City could be in the running for a major national award to recognise their incredible exploits in the last 12 months.

The club are thought to be under consideration for the team prize short-list at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year ceremony.

The 60th anniversary of the star-studded event, which will be hosted by Gary Lineker, takes place on Sunday, December 15 in front of a sell-out audience at the First Direct Arena in Leeds.

The judging panel will draw up their candidates by the end of the month.

But optimism has been fuelled at Valley Parade after organisers confirmed they were inviting Phil Parkinson, joint-chairman Mark Lawn and several players.

The Bradford City supporters’ board initially contacted the BBC to push the team’s claims – and have been encouraged by the tone of their response.

In a letter, BBC communications manager Leanne Williams said: “Bradford City have enjoyed an amazing 2013, reaching a Wembley cup final despite the team at the time being in the bottom division of the Football League.

“They beat three Premier League teams en route to the final and also secured promotion to League One.

“The BBC Sports Personal-ity of the Year programme has invited the manager, chairman and key players to the event.

“The team are also fully eligible for consideration for the team of the year award chosen by the panel.”

Last year’s team award was shared by the Great Britain Olympic and Paralympic squads following the success of the previous summer’s games. Before that, previous winners include England’s Ashes-winning cricket team and the European Ryder Cup golfers.

St Helens were the last club side to triumph in the category in 2006 after clinching rugby league’s Grand Final and Challenge Cup double.

But in a year without a major sporting championship, the field would appear wide open.

City director of operations David Baldwin said: “The comments made in the reply to the supporters’ board are certainly of a positive nature and acknowledge the achievements of the past year. Even to be potentially up for consideration is a real testament to how far this club have come.”

Mike Harrison, editor of the City Gent fanzine, feels a nomination would recognise the magnitude of a fourth-tier football club going all the way to a major cup final.

He said: “It would be just reward for a fantastic season. Certainly at the start of the year, we captured the imagination of the nation and became everyone’s second-favourite team.

“And the way the fans came across in the last 20 minutes at Wembley, when everybody was standing up and waving their flags, made for a spectacle that was shown around the world.

“It gives hope to all of the smaller clubs that something special can happen if the stars align – everyone wants to ‘do a Bradford’. But it’s also down to a lot of hard work and good management.”

The 12-strong judging panel includes former Yorkshire and England cricket captain Michael Vaughan, Sue Barker and Kelly Holmes.

* City are in FA Youth Cup action tonight when they travel to Morecambe in the second round. The winners will be at home to Millwall.