PFA warns Bradford buyers

The Professional Footballers' Association is insisting on guarantees from potential buyers of Bradford City that compensation will be paid in full to the 19 players made redundant on Thursday. Their contracts were cancelled with the First Division club £13m in debt and in administration.

Such is Bradford's financial plight that the players are highly unlikely to receive any severance pay should they make a claim. However, the Football League has already stressed to the administrators that their insolvency policy does require players' contracts to be honoured.

The PFA's deputy chief executive, Mick McGuire, said: "We are delighted to get such strong Football League backing on this issue. We were hoping they would steadfastly stick to their insolvency policy and that has happened.

"Our position is crystal clear," McGuire added. "If a club exits administration, then they must pay off all their football creditors, that is the players. If the new buyers are not prepared to do that, then they should go and join the Northern Premier League."

Bradford's joint administrator, Mike Moore, revealed he hopes to have a provisional agreement in place with a potential buyer in the next three weeks. Club chairman, Geoffrey Richmond, yesterday resigned from the Football League's board of directors and commercial committee in order to concentrate on the financial crisis at Valley Parade.