Bradford City fans celebrated on the pitch after the club ended their six-year spell in the fourth tier 3 May 2025 could prove to be one of the most memorable dramatic and historic days in Bradford City's long history The six-year wait for promotion out of League Two has, at times, felt an impossible task and so it was apt that it took until the final minute of time added on for City to score the winning goal against Fleetwood and set off chaotic scenes of celebration Many a manager has tried and failed to realise the long-standing potential that has always existed in BD8 Average home crowds of 18,000 in the fourth tier create a demand for success the up-and-coming style of managerial duo of Mark Trueman and Conor Sellars the promotion CV of Derek Adams and the Premier League pedigree of Mark Hughes Bradford City promoted with late Fleetwood win Alexander: 'I've never seen a minute like that in my life' the humility and pragmatism of Graham Alexander's arrival would be the much-needed turning point for the club It was apparent in the early stages of his tenure that his understanding of the club its supporters and the Bradford area was transcending onto the pitch An acceptance they may not be the best but would go into every game with a 'work-hard' mentality; a culture reflective of Bradford's working-class roots a 3-0 loss at Harrogate in March 2024 would prove to be this promotion journey's starting point where 13 goals had been conceded and just one scored all but ended faint hopes of a play-off finish Scunthorpe and Salford boss often describes his drive home that night as the reset point in his and the club's approach Temptations of going in a different direction again were ignored and instead the board backed him A new head of football operations was appointed in former Wigan and Mansfield chief executive David Sharpe and the blueprint was set for their hopes of success Fast forward 15 months and Bradford City are now and the scale of what Alexander and his staff have achieved in that time should not be understated Its ever-loyal fanbase are the only true asset the club currently holds and having them with you is imperative to success Home form has so often been the failing of his predecessors boasting 55 points from 17 wins and four draws - the third-best return in the EFL behind Championship winners Leeds United and runaway League One champions Birmingham City of which 23,613 were among the crowd of 24,033 for Saturday's fantastic finale believe in the players and are once again proud to support their club Graham Alexander (right) celebrates promotion with captain Richie Smallwood This was always going to be a big year for Bradford The title of UK City of Culture has offered hopes of future prosperity while the region remembers one of its darkest days on 11 May with the 40th anniversary of the Valley Parade Fire disaster This promotion represents more than just footballing achievement present and future and it is a moment for the region just as much as it is for the club Its people deserve this and it serves as a firm reminder what a simple game of football can do for the area it represents Champions League updates: Calafiori back training for Arsenal before PSG semi-final Stunning stats and 'Ronaldo behaviour' - is Yamal cut out to rival Messi Real seek to sign Alexander-Arnold for Club World Cup A gritty crime saga set in Liverpool starring Sean Bean Stacey Dooley explores Britain’s shoplifting epidemic Who has made Troy's Premier League team of the week Is the risk that Mercedes took with Antonelli paying off Trailblazer Zhao set to take snooker to 'another level' in China 'Calamity keeper' or 'human wall' - which Donnarumma will Arsenal face Zhao beats Williams in historic final - highlights VideoZhao beats Williams in historic final - highlights Alexander-Arnold leaves as modern Liverpool great - but fans will feel hurt 'Scheffler and DeChambeau wins further raise US PGA excitement levels' Match-fixing scandal to Crucible champion - fall and rise of Zhao 'We need to take a look at ourselves' - Arsenal stalling at wrong time Europa League 'papering over cracks' for Man Utd - Rooney VideoEuropa League 'papering over cracks' for Man Utd - Rooney Ask Me Anything the new BBC Sport service designed to serve you Bayern's 'James Bond' - how Kane clinched his first trophy Nine bolters with a shot of making the Lions squad How 'absolutely outstanding' Palmer 'destroyed' Liverpool VideoHow 'absolutely outstanding' Palmer 'destroyed' Liverpool Solskjaer on Besiktas Saints 'punch' favourites Leinster in game for the ages VideoVardy the best £1m ever spent - Shearer Poppy's tears Elton John & Happy Gilmore - McIlroy on Jimmy Fallon show Copyright © 2025 BBC. 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The Bulls were forced into a number of changes due to injuries sustained in recent weeks Logan Bayliss and Kieran Gill all returning Jordan Lilley kicked an early penalty before Mitch Souter dummied and darted over from the base of a scrum.  leaving the Bulls a man light for ten minutes Cory Aston initially took advantage with a penalty goal.  who roared back into the contest in style.  Lilley started and finished a move on the right edge Soon after parity was restored in the playing personnel Zac Fulton scored after a miracle offload on the last tackle from Lilley.  Luke Hooley was on the end of a break by Waqa Blake to take the Bulls back into the lead.  Hooley kicked the Bulls two points further ahead after a superb 20/40 by Lilley got the home side within range making his first appearance since scoring two tries against Sheffield last time out barged over to seal the win for the Bulls to cap an impressive second half display.  