CITY fans would be happy to pay more to watch next season, according to a club survey.

Nearly 6,000 supporters have so far taken part – with more than 80 per cent of them season-ticket holders.

The Bantams will publish the full findings at the start of next week but it is understood there is a great deal of weight behind prices being increased by up to 50 per cent from the current £150 for adults.

Season-tickets are set to go on sale later this month once the government have outlined when fans will be allowed to return to football.

City chief executive Ryan Sparks said: “We’re expecting to get very clear guidance on May 17 or 18 in terms of what’s possible.

“I found the snooker world final almost emotional to watch. It was a reminder of what live sport is all about. It is nothing without the fans.

“Game one needs to be a celebration and I’m hoping we can do it with no capacity restrictions. We’ll do everything we can to make sure of it.

“We were always very clear that we would leave the season tickets off sale until we knew what is viable.

“I’m not going to change my view but I think we’re going to have some serious clarity in the next fortnight and we’re ready to go.

“What this extra time has given the club is a real opportunity to assess and learn more about the fanbase.

“I’m in the business of giving the people what they want, as far as possible, and we’re certainly going to listen to that.”

City have been asking fans what they think as part of a three-year strategy to upgrade ticket and access systems. The club hope to have a fully-automated stadium in place for 2022-2023.

“It’s something we’ve been left behind on and that’s not good enough for a club of our size,” added Sparks.

“That will allow us to analyse data better and make sure who’s in the stadium. It makes it safer from a Covid perspective beyond the pandemic.

“Should anything like that happen again, it would make things safer and more trackable.

“We’ve invested a great deal in data analysis, upgrading the ticketing system and bringing the club into 2021. I’d say we are 20 years behind some clubs – it’s almost as if we have been stuck in a different era.”

City are considering subscription-based access in the future, like a gym membership, with fans paying monthly amounts. Benefits and discounted could also be given out during a season.

Sparks said: “We would probably go away from the traditional season-ticket campaign that the club have been known for.

“I think it’s run its race. Cheap ticketing is a great initiative and I don’t intend to raise it by any significant amount.

“I want to make football affordable but I also want this club to challenge for silverware.”

The Bantams rose from 86th to 43rd in the 92 clubs in the Fan Engagement Index that was published yesterday.

Sparks said: “That’s something I’m very passionate about and I believe we have previously failed our supporter-base on.

“With the tools being put in place and the people we are bringing in, it will help us improve what we offer and give us the chance to get closer to our supporters.”