Parkinson refusing to rest on laurels after spectacular rise over 12 months

Twelve months ago, Bradford City headed into their first game of 2012 locked in a battle for survival at the bottom of the Football League. It was a fight the Bantams were destined to win, though that wasn’t overly apparent in that opening game of 2012 as they slumped to a 3-0 defeat against Rotherham United at the Don Valley Stadium.

A year on, however, and the club has been transformed with the next fortnight or so bringing not only three important league games in the quest to win promotion but also two semi-final appearances.

One of those, the Capital One Cup first leg tie against Aston Villa at Valley Parade, represents the first time Bradford have been involved in a major semi-final since 1911.

For manager Phil Parkinson, the turnaround has been a welcome one but he is also adamant that no-one at City can rest on their laurels.

He said: “A year ago, it was a case of one step forward, one step back. It was a difficult time because we were having to cobble a team and a squad together.

“But now there is a real feel-good factor surrounding the club. We have had fans queueing round the block for tickets and that is great news. It will be a few years since that last happened.

“Everything feels so different to this time last year. But we have to keep going.

“The Football League is so competitive at every level, but I think more so in League Two.

“The difference in quality between the top and bottom is probably slimmer than any other division. The same goes for the budgets with there not being much between the two. It is a real level playing field.”

Last six games: Morecambe WLDDLD, Bradford City WDDLWL.

Referee: R Lewis (Shropshire).

Last time: Morecambe 1 Bradford City 1; September 9, 2011; League Two.