You can still purchase via http://store.bradfordbulls.co.uk/ site by fluidcm.co.uk To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Fleetwood Town were involved in late drama at Valley Parade on the final day as former Fleetwood man Antoni Sarcevic netted in the 96th minute to promote Graham Alexandra’s side Town held off the home side’s onslaught for more than an hour and a half before the former Town striker marked jubilant celebrations to end the home side’s seven year wait to return to the third tier You can watch the action from the final day on FleetwoodTV+ Keep up to date with all the latest goings on by signing up for the FTFC email newsletter Get closer to the team than ever before with news Get Directions Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player US EditionUK EditionScottish SunIrish SunSearchMy Account Bradford City have been promoted to League One after a stunning last-gasp victory at home to Fleetwood Town Antoni Sarcevic scored in the sixth minute of second half stoppage-time to seal the 1-0 win on the final day of the League Two season The ball deflected off Sarcevic and rolled into the bottom corner to spark jubilant scenes at Valley Parade Bradford fans ran onto the pitch and caused the match to be played until the final whistle blew in the 19th minute of stoppage-time fans resumed their pitch invasion once promotion was confirmed by finishing third in the League Two table The Bantams started the day in that position after their defeat to Doncaster Rovers on the penultimate weekend of the campaign Walsall beat Crewe Alexandra 1-0 on Saturday afternoon and looked as though they would seal the final automatic promotion spot. But Bradford had other ideas and will now play in the League One for the first time since the 2018/19 season when they finished 24th. It means Walsall have settled for the play-offs, despite once sitting eight points clear at the top of League Two with a game in hand. Walsall will meet Chesterfield in the play-offs as Notts County and AFC Wimbledon contest the other tie. Bradford on the other hand will make their way into League One with Doncaster and Port Vale with their finish in the top three. This has been their sixth and final season in the fourth tier, and 24th overall since their relegation from the Premier League in 2001. Promotion further adds to the excellent progress Bradford have made under manager Graham Alexander since he joined in late 2023. They finished ninth at the end of his first season but gone one step further this time round with another moment of EFL magic. DETERMINED Bradford came from twelve points behind to win a turbulent affair for a fifth successive victory in all competitions. Cory Aston passed 1,000 points in Eagles colours but a gripping encounter was overshadowed by a worrying injury suffered by Masi Matongo just after half-time. The 28-year-old Zimbabwean, who played nine games for Bradford in 2023,  was carefully attended to on the ground by medical staff for around 15 minutes immediately after the break before being taken off and then forwarded to hospital.  The Eagles, for the second time this season, took a half-time lead into the Odsal changing rooms but this time, rather than a fragile two points, it was ten.  That was quickly extended to a dozen before a more assertive Bradford ran in four successive tries without reply to seal victory. Sheffield, fresh from their nine-try destruction of Batley –  only their second league win of the season –  had their chances, but resolute defence kept them out for all but seven suspect minutes. Bradford welcomed back Kieran Gill for the first time since the sides met in that 36-20 1895 Cup victory a month beforehand. The hosts were also able to bring back Australian hooker Tyran Ott and Sam Hallas, as their pack was otherwise weakened by the absence of Franklin Pele and Ebon Scurr, both with calf strains, while Eribe Doro had returned to Hull KR. The Eagles were minus Matty Marsh, Titus Gwaze and former Bulls’ favourite AJ Wallace from the previous round, so they included Harvey Horne, Alex Foster and Evan Hodgson, who helped still form a considerable chunk of ex-Bradford players in the South Yorkshire club’s changing room. Luke Hooley slotted an early penalty to edge the hosts in front, then, after Aston had tried to intercept a Jordan Lilley pass, Souter picked the ball from the base of the scrum and scooted over to open the Bulls’ try-scoring account. The Eagles hit back with three quickfire tries in seven minutes, firstly when an Aston short ball to a charging Kris Welham punctured the Bulls line. Aston’s conversion brought up a personal 1,001 points in a Sheffield shirt. Then an incisive break, albeit with Harvey Horne’s final pass looking suspiciously forward, allowed Ryan Millar to score. An Aston break then created a try for the supporting Morgan Smith to finish and suddenly, from being eight points down, Sheffield were 18-8 ahead. Within 20 seconds of the restart Matongo went down and required lengthy on-field treatment before being taken off on a back stretcher.  Elliot Peposhi was subsequently sin-binned and less than a minute after play recommenced, Aston added a penalty. A Jayden Okunbor break down the right wing enabled the supporting Lilley to restore the Bulls’ hopes.  Soon after, Lilley spotted a chink in the Eagles’ armour and headed for it, before brilliantly offloading for the always alert Zac Fulton to cross, although Hooley’s first miss in four attempts left Sheffield still two points in front. It hardly mattered as, within two minutes, Waka Blake burst down the right and Hooley was in support to make amends by touching down. Smith was a denied a response for a knock-on and, as the visitors ramped up the pressure, it took an opportune Lilley 40-20 to push Bradford upfield again. Hooley added another penalty, then a field-goal attempt from Lilley was charged down and Logan Bayliss was held up before a tenacious effort from Nathan Mason clinched the game, with Hooley improving the effort with his sixth goal. GAMESTAR: Jordan Lilley’s in-built enthusiasm allied to an acute eye for an opening created the chance for the Bulls’ comeback.  