Bantams CEO Ryan Sparks delighted at season-ticket sales

And he underlined the determination of owner Stefan Rupp to become more involved.

The Bantams last night announced that 13,571 season tickets had been sold by the early-bird deadline, despite the club missing out on the play-offs, and it is understood that sales are continuing to rise.

Prices have gone up for next term and CEO Sparks was thrilled with the take-up so far.

He said: “Given the significant price rises, which as we described at the time were unavoidable, and the fact we didn’t deliver what we’d hoped to then we’re delighted with the sales that have been recorded so far.

“We’re very grateful for such loyal support in what are difficult times for anyone to be asked to put their hands deeper into their pockets.

“It gives us great momentum going into the summer and we’ve still got quite a long way before next season starts. We always do have a period of additional sales running into the new season.

“We’re still quite confident that we will clear the 14,000 barrier.

“It’s an incredible response and we’re absolutely determined to make sure that in 12 months’ time, those people who have chosen to stand by the club and get behind us are rewarded for that loyalty.”

City won their final five games, including three in a row at home for the first time since 2021, and Sparks feels they can carry that momentum forward.

“We didn’t have a top three budget last season and that was always going to be a challenge for us.

“As the season went on, we probably started to fall further behind the bigger-spending clubs.

“Where we finished ultimately a point short of the play-offs was hard to take for everybody.

“But we finished the season with a flourish and are going into next season with five straight victories.

“It’s quite a while since we’ve won five in a row in the league and we’re heading into the summer with more momentum than we’ve had, certainly in my time at the club.

“When you compare it to last season when we lost the play-off semi-final and the train seemed to hit the buffers.

“This year, while we’re obviously disappointed not to be playing our part in the play-offs, we’re really well placed to attack next time.”

Graham Alexander is finalising his decisions with the retained list, which is set to come out in the next couple of days. He has been holding conversations with every member of the squad.

Owner Stefan Rupp was at Valley Parade on Saturday (Image: Thomas Gadd)

Sparks added: “There are some positives from how we finished the season and we’ve learned a lot more about the squad.

“The manager is going to start his first full season in charge with six months’ experience behind him.

“We’ve got a very specific plan for next season to get out of this division, without a doubt, and we’ll be doing everything we can to achieve that.

“None of that is possible without the supporters and that’s why the season-ticket sales give us so much more energy than we already had.

“I said to the staff at our end-of-season meeting that if anyone needed any more motivation that gives it to you.

“We want to be the best versions of ourselves on and off the pitch going into next season and give our supporters the days out they deserve.”

Rupp has come in for heavy criticism for his distant control of the club from Germany but was at the final game against Newport.

Having penned a public message to supporters last month promising decisive action, Sparks said Rupp is keen to take a more hands-on interest.

“On a personal level, I’m buoyed by conversations I’ve had with Stefan.

“There is definitely a renewed desire from our owner to get over the line and get us back into League One.

“We’re looking at the bigger picture in terms of our facilities and infrastructure. We’re starting to look at it in detail and we need to because the clock is ticking with elements of it.

“The conversations we had in Munich were very positive. Stefan has been in the country twice since then and we are talking regularly about what our next steps are.”