like going to play in London in a league game. There’s no need for new suits this time.

“Bradford have had their day out. This is a match they’ve got a realistic chance of winning.

“The preparation will be more about how we can hurt the opposition rather than how we stop them, which is what it was against a Premier League team. They are going out there confident of getting a result.”