GAMEBREAKER: Nathan Mason’s final try with three minutes remaining killed off brave Sheffield’s hopes. SCORING SEQUENCE: 2-0, 8-0, 8-6, 8-12, 8-18; 8-20, 14-20, 18-20, 24-20, 26-20, 32-20 The Batams needed a win to guarantee the final automatic promotion spot as close rivals Walsall clinched all three points away at Crewe would drop into the play-offs but Antoni Sarcevic redirected a shot into the bottom corner in the closing stages of the game The game had to be paused for 15 minutes as fans flooded the pitch in celebrations Players were escorted off the pitch before being brought back out The win secures their promotion to League One after six seasons in League Two fans gathered at the club's memorial to remember those who were killed in the Valley Parade fire 40 years ago.56 people lost their lives and hundreds were injured on the 11th of May 1985 when the ground's main stand became engulfed in flames Fans joined together by the memorial to reflect and pay their respects to those who lost their lives Want a quick and expert briefing on the biggest news stories Listen to our latest podcasts to find out What You Need To Know Digital Sports ReporterPublished: Invalid Date BRADFORD'S clash against Fleetwood was suspended just seconds before their promotion to League One after fans stormed the pitch Bradford scored a 97th minute winner to seal third place in League Two and secure a move up the divisions But with the game being just seconds away from finishing it was brought to a halt as fans prematurely invaded the field The supporters were delighted after Antoni Sarcevic's strike looked to have sealed a place in League One. Sarcevic's goal was deflected into the goal sparking joyous scenes as fans joined the players on the pitch to celebrate the game was technically not over as fans continued to flood on to the grass Stewards also worked overtime to clear the field. The game was held up for more than 10 minutes before the final few seconds of the match were allowed to resume after the last supporters had made their way back to the stands. But there was no late sting in the tail as the final whistle blew moments later. It allowed Bradford fans to finally celebrate in style And once again they charged onto the field to toast their success with the club's players Jubilant supporters lit flares as they hugged various Bradford stars The mood was one of jubilation after their timely late winner The result saw Bradford move above Walsall into third with the latter having looked set to go up with a 1-0 win over Crewe Alexandra Walsall will now face Chesterfield in the playoffs while AFC Wimbledon will take on Notts County Doncaster Rovers went up as League Two champs Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. For further details of our complaints policy and to make a complaint please click this link: thesun.co.uk/editorial-complaints/ Fleetwood Town head coach Pete Wild spoke to the media following the 1-0 defeat against Bradford City Bradford City secured automatic promotion to League One with former Cod Antoni Sarcevic scoring with the help of a very heavy deflection Watch the full video on FleetwoodTV. Graham Alexander is looking to steer Bradford City to a first automatic promotion since 1999 Bradford City boss Graham Alexander has said his side must relish the pressure of their promotion decider against Fleetwood Town on Saturday The Bantams go into the final day in third place in League Two and will go up with a victory at Valley Parade If they fail to win then either Walsall or Notts County could pip them to the remaining automatic promotion spot "When you get to the end of the season and see other teams in these situations you are jealous of it because you want to be involved in them," he told BBC Radio Leeds. "I speak to the players about the pressure of playing for Bradford it is something that attracted you here so you can't shy away from it "I told them after the EFL Trophy semi-final defeat by Birmingham [in February] 'lads we are destined to play bigger games than this' I really felt that at that particular moment and that is what we have here "Everything they have done this season is down to this so don't let that opportunity go because you have worked hard for it "It's in our hands and this is where we have to grab it." L1 & L2 preview: Promotion and play-off prospects How a love for Messi led to a passion for Bradford City Alexander: 'I don't want to let anyone down' Promotion would end City's six-season spell in the bottom tier and also see them go up automatically for the first time since 1999 The West Yorkshire side have enjoyed a strong second half of the season and rose up to the top of the table on 5 April a run of four games without a win has seen them drop back down to third who took over at Valley Parade in November 2023 has previously led Fleetwood and Salford to promotion and said he felt a real connection with the club "This job has stretched me more than any other that is what makes you grow and improve," he said "As you get more interwoven into a club and understand the history then when you feel like you are making a mark and you are hopefully going to be in their history then you do feel a connection "It hasn't always been rosy but I have always felt the support from the people around me and from the stands "I just don't want to let people down so we have to get the job done."