A game too many

The Bantams’ desolation at the final whistle masked the magnitude of the League Two side’s achievement in reaching the Capital One Cup final, one of soccer’s showpiece events, and it was no disgrace to lose to a Swansea side containing players as gifted as the Spanish scoring sensation Michu. No doubt the unfortunate Duke, disconsolate at his red card, will draw inspiration from his own health struggles as Bradford City try to get their vitally important promotion campaign back on track. Five years ago, he was battling cancer, proving that there is more to life than a football match.

That said, the Bantams have been superb ambassadors for Bradford and Yorkshire and Phil Parkinson’s side will, after the initial disappointment, be immensely proud of their achievement in taking on football’s elite and lifting the spirits of their city.