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Will a cash strapped club finally go out of business
From the BBC
Bradford on the brink
The rent on Valley Parade is the key factor in the club's survival
Cash-strapped Bradford City could face closure on Thursday if the club's landlord does not waive his £300,000 rent on Valley Parade next season.
The Bantams, in administration and relegated to the old Division Two last term, are reportedly £30m in debt.
"Following lengthy discussions we have submitted a request to play rent free for the whole of the season," said a spokesman for administrators Kroll.
"If that does not happen there is no choice but to close the club down."
Kroll have given landlord Gordon Gibb, whose pension fund owns the ground, until the close of business on Thursday to respond with a positive answer.
Joint administrator Neil Brackenbury said: "It has got to a very worrying and sad stage.
"We have been in talks for several weeks, but we need a formal answer, otherwise the club will face closure."
The move comes despite concerted fund-raising efforts from fans and a reported "substantial" donation from celebrated artist David Hockney, who hails from Bradford.
10-point penalty?
Losing their Premiership status in 2001 after two seasons in the top flight, combined with the collapse of the Football League's ITV Digital television deal, has hit City's finances hard.
Expensive contracts with Premiership wages - such as that of Italian striker Benito Carbone - could not be sustained following relegation.
Bradford were put into administration for the second time in two years in February.
They failed to survive in the First Division, now The Championship, despite appointing former England captain Bryan Robson as manager last November.
Even if they reach agreement over their ground, continuing to stay in administration could incur a 10-point penalty for the club under new Football League rules.
If they fail to reach agreement with their landlord, Bradford could become the first English league club to fold since Maidstone United in 1992.
"The key factor is the rent for Valley Parade," Brackenbury added. "The cash flow forecasts produced show that in order for the club to trade on a break-even basis for next season it is necessary to secure a rent-free period from the landlord."
From the BBC
Bradford on the brink
The rent on Valley Parade is the key factor in the club's survival
Cash-strapped Bradford City could face closure on Thursday if the club's landlord does not waive his £300,000 rent on Valley Parade next season.
The Bantams, in administration and relegated to the old Division Two last term, are reportedly £30m in debt.
"Following lengthy discussions we have submitted a request to play rent free for the whole of the season," said a spokesman for administrators Kroll.
"If that does not happen there is no choice but to close the club down."
Kroll have given landlord Gordon Gibb, whose pension fund owns the ground, until the close of business on Thursday to respond with a positive answer.
Joint administrator Neil Brackenbury said: "It has got to a very worrying and sad stage.
"We have been in talks for several weeks, but we need a formal answer, otherwise the club will face closure."
The move comes despite concerted fund-raising efforts from fans and a reported "substantial" donation from celebrated artist David Hockney, who hails from Bradford.
10-point penalty?
Losing their Premiership status in 2001 after two seasons in the top flight, combined with the collapse of the Football League's ITV Digital television deal, has hit City's finances hard.
Expensive contracts with Premiership wages - such as that of Italian striker Benito Carbone - could not be sustained following relegation.
Bradford were put into administration for the second time in two years in February.
They failed to survive in the First Division, now The Championship, despite appointing former England captain Bryan Robson as manager last November.
Even if they reach agreement over their ground, continuing to stay in administration could incur a 10-point penalty for the club under new Football League rules.
If they fail to reach agreement with their landlord, Bradford could become the first English league club to fold since Maidstone United in 1992.
"The key factor is the rent for Valley Parade," Brackenbury added. "The cash flow forecasts produced show that in order for the club to trade on a break-even basis for next season it is necessary to secure a rent-free period from the landlord."
