Bradford gets cup fever – in pictures

Few in the city of Bradford could have predicted the club's stunning run in this season's Capital One Cup. They've seen off three Premier League opponents - Wigan Athletic (4–2 on penalties in the fourth round), Arsenal (3–2 on penalties in the quarter-finals) and Aston Villa (4–3 on aggregate over two legs in the semi-final) - to reach Wembley. Now they're lapping up the prospect of a trip to London Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Bradford is the country's 14th biggest city with a population of almost 300,000, but the club hasn't been in the top flight of English football since 2001, with successive relegations and administrations threatening their very existence Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Not since Rochdale in 1962 has a club from the fourth tier done so well in this competition. It's a run which has caused cup fever to spread throughout the city Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Face masks on sale at the ground are a sign of a club revelling in the moment Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Wonder if the Dalai Lama has bought any Wembley merchandise yet? The 14th Dalai Lama, Tensin Gyatso, has reportedly been a Bradford supporter since last June following a trip to Yorkshire and has since wished them good luck for the cup final Photograph: Tom Jenkins

... while flags on the City Hall in Centenary Square show just how proud the city is of its club Photograph: Tom Jenkins

In the reception at Vallery Parade - the club's home ground - stands a huge image of their 1911 FA Cup winning team. They are the only previous Bradford team to have reached a major final Photograph: Tom Jenkins

In 1985, 56 fans were killed as a fire engulfed Valley Parade. It was meant to be a day of celebration – but the huge blaze tore through the ground and caused the biggest tragedy in English football at that time. Outside the ground there is now a memorial to the victims. Photograph: Tom Jenkins

It is a sobering reminder of an event which might have been averted had the ground been safer (the club was in fact planning to make improvements to the ground, removing wooden terracing and erecting a steel roof, using the windfall from its promotion) Photograph: Tom Jenkins

The ground is nestled on a hill, behind terraced houses and cobbled streets Photograph: Tom Jenkins

A young home fan walks to see the view of the pitch from the main stand. Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Billy the Bantam greets the City subs ahead of Bradford's last home match prior to the Capital One Cup final Photograph: Tom Jenkins

His unusual compatriot, the City Gent, sends a text Photograph: Tom Jenkins

In the lower tier of the main stand, Bradford's fans are in good spirits Photograph: Tom Jenkins

A huge St Georges flag in honour of the victims lies in the lower tier of the stand built exactly where the fire took place Photograph: Tom Jenkins

These days Valley Parade attracts meagre crowds. Here, Bradford attack the home "Kop" end of the ground during one of their last matches before the Capital One Cup final Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Goalkeeper Matt Duke follows his teammates into the home dressing room Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Home fans leave the game following a 1-0 defeat to Gillingham which kept them mid-table in League Two Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Media attention on the club has grown hugely in the run up to the final. Here, eight of the first team squad pose with the trophy on the pitch, with Nathan Doyle clutching the silverware Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Even a Japanese TV crew has turned up to interview the players. In the background is striker James Hanson who scored the winning goal in the semi-final versus Aston Villa Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Next up, French TV crew gets their camera rolling Photograph: Tom Jenkins

The first team squad listen to assistant manager Steve Parkin and manager Phil Parkinson during a training session Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Matt Duke catches a shot from fellow keeper Jon McLaughlin Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Bradford haven't been able to train on grass in five weeks as their pitch has been unusable. The team have had to train on an artificial pitch instead Photograph: Tom Jenkins

On Sunday they will face a Swansea side who are flying high in the Premier League Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Players arrive at the Grove Hotel in Watford – where England usually stay before international matches – carrying their suits for the final Photograph: Tom Jenkins

During a training session at the Grove, the players work on their fitness Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Zavon Hines goes through a sprint drill – there willl be plenty of running to do on Wembley's huge pitch Photograph: Tom Jenkins

All the players have been given free embroidered boots for the final to celebrate their remarkable achievment Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Bradford will be in the home dressing room for the final ... Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Which is England's dressing room when they play at Wembley. Midfielders Ricky Ravenhill (left) and captain Gary Jones share a joke as they take make themselves at home Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Players Matt Duke (left), Rory McArdle and Alan Connell try out the hairdryers Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Whilst Zavon Hines finds his special personalised vest for the game in the kit bags in the dressing room Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Rory McArdle poses next to a photo of himself in the tunnel area Photograph: Tom Jenkins

There's people on the pitch, they are taking photos Photograph: Tom Jenkins

The squad, management, physios and coach driver pose for a team photo on the pitch in front of the end where the Bradford fans will be Photograph: Tom Jenkins

The players visit the Royal Box. Stephen Darby takes a picture as a replica of the F.A. Cup stands behind him ... Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Whilst Zavon Hines (left), Ricky Ravenhill and Alan Connell savour the view from the balcony in front of the Royal Box Photograph: Tom Jenkins