“AT ANY moment your life could change.”

When Andy Halliday first read the message, it didn’t really sink in.

After all, he was about to tackle Chelsea at Stamford Bridge – the footballing equivalent of being thrown to the lions with only one of Lady Gaga’s meat shirts for protection.

The motivational text from a pal was sent more in hope than any serious expectation. Or was it a premonition?

In the aftermath of City’s stunning fourth-round success, not to mention his own precisely-executed finish from the edge of the penalty area, that message sprung immediately to mind for the Scot.

Halliday recalled: “It was a couple of days before the game and I was having a group chat with all my friends on the phone.

“One of the boys put this picture up which read ‘at any moment you’re life could change’.

“I didn’t think anything of it, to be honest. After all, we were going away to Chelsea.

“But then afterwards I looked back at it and in a way, it’s true. It has changed all our lives a little bit.

“It hits you when you see the magnitude of the victory and hear people saying that it’s possibly the biggest FA Cup upset ever.

“It was manic; absolutely crazy. So it has to change things a little bit.”

To think that Halliday had only been registered with two minutes to spare – otherwise he would never have been allowed to play! It wasn’t a bad way to start his career as an official Bantam after his loan spell.

“It has certainly set a high standard,” laughed Halliday. “The only way to possibly match that now is to go as far as we can in the cup.

“We’ve had such positive feedback from the Chelsea game, though. The reaction has been brilliant.

“To make a club and a city so happy was incredible. The response I’ve got since the goal has been unbelievable and the picture of my celebration has been everywhere.

“We were walking out for training the other day and there was a guy sat in his car waiting for me. He had ten pictures of the goal for me to sign and I was more than happy to do that – I’d have signed loads more!

“It’s stuff like that which reminds you that the result meant a lot more than just for the boys and the staff. It’s about the supporters and the Bradford people.

“I’ve had a lot of people coming up to me saying it was one of their best days in supporting the club for 20 or 30 years. I’m very proud to have been involved in that.”

What struck most neutrals was the way that City showed no fear and were prepared to go toe-to-toe with a side that have shown no mercy to any Premier League visitor. And all from conceding a two-goal start ...

“The way we handled ourselves on the pitch was outstanding,” added Halliday. “We took the game to Chelsea and didn’t show them too much respect.

“It’s something you have to do against them and all credit to the gaffer for going there with such a positive game-plan – and for the boys to stick to it and keep their concentration for 90 minutes, well 97 minutes.

“We played with two up top and showed our attacking intent. The way we set up, I always knew we could get a goal, even at 2-0 down.

“But nobody could have expected us to come back like that. That sort of thing just doesn’t happen.”

With one Premier League scalp under their belts, City have the chance to fell another top flight giant and move into the last eight.

Even allowing for the contentious state of the Valley Parade pitch, Halliday is thrilled by the prospect of facing Sunderland in City’s own backyard.

He said: “It’s another occasion to really look forward to and I’m just hoping we get the same atmosphere that was created at Stamford Bridge. I’m sure it will be rocking.

“I was delighted with the draw because all I wanted was a Premier League team. Man United or Arsenal away would have been another great day out for everyone but otherwise it’s best to be at home.

“We’ve put ourselves in this position where the fans want to come along and experience the occasion. You saw the massive demand for tickets for the Chelsea game.

“Sunderland will bring a load and hopefully the ground will be packed to the rafters. I don’t think many teams will fancy playing us at Valley Parade in the cup in that situation.

“You saw what this club did a couple of years ago and it would be great to give everyone another cup run. There’s so much to be excited about.”