Jim Jefferies began drawing up his Bradford City promotion blueprint today, insisting: I would never have quit however hard the job became.

Chairman Geoffrey Richmond's decision to hoist the player budget by a further £2.5 million has breathed new life into Jefferies' ambitions for next season.

It took the heat off the City hierarchy after last week's clear-the-air meeting when Richmond asked the manager whether he felt able to carry on.

Now as Jefferies prepares to use the extra money to strengthen his squad - with another goalkeeper high on the list - he revealed the thought of leaving Valley Parade never crossed his mind.

Jefferies said: "I'm not one to walk away from anything. It's just not in my nature to quit.

"Nobody would have blamed me if I had and plenty of people said that to me. But it was something I never wanted to do. I was more frustrated with things and wondering in my head how it could be done.

"But thankfully in football there is always something around the corner and the chairman's news has given us more scope to have a real go.

"There are no fortunes to spend on players but it allows us to control things again - we don't have to lose players. And we've got to be grateful that we are at least on a wage level which is very good if you want to be challenging."

Matt Clarke's possible move to play-off winners Bolton would give Jefferies more room to work with.

City's transfer-listed goalkeeper went on holiday last night, hoping that his future would soon be sorted.

Clarke said: "I think I have shown while I've been at Bolton that I'm well capable and I've put myself in the shop window. I hope Bradford don't go back to playing silly games. I always wanted to stay in the Premiership and I'm glad this season is over.

"I think it's best if I part company with Bradford but I don't know how much they will want for me."

Jefferies has checked out Frenchman Stephane Cassard, on loan from Montpellier to Creteil in the French Second Division, and is keen to find back-up for Gary Walsh.

He said: "With Aidan Davison wanting to go, we need another good goalkeeper to push Gary who has been outstanding. We watched Cassard but we're still to find out the position with his club and have not made any inquiries.

"There are one or two that we could get over for pre-season and have a look at them then before deciding."