City ready to play starring role again on screen

The Bantams are one of just four sides – the others being Bristol City, Notts County and Leyton Orient – who have yet to see their colours lowered on the road in the league.

Parkinson, whose side face a Barnsley team who have chalked up just one league win at Oakwell since early March, said: “We have got to match what we have done on our travels so far this season.

“I have just got to remind the lads before the game what is required away from home. The work ethic of the team is the most important thing.

“Away results are never easy. Whenever we get back on the coach, we know there has been an incredible work ethic.”

City certainly showcased their talents in front of the TV cameras last time out in a memorable 2-1 Capital One Cup success over Leeds United in August and Parkinson admits that being camera-shy has not been a charge levelled at his side for a good while with the entertainment factor high.

He added: “We have got some exciting fixtures coming up and I really do think that the televised games are great for the profile of Bradford City.

“The games we have had on the TV have been good box office. I think that attracts them (Sky) to come back.

“We have had some terrific games of football – Coventry and Leeds this year and the cup run.”

Parkinson’s counterpart Danny Wilson enjoyed arguably his finest hour at Barnsley against Bradford at Oakwell on April 26, 1997 when the Reds reached the top flight for the first and only time in their history.

Like Barnsley, the Bantams also had a brief taste of the big time from 1999-2001 and Wilson can see some affinities between the two clubs.

Wilson said: “The clubs have mirrored each other with the success both have had.

“We have both reached the ‘Promised Land’ and after that, found troubled times in certain seasons.

“Maybe the fans are very similar as well, both have had some fantastic times in the Premier League and now they are back in a bit of reality, but still with aspirations of getting back to there.

“That dream is still alive. Both sets of fans have a little bit of affinity with each other, because of what has happened for both clubs.”