Late talks keep Bradford alive

Bradford City came close to being thrown out of the Football League yesterday after missing the deadline to put a rescue package together.

The troubled Yorkshire side's lawyers were racing against the clock to get all the paperwork in place that was originally demanded by the League by 4pm.

A major problem over the handover of power from Geoffrey Richmond to the club's new owners - and a large settlement for those shares - had threatened to cost Bradford their place in the First Division. For several anxious hours the one-time Premiership club were teetering on the brink and only late peace talks between Richmond and the prospective new buyer Gordon Gibb saved the day.

A requested extension until today – or even next week – had been rejected by the League and desperate talks were going on to meet approval on the financial guarantees being asked for to get the season going for The Bantams.

Now Bradford have until midday to register their players or the game with Wolves tomorrow, to be televised live on Sky, will be called off and their League status will be withdrawn.

Patience with the club has worn thin at Football League HQ, where they had told them to put their house in order after a meeting with Richmond and Gibb last Monday.

The original date given by the League to sort out their affairs was Thursday, but that was put back until yesterday at 4pm. Officials were hopeful of a solution last night but an official go-ahead may not be granted until today.

Gibb is due to take over from Richmond as chairman and major shareholder. However, Richmond wanted Gibb to buy his shares, for a sum of around £1m, and that had led to the new man walking away from negotiations.

Gibb was in the process of finding the £1.4m needed to cover debts and wages and convince the League that Bradford could be viable. But the extra demand for the money to cover the shares transaction proved too much, and the negotiations had collapsed.

The figure Richmond was demanding is likely to cause anger and disbelief among Bradford fans, as he has already taken millions in dividends over the past few years while the club lurched towards its debts of £33m. Richmond will face fury if his stance – and Gibb's failure to come up with the cash – mean City are refused their place in the First Division.

News of the breakdown had caused panic within the club, the Football League and the players' union, the Professional Footballers' Association, who have been acting as negotiators in the talks to gather the money needed to start and finish the season.

Gordon Taylor's union was not willing to step in again to bale them out as it has come under attack from several clubs about the way they have already pumped more than £2m into Bradford. It was asked for yet more money to solve the dispute between Gibb and Richmond, but this was refused despite the possible dire consequences.

The players were left in the dark about developments, having previously been told that they would not be paid until the end of the month. The PFA accepted that arrangement, even though it leaves its members in a state of uncertainty, as the alternative is that Bradford will fold. But, with Richmond and Gibb in a tug-of-war over shares and money, that fate is only hours away.

Nottingham Forest completed the signing of Eoin Jess from Bradford on a free transfer yesterday.

The 31-year-old Scot has signed a two-year contract after agreeing compensation with the Bantams over the remaining two years of his deal. He was one of 16 players sacked three months ago when the club went into administration. "It's been difficult for all the players at Bradford," Jess said. "We just had to act professionally and get on with it. There really was nothing we could do about – it was out of our hands."

Bradford's manager Nicky Law boosted his squad yesterday as he prepared for the season's opening game – if it takes place.

Andy Gray, Paul Evans and Gus Uhlenbeek impressed Law during their pre-season trial periods. Gray, the ex-Forest midfielder, has signed a two-year deal while the former Brentford midfielder Evans will stay until 2006.

Uhlenbeek, the former Ipswich full-back, has initially joined on a non-contract basis. Law hopes to agree permanent terms next week.