Their entire squad cost £7,500 in transfer fees. They knocked three Premier League clubs out of one cup.
THE DESK — NOTES & REMARKS
Part 2 of the Carabao Cup coverage — companion to "Winners, Upsets & Records," live on the channel.
THE LOWDOWN — THE FULL HISTORY
THE SQUAD
Bradford City, 2012/13, fourth division. Every penny of their transfer spend had gone on one striker — James Hanson, from non-league Guiseley. Everyone else arrived on frees or loans. Manager Phil Parkinson's instruction was simple: out-work and out-tackle everybody.
THE GIANTS
Premier League Wigan arrived and lost on penalties. Then Arsenal, at a freezing Valley Parade — Bradford led until the 88th minute, Vermaelen equalised, and it went to penalties again. Bradford won again.
THE SEMI
Aston Villa over two legs: 3-1 at Valley Parade, through 4-3 on aggregate. Only the second fourth-tier team ever to reach the League Cup final, and the first to reach a major final at Wembley.
THE FINAL
Brutal. Swansea won 5-0, still the biggest winning margin in League Cup final history, and keeper Matt Duke was sent off.
THE ANSWER
83 days later, Bradford walked back out at Wembley and beat Northampton 3-0 in the play-off final. Promoted. The £7,500 team finished the season with a major cup final and promotion.
MORE FROM UNIVERSE
THE TERRACES — DISCUSSION
The argument also lives in the YouTube comments ↗.