Graham Alexander joked that it was “the Bradford way” after the Yorkshire side clinched automatic promotion in dramatic fashion with a last-gasp 1-0 win.
Antoni Sarcevic scored the winner against Fleetwood at Valley Parade in the sixth minute of added time, deflecting home George Lapslie’s shot.
Bradford had been facing the prospect of dropping into the play-offs after failing to win their previous four games but instead sealed third place ahead of Walsall.
Manager Alexander said: “It’s the Bradford way, I suppose – take everyone through every emotion you can possibly feel.
“What an amazing way to finish a really tough and brutal season. The way these players have approached everything, I have never seen them quit, not once.
“Even in the 96th minute in the last game of the season, they are still going, still fit and more than anything, still believing. They’ve been magnificent.
“It’s such a special year with the 40th anniversary of the Bradford City fire in 1985. It doesn’t become more poignant.
“We’ve had two different seasons. We’ve been the best team at home and one of the worst away.
“People were talking about our form going into this game. But this was at Valley Parade and we’d won 12 of the previous 14 here.
“For some reason, I’ve had to convince the team they are good players every two games – but hopefully now they’ll believe me.”
Jay Lynch tipped Calum Kavanagh’s header against the bar as Bradford pushed for a breakthrough.
Jack Shepherd hit the post but their persistence paid off, Sarcevic’s goal sparking two pitch invasions before the final whistle.
Fleetwood manager Pete Wild claimed he was confronted by home fans as were some of his players.
He said: “It was madness. I understand it, you are excited and you want to run on the pitch when you’ve scored but don’t get involved with the opposition players and the manager.
“Our players have been confronted, I’ve been confronted and it’s just disappointing because it didn’t need to happen.
“I get the nature of the goal but stay away from our players and staff. That was the bit that got to me.
“We couldn’t guarantee the player safety and ethically we had to play another minute’s football. It was farcical.
“We talked about making sure the ball was in a certain area to get off the pitch. That’s mad because, ultimately, we could have had another minute to try to get another goal.
“But you couldn’t guarantee safety and there was no way we were going back out there until someone could convince me that was the case.
“It was the cruellest of cruellest things at the end. It’s a deflection that goes in that gets them up and that’s probably their best attempt all game.
“Some of their crowd were saying we were out of order for playing the way we did. But at the end of the day they have had many opportunities to get over the line and they haven’t done.”
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Thank you Chiesa What a game !! 🔥Liverpool 4-2 Bournemouth Liverpool, Isak & Newcastle Damn, look who’s second already Only the real ones will remember.. Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr have been drawn in the SAME group as Virat Kohli’s FC Goa in the AFC Champions League 2! What was your reaction when you watched that match? Please stay tuned o...
Barcelona eye late move for VlahovicBarcelona could emerge as a surprise destination for Juventus forward Dusan Vlahovic before the transfer window shuts, according to Gazzetta Dello Sport. The Serie A giants are eager to part ways with the Serbian international, who has just one year left on his deal at the Allianz Stadium. Offloading the 25-year-old now would prevent Juve from losing him on a fr...
AFC Bournemouth v West Ham United FC: Premier League Summer SeriesAccording to Fabrizio Romano, several clubs are showing interest in the Mexico captain.FBL-CONCACAF-GOLDCUP-MEX-USAWHAT HAPPENED?Mexico national team captain Edson Álvarez is reportedly expected to depart West Ham before the current transfer window shuts, according to Fabrizio Romano. El Machín joined the Hammers from Ajax...
Chelsea FC v Nottingham Forest FC - Premier LeagueChelsea boss Enzo Maresca has reiterated his desire to sign a new defender to cover for the injured Levi Colwill.WHAT HAPPENED?After Colwill suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury that will rule him out for much of the season, head coach Maresca urged Chelsea to sign a new centre-back. Those "priority" calls may have fallen on deaf ears as t...
Sesko vs GyokeresThe strikers will be the headline acts in Sunday's blockbuster match at Old Trafford but they could easily have ended up at opposite destinationsCesc Fabregas throwing pizza at Sir Alex Ferguson. Gary Neville scissor-tackling Jose Antonio Reyes. Roy Keane telling Patrick Vieira "I'll see you out there". Peter Schmeichel taking on Ian Wright after having his leg stamped on. It was ...
FBL-ENG-PR-LIVERPOOL-BOURNEMOUTHArne Slot says he "would have loved" to have brought on Diogo Jota in a heartbreaking admission following Liverpool's dramatic 4-2 win over Bournemouth on Friday.WHAT HAPPENED?The Reds found themselves in search of a late winner after their two-goal lead was wiped out by a second-half double from Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo on the opening night of the 2025-2...
Arsenal v Newcastle: Pre-Season FriendlyJamie Carragher has made a surprising claim against Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, insisting the Spaniard "definitely stole" Martin Zubimendi away from Liverpool. The ex-Real Sociedad midfielder, who had been on the Reds’ radar for over a year, shocked many by snubbing Merseyside in favour of a blockbuster £51 million ($69m) switch to the Emirates thi...
Liverpool signing Leoni: I want to learn from Van DijkLiverpool signing Giovanni Leoni is eager to learn from captain Virgil van Dijk.The former Parma defender joined the Reds on Friday morning ahead of their opening Premier League win against Bournemouth that evening.On the prospect of working with Van Dijk, Leoni said: "For me, he is the best defender in the world and I want to meet him as soon ...
Chelsea tell Borussia Dortmund to get serious about ChukwuemekaBorussia Dortmund have failed with a new offer for Chelsea midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka.After a successful loan over the second-half of last season in Dortmund, Chukwuemeka has attracted a new proposal from the Germans.BBC Sport says BVB have made a loan-to-buy offer for the England U21 international this week.However Chelsea have rej...
Fans at Anfield lifted cards to create mosaics in tribute to Diogo Jota and Andre Silva. Michael Steele/Getty ImagesLiverpool launched the defense of their Premier League title with a dramatic 4-2 win against Bournemouth on a night when Anfield paid an emotional tribute to Diogo Jota. Goals from Federico Chiesa (88th minute) and Mohamed Salah (94th) sealed victory after Bournemouth's Antoine Semen...
- 1 TIPS - Botafogo de Futebol e Regatas VS Liga Deportiva Universitaria
- 2 Agent of Real Madrid defender David Alaba responds to Saudi Pro League transfer speculation as Spanish giants ponder selling 33-year-old after injury woes
- 3 TIPS - Juventude VS Corinthians
- 4 TIPS - Atletico San Luis VS Cruz Azul
- 5 TIPS - Cambuur Leeuwarden VS FC Oss
- 6 Alexander Isak goes on STRIKE! Forward Refuses to Play Newcastle Opener as Liverpool Linger
- 7 TIPS - Kashima Antlers VS Avispa Fukuoka
- 8 Cristiano Ronaldo showers Georgina with luxury engagement gifts
- 9 TIPS - Club Necaxa VS Club Leon
- 10 Hummels snubs son for match with new model girlfriend