Geoffrey Richmond today insisted: I was forced out of Bradford City.

The former chairman broke his silence for the first time since sensationally leaving the Valley Parade hot-seat ten days ago.

And he admitted: "I would like to have continued at the club but that was not my choice. I was effectively forced out.

"It feels almost like a bereavement and I am very sad. I'm happy for the club and I leave it under good stewardship in Gordon Gibb, unfortunately I'm no longer part of it.

"It would have been my wish to still be at the club, although I won't go into the details at this stage - the supporters are going to have to wait for my book before they get the whole story."

But as Mr Richmond comes to terms with life after City, he revealed that he was not finished with football. Two clubs are understood to have spoken to him already although he played down rumours of a link with cash-struck Grimsby Town.

He said: "Everybody is made in a different way and I need to be involved in football. Other than my family and watching local club cricket at the weekend, I don't have any other interests - I'm not bothered about DIY, gardening or golf.

"I desperately miss the day-to-day buzz. I have to get involved in the game again. "Bradford City will always hold a very special place in my heart but I do want to get back involved in football and I will."

Mr Richmond's reign included City's first trip to Wembley and two promotions which led to the Premiership. But relegation followed by this summer's administration plunged the club into crisis.

He added: "I don't think any supporter of any of the other 91 clubs in that time experienced quite as many highs and lows and moments of ecstasy.

"The real achievement was taking the profile of the club from little Bradford in 1994 to the one it enjoys today where it's possibly in the top 30 clubs in the land. I'm walking away sad but with my head held high because I've left a much better club than the one I joined."