Bradford coach eyes more TV time in FA Cup

BRADFORD (United Kingdom): Bradford City manager Phil Parkinson declared victory over British broadcaster the BBC after his side completed another FA Cup giant-killing by eliminating Sunderland in the fifth round.

Victors over Chelsea in the previous round, Bradford beat Premier League Sunderland 2-0 on Sunday in a game that was not shown on domestic television due to the BBC’s decision to screen Aston Villa’s 2-1 win over Leicester City instead. Responding to complaints from fans, BBC presenter Gary Lineker explained that the decision not to broadcast Bradford’s game had been taken before Sunderland had come through a fourth-round replay against Fulham.

But Parkinson said: “We were disappointed this wasn’t on TV. If you just talk about the finances, £250,000 (£385,000, 338,000 euros) for a club like ours would have meant a lot.

“We had to take it on the chin and make sure we put in a performance today (Sunday), and that’s what we’ve done. Hopefully, they will make it a televised game in the next round. I think they will after this!”

Bradford took an early lead when Billy Clarke’s shot deflected in off John O’Shea for an own goal and secured a first quarter-final appearance since 1976 when former Sunderland striker Jon Stead scored just after the hour.

Stead scored just twice during his 18-month spell with Sunderland, prompting the club’s fans to print T-shirts bearing the ironic slogan, ‘I saw Jon Stead score,’ but he has now netted in every round of the cup this season. - AFP