Geoffrey Richmond expects Bradford City's successful fight for Premiership survival will mean a difference in income of between £6 and £8 million next year.

But the City chief is also quick to point out that staying in the Premiership entails a huge increase in expenditure through wages and transfer fees.

Richmond does, however, believe that City retaining their top-flight status on Sunday will prove a vital step in the club's development in the 21st century as they look to bridge the gap on their fellow Premiership clubs.

Richmond said: "There is a big difference between money and profit and the two things do seem to get mistaken by many people. There is no doubt that the difference in income to a club like ourselves is somewhere in the region of £6 to £8 million. It is probably more for the bigger clubs.

"The other side of the coin is that there is increased expenditure. The transfer budget is greater, the pressure for ground development is greater and new players put pressure on the size of the wage bill.

"Without wanting to sound like too much of an accountant, the Deloitte and Touche report showed that apart from five clubs the Premiership is not a golden egg.

"In the 1998-99 season, the other 15 Premiership clubs lost money. It isn't a pathway to riches, but for a club like ourselves what it does mean is that if we survive for three or four years we can really establish ourselves at this level.

"By that time we will have a ground with a 35,000 capacity and will be able to generate the kind of income that goes a long way."

City have already been quoted as odds-on for relegation next season by bookmakers William Hill. The Bantams are 1-2 to go down or 6-4 to survive.

Richmond said: "As we look forward to next season, we will again be seen by the national media as one of the favourites for the drop.

"These odds just a day after the season is over prove that. I do, however, think they are better than the ones quoted for us staying up this time last year.

"I suppose that could be seen as progress. I think Charlton are 8-11 while Manchester City are 11-8 to go down.

"We are still seen as the absolute outsiders. The fact we have stayed in the Premiership does not mean we do not face another tremendous battle next season.

"Our aim this year was to finish at the top of the bottom league within the Premiership. Next year we hope to go one better and secure our safety on the penultimate weekend!"

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