Bradford City: Jack Shepherd fires revenge dig at Swindon Town after League One promotion secured | OneFootball

Jack Shepherd was quick to have the last laugh after a remarkable encounter last month

Bradford City defender Jack Shepherd was quick to have the last laugh over Swindon Town supporters as the Bantams' promotion from League Two was secured on Saturday afternoon.

In a fourth-tier promotion race full of twists and turns, Bradford would have the last and most crucial say in the matter as Antoni Sarcevic turned a George Lapslie effort home in the 96th minute against Fleetwood Town in front of a sold-out Valley Parade, ending the West Yorkshire side's six-year stint in the division after being relegated under Gary Bowyer in 2019.

Many sides harbouring ambitions of promotion to League One have made an array of mishaps between themselves in recent weeks - most notably, Walsall, who saw automatic promotion stolen from their grasp courtesy of the drama produced by Graham Alexander's men, who, just a few short weeks ago, were on the receiving end of a pulsating encounter, losing 5-4 against Swindon Town at the County Ground.

And, having taken plenty of stick from some of Ian Holloway's players after an unfortunate 95th-minute own-goal in Wiltshire on April 12th, the Barnsley loanee has dished some in return to Swindon supporters on social media as City supporters continue to revel in the moment.

Jack Shepherd fires Swindon Town dig as Bradford City achieve automatic promotion to League One

After already having the nucleus of a squad capable of challenging for promotion under Alexander, Shepherd has stood out as one of the most successful of many signings made by the 53-year-old over the course of the Bantams' eventual promotion-winning season.

Despite missing out on a place in the division's official Team of the Season unlike club captain Richie Smallwood, the 24-year-old has enjoyed a fine individual campaign, and the first of his professional career where he has featured in the majority of outings after making a handful of appearances at Oakwell since signing from Pontefract Collieries before a short loan stint with Cheltenham Town.

For all the praise he has enjoyed from his manager as well as Bantams and opposition supporters for his performances, the low point of the 24-year-old's season saw him turn a 95th-minute own-goal past Sam Walker against Swindon, with Bradford surrendering a 3-1 and 4-3 lead to eventually lose 5-4.

Shepherd's moment of ignominy was followed by Harry Smith and several other of Holloway's men celebrating right in front of the distraught defender as they took three valuable points off the promotion-chasing outfit.

However, with the season now over as Bradford prepare for life back in League One despite winning for just the third time in 12 games whilst Swindon end the campaign in 12th - eight points behind Chesterfield in seventh - he wasn't going to make those in SN1 forget.

He said: "Cheers lads all the best next year @Official_STFC" followed by a thumbs-up and popcorn emoji, highlighting the needle generated by such antics in the aforementioned high-pressure encounter.

Unfortunately for those who have continuously packed out Valley Parade this season, Yesterday's memorable occasion could be the last time they see the loanee feature in claret and amber, with it being revealed by Barnsley sporting director, Mladen Sormaz, that Shepherd is expected to feature heavily for the Tykes next season.

The Reds were unable to add to their two previous play-off finishes this term, although a 4-2 victory over top-six hopefuls Reading on the final day of the campaign ended a frustrating season on a high for Conor Hourihane, as the recently appointed permanent boss aims to build on an 11th-placed finish.

Shepherd will be taking plenty of confidence back to Oakwell this term with the hope that he can finally show supporters his ability at third-tier level on a much-more consistent basis, having played just nine times for the club previously.

And, regardless of the Yorkshire derbies which will be contested next season, he will no doubt be given a nice reception by City supporters for his efforts across 49 appearances in all competitions.