BULLS today received Christmas backing from Stuart McCall who declared: Bradford needs two strong clubs.

McCall would love to see a return to the time when City’s neighbours were a rugby league powerhouse.

It seems a long way back amid all the uncertainty that has gripped Odsal in recent months but Friday's formal offer has rekindled hopes the club can re-establish themselves as a leading force.

And the Bantams boss believes the fans will have a crucial role to play.

McCall said: “It’s sad because, as a football club, we’ve gone through two admins. This is the third time for the Bulls.

“When this happens, it is down to supporters whether they bounce back.

“The loyalty will be tested but that’s the only way you are going to get revenue and build again.

“Supporters have got to back the club in their most difficult times. That will judge how successful they are going to be.

“Obviously get the right people in charge first and foremost. But then, like any club, you’re only as successful as the support you get.

“If they can get behind the club, like the fans rallied round us when we were struggling. You need those loyal fans to come to the front.”

McCall has always kept an eye on the Bulls’ fortunes since he started with City and rubbed shoulders with some of Northern’s biggest names.

“I can remember the days when Bradford Northern were a great team around the time we got promotion in 1985,” he added.

“When I was a kid at Bradford, Brian Noble would come down training with us and Ellery Hanley. They had a really good team with Great Britain internationals.

“We wanted each other to do well. There was no rivalry or jealousy, we both fed off each other.

“Then when we were in the Premier League and they were right up there in Super League as one of the biggest clubs. It’s a shame.

“It would be good to get back to those times.

“Both sides have fallen and it’s sad for such a big city.

“Both are well supported. I know there are plenty who would go to the football on Saturday and rugby on the Sunday.

“There’s no doubt that Bradford needs both to do well.”

McCall has recent experience of a major club bouncing back from the crippling effects of administration after watching Rangers start again from the bottom in Scotland.

His former side were liquidated in 2012 and relegated to the fourth tier of Scottish football. But they have clawed their way back to return to the Premier Division as they look to restore past glories.

McCall said: “It was a shock to everybody when they got the punishment.

“I was manager of Motherwell and it was a financial blow to us because they used to bring 6,000 fans twice a season. That was £250,000 out of our budget straight away.

“The lower grounds who were used to getting 200 each week were suddenly getting 2,000 so it helped save a lot of the smaller clubs.

“But Rangers is such a big institution and they kept the big crowds at Ibrox. It became a case of the people saying ‘we’ll show them’ and they were getting as many in as Celtic playing in the top league.

“Even though they were playing against an amateur team of plumbers, joiners and plasterers, the fans were turning out as a matter of principle.

“They wanted to show that the club would never die.

“It’s a similar situation for the Bulls now. The supporters have the chance to show how much they mean and they will be very important.”