Bradford City chairman Geoffrey Richmond believes that clubs will be hit by an explosion in wage demands as players bid to cash in on new transfer regulations.

The Bantams have already seen their salary bill soar from £700,000 in 1994-95 to £2.5million this season.

And the City chief says: "Certainly some footballers and their agents are not dissimilar to pigs in the trough at the moment."

He also predicts that income from transfer fees will dramatically diminish hitting those clubs who depend on it to survive.

Under the Bosman Ruling, players aged 24 or over who are out of contract will be now get free transfers.

Already the top clubs are feeling the pinch with stars such as Leeds United's Rod Wallace publicly stating that he is waiting until the summer for his contract to expire before making a lucrative move for which his club will not receive a penny.

And Liverpool's Robbie Fowler has been reported as demanding a new deal valued at more than £10m to stay at Anfield.

Richmond believes many players will want to sit out their contracts and earn a large signing on fee for joining another club on a free.

He said: "There is no doubt whatsoever that the value of players within 12 months of their contracts ending will be seriously reduced.

"There will also be considerable upward pressure on players' wages as well.

"Players coming towards the end of their contracts will be looking for a big increase because they know they will be able to leave on a free. That could be a major problem for all clubs, not just Bradford City.

"I firmly believe that had it not been for the Bosman Ruling, Eddie Youds would still be at this club."

The fear among many involved in football is that clubs lower down the league will be hit hardest by the new rules because many rely on transfer income to survive.

"Players will also be sold for less than their true valuation as a result as clubs try to recoup at least some money for the player.

"The other major problem will be that the clubs who rely on transfer income to survive will find it increasingly hard to do so.

"That will hurt a lot of clubs quite badly."

However with City looking to be heavily involved in the transfer market this summer, Richmond admits that it could work in their favour.

"For the First Division clubs I believe there are good and bad aspects.

"The plus side for clubs like Bradford City is that it will be easier to go into the transfer market and get players for less than their true valuation."

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