Soccer: City respond to criticism

Bradford City have responded to criticism levelled at the club after their announcement regarding the segregation of fans for Stuart McCall’s testimonial later this month.

City supporters are up in arms that the Valley Parade ‘Kop’ - usually the sole preserve of Bantams fans - is being given over to Rangers followers for the game on April 28.

More than 10,000 Gers fans are expected to make the game to salute midfielder McCall, who spent nearly seven years at Ibrox during the 1990s, and who is now coming to the end of his second spell totalling 10 years with Bradford.

Managing director Shaun Harvey explained:

‘‘The whole of the Ciba Stand was sold in full at Rangers (3,000 tickets) in 90 minutes, or from our ticket office to Rangers fans based in England.

‘‘We are now left with the potential of at least a further 5,500 Rangers fans and the only area big enough to accommodate them together is in the Carlsberg Kop. In the circumstances we were left with very little choice.

‘‘It should be reiterated the club would never allow such an arrangement to take place for a league fixture, only for a testimonial such as this when both sets of supporters are coming with one intention to salute a magnificent servant to both clubs.’’