Soccer fan Nick James was sick as a parrot when his beloved chicken and mushroom pies were shown the red card at Valley Parade.

The pies were the highlight of half-time for the Bradford City fan in the newly-constructed private bar in the Carlsberg stand.

Nick, who has tucked into pies the length and breadth of the country, decided to seek crumbs of comfort by writing to Bantams chairman Geoffrey Richmond asking for a rethink.

He said: "I love Bradford City chicken and mushroom pies - there I've said it - it's an addiction. I have tasted pies from grounds all over the country but nobody makes a pie like my beloved City.

"Now, imagine my horror to find that after paying several hundred pounds to take my place in the bar in the Carlsberg Stand that the chicken and mushroom pies are nowhere to be found.

"Upon seeking the lovely pies I was simply informed 'We don't do 'em! We have a full spectrum of meat pies but no chicken and mushroom.' Why, oh why, has this been allowed?

"Please use your power to alter this horrendous culinary decision and make my match days as magical as last season's memorable Ciba Stand pie-munching sessions."

The 30-year-old, of Main Street, Wilsden, told the T&A he and three friends took it in turn on match days to be the "half-time hero" who missed vital minutes by popping down to order the pies just before the break.

He said: "The trouble is that I only eat chicken and vegetables whereas my mates have been eating gluttonously at half time and I can't join in.

"I've been following City for 15 years and I always have a pie wherever I go. The worst pie I ever had was at Anfield last season for the Liverpool/Everton match. It was a cheese pasty and frozen inside. One of the best was a chicken balti.

"It was just a joke sending the letter but I'm a natural complainer. My job is as a customer service coordinator so it's in my nature."

Getting Mr Richmond to get the pies back on the menu was, well, as easy as pie.

He wrote: "Thank you for brightening the day with your comical letter. I am delighted to tell you the chicken and mushroom pies are back on the menu. As a result of the oversight, our chief pie buyer has been demoted to sausage-roll purchaser."

Would Mr Richmond try one? He told us No. He's too nervous on match days.

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