Chairman Geoffrey Richmond, pictured, is confident Bradford City will smash the 10,000 barrier of season ticket holders for the first time next season.

And after reporting a 'brisk' first week of sales for the 1998-99 campaign, the Bantams chief is delighted that a third of sales have gone to fresh applicants.

City are heading for their highest average crowd for 68 years this season thanks to having a record 9,500 season ticket holders.

The Bantams announced last month that they were freezing prices for a fifth successive season despite a soaring wage bill and Richmond is pleased with the initial response.

"It is very, very early days but it has been very encouraging. I will be disappointed if the season ticket sales are not at least the same as last season.

"But hopefully there will be an increase to above 10,000.

"A pleasing aspect has been that a third of the applications have been from fans who are not existing season ticket holders.

"There will be natural wastage and some season tickets will not be renewed for whatever reason, but it has been an encouraging start."

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