Robert Molenaar has challenged Bradford City's powerbrokers to reveal their hand for next season.

Fans will tonight have the chance to quiz chairman Geoffrey Richmond and boss Jim Jefferies at a Valley Parade forum amid concerns about the club's policy for Division One.

Defender Molenaar, whose own future with City is under threat, set the tone for a lively meeting by revealing his personal fears about next season.

Molenaar said: "The ambition of the club is very important. We picked up a lot of confidence from our performances in the last couple of months after deadline day and we must try to keep the players that were responsible for that.

"But as far as the manager has told me, he can't make any guarantees, and that's the worrying thing.

"In the bigger picture, everyone is talking about coming back up, but the First Division is a very difficult league to get out of.

"Even Blackburn took a couple of years to win promotion, and they have a very strong squad and a lot of money.

"It's going to be very hard, and if you can't keep the basis of this team, that more or less sets the standard for what is to come next season.

"I have read that only three teams in the last five years have come straight back up after being relegated. That shows how tough it can be.

"We should look at what Charlton did when they went down. They said right from the start that they wouldn't panic.

"They made it clear they wouldn't be selling any players, and if a club can tell you that it gives everyone confidence and a firm base to work with.

"At the moment that doesn't look like happening at Bradford. You are waiting for signs for it, but I can't see any reassurance."

Molenaar's contract ran out when City were relegated and Jefferies admitted City can only offer him an incentive-based package because they cannot match his wages in the budget.

The Dutchman is recovering from the groin injury which forced him out of the final two Premiership games. He has gone back to Holland for treatment, but is hoping to continue playing in England, even if he cannot strike an agreement with the Bantams.

"I've proved myself in six months with Bradford and now I need to be as fit as possible for any chance that may arise.

"I'm not ruling out anything, but I can't say I got a positive feeling from the last conversation I had with the manager."

Tonight's fans' forum starts at 7.30 in the banqueting suite above Up Front. With a large audience expected, the doors will be open from 6pm.

Admission is £1, which will go to the Bradford Burns Unit.

Meanwhile, City are £200,000 richer thanks to Bolton Wanderers' 3-0 victory over Preston in the Nationwide First Division play-off final yesterday at the Millennium Stadium.

The money is part of the loan deal for Bolton goalkeeper Matt Clarke, and the victory in Cardiff will hopefully bring about a permanent deal for the transfer-listed shot-stopper.

Clarke may well be Bolton's first signing as a Premiership side for about £1.5 million as their jubilant boss Sam Allardyce will now have the cash to buy him.

Allardyce said: "It's been a tremendous season and this will allow us to keep some of the players whose contracts are up."

Bolton's goals came from Gareth Farrelly, Michael Ricketts and Ricardo Gardner as they returned to the Premiership after a four-year gap.