Bradford City soccer legend Bobby Campbell has told of his 15-month ordeal after he and his wife were cleared of fraud charges.

The Bantams' all-time record goalscorer, and his wife Paula, walked free from Leeds Crown Court yesterday after prosecutor Christopher Dunn offered no evidence in the case.

Mr Campbell, 58, who is now disabled and walks with a stick following a football injury in 1975, and his 57-year-old wife, had been charged with three counts of fraud by abuse of position.

They were arrested in July 2013 after a complaint was made from Lindley Working Men's Club, in Huddersfield, where Mr Campbell worked as a steward and his wife was a barmaid.

The couple denied all charges when they appeared at crown court in July and a trial date was fixed for December 1.

But yesterday, prosecutor Mr Dunn told the court there had been detailed analysis of the case by the prosecution and he had spoken at length to the police officer in the case and the reviewing lawyer.

Mr Dunn said: "I take the view, and the Crown Prosecution Service has accepted, that there is not a realistic prospect of conviction in this case, and my application is to offer no evidence against either defendant."

The judge, Recorder Mark McKone, returned not guilty verdicts against Mr and Mrs Campbell on all three counts and told them they were discharged.

After the verdicts, Mr Campbell said the last 15 months had been stressful beyond belief but he had now got his life back.

He said: "You have the stigma of the charges against you, but you can't defend yourself. You have to sit back and wait. I am glad that we have now been vindicated. I am just pleased it's over."

Mr Campbell had worked at the WMC for 25 years, but was sacked the month before the complaint to police was made.

He said: "The club was in financial difficulty and I think I was the scapegoat. They were trying to get rid of me to keep their wages down.

"My wife and I did a lot to keep the club open. I feel sick that it has come to this. You can feel bitter in a way, but I am never one to hold grudges. Maybe they thought they were doing things for the benefit of the club.

"But the club is the past to me now. I will never go back in."

He said he was grateful for the work of his legal team at Opus Law, the fraud arm of Bradford solicitors firm Petherbridge Bassra, the support of his wife and that of friends in Bradford, including at Bradford City.

"I have had strong support from the club, especially (joint chairman) Mark Lawn, and former player Barry Gallagher, who did a lot of fundraising for me to help with my legal costs. People in Bradford have supported us and I shall be going to see them to thank them. That has meant a lot to me. Everybody knows my allegiance is to Bradford City. My times there were the best of my career."

Mr Campbell scored a record 137 goals for Bradford City during two spells over seven years at Valley Parade, playing alongside fellow legends Stuart McCall and John Hendrie. His goals helped the club to two promotions.

He also won two international caps for Northern Ireland.

Mr Campbell is now considering making a claim for unfair dismissal against the working men's club at an employment tribunal.

Bradford City joint chairman Mark Lawn said: "It's excellent that Bobby and Paula have been cleared. I did not believe for a moment what was claimed against him, which is why we have supported him. It was a disgrace to drag his wife into it as well.

"There is always someone who will say there is no smoke without fire, which is absolute rubbish. He doesn't deserve that. He is a good man."