Geoffrey Richmond has reassured Bradford City fans that the £5 million cost of extending the Valley Parade capacity will not be at the expense of team strengthening.

The Bantams today announced their ambitious plans to add a second tier to the existing Sunwin Stand and boost their ground capacity to 24,000.

However the City chief has moved quickly to quell fans' fears that the anticipated cost will affect any possible transfer moves by manager Paul Jewell.

Richmond said: "I can assure the supporters that despite the £5 million cost of this project, there will be zero impact on the resources available to the manager.

"The reason for this is that the board have decided that we will not be financing the work out of the club's cash account or by short term borrowing. Instead we will do it through a long-term mortgage. The club's hope then is that the work will finance itself through the increased revenue which the stand will bring in once open.

"Every football club that has built a new stand faces the same accusation about doing it instead of strengthening the team but that is not the case here."

Richmond confirmed that the completed Sunwin Stand will house the most expensive seats in the ground. However the pillars which currently obstruct the view will disappear as part of the new cantilever structure. The Bantams chief also believes the income from the additional 500 places which will be available in the revamped executive boxes to add to the current 250 who watch home games will be a huge boost for City.

Manager Paul Jewell welcomed the plans and said: "It is a clear sign that the club is looking to the future and sends out the right message to people.

"Of course, we are delighted to be playing in the Premier League. But we are also determined to stay there and keep moving the club forward at pace."

City star Peter Beagrie added: "From a business point of view, the club has to increase the capacity if it wants to stay in the Premier League.

"Since the new roof went on the Kop, the atmosphere has been really good and I am sure a similar structure on the main stand side will improve that."

CITY'S additional 1,000 tickets for Monday's trip to Liverpool are now on sale. Priced at £21 (concessions £10.50), the tickets are on general release after City sold their previous allocation of 1,960.

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