City Gent editor David Pendleton believes Bradford City's decision to sell three players could rebound on the club.

He said the sales had taken many fans by surprise with Peter Beagrie's exit to Everton causing the most raised eyebrows.

The fanzine editor said: "I think Geoffrey Richmond is taking a big gamble as we are not safe from relegation. We have 50 points but I think we may need a couple more points.

"I admit it will take some strange results to see us go down but the threat is there. If we lose against Manchester City and then Norwich the following week, the alarm bells might start ringing.

"Chris Wilder is OK as a player and if we had cover I would say the deal is a good one, but Peter Beagrie and Eddie Youds are two of the club's better players. If Beagrie is good enough to play in the Premiership then why is he not good enough for us? What also frustrates me is the lack of stability at the club.

"It seems that every year we must upset the balance of the side and if we want to sustain a challenge then stability is what we need."

John Dewhirst, who is a former editor of City Gent and a contributor, said: "I just can't wait for the season to finish to be honest. Richmond is obviously building a war chest for the summer as he has written off the next few weeks.

"The pressure is certainly on now. If you look back over the last nine months it had a certain inevitable look about it and I feel for Paul Jewell as it is turning into 'Mission Impossible' for him.

"My main concern at the moment is that we finish above a certain other West Yorkshire side."

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.