By Albatross
June 30 2004

Could Hartlepool United be left without opponents on the first day of the season? Crisis Club Bradford City are due to be our opponents, but the Administrators currently in charge of the club are threatening to close them down unless they are allowed to play rent free next season. The situation at Bradford has been critical for a while - they look like being the first team to suffer a 10 point deduction as their period in Administration is set to continue for some time. However, if the Administrators are to be believed, by the end of tomorrow the first day of the season could see no fixture for Pools.

The problem essentially boils down to the use of Valley Parade. Key man is former Chairman Gordon Gibb - owner of Flamingo Land, a big player in the Pension Scheme that apparently owns Valley Parade. Administrators Kroll have effectively issued an ultimatum: either City are allowed to play for next season rent free, or the club will close. Whether this happens or not, it's bad news for Bantams boss Colin Todd - many of his players have already left, he's not allowed to sign anyone, and even if the club survives he will have a minimal budget to work with.

Another example of the depth of the problems faced by the club is that local non-league side Farsley Celtic have agreed to give them half of the gate receipts from the pre-season friendly at their ground - the equivalent of Spennymoor offering to help Pools out. At the moment at least, Bradford are having to look for the charity of Unibond League clubs.

Elsewhere, rumours are circulating that Paul Robinson may be about to sign for York. The story goes that he's been offered a two year deal there - and of course it means he can stay fairly close to home. At the moment though there's been no official word; but then again, there's no official announcemnet of him signing a new deal at Pools either.