SIR – It is generally acknowledged that successful football teams have a significant beneficial effect on the local economy.

The Council should look to purchase the City ground. They could allow City and the reformed Bradford Northern to jointly rent it at a nominal charge.

Both teams would then be able to put most of the gate money into short-term team strengthening and long-term youth training programmes in conjunction with Bradford schools, colleges and university.

There is a wealth of football and fitness skills and experience available from both teams which could be used to train our youth to the mutual benefit of both the community and the clubs.

Among the plethora of £100k+ executives employed by the Council, there must be one who has the acumen, accountability and confidence to guide our two clubs into such cost effective and wide-ranging community benefit.

Such a brief would be unique in the degree of public approbation commended to it.

Just for once let the Council take the initiative before instead of after the event.

We’ve been handed a lemon, so lets make lemonade.

John Pashley, Westcliffe Avenue, Baildon