THROUGHOUT his nomadic career, Bradford City goalkeeper Sam Walker can look back on some memorable final-day events to savour.

It began 15 years ago during a loan spell in his early days at Barnet, where he was part of the Bees’ side who secured their EFL tenure with victory over Port Vale in May 2011.

Just over 12 years later, he helped Kilmarnock retain their Scottish Premier League status with a win which dropped opponents Ross County into the relegation play-offs - in his last game for Killie.

And there were the astonishing 'Sarcevic 90+6' events at Valley Parade at the end of last season.

Bradford City goalkeeper Sam Walker (Image: Jonathan Gawthorpe)

placeholder image — Bradford City goalkeeper Sam Walker (Image: Jonathan Gawthorpe)

He would dearly like to experience another joyous moment today as City seek to confirm their place in the play-offs with a point at St James Park.

On some momentous final days, Walker said: "Barnet was my first loan experience. I've had a couple at Colchester, Kilmarnock and then here. So it seems to be a bit of a theme for me.

"I think there'll be plenty of games in the EFL on Saturday that haven't got huge amounts riding on them.

"And then it becomes different stories for players then.

Bradford City manager Graham Alexander, pictured in conversation with captain Max Power at the final whistle of the home game with Cardiff City in January. Picture: Jonathan Gawthorpe

"Players are worried about next deals, contracts, maybe not getting injured and there's different situations in the club.

"Some players might be thinking about holidays or where they're going. We're very much not in that position.

"We're very much full focus. And to be honest, it's the way I much prefer it."

Speaking to the press earlier this spring, the much-travelled custodian spoke of hopefully experiencing a 'serene' run-in. It was very much done with his tongue planted firmly in his cheek.

City, who are winless in their last four matches, have work to do with the tension heightened by the fact that they face an Exeter side who must win to have any chance of staving off the drop and hope that relegation rivals Leyton Orient falter.

Taking things to the end has been very much the Bradford City way since Walker arrived at the club in early 2024.

The Bantams narrowly missed out on the League Two play-offs on the final day of 2023-24.

Walker, whose ever-present record for a second successive league season at City will be ticked off today, added: "We've certainly got good experience of dealing with these big occasions.

"I love the cut and the thrust of this time of the season when there's big pressure and big moments in games and there's lots riding on it.

"I think as a player, you've got to enjoy and try and really sort of savour those games and those moments because it's a whole lot more fun than playing out for sort of 12th or 13th place.”

On the importance of going to the end, he continued: "We can draw a lot from last year because I think there were probably many in the stadium that day - myself included, to be honest - that once we got to the 90th (minute), those doubts maybe started creeping in a little bit, it was 'OK, it's not going to be'.

"Football's always got a way of surprising you and you look at what happened with us last year and the Rochdale game (last week) that was just crazy scenes, to be honest.

"Football's got a funny way of kind of keeping you grounded and then surprising you.

"So we've just got to make sure we go right to the end, as we always do. We're showing our resilience time and time again.

"And if it takes a 90-plus success again, then so be it."