JOSH Cullen aims to book a Wembley day out for the City faithful as most face the prospect of missing out on tomorrow's play-off clincher at Fleetwood.
The Bantams have been given just 727 tickets for the tiny Highbury ground – and some fans even queued up overnight straight after the first leg to snap up the meagre allocation.
Cullen admits it will be a blow to be backed by a much smaller travelling support than they have been accustomed to this season.
Yet he sees that as even more incentive for City to build on their 1-0 aggregate lead and clinch a place in the promotion final two weeks today.
The midfielder, named man of the match in the home win, said: "It's a shame for all the fans.
"Look at last weekend when there were 3,500 at Rochdale. It's been cut down to less than 800. We've had fans follow us everywhere, so I do feel sorry for the ones who are going to miss out.
"It's inevitable some won't get tickets who have been to a lot of places with us this season. All we can do is try and do the job for the fans who are there – and the ones who aren't.
"I'm sure the ones that are lucky enough to get a ticket will create a great atmosphere, as they have done all season."
Cullen's second experience of play-off football is much different to 12 months ago, when City froze in the headlights against Millwall.
It was unknown territory for the West Ham loanee, who had only been at Valley Parade for three months. But with a full season now under his belt, Cullen is braced for the occasion – and for a much better outcome.
He said: "I didn't know what to expect a year ago because it was my first taste. I had only been playing men's football for a few months.
"To be put in the situation of a play-off and the atmosphere, knowing it was on TV, was something very new to me.
"The ones who played last season have got to use it as a little bit of extra hunger because we were all so gutted. We know what it feels like to fall short.
"I had wanted to sign off on a positive note, so to go out like we did wasn't the best – particularly as I picked up an injury in the second leg.
"It was a bit of a rubbish summer, to be honest. We went out of the play-offs and I spent all the off season in rehab', so there was no holiday for me."
Fleetwood's home, with its capacity of 5,327, could not be further removed from the intimidating arena at the Den, where City's play-off hopes were dashed a year ago.
But City were on the wrong end of a 2-1 loss at Highbury on Valentine's Day – when Cullen was credited with the decisive own goal.
He said: "As a player, you initially take in the surroundings, but once the game gets going you forget where you are or what's going on. You have to blank it out as much as you can and concentrate on the job in hand.
"We played there before in February and played reasonably well, even though we came up short. We will go there with confidence.
"But once you get in the play-offs, the two (league) games beforehand go out of the equation. It's a totally new situation.
"We're expecting it to be tough because they are a good side – but these are the occasions you want to be involved in.
"When I first came back, I said there was a bit of unfinished business. So we're back here again and hopefully this time it can go better than it did last season."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel