Hero Wells desperate to test his talent at higher level

The Bermudian hot-shot netted for the 26th time in a goal-laden campaign to rubber-stamp Bradford City’s return to League One after a six-year absence.

His strike, shortly before the half-hour mark, served to be the killer third goal in City’s 3-0 success over Town, putting the boot into the Cobblers’ defence with his seventh strike in six outings against them.

The 22-year-old backed up his public declaration that he would score at Wembley against Aidy Boothroyd’s Town with deeds – and is now intent on creating further mayhem among League One defences next term, presuming he is still at Bradford.

The goal predator has made no secret of his desire to play at the highest level and his reputation was further enhanced in front of a watching audience of millions as he and strike partner James Hanson terrorised Northampton’s back four in the first half.

On his future, Wells – watched by a number of Championship sides including Leeds United and Huddersfield Town – said: “I signed a deal in September and have still got another two years at Bradford. I am just thankful to have had the chance to do what I have done so far in my career at Bradford.

“We just have to take it as it comes. We all have the desire to play at the highest possible level and if the opportunity did come, I will have to take it.

“If nothing happens, I will be glad to stay at Bradford City. Hopefully, we can go on and get promoted to the Championship.

“But the future is uncertain, other than I am contracted for another two years here. I am thankful for what Bradford have done for me.”

On backing up his pre-game confidence to score at Wembley, he added: “You have to go into games feeling confident. I didn’t try and say it in an arrogant way in any way, shape or form.

“I just have scored a lot of my goals against Northampton and they happen to be the team for me. To play them in the final, I just mentally told myself that I could do it again.

“I was fortunate to take one, but the win was the most important thing. But to win with the score we did was even better.

“I can honestly admit I should have got maybe three. But I tried to look at it by thinking: ‘If I miss one or two, I will score one too...’ and it happened. That goal will stay in my life forever.

“To end the season like this is unbelievable.”

Wells’s strike partner Hanson also wreaked havoc on Saturday, with his 15th goal of 2012-13 – a trademark pinpoint header – crowning a thrilling campaign which has seen him spring to national prominence following his goal at Villa Park that sent City to Wembley first time around in January.

The Bradford lad, who famously used to work at the Co-op store in Idle, saw his stock rise further with the opener fulfilling his Wembley dream, albeit belatedly, to reach a career-best Football League seasonal goal tally in style.

Hanson said: “To score at Wembley is unbelievable. I first dreamt about it three months ago before we played Swansea and I didn’t get the chance that day. But thankfully, I got the chance this time and tucked it away.

“The goal was like in slow motion, to be honest. But I got there in the end and it went in.

“I thought I’d scored in the second half as well. But their goalkeeper made a great save.”

As storybook endings go, Saturday could not have been scripted better for Hanson, glad to provide payback to his fellow Bradfordians who have followed City through mainly thin and thin in recent years and who took a blow to their collective pride by the extent of February’s Capital One Cup final loss to Swansea.

Hanson said: “Over the previous three years, we’d been fighting relegation and only just survived in the last few games. So I am absolutely delighted for the fans and the team now.

“We all wanted promotion and the best way to get it is through the play-offs and now we have done that. All my friends and family are Bradford fans and they have seen a lot of disappointment over the years.

“It’s nice to give a little bit back and for them to go to the likes of Sheffield United and Wolves next year, instead of Torquay and all those places.

“For me, this goal tops it off this season... with all my friends and family being here at the best stadium in England and probably one of the best in the world. I just want to prove myself in League One now. I have been in League Two for four years, so it would be nice to play some games and score goals in League One.

“Hopefully, we can keep the same squad together and if we do that, I feel we will have a good chance of going back to Wembley.”

Adamant their experience – albeit a losing one – of Wembley first time around gave City a psychological edge for Saturday’s encounter, Hanson added: “It did help having been at Wembley before, as you know how big the pitch is. We also have good, out-and-out wingers in Thommo and Reidy and they were getting a lot of joy out wide.

“We knew if we slid in balls down the sides, that it would be difficult for people like Clarke Carlisle and that is what got us joy.

“It also hurt losing to Swansea at Wembley and we had the determination to make sure we would come back and make it a winning day.”