McCall is happy to cheer on Bantams from afar

The 48-year-old, fresh from this week being named Scottish Premier Manager of the Year after steering Motherwell to runners-up spot for a second consecutive season, would dearly love to be at the League Two play-off final.

But, with Motherwell due to face St Johnstone on the final day of the SPL season just 24 hours later, McCall will take training on Saturday morning before rushing home to watch the Bantams in action. And he is hoping that missing City’s last play-off final appearance 17 years ago can serve as an omen.

“I was away with the Scotland squad preparing for Euro 96 when Bradford faced Notts County at Wembley,” recalls the former midfielder. “We were in America and, in those days, there was no chance of watching a play-off final on television.

“So, I kept in touch by phone as score updates were relayed from home. I then insisted for the final 10 minutes that the phone was put next to the radio so I could listen to the commentary. It cost me a fortune but was worth it as City won 2-0.

“Thankfully, this time I’ll be able to follow the game on television at home. We’ll train in the morning and prepare for our final game but then I’ll be able to tune in. I just hope Bradford can win without me, as I went to the (Capital One Cup) final against Swansea in February and we obviously lost.

“It was still a great day with a real family atmosphere and all the Bradford fans showing incredible support, even when 4-0 down with half an hour to go. That will stay with me for ever.”

Victory over Northampton Town on Saturday will make it two promotions from three play-off appearances for Bradford, that loss coming in 1988 when McCall was the heartbeat of the midfield.

He recalls: “We played Middlesbrough in the semi-finals and absolutely played them off the park at home. We should have won by a lot more than 2-1 and that eventually cost us, as we lost the second leg 2-0 after extra-time.

“Considering we had beaten Boro three times that season, it was hard to take. I moved to Everton not long after but came back to watch the 1996 semi-finals first leg against Blackpool.

“We lost 2-0 and I went away from Valley Parade thinking, ‘That’s that’. Unbelievably, City won the second leg 3-0. With me then missing the win over Notts County in the final and City winning, maybe it isn’t a bad thing that I can’t get to the final this year.”