Lawn: Semi is Bradford's final

Bradford chairman Mark Lawn is ready for unbearable tension at Aston Villa in the Capital One Cup semi-final second leg.

Last Updated: 21/01/13 at 18:22 Post Comment   

Bradford City: Hope to finish the job at Aston Villa

Bradford City: Hope to finish the job at Aston Villa

Bradford's joint chairman Mark Lawn is preparing for some unbearable tension when his club face Aston Villa in the Capital One Cup semi-final second leg.

The Bantams, who will defend a 3-1 first-leg lead, stand on the threshold of another historic victory, one game away from becoming the first club in the bottom tier of English football to reach Wembley in a major cup final.

Lawn's nerves have had plenty of practice since Phil Parkinson's League Two side embarked on the greatest giantkilling run in modern times, with famous victories over Wigan, Arsenal and Villa, but the 52-year-old is set for another rollercoaster ride of emotion.

"My heart says extra time and we win on penalties," he told Press Association Sport.

"I just know we're not going to do it the easy way, they'll put me through the wringer and I'm ready for it."

Rarely does a club from the lower divisions capture the country's imagination in a cup competition in the manner Bradford have done this season, and if Lawn's hunch proves correct and the tie does head for penalties, Parkinson's boys should not flinch.

They are already the shootout kings of British football, winning their ninth successive spot-kick showdown when defeating Arsenal 3-2 in the quarter-finals.

"It's been incredible," Lawn said. "You've got to look at where we've come from, where we are in the league. The effort has been amazing.

"The backroom staff and the cleaning ladies down at the training ground, I'd like to say a big thank you from the fans and the club.

"It's been beyond our wildest dreams. A very close friend of mine who sat next to me in the first leg said the return at Villa Park is our Wembley final.

"That's the way I'll be approaching it. My head says anything else is a bonus."

Bradford's only major honour was achieved back in 1911, when they beat Newcastle 1-0 in an FA Cup final replay at Old Trafford after a goalless draw at Crystal Palace.

Should the impossible be made possible at Villa Park tomorrow, it will be the club's second Wembley appearance in its 110-year history after Chris Kamara, more famous for his Sky Sports punditry, led them to an old Second Division play-off final win against Notts County in 1996.

Eager to keep it all in perspective, Lawn said: "That was the old Wembley. It would be the club's first trip to the new Wembley.

"It would also be the first time a club from the fourth division, or whatever you want to call it, have ever reached Wembley in a cup final.

"Rochdale got to the League Cup final back in 1962, they actually lost to Aston Villa, but the final then was played at home and away."

But for all the romance and the spotlight the club has enjoyed in recent weeks, Lawn concurs with his manager Parkinson's assertion that the season will end in disappointment if they do not win promotion in May.

"The cup run has definitely started something. Hopefully we can build on this because the most important thing is the league," he said.

The Bantams have lost their last two league games and have slipped out of the play-offs, but still remain just five points adrift of an automatic promotion spot with a game in hand.

"Phil won't let the season hang on this one match," Lawn said. "He's too sensible a manager.

"His man-management is first-class, the players know what this season is all about and I'm sure he won't let that happen."


Click here for completely free £10 bet with Sky Bet & £5 free every week


Related News

Sky Bet

    • Retrieving latest Sky Bet odds

Most Commented

Readers' Comments

I

m absolutely disgusted that I've been misquoted in saying that if a chance came up to join Arsenal I would be interested. What I meant to say is if Man United or Chelsea were interested......

gulliver
Agent cools Benteke exit talk

L

FC league positions and points from last 4 seasons - 7 (61), 8 (52), 6 (58), 7 (63). Werner calls it progress, I call it mid table stability.

kolev_lfc
Reds progress delights Werner

I

s there a PR agency covering Begovich, Odemwingie, Steven Fletcher and Grant Holt or something? Why would you offer a quote like that without having been announced by either club. #headsshoulderskneesandtoesgone

Havelange
Begovic hints at Liverpool move

Footer 365

Champions League final: Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp says side can bounce back

Jurgen Klopp is backing Borussia Dortmund to reach another Champions League final despite their defeat to Bayern Munich.

Champions League final: Bayern Munich's Arjen Robben relieved by Wembley win

Bayern Munich hero Arjen Robben admitted winning the UEFA Champions League buried his previous demons.

Champions League final: Mats Hummels salutes Bayern Munich after Wembley win

Borussia Dortmund defender Mats Hummels admitted Bayern Munich deserved to be crowned champions of Europe.

Mail Box

Wayne Rooney Is Just An Average Athlete

That's the difference between him and someone like Cristiano Ronaldo - his body just isn't right. We have mails on him, Sparky, Brendan Rodgers and the Europa Lge...

Saving The Europa League And More...

Nice one UEFA, but not far enough. We have some ideas to make the Europa League better as well as more views on Wayne Rooney, Vermaelen in midfield and...

© 2013 British Sky Broadcasting Ltd. All Rights Reserved