'Magic does happen' - Bradford heroes celebrate Capital One Cup triumph

Jan 22, 2013 11:59:00 PM

Goalscoring hero Jim Hanson believes the Bantams can win the showpiece against either Chelsea or Swansea and Matt Duke hails the achievement as a dream come true

Bradford City midfielder Gary Jones the club's progression to the Capital One Cup final proves "magic does happen" in football.

James Hanson's goal proved enough to take the Bantams to Wembley, despite efforts from Christian Benteke and Andreas Weimann, after the League Two side had won the first leg 3-1 at home.

Phil Parkinson's side are the first club from the fourth tier to reach a cup final since Rochdale in 1962 and the players were ecstatic with their phenomenal achievement.

Jones told Sky Sports: "I'm lost for words. Just look at [the fans], that says everything. A fourth division club to get to Wembley is an absolutely magical thing. That's what happens in cups, magic does happen."

Goalscorer Hanson, a former supermarket shelf stacker, who had a pain-killing injection in his toe before the game, is now relishing a first trip to Wembley.

He added: "The lads dug in first half I thought it was going to be backs against the wall pretty much all night. It looked a bit nervy but I thought we were quite comfortable second half.

"I've never been [to Wembley]. It's been an amazing three years for me so I've just got to keep working hard and hopefully we'll get a trophy there."

Goalkeeper Matt Duke has played a key role in the Bantams cup run, with crucial saves in penalty shootouts against Premier League opposition Wigan and Arsenal.

When asked if he believes in fairy tales, the former Hull City man responded: "I do now. I'm just speechless.

"The lads were fantastic again tonight. Look at the fans; it's going to be a great day at Wembley for us.

"Tonight was our final so we're just going to go [to Wembley] and have a great day.

"It's a dream. As a kid you dream of playing at Wembley and we're going to do it. We'll take a League Two club to Wembley with a massive following and it's just going to be an amazing day. I'm so looking forward to it.

"Whether we play Swansea or Chelsea, it's going to be a different game. If we do what we've done, we've got a chance."

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