Friday 13 February 2015 16:34, UK
Ben Williams is determined to count each one of the Bradford's FA Cup glory days as a bonus following a serious bout of meningitis.
Former Manchester United trainee Williams spent four days in a medically induced coma when the illness hit unexpectedly in 2005 as he was seeking to forge a new career at Crewe. And even though a decade has passed since his scare, the 32-year-old admits his experience makes games like Sunday's fifth clash with Sunderland at a sold-out Valley Parade that little bit extra-special. Williams said: "The illness was an overnight surprise and at one point doctors feared my life might be over. "After a few weeks they told me it was highly unlikely I could compete at a professional level again and I would need 18 months to get back running - but I was back in the game within three months. "It is 10 years since it happened but it makes you more grateful for your successes, and seeing my wife and eldest son celebrating our win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge filled me with pride and satisfaction." Despite the inevitable disappointment of leaving Old Trafford and further setbacks including his release from Hibernian last summer, it is perhaps what makes Williams so eager to shrug off the suggestion that the high points in his career have not come easily. Williams - who will replace regular number one Jordan Pickford as Pickford is unavailable against his parent club - added: "I've been fortunate in many respects because every club I have gone to has been my choice. "I captained Hibs in the Scottish Cup semi-final in front of 50,000 people so I've got big game experience and that gives you the self-belief when you get the chance to be involved in games like this and Chelsea." The Bantams have been working hard to repair their bare Valley Parade pitch this week and it could prove a factor in Phil Parkinson's men building on their famous win at Stamford Bridge with another top-flight scalp. Given his side's three-match unbeaten run in the wake of the win at Chelsea, contrasting with Sunderland's plunge back into trouble after a dismal midweek home loss to QPR, there are some who would not count another win for the League One side as a major surprise. But having experienced both ends of the playing scale Williams is anxious to play down any suggestions that Bradford go into the game on Sunday as anything other than significant underdogs. Williams added: "Of course after the last round people are going to expect big things from us but we are playing against a fantastic team with world-class players and they definitely go into the game as favourites. "The gulf between the Premier League and the rest is widening each year so it's very difficult for any lower league side to enjoy a fantastic cup run and this year has gone fantastically well for us. "On a personal level it's about having that self-belief and doing your best to treat the game just like any other. It is about trying to hang on to the coat-tails of the top clubs and the top players for as long as you possibly can."
