Bobby Pointon recalls Bradford City FA Cup run as young fan

Pointon was only 11 when the Bantams went all the way to the quarter-finals in 2015.

But having been there to watch them beat Chelsea and Sunderland, he did not get to the replay at Reading.

“I wasn’t allowed because I had school next day!” said the lifelong fan from Low Moor.

“But there were a few big games in that run and I remember going to Stamford Bridge.

“I was sat just to the left of the goal. When Fil Morais scored, he did his celebration grabbing the shirt just in front of me!

“It was such a massive occasion. We went down there thinking we probably weren’t going to win but somehow we did.

Filipe Morais celebrates scoring in City's win at Stamford Bridge (Image: PA)

“At 2-0, you obviously thought it was over and you just wanted to enjoy it. Even at 2-1, I felt the same.

“But when we equalised, you just thought we could do it.

“(Andy) Halliday’s goal for 3-2 was probably the best but (Mark) Yeates scored a good little goal as well to secure the win.

“I remember the relief when that goal went in because at 3-2 you were still on the edge of your seat thinking they could get back into it.

“Then we had Sunderland at Valley Parade. The pitch was horrible so I think we dragged them down a bit and roughed them up and it worked.

“They didn’t fancy it. They probably came and looked at our pitch and thought, ‘what’s this?’

“But that was a great day as well.”

Another FA Cup run is long overdue for the Bantams, who have not won a tie in the competition for four years.

That’s something Pointon is keen to put right against Aldershot at Valley Parade this afternoon.

He got a taste of knock-out success last season when City reached the semi-finals of the Bristol Street Motors Trophy.

“We got so close and it was obviously really frustrating,” he added.

“We’d love to get through a couple of rounds in the FA Cup and draw a big hitter.

“Home or away, we’d take loads and enjoy the occasion. The fans will be backing us whoever we play but to get one of the big teams would be great.

“But we’ve got to beat Aldershot first and we’ll be treating them the same way we do anyone, whatever the league they are in.

“We know we’ll be favourites but we’ve got to go into it with an underdog mentality.

Bobby Pointon facing Wycombe in the FA Cup last season (Image: Thomas Gadd)

“We can’t look down on them because it always goes wrong – just as it did with Sunderland against us that time.

“We’ve got to approach the game with a good attitude and go and beat them.”

Pointon is happy with how his second season in the senior ranks is progressing since signing a new contract in the summer.

“I’ve had my chance this year and started well. I’ve scored three so far which is more than I had last season at this time.

“I just went off my momentum from the end of last season.

“I didn’t have any rest in the off-season because I finished firing. I carried on training and working on the things I was doing well.

“I’m a supporter and I’ve got so much emotion for the club. I put it out there on the pitch and I think it helps me.”