Blackpool 0 Bradford 3 P/O's 1996

Can`t remember much about the game itself other than a feeling of what should have been a coronation turning distinctly ominous as the game went on.

Big Sam came and sat next to me at Euston station a year or two ago, and I briefly spoke to him. Top of my list was to ask him about this game, but it didn`t feel right and regretfully I bottled it...
 
Never been so devastated as a Pool fan ,took a long long long time to put it behind me .After so many years of dross I was 100% sure we were going to do it only to have our dreams ripped ruthlessly from our hearts .
 
Should have gone up automatically. 2-0 up after the away leg in the play offs. Prior to Sheff Weds v Peterborough last year this was the biggest turnaround in play off semi finals.

We printed the directions and coach details to Wembley in the programme………
 
We went to the away leg with tickets in the home end !. Vividly remember seeing a huge convey of coaches arriving at the away end. All the locals thought it was done and dusted at the end. 😥
 
Sat in the kitchen at home in Wales at the time listening on the radio aged 10 years old, I still remember the feeling now. Only the West Ham game comes close
 
The rumours about the game should be taken in context to the finish to the season. I think there may have been bantz betting but nothing sinister.

Another version of 'we lost so the ref was shit'. Sometimes you lose because you were poop and not another reason.
 
All I can remember from the game was a shot whistled just over the top of our goal late on was nearly 4-0 & the wake in the Saddle afterwards.
 
Bloody heartbreaking night! My friend was front page of BG the following day sat with his head between his legs! Likely crying… 🤣 Thanks Big Sam UTMP
 
28 years of counselling wiped out in 2 minutes.
My claim to fame is I was the last person to leave the West Stand that night!
 
Didn't go, was saving my cash for Wembley. Think I spent the money on drugs to help me through the depression. I sometimes still can't believe that happened.
 
I was living in Chile at the time. Flew back for last game at York away but returned before this one in case I needed to come back for Wembley.
Listened to the whole game through clubcall from my office. I didn’t pay the bill obvs.
 
Somehow more devastating than any other the relegations I witnessed. Drove home after the game and sat in the car outside my house for an hour. Could not comprehend what I had just seen.
 
A devastation that was only really healed at Wembley in 2007. And even despite that, I'd still rather not watch it again.

Our record in the p/offs since that day reads P18 W14 D3 L1. I think even god felt sorry for us.
 
A lot of stories of dodgy dealings surround this game, I’ve never been a conspiracy theorist but I remember being in the south watching it unfold and thinking something is not right here, the rumours in the following months after the game only made me wonder even more.
 
Can’t watch it & have never watched the highlights.
Took me a long long time to get over that night - prob 2007 after the Yeovil game.
I cried my heart out after the match with my dad & grandad & drown our sorrows afterwards.
Cried after Yeovil 2007 with my dad as my grandad passed not too long after the Bradford 1996 game.
My grandad never got to see us back in the top 2 leagues that he always told me was where the Mighty belonged.
 
I was in Majorca. Went to a telephone box to get Wembley confirmation from my brother. I could hear the bloke who'd beaten me to the phone saying in a loud Yorkshire accent "you're kidding me, 3-0 to City" 🤬
 
Hertsseasider said:
We went to the away leg with tickets in the home end !. Vividly remember seeing a huge convey of coaches arriving at the away end. All the locals thought it was done and dusted at the end. 😥
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Cuthbert said:
The Lancaster Branch sponsored this match. I remember two things: 1. Being unable to vote on the MoM; 2. Trying to get home as fast as possible.
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I had the pleasure with my Dad of presenting man of the match all on the photo looked totally peeved off in the garage with my memorabilia . Worst was family from Bradford lived down the road. Final day they had a mini bus stopped outside my house decked out in there colours.😂😂🍊🍊
 
fcblackpool said:
The rumours about the game should be taken in context to the finish to the season. I think there may have been bantz betting but nothing sinister.

Another version of 'we lost so the ref was shit'. Sometimes you lose because you were poop and not another reason.
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I agree. The goalkeeper was to blame pure and simple.
 
Hertsseasider said:
We went to the away leg with tickets in the home end !. Vividly remember seeing a huge convey of coaches arriving at the away end. All the locals thought it was done and dusted at the end. 😥
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We did as well. Have Bradford supporting friends in Knaresborough.
 
There were rumours of large bets put on this game by a couple of pool players and a lot of money was made ,which at the time the Oystons being the owners would make sense as the wages would not be massive.
 
fcblackpool said:
The rumours about the game should be taken in context to the finish to the season. I think there may have been bantz betting but nothing sinister.

Another version of 'we lost so the ref was shit'. Sometimes you lose because you were poop and not another reason.
Click to expand...
and Nixon had already agreed a deal with Bradford for the following season???
 
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