Players ready to feel the pinch in their pockets

Last updated : 21 May 2004 By Bernard Chyzy

The players are reportedly prepared to defer one fifth of their wages until the end of next season.
It's just the latest development during the most critical period in City's 100-year history.
Earlier this month, all playing staff were advised to look for new clubs while other employees faced the real prospect of losing their jobs.
As if that wasn't bad enough, former chairman Gordon Gibb feared the Bantams may not even be playing at Valley Parade when they kick off their league campaign in August.
On May 13, fans turned up at the ground to demonstrate their loyalty after administrators cancelled a proposed creditors' meeting that was meant to thrash out a repayment plan under a Company Voluntary Arrangement.
City was at that point expected to stay in administration for the ``foreseeable future'' but it soon emerged that the club would die unless supporters raised # 100,000 by the end of next month.
The stark warning certainly had an immediate impact on those die-hard followers who dug deep to collect around # 7,000.
Building on that, local newspaper Telegraph and Argus set up the Save Our City Appeal the next day with a # 10,000 donation and encouraged local businesses to help out.
Bradford Council also offered its support by putting another #20,000 in the pot.
Now, within the space of just a few days, more than half the cash needed to keep the club afloat for the start of next season has already been raised.
Speaking to the T & A, David Wetherall said:``The fans have come up trumps. We have all come round to the idea that unless something drastic is done then the club will no longer exist.''