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Gary Jones has revealed how brave cancer survivor Jake Turton has inspired Bradford’s incredible run to the Capital One Cup final.

And captain Jones is delighted League Two Bradford’s lucky mascot will be by his side to lead the team out at Wembley to face Swansea next Sunday.

The story of nine-year-old Jake’s ­successful battle against a brain tumour, which, doctors warned, could have killed him, has touched the hearts of football fans everywhere.

Jake was Bradford’s mascot for the semi-final first-leg victory over Aston Villa and Jones created one of the ­images of the competition by planting a kiss on the youngster’s head following the second leg.

Bradford this week ­confirmed Jake will be one of two ­mascots — with 12-year-old Ryan ­Siddall — for the Wembley final and Jones could not be happier.

“I can’t wait to lead the team out with Jake again,” said Jones. “His story and bravery have really helped to inspire the whole team.

“He came into the dressing-room ­before he was mascot for the first leg of the Villa tie and it was an eye-opener for all of the lads to see what he had been through.

“I said to my missus after the first leg, ‘I looked at that little boy and it just ­inspired me’ and I think a lot of the ­players were the same. It gives you the incentive to go and try even harder.

“It was a spontaneous reaction after the second leg to give him a kiss.

“­Emotions were running high and I just happened to see him. It seemed like the natural thing to do. The picture was on the front page of the local ­newspaper the next day and I will treasure that forever.

“It’s strange how the two stories have run parallel to each other.

“His situation was obviously a lot more serious, but he has overcome all the odds and that is what Bradford have done in this cup run.”

Jake’s dad Andy is a survivor of the 1985 Bradford fire disaster, which killed 56 people, and Jones believes this ­season’s cup run can signal a new era for the club after the fall from grace since relegation from the Premier League in 2001.

“The club have been through some terrible times, with the fire and then administration and relegations after being in the Premier League,” said Jones.

“But this has put Bradford back on the map and it has put a smile back on the faces of the fans.

“Bradford is a massive club and the victories against Wigan, Arsenal and Villa have shown what can be achieved with hard work.”

Jones is the record appearance holder for Rochdale — who were the last ­fourth-tier club to reach the final of the League Cup in 1962 — and the ­35-year-old is desperate to go one better than his old employers.

“I got a lot of messages off people at Rochdale after the semi-final, once ­Bradford had equalled their record,” said Jones. “I took a fair amount of stick, but I think everyone was pleased for me really.

“I’ll be honest, I have thought about walking up the Wembley steps and ­lifting the trophy as captain.

“But we can’t just go there for a day out — we have to do everything to win.”