10 years on: Connell on THAT night when Bradford City stunned Arsenal

In part two of the T&A interview with ALAN CONNELL, the former Bantams striker recalls that incredible night at Valley Parade - and what toppling Arsene Wenger’s superstars felt like as an avid Gunners fan.

THE tension around the packed-out stadium was reaching fever pitch as he stepped up to take City’s fourth penalty in the shoot-out.

But Alan Connell, Bantams striker and lifelong Gooner, was the coolest head among the 24,000 who could barely bring themselves to watch.

“It was weird because I’m still a big Arsenal fan,” he said. “I tried not to overthink it.

“I practised my penalties in training all the time and backed myself and my technique to score.

“The Arsenal one didn’t feel any different to scoring against Brentford in the FA Cup, scoring in the shoot-out at Wigan or others I got in the league that year.

Arsene Wenger watches the penalties alongside the City bench (Image: Newsquest)

“I got a couple against Rochdale and scored a 98th-minute equaliser at home to Aldershot to keep the play-off push going towards the end.

“Every penalty you ever take is a high-pressure kick. I didn’t feel any more because it was against Arsenal than I did against Aldershot.

“If anything, you feel it more maybe in the league games.

“But it was a strange feeling for me afterwards.

“If we had beaten any other team, I’d have been absolutely elated. Don’t get me wrong, I was delighted but there’s that something inside you that made it feel a little bit different.

“But it was a great night and a massive one in the club’s history.”

Connell tucked his spot-kick away - as he did with every penalty he took in a City shirt - and Thomas Vermaelen dragged his decisive effort against the post.

It sealed a ninth consecutive penalty shoot-out for the Bantams, still thought to be a footballing world record, and spawned a line in celebration t-shirts as modelled by Mark Lawn.

Connell can recall the confidence that surged through the team when they had taken the game the difference.

“I knew we’d go on and win it then - that’s how we all felt. The crowd knew it too and we had that momentum - I fancied us to beat anybody in a penalty shoot-out at that time.”

Nobody had seriously expected such a finale when Arsenal’s team sheet was revealed to show 10 changes from the line-up of youngsters that had beaten Reading in the previous round.

The excitement of the City fans is evident at Valley Parade (Image: Newsquest)

Wenger had wheeled out all the big guns in a bid to end a seven-year itch since winning their last major trophy.

“Sometimes in your career you don’t remember lots but I can clearly recall reading the names on the flip chart in the dressing room,” added Connell.

“Gary Jones has said the story as well but there’s Steve Parkin looking down the team and, to paraphrase him a little bit, sarcastically said something like, ‘see, they’re not very good!’

“But it was a cold night and the pitch was borderline frozen. Even taking my penalty, I was worried about my standing foot slipping.

“That all played a part to make it uncomfortable for Arsenal along with the incredible input that the boys put in.

“The ball was bobbling all over the place but Arsenal were still very good even on that pitch. Jack Wilshere and (Santi) Carloza, I thought, were the two outstanding players.

“But we just had that spirit and determination about us. We were well organised as well - something that was always the case under Phil Parkinson.”

Connell appeared after 74 minutes to replace Nahki Wells as City fought fiercely to protect the early lead given them by Garry Thompson.

Arsenal pressed and pressed, Gervinho somehow missed, before Vermaelen headed what looked like a killer blow when he equalised with 87 minutes and 27 seconds on the clock.

Extra-time was simply a case of survival for Connell.

“It was backs against the wall for us. I came on with 45 minutes to go as it turned out and remember being in and around Wilshere, their deep midfielder, trying to stop him playing.

“When the ball did come into me, I tried to secure possession for the team or win a few free-kicks to get us up the pitch.

“But we didn’t have any real opportunities. We were just trying to hold on.

The T&A front page the next day captured all the drama (Image: Newsquest)

“Everyone knew, Arsenal included, we had a huge psychological advantage if it went to a penalty shoot-out because of the experiences we’d had before.”

Connell is now into his sixth season as under-18s coach at Premier League Bournemouth - a job he loves at the club who launched his career as a player.

“Bournemouth have given me so much, including my first professional contract when I was 19. Without this club and Sean O’Driscoll in particular, I wouldn’t have had the career I have.

“We’ve had a few players come through in recent years and some go out on loan in the Football League. Bradford would have played against one or two.

“It’s a different satisfaction to playing but it’s really rewarding.

“I’d been hoping in the FA Youth Cup to get Bradford away but it hasn’t happened yet. Maybe that might be my avenue to get back to Valley Parade.”

Connell has still not set foot in the stadium since leaving City for Northampton in January 2014.

“It’s something I’m desperate to do one day, just stand in the middle of the pitch again and have a look round.

“There were great memories with great people, who were such a big part of my life at the time - not just players but staff and supporters.

“It was a real privilege to be part of that run.”