Bradford City are hoping to increase the capacity at Valley Parade to 24,000 by the start of next season by adding a second tier to the main stand.

The Bantams have instructed architects to provide detailed drawings for the new structure with a view to submitting a planning application as soon as possible.

Bantams chairman Geoffrey Richmond outlined the club's proposals in the match programme for today's clash with West Ham.

He said: "Our hope is that construction can be completed in time for the start of the 2000-2001 season, but one of the great things about his particular plan is that work can go on even during the course of the present season without any disruption whatsoever in respect of seating in the Sunwin Stand."

The City chief told the Telegraph & Argus that the building work will not affect the fans seated in the Sunwin Stand this season because it will be built behind and above the existing structure.

When complete the present roof will be dismantled with the main stand being as tall as the new Carlsberg Stand.

It will also become a cantilever structure with the existing steel supports being removed.

The club believe that it will not be a contentious planning application but they are investigating ways to provide additional parking.

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