New City bombshell

Administrators Kroll dropped the bombshell as they issued a final plea to ground-owner Mr Gibb after repeated attempts to involve him in talks about the club's future.

But, even if pleasure park-owner Mr Gibb does agree to the rent free period, the club still faces major hurdles in the battle to survive.

The administrators say their latest forecasts are far gloomier than they previously anticipated.

Despite the fact that a fundraising appeal led by the Telegraph & Argus has raised £235,000 for the club since May, a substantial amount of that money has already been spent on staff and player wages during the close season just to keep the club going as a viable entity.

Administrators are also concerned that:

lFollowing the resignation of Julian Rhodes as club director and chief executive, and the departure of managing director Shaun Harvey to Leeds United, the club lacks appropriate expertise;

l That they still have to reach their commercial, advertising and sponsorship revenue targets;

lThat there are still insufficient funds to pay staff salaries for July. Previously, the administrators had said that if the T&A Save Our City Appeal raised £250,000, the club would be able to keep going into the new season, which starts on August 7. However, their projections were based on staff deferring their salaries for July but, with the other unanticipated factors, they are now concerned that deferring staff wages would add to the financial problems;

lPre-season shirt sales, which last year amounted to £75,000, will be badly hit by the ill-judged and controversial Diadora TV advert which showed footage of the Valley Parade fire disaster. The club has been inundated with calls from angry fans saying they will refuse to buy shirts. Although Diadora has apologised and withdrawn the advert, it is believed it will still have an adverse impact on shirt sales, denying administrators a vital source of income.

It is understood, however, the administrators will attempt to overcome those problems if they can clear the biggest obstacle to the club's future - the ground rent deal.

Joint administrator Neil Brackenbury today said discussions with parties interested in the club were on-going but none were at a stage whereby an investment into the club was imminent.

The issue with stadium rent had also delayed putting season tickets to go on sale which would have provided a vital source of income for the club, he said.

"There are a number of obstacles still to be overcome to allow the club to play Coca Cola League One football next season," said Mr Brackenbury.

"However, the key factor is the rent for Valley Parade. The cash flow forecasts produced show that in order the club to trade on a breakeven basis for next season it is necessary to secure a rent-free period from the landlord."

Numerous attempts have been made in the last three months to get the former club chairman round the table to discuss waiving the £300,000 annual rent for the ground for next season. But he is understood to have been unresponsive to most of the letters and calls.

The latest letter detailing tomorrow's crunch deadline was sent on Monday afternoon but, as the T&A went to press today, Mr Gibb, his lawyers and the Flamingo Land pension fund trustees had failed to respond formally to the club.

Although the administrators last week said they would resort to legal powers to avoid paying the rent, a move which would have forced Mr Gibb to go to Court to get his money, they have since had a change of heart.

It is understood they are now unwilling to carry the risk - however small - that a judge would rule in the Flamingo Land owner's favour, leaving Kroll with a substantial liability.

Mr Gibb's apparent reluctance to enter into any discussions has also surprised fans after he told them in a dramatic announcement from the Valley Parade pitch towards the end of last season that his family would never force the Bantams out of their home and although he paid £2.5 million for the ground, his investment would be worth substantially less if the land on which the stadium stands was sold for housing or commercial development.

If the club is forced to close tomorrow, with the loss of all jobs, including 24 non-playing staff, 11 professional players, seven youth players and 18 trainees, it would not necessarily go straight into liquidation.

Administrators would hope to use the period before the official winding up of the club in the High Court to find an buyer or cash investors in the hope Bradford City could kick-off in Coca Cola League One on August 7.

The Football League has already put the Bantams in the fixture list for next season and is due to discuss the on-going financial crisis at a meeting on Thursday, July 8.

It is not certain how much grace beyond that date the League would be willing to extend to City to sort out the massive issues it faces.

Last month Mr Rhodes pledged to match fund the Save Our City Appeal if it reached £250,000 and providing a number of conditions were met, including the rent-free period being agreed for Valley Parade and a deal being struck with former striker Ashley Ward who is £770,000.

Despite Mr Rhodes's resignation, it is understood that if the conditions are met he will still put the promised funds.

Today, Phillip Marshall, vice-chairman of the Bradford City Supporters' Trust reacted angrily to news the club was again on the brink of closure.

"If Gordon Gibb continues to ignore the administrators, it's the end of Bradford City, simple as that.

"There will be no club for anyone, let alone my children and future generations of other Bradford City fans.

"On behalf of the city and community of Bradford, I call on Gordon Gibb to stop playing games with our football club and our future."

Councillor Anne Hawkesworth, Bradford Council's executive member for environment, said: "We are disappointed with this news and hope that a solution can be found by the administrators to secure the future of the club.

"We will continue to keep in close contact with the club's administrators and to offer any practical support and advice we can during this difficult time."