Bradford relishing Capital One Cup chance

 

Simon Stone
Friday 22 February 2013 11:08 GMT
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Bradford celebrate winning their Capital One Cup semi-final against Aston Villa
Bradford celebrate winning their Capital One Cup semi-final against Aston Villa (Getty Images)

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Kyel Reid will be paying his first visit to Wembley on Sunday even though he regards it as his home town stadium.

The Deptford-born winger has been part of major occasions before after starting his career at West Ham.

But the Hammers' FA Cup final with Liverpool in 2006 and their Championship play-off decider against Preston a year earlier were both played at the Millennium Stadium.

And Reid has never been fortunate enough to actually watch a match there.

So, when he walks out this weekend for the most unlikely Capital One Cup final, Reid will be enjoying the Wembley experience for the very first time.

"There can be no better feeling that to be play in front of my family in a final in my home town," he said.

"I have never been to the new Wembley, not even to see a game there.

"A few of my old West Ham mates are coming down to watch and intend to make sure I take everything in, because the idea of us being there in the first place is just crazy."

A month on from that staggering two-legged semi-final success against Aston Villa, it still does not seem credible that a side which last weekend lost against the team presently bottom of the entire Football League should be competing for one of England's major trophies, and a place in next season's Europa League.

There is no way manager Phil Parkinson can get away with writing this one off as 'just another game'.

"It's not is it," said Reid.

"This is a once-in-a-lifetime thing.

"When I was a kid, playing Sunday league, or in five-a-sides and winning trophies every week, it is almost a constant.

"But when you get into the real world of professional football, it is a lot harder to achieve something.

"I was involved in winning the Championship when I went on loan to Wolves from West Ham.

"That was a great taste. Now I want to experience that same feeling again."

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