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.”
[(Shimizu S-Pulse) Weakness]: 1. Shimizu S-Pulse are 13th in the J1 League table. Facing 2nd-placed Kashima Antlers, they will find it hard to win this match due to their declining form, indicating doubtful motivation.2. Shimizu S-Pulse defender Yuji Takahashi and forward Sena Saito will miss this league game due to injuries.3. Shimizu S-Pulse were winless with 2 draws and 3 losses in the last 5 g...
Liverpool table fresh Guehi bidAccording to The Athletic, Liverpool have submitted a fresh bid worth £35 million ($47m) to sign Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace. The Reds had earlier seen two bids rejected by the Eagles, but they remain hopeful that this time the offer will be accepted.Fenerbahce eyeing move for EdersonTurkish Super Lig giants Fenerbahce are eyeing a move for out-of-favour Manc...
Roma medical for Liverpool fullback TsimikasAS Roma are holding a medical for Kostas Tsimikas today.The Liverpool fullback is leaving Anfield after finding himself third-choice this season behind fellow left-backs Andrew Robertson and Milos Kerkez.La Gazzetta dello Sport says the Greece international is expected in Italy today to finalise his move.Tsimikas will undergo a medical ahead of signing a...
FBL-ENG-PR-CHELSEA-FULHAMMarco Silva has demanded an explanation from the Premier League after lambasting three "shocking" refereeing decisions in Fulham's 2-0 Premier League loss at Chelsea.WHAT HAPPENED?The Whites thought they had taken the lead against their west London rivals Chelsea when 18-year-old Josh King coolly slotted past Robert Sanchez. However, the goal was chalked off by referee Rob...
[(Shonan Bellmare) Strength]: 1. Shonan Bellmare are one of the bottom teams in the table, taking 25 points and being in the relegation zone. They are strongly motivated to grab points.[(Shonan Bellmare) Neutral]: 1. Shonan Bellmare drew the last 4 home games, revealing mediocre home performances.[(Shonan Bellmare) Weakness]: 1. Shonan Bellmare lost 1-0 to Fagiano Okayama on the road in the last g...
Manchester United Training Session And Press Conference - UEFA Europa League Final 2025Chelsea have completed the signing of Alejandro Garnacho from Manchester United.WHAT HAPPENED?Garnacho has signed a seven-year contract with the Blues after the two Premier League clubs agreed a deal worth a fixed £40 million fee ($54m) with a 10 per cent sell-on clause, Goal understands. The 21-year-old ha...
Marc Guehi Crystal Palace 2025-26Liverpool have launched a fresh bid for Marc Guehi as they hope that Crystal Palace will finally accept their proposal and agree to sell their star defender before the summer transfer window closes on Monday. The Reds have been linked with a move for the England international throughout the summer and the champions are determined to secure his signature.WHAT HAPPEN...
West Ham United v Lille OSC - Pre-Season FriendlyAston Villa are close to signing West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paqueta on an initial loan with an obligation to buy next summer.WHAT HAPPENED?Villa are on the brink of agreeing a £47 million (€54m/$63m) package for Paqueta which includes a loan fee and add-ons, according to Fabrizio Romano. The report also states the 28-year-old has ac...
[(Nagoya Grampus) Strength]: 1. Nagoya Grampus currently have only 28 points and are near the bottom of the league table. To avoid relegation, they need to earn points.[(Nagoya Grampus) Neutral]: 1. Nagoya Grampus' 7 successive games ended with OVER.[(Nagoya Grampus) Weakness]: 1. Nagoya Grampus lost 2-4 to Sanfrecce Hiroshima in their last Emperor's Cup game, with poor performance.2. In the lates...
Cody Gakpo Liverpool 2025Premier League champions Liverpool have confirmed that star attacker Cody Gakpo has put pen to paper on a new long-term contract, which has extended his stay at Anfield beyond 2028. The Dutchman who joined the club in January 2023, during the Jurgen Klopp era, has established himself as a regular starter under new boss Arne Slot and has now committed his future to the Reds